Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,041
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Schecter Hellraiser C-1". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your inner rockstar with the Schecter Hellraiser C-1, a beast of an electric guitar that's built to satisfy the most demanding of metal players. With a mahogany body and quilted maple top, this guitar offers a potent combination of a full midrange and sweet top end. The ultra-access cutaway provides easy access to the entire rosewood fretboard, complete with 24 extra-jumbo frets and gothic cross inlays for a distinctive look.
At the heart of the Hellraiser C-1 lie Active EMG 81TW and 89 humbuckers that deliver a crushing electric guitar tone. Unique to this guitar, you can activate single-coil sounds via push/pull volume knobs. The TonePros Tune-o-matic-style bridge with a string-thru-body design ensures stable tuning, no matter how hard you play. Aesthetically, Schecter locking tuners, black chrome hardware, and binding chosen to complement the finish round out the killer look of the Hellraiser C-1.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body with quilted maple top
- Ultra-access cutaway
- Three-piece mahogany neck
- Rosewood fretboard with 24 extra-jumbo frets and gothic cross inlays
- Active EMG 81TW and 89 humbuckers
- Single-coil sounds via push/pull volume knobs
- TonePros Tune-o-matic-style bridge with string-thru-body design
- Schecter locking tuners
- Black chrome hardware
- Available in Black Cherry finish
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | C |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Top Material | Quilted Maple |
| Body Finish | Polyester |
| Neck Material | Maple, Set |
| Neck Shape | Schecter |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 14" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Gothic Crosses |
| Number of Frets | 24, Extra Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.653" |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech XL Black Tusq |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Tune-O-Matic Bridge with String-through body |
| Tuners | Locking |
| Neck Pickup | EMG 89 Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | EMG 81 Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 3-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | Ernie Ball Regular Slinky, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 best suited for?
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The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 is ideal for heavy music genres like metal and hard rock, thanks to its EMG active pickups which deliver high output and aggressive tones.
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What pickups are installed in the Schecter Hellraiser C-1?
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The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 comes with EMG 81 and EMG 89 humbucker pickups, known for their powerful output and clarity, making them perfect for high-gain applications.
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Does the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 have a comfortable neck profile for fast playing?
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Yes, the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 features a thin "C" neck profile and extra jumbo frets, providing a smooth and fast playing experience, ideal for shredding and intricate solos.
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Is the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 suitable for beginners?
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While the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 is a high-quality guitar with advanced features, its playability and versatile tone make it suitable for both beginners and experienced players who are serious about their sound.
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What type of bridge does the Schecter Hellraiser C-1 have?
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The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 is equipped with a Tune-O-Matic bridge with a string-through body design, enhancing sustain and tuning stability.
Videos
Alexander Andrade
Schecter Hellraiser C1 White
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile EMG active pickups provide a wide range of tones from metal to clean.
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Push/pull coil tap offers flexibility between single and double coil sound.
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High-quality craftsmanship with flawless finish and durable build.
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Locking tuners make string changes quick and maintain tuning stability.
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Fast, comfortable neck with easy access to higher frets.
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Excellent value for money, offering features typically found in more expensive models.
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Aesthetic appeal with abalone binding and black cherry finish.
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Smooth transition from rhythm to lead play.
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Great sustain and harmonic clarity due to set neck and string-through body.
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Lightweight yet solid, suitable for long playing sessions without fatigue.
CONS
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Glossy neck finish can feel sticky, hindering fast playability.
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Tone may sound flat and undynamic without a quality amp.
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Heavy guitar could be uncomfortable for some users.
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Battery changes required for active pickups, though infrequent.
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EMG 81TW/89R pickups may not suit all preferences.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Schecter Hellraiser C-1.
Build quality
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The C shape neck offers excellent upper fret access and is favored for its thickness, accommodating players with hand issues.
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It's noted that Schecter necks can vary in measurements, with some users measuring deviations from the spec sheet, unlike the consistent specs found in Ibanez guitars.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Floyd Rose 1500, made in Korea, stays in tune well, but users recommend stainless steel string blocks and bolts for longevity.
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It's recommended to check and replace the 9-volt battery frequently in active EMG pickups to avoid muddy tones.
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One user experienced nut binding with 11-gauge strings for drop C tuning on the Hellraiser C-1 and resolved it by switching to 10-gauge strings.
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Features and functionality
User experience
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Owners appreciate Schecter's high-quality components, emphasizing that no upgrades are necessary straight out of the box.
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A user reported owning 12 Schecters and favors the Hellraiser for its playability, only exceeded by the C-1 Classic for versatility.
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Owners have mentioned that the string spacing on the Hellraiser C-1 (34.5mm at the nut) feels noticeably different from the Ibanez (36mm), though adapt quickly after switching.
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Comparisons
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The Hellraiser neck is compared to an ESP Eclipse neck, sharing nearly identical specifications down to the millimeters.
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The Hellraiser is noted for excelling in metal genres, while the C-1 Classic offers a broader range of genres, benefiting from a Seymour Duncan JB/59 pickup set.
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The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 neck is described as narrower at the nut and thicker than the Ibanez Wizard III, resembling a thinner Gibson neck in feel.
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Value and pricing
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 14 Ratings
Best guitar on the planet.
Some backstory before I get into the guitar; I hit a super rough spot in my life was insanely depressed and wasn't getting out of bed at all type shit. One day went into the local guitar center and found this guitar for $380 my buddy helped me get the guitar and it literally changed my life. I was constantly playing this guitar, and I got better at guitar because of it, I have a band now because of this guitar, and I'm able to play so much better because of this guitar, and I feel like I genuinely owe it all to Schecter for making this guitar.
What I love about this guitar is the way it plays, and the way it feels. It's probably the best guitar I have literally ever played. The neck isn't super thin, but it's also not a baseball bat like some Gibson guitar necks get, for me, it's perfectly in the "in-between" and I couldn't be happier with a guitar neck honestly. The scale length sits at 25.5" which coming from constantly playing an Epiphone Les Paul was a change and I embraced it, the strings have so much nicer tension and I can hit lower tunings without the guitar losing its clarity all that much. The pickups the guitar shipped with her were fantastic as well (EMG81TW/89R) It was really nice having pickups that were just out of the box amazing, and having the added benefit of being able to "coil split" they helped me get tones I wasn't able to get with ANY guitar till I got this guitar. The weight of the guitar is perfect, I'm not sure how heavy it is, but it's not Les Paul heavy, and it's definitely not Headless guitar ergonomic light either. I can play this guitar for HOURS without my back hurting, unlike my Les Paul. The tuners are Schecter branded locking tuners and by far this guitar holds tuning better than every guitar I own, it's an insane monster for me only getting it for just under $400.
What I dislike about this guitar;
Gloss Neck: Like most guitars from this era glossy finished necks are the bane of my existence. But I was able to rectify that by taping off the fretboard and binding and taking a scotch Brite pad to the neck and was able to get the neck super smooth and haven't regretted it since. Sure the finish is a bit duller on the neck now, but I do not care. The pros to doing that outweigh the cons.
The specific EMGs this guitar shipped with: So, for me after about a year of using this baby with its stock EMG 81tw and 89r pickups, I started noticing I wasn't a fan of them which is strange cause I love my EMG 81 and 60 that's in my Les Paul, but for some reason wasn't vibing with these. Well after looking into it and reading some forum posts I realized I'm not alone. It feels like the 81tw trying to do two pickups at once with how they're designed, the 81 side of the pickup isn't as tight, isn't as hot, and just sounds like an old-school pickup which it shouldn't in my opinion. The 89r I just wasn't a fan of after a few months of having the guitar, not a big fan of the sound, not a big fan of the single coil sound either. However, these pickups are still great in their own right I'm just being nit-picky. I recently upgraded this guitar to have Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3s which are the Mick Thomson of Slipknot pickups and I haven't looked back since. So keep that in mind if you want a guitar with these specific types of pickups, they're still great but just didn't work for me personally, who knows you may love them!
With all this being said this guitar has become my favorite guitar, It's become my number one and I plan to be buried with this damn thing the day I kick the bucket. It's the guitar I have since getting it compared to every guitar I've played since, if the guitar can't even reach the ballpark of what this hellraiser can then I don't want it. I've made mock-ups of semi-custom guitars basing them entirely on this guitar. Would love to try out more Schecters for sure in the future!
Preferred Settings + Usage:
I love using this guitar in Drop C with Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky (12 - 56) or Drop B with Ernie Ball Mammoth Slinkies (12 - 62)!
95
Really fuckin amazing
Probably the most important part: the fretwork is amazing. The binding and finish is so smooth without any sort of imperfection. The guitar is so sexy and so fun to play and show off to friends/family.
Gorgeous look and sound
This guitar is elegant, everything I ever wanted in a guitar without knowing it.
Artist usage
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In an early live performance with Bring Me The Horizon at Alley Katz in Richmond, VA on October 17, 2007, Lee Malia is seen using a Schecter Hellraiser C-1 guitar, as documented in a high-quality video uploaded by xmxmavixmx on YouTube.
During the Motionless in White concert at Castle Theater in Bloomington, IL on April 19, 2011, Thomas "TJ" Bell is seen playing a Schecter Hellraiser C-1 guitar for the last two songs, which are tuned in Drop A#.
on this site: https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/curtis-ward.html, Curtis can be seen on stage with a red Schecter Hellraiser C-1
At 7:27 in a video posted in April 2020 showing off some of his guitar collection, Sullivan King highlights a red Schecter Hellraiser C-1 that is strung with bass strings. King says he uses it for its "beefy" sound that helps him fill out tracks sonically.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Schecter Hellraiser C-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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The Schecter Hellraiser and the ESP LTD EC-1000 series are both on par with each other for being high-end metal-based guitars. Great companies, sound great, exceptionally well made both, and play great out of the box!
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