Schecter Nick Johnston 10thAn HSS AS LH

Schecter Nick Johnston 10thAn HSS AS LH review

The Schecter Nick Johnston 10thAn HSS AS LH is a left-handed, six-string electric guitar built around a familiar ST-style layout. Its anniversary designation, Atomic Saffron high-gloss finish, and metal-ring fingerboard inlays give the model a distinct look, while the specification sheet focuses on practical stage and studio features. The listed price is $1,550, and the model has been available since September 2025.

The central configuration pairs an alder body with a bolt-on wenge neck and an ebony fingerboard. Schecter specifies a 648 mm (25.51-inch) scale, 22 extra-jumbo frets, and a 356 mm (14-inch) fingerboard radius. These details place the guitar within familiar electric-guitar dimensions rather than an unusual or specialized format. The left-handed design is a key part of its appeal, since the model is expressly built for players who need that orientation.

Neck and playing dimensions

The neck profile is named Nick Johnston C. Its stated thickness is 20 mm at the first fret and 22 mm at the twelfth fret, providing more information than the profile label alone. The nut is 42 mm (1.65 inches) wide and made from black Graph Tech TUSQ XL. Together, these measurements give prospective buyers concrete points to compare against a guitar they already find comfortable.

The 22 extra-jumbo frets and relatively broad fingerboard radius are notable parts of the setup. However, the supplied specifications do not describe fret finishing, action, or setup quality on an individual instrument. Buyers should treat those as inspection points rather than assume every guitar will arrive with identical playability. The available field feedback reports that Schecter's quality control has improved again, but offers no detailed account of this model's setup or fretwork.

HSS pickups and controls

Schecter equips the guitar with a USA-made Nick Johnston Sub Atomic humbucker at the bridge and two USA-made Nick Johnston Sub Atomic single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. This HSS arrangement gives the model a bridge humbucker alongside two single coils. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations, while one volume control and one tone control keep the control layout straightforward.

The tone control has a push/pull function for coil splitting. That provides a way to change the bridge humbucker's configuration without adding another visible control. The specifications do not state output levels, magnet type, or measured tonal characteristics, so claims about exact frequency response or gain would be premature. On paper, the combination is a useful option for players who want both a humbucker and single-coil voices in one instrument, with switching handled from a conventional control area.

Tremolo, tuning hardware, and finish

A Schecter Nouveau Tremolo is fitted, along with Schecter Nouveau locking machine heads. The tremolo adds pitch movement to the guitar's feature set, while the locking tuners are intended to simplify string changes and secure the strings at the tuning machines. The supplied data does not identify a locking nut or describe the tremolo's range, so those details should not be inferred from the hardware names.

The finish is Atomic Saffron with a high-gloss surface, and the hardware is chrome-plated. The body has no specified top layer. Those are clear design choices rather than evidence of a particular tonal effect. The Ernie Ball Regular Slinky factory string set is listed as.010 to.046, giving buyers a useful reference for the installed gauge, though the strings can of course be replaced to suit personal preference.

What the package includes, and what it leaves out

One limitation is explicit: neither a case nor a gig bag is included. That matters at this price, especially for a player who needs protection for regular transport. The field feedback also notes that left-handed models are not offered in the AV or AG finishes. The listed guitar is Atomic Saffron, so shoppers seeking those other finishes should confirm current left-handed availability before ordering rather than assume the finish range matches right-handed versions.

• Body and neck: Alder body, bolt-on wenge neck, ebony fingerboard.
• Core dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, 22 extra-jumbo frets.
• Electronics: HSS pickup layout, five-way switch, push/pull coil split.
• Hardware: Schecter Nouveau Tremolo and locking machine heads.
• Included protection: No case or gig bag.

Verdict

The Schecter Nick Johnston 10thAn HSS AS LH presents a detailed, purpose-built specification for left-handed players who want an ST-style guitar with a bridge humbucker, two single coils, and a push/pull coil split. Its wenge neck, ebony fingerboard, locking tuners, and named tremolo hardware add useful points of distinction. The main purchasing caveats are the absence of a case or gig bag and the reported limits on finish availability for left-handed models. At $1,550, it is worth comparing the actual instrument's setup and finish with your preferences before buying. Item number 621041 identifies this specific model.