Which GUITARISTS Use A SCHECTER Guitar?

Schecter have really figured out the whole artist/visibility thing, haven’t they? They’ve had their guitars in the hands of top artists since pretty much the beginning of business, and today they are relied on by a huge number of pro players.

Today, I’ll gather together a bunch of endorsees and artists with signature models. I’ll even look at a few notable players who’ve picked up a Schecter in the past but not become an official artist. From their early years as a Californian custom shop to today as a top hard rock and metal brand (mostly), Schecter cover a lot of ground in the guitar world. Let’s see who plays them!

The Cure are surely one of Schecter’s most continually visible endorsees. Frontman Robert Smith and bassist Simon Gallup have been toting their Ultra model offsets for well over a decade, in arenas and stadiums across the world. The fact that these iconoclastic and very influential musicians choose Schecter again and again says a lot about the company’s attitude, commitment and support, not to mention the quality of the instruments themselves.

Talking about influential, Ministry’s ‘Uncle Al’ Jourgensen is a demigod for fans of industrial music. He’s a vastly underrated guitarist too, perhaps because he’s as celebrated as a producer, songwriter and sound-masher. The fact is, this guy knows how to make an insane sound on his guitars, and he picks Schecter as his main tools. In addition to Solo 6 models, check out his signature coffin-shaped Schecter, and his rather magnificent 'Triton' take on the Flaying V too!

Click for our exclusive Ministry Interview with Al and Cesar Soto!

These two must be having a great time. Larger than life goth-glam metal, played in a deliberately operatic, OTT way, Avenged Sevenfold have always strived for greatness, as long as you don’t go looking for a deep message. Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance (unlikely to be the names their mothers use for them) are a classic pair of complimentary guitarists, with Syn taking the majority of the ostentatious solos. Their signature guitars are perfect examples of taste flying out the window, but fun firmly remaining.

Yes, Prince played a bunch of Schecters back in the day! It was Schecter he turned to when he wanted tour-worthy reproductions of his famous ‘cloud guitar’ from Purple Rain, and the ‘symbol’ guitars he used during his legal disputes. Remember, when he called himself Squiggle?

They no longer make these, but his association with the brand carried a lot of weight, given his supreme dominance in mainstream music.

Here’s a funny one for you. Pete Townshend ordered a bunch of custom T-style guitars from Schecter for touring with, and even had some quotes on print adverts for them in the 80s. However, he never ended up actually ‘getting official’ with the brand, so no signature models exist.

Or do they? They sort of do exist, in a way. Have you noticed what Schecter call ALL of their T-type guitars? Hint: it’s two initials…

Mark Knopfler is another top player from the classic rock brigade who became enamoured by Schecter’s superlative custom shop instruments. Again, never an up-front endorser, Knopfler nonetheless was happy to be photographed with his favourite (red, of course) Schecter S and T-types, and he spoke highly of them in interviews during the 80s and 90s. Fans go nuts for any mention of his Schecter 'Dream Machine', which is fair enough since it was played on records such as Brothers in Arms and Love Over Gold.

This has probably contributed hugely to the company’s pre-goth reputation for quality, because Knopfler's hardly going to bother with anything that isn’t absolutely top notch, is he?

Instrumental shredder Aaron Marshall of Intervals is a relatively recent Schecter endorsee. His signature 6 and 7 string guitars are clean and tasteful looking, and have picked up fans from diverse musical backgrounds. Marshall is a talented, technical player and has had pukka artist guitars with a number of companies before joining up with Schecter.

The first of our Schecter bassists is Daniel Firth of controversial metallers Cradle of Filth. Daniel’s a lovely chap and his limited edition signature bass had an extremely cool ‘Cthulhu Burst’ finish: if you know, you know! Read more about Daniel’s journey in my exclusive Cradle of Filth Interview.

(Pic: Tom Russell)

Love him or hate him, Machine Gun Kelly (real name Colson Baker) knows how to get himself seen. The US rapper-turned-rocker spent four albums as a hip hop artist before changing direction on album five and deciding on punk-pop. He now appears to be trying his hand at nu metal, which I suppose is now old metal, right?

MGK/Machine Gun Kelly/Colson turned to Schecter for his signature PT model, which came in a solid pink finish.

Nick Johnson already had a successful career as a solo artist before he ended up in Mastodon. Not a bad place to find yourself! The musician, who claims to not be interested in other guitarists and who writes almost exclusively on a piano, is still a pretty stunning guitarist (you’d have to be, to fill the shoes of Brent Hinds), and he has enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration with Schecter. Various signature S and T-type guitars have been made for him over the years, and there are no signs of that ending any time soon!

Read our Nick Johnston Interview

It’s none other than Van Halen’s secret weapon! The bassist - who is also often named as the best singer in Van Halen - has been a Schecter guy for a long time. Any musician who routinely steps on a stage with Eddie Van Halen and Joe Satriani (Anthony’s the bassist in Chickenfoot) is a confident man!

Here’s another bassist from the era of indulgence! Nikki Sixx is famous for being drunk and dying in ambulances, but he’s also a serious, committed musician. He’s the guy who used to get 12-string basses made (four courses of three strings, I believe), which isn’t something you do for a laugh. Or maybe you do, but there are so many Nikki copycats out there with their eyeliner and bandanas, that having him on board with Schecter is simply more rock points on their score sheet.

Well, you’ll have correctly surmised from the list above that there is really no such thing as a 'typical' Schecter guitarist. Given how bold and specific much of their offerings are, that may be something of a surprise! If you think of Jackson, for example, you can expect almost all of their artists to be hard rock and metal players. Here, we have classic rockers, goth superstars and huge pop stars, not to mention a healthy dose of well-known bassists, which is actually pretty rare!

Honestly, any company who can say that Mark Knopfler, Prince, The Cure and Pete Townshend used their stuff at one point is worth paying attention to. Add to that the likes of Ministry, Motley Crue, Avenged Sevenfold and Mastodon, and you’ve got a pretty essential guitar brand on your hands! The sheer variation of models available means there is almost certainly something from Schecter that you will like, and their reputation for quality means you’ll be getting a great guitar, no matter which one you opt for!

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