Schecter Synyster Gates Custom LH S SGB

At a glance

The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom LH S SGB is a left-handed, six-string signature electric guitar built around a mahogany body and neck, an ebony fingerboard, and a pair of distinctive pickups. Its specification sheet lists 24 stainless steel frets, a 648 mm scale, and a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge and locking nut. The pickup combination pairs a Sustainiac in the bridge position with a Schecter USA Synyster Gates signature humbucker in the neck position.

One detail needs checking before purchase: the supplied general specifications say "Tremolo: No," while the detailed specifications identify the Floyd Rose 1500 Series as the tremolo system. The detailed specification and owner reports describe a Floyd Rose-equipped guitar, but the listing information is inconsistent. The color information also differs, with "Black" in the general fields and Satin Gold Burst with black pinstripes in the detailed description. Confirm the finish with the seller.

Neck and playing feel

The neck is a major strength in owner feedback. Its Ultra Thin C profile gives the fretting hand a slim, quick surface, and one player described it as comfortable even without particularly long fingers. The 406 mm fingerboard radius and 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets suit fast runs and bends, while the 41.3 mm nut width sets the neck's feel near the first position.

The neck is solid mahogany with carbon fiber reinforcement rods. Glow-in-the-dark side dots help with visibility on a dim stage, and the ebony fingerboard carries pearloid "Syn" and "Death Bat" inlays at the 12th fret. Owners praised the finish quality and reported an agile, comfortable instrument overall. The body is relatively thick, though, and one reviewer found it less ergonomic than a thinner, more contoured guitar. Its belly cut and arm contour improve comfort, but players who strongly prefer a slim body should try it in person if possible.

Pickups and controls

The guitar's two pickup systems have distinct jobs. The Schecter USA Synyster Gates humbucker provides the conventional amplified guitar sound. An owner praised its forceful, low-noise output and said it handled aggressive metal tones while remaining usable for other styles. The Sustainiac adds a sustained, feedback-like note effect, with controls for its operating mode and on/off status. Players will need a short adjustment period to learn how its modes respond, but one owner found the switching intuitive once familiar with the layout.

The controls are straightforward: volume, tone, a three-way pickup selector, a three-way Sustainiac mode switch, and a separate two-way Sustainiac on/off switch. The guitar uses a 9-volt battery. Remember to turn the Sustainiac off and unplug the instrument after playing. An owner warns that leaving it connected can drain the battery.

With the humbucker and Sustainiac together, the guitar covers hard rock and metal with ease. Owners also report satisfying clean tones and describe the pickup pairing as versatile beyond its signature heavy sound. One player achieved convincing results through a small practice amplifier, suggesting the guitar's core character does not depend on a large rig. The Sustainiac and Floyd Rose can also add expressive effects, though a floating bridge takes setup and maintenance that a fixed bridge avoids.

Hardware and ownership notes

The Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge and locking nut offer the tuning stability and pitch movement associated with a double-locking system. A first-time Floyd Rose owner reported that starting with this higher-quality unit made the learning process more manageable. Still, setting the string height and balancing the bridge can take some adjustment. A buyer reported completing those setup changes without major trouble.

Grover Rotomatic tuners use an 18:3 gear ratio. The hardware is specified as black in the detailed description, but the owner feedback includes a warning about gold plating wearing through to silver-colored metal on the bridge and pickup after less than a year of regular use. Since the supplied finish and hardware descriptions do not fully align, check the exact version being sold. The guitar requires a 9-volt battery for the Sustainiac and does not include a case or gig bag. A compatible case is listed separately under article number 284273.

Verdict

The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom LH S SGB has a clear appeal for left-handed players seeking a fast-playing signature guitar with a strong humbucker sound and built-in sustained-note effects. Owners consistently praised the neck, playability, finish quality, and pickup character. Its main considerations are the thicker body, the setup demands of the Floyd Rose, battery upkeep, and conflicting listing details about the tremolo and finish. At a listed price of 1,759, verify those details and the hardware finish before ordering. The case is not included.