Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S Gloss

Overview: Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S Gloss

The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S Gloss stakes out a clear position as a high-performance, signature-series electric guitar aimed at metal and shred players. Designed in collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold's iconic guitarist, this model relies on a build that's singularly focused on speed, sustain, and expressive tonal options. At $1755, the stakes are high, so real-world performance and construction details matter.

Body and Aesthetics

The guitar features a body, top, and neck crafted entirely from African mahogany. This combination delivers characteristic warmth and midrange heft, while the gloss black finish with silver pinstripes projects a distinctive visual style. The sculpted body shape, with its exaggerated cutaways and pointed horns, amplifies stage presence and also serves function by allowing easy high-fret access. Aesthetically, the "Death Bat" inlay at the twelfth fret and large "Syn" markers on the ebony fingerboard underline its signature appeal. Some players may find the headstock's sculpted "horns" and bold inlays divisive, but there's no lack of personality.

Neck and Playability

Playability sits at the heart of the Synyster Gates Custom S. The one-piece mahogany neck includes carbon fiber reinforcement rods, minimizing risk of warping and flex. The fingerboard is solid African ebony, with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets set on a 16-inch radius. This combination feels fast, modern, and built for aggressive soloing or intricate riff work. The nut width is 41.3 millimeters, which feels neither cramped nor overly wide. The ultra-thin C profile is a highlight, players used to vintage necks may be surprised by the comfort and speed on tap here, especially with the deep cutaway that gives unfettered access all the way to the 24th fret. Multiple users have mentioned the neck's comfort and accessibility even during extended sessions.

Hardware: Tremolo, Tuners, and Details

No compromises are found with the hardware. The Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge and locking nut are professional-grade, providing tuning stability through aggressive divebombs and pulls. The system ships with Grover Rotomatic 18:1 ratio machine heads, making fine adjustments smooth. Out of the box, setup can require fine-tuning, particularly string action, easy for those familiar with Floyd-style bridges, but beginners should expect a short learning curve. Reports mention the guitar's weight leaning to the heavier side due to its dense mahogany construction, a point to consider for players who perform long sets standing up. No case or gig bag is included, which stands out at this price point.

Electronics and Sound

This guitar is built upon a two-humbucker architecture with active circuitry. In the bridge position sits a Sustainiac pickup, which, coupled with the two-way mode switch, unlocks infinite sustain and controlled feedback effects for solos and creative textures. The neck holds the Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature humbucker, voiced for clear, assertive mids, and defined lows. Players describe the output as "metal-forward", tight articulation under palm mute, aggressive attack in the lows, and glassy highs with excellent note definition on lead parts. Volume and tone controls feel precise under the fingers, and a three-way selector grants straightforward access to a range of core sounds.

Experiences with the Sustainiac diverge. As a lead tool, it's "brilliant" and broadens the palette for harmonic feedback or infinite-string singing. However, when playing chords, some users note the system tends to favor the lower strings, masking the clarity of higher notes. This is a hardware quirk that can dictate whether you use the effect sparingly or as a mainstay. Clarity in clean settings is better than expected for a metal guitar, giving it some versatility beyond heavier genres, though direct, modern, high-gain transistor amplifiers often get the most out of its voicing.

Build Quality and Finish

The consensus on build quality is mostly positive, with "excellent workmanship and a precise feel" being common praise. Fretwork, joint fit, and hardware installation meet professional standards. One recurring complaint is attention to fine finish details; some players found minor imperfections in the gloss work or inlay alignment. Another note is that, on rare occasions, electronic failures have occurred (a bridge pickup reported dead after just three months in one case), which underscores the importance of robust after-sales support for an instrument at this investment level.

Who Is It For?

The Synyster Gates Custom S Gloss is clearly aimed at advanced to expert players, particularly those in metal, hard rock, or progressive circuits. Its high output, focused ergonomic design, and expressive hardware (Sustainiac and Floyd system) reward technical ability and a performance-focused approach. Beginners may find the learning curve steep, especially around setup and maintenance, but for dedicated fans of Avenged Sevenfold or anyone chasing fast necks and huge sustain, the instrument hits the technical benchmarks it promises. The lack of included case is a visible oversight, and substantial weight may be a concern for some. Still, for expressive, modern lead work and high-precision riffing, it proves itself on every count where it matters.