Schecter Synyster Gates Standard Gloss

Schecter Synyster Gates Standard Gloss review

The Schecter Synyster Gates Standard Gloss is a signature electric guitar built around a mahogany body and neck, an ebony fingerboard, and two Schecter Diamond Synyster Gates humbuckers. Its Gloss Black finish, silver pin stripes, and black hardware give it a distinctive appearance that matches its association with Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. The listed price is 1045.

Its specification sheet suggests a guitar aimed at players who want a fast-playing neck, a wide range of tones, and a locking tremolo. Owner feedback is divided on setup and hardware reliability, however. Several players praise the sound, finish, and feel, while others report bridge or tuning problems that required professional attention. Those reports make the setup worth checking carefully when the guitar arrives.

Construction and playing feel

The body, top, and neck are all mahogany. The neck is bolted on, and its Ultra Thin C profile is designed for a slim feel in the hand. The ebony fingerboard has a 406 mm radius and 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets. At 648 mm, the scale length is a familiar full-size length for electric guitar. The nut measures 41.3 mm wide.

Glow-in-the-dark side dots are a practical detail for players who perform in dim settings. One owner describes the guitar as comfortable to play and well finished, while another says it has remained a reliable instrument after about a year and a half of use. That positive experience matters, though reports of fret buzz on a newly delivered example show that individual setup condition can vary.

The guitar is listed without a case or gig bag. Buyers should account for that separately if they need protection for transport or storage.

Pickups and controls

Two Schecter Diamond Synyster Gates signature humbuckers provide the guitar's pickup configuration. The controls include push-pull volume and tone knobs, alongside a three-way pickup selector. The push-pull controls add switching options, although the supplied specifications do not detail their exact functions. Active pickups are not used.

Feedback on the sound is generally enthusiastic, with owners calling it excellent for the price and suitable for more than metal. One player particularly liked the tone from the pickups. Another felt the humbuckers did not offer enough improvement over a less expensive guitar to justify the cost. That difference is useful context: the pickups have fans, but their value will depend on the player's expectations and preferred sound.

Locking tremolo and setup considerations

The listed hardware includes a Floyd Rose Special "Hot Rod" locking tremolo, with a Floyd Rose 1500 Series saddle also specified. The tremolo can support expressive pitch changes, but a locking system takes more work to tune than a fixed bridge. One owner notes that retuning involves loosening the locking nuts at the nut. Players who regularly change tunings should consider whether that process suits their routine.

More significant concerns appear in reports about setup. One buyer received a guitar with a bridge problem that caused buzzing across the first three frets on every string, then took it to a specialist. Another owner reported that the tremolo was poorly adjusted and caused tuning trouble even without using the bar. A separate review raised concerns about the materials used in bridge components and described needing repairs after a short period.

These are individual reports, not proof that every guitar will have the same issues. Still, they point to specific checks worth making: inspect the bridge and locking hardware, confirm the guitar stays in tune, and play each string across the lower frets to listen for buzzing. If anything seems wrong, a qualified technician can assess the setup before regular use.

Verdict

The Schecter Synyster Gates Standard Gloss pairs striking looks with a slim mahogany neck, an ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, and signature humbuckers. Players who value its appearance and comfortable feel may find it a rewarding instrument, and positive owners report strong tone across different styles. The locking tremolo adds expressive potential but also makes tuning changes more involved.

The main reservation is consistency. Reports range from a guitar that has served its owner well to instruments needing bridge adjustment or repair. At the listed price of 1045, a careful inspection and a proper setup are sensible parts of the purchase. If those checks come back clean, the guitar offers a focused signature design with plenty to appeal to players drawn to its sound and look.