Schecter Guitar Research was founded in 1976 by David Schecter in Van Nuys, California, initially operating as a parts and repair shop. The company supplied replacement necks, bodies, pickup assemblies, bridges, and hardware to guitarists looking to customize or upgrade their Fender and Gibson instruments, eventually cataloging over 400 individual parts. In 1979, Schecter shifted into full instrument production, assembling complete custom guitars and earning a strong reputation among working musicians. After a period of ownership changes — including a Texas investment group and Japanese entrepreneur Hisatake Shibuya, who also owned ESP Guitars and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood — the company was stabilized under president Michael Ciravolo beginning in the mid-1990s.

In 1998, Schecter launched the Diamond Series: affordably priced guitars built in South Korea and finished in the U.S., which brought the brand to a much wider audience. The C-1 became one of Schecter's most recognized models, and the brand subsequently expanded its lineup with the Hellraiser and Omen series of electric guitars, the Stiletto bass series, and a range of seven- and eight-string instruments popular in progressive metal and djent. Schecter also runs a Custom Shop for handcrafted, made-to-order instruments, and later introduced the USA Production Series for players seeking domestically built guitars at a lower price than full custom work.

Schecter has built a particularly strong following in hard rock and metal communities, supporting a large roster of signature artists and developing purpose-built instruments for high-gain playing styles. Beyond guitars and basses, the brand has produced amplifiers and effects units. The company's product range spans entry-level instruments through professional-grade and Custom Shop pieces, making it one of the more vertically integrated independent guitar manufacturers in the market.

Schecter has 1093 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Extended Range Guitars. Their gear is featured by 423 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Electronic. Notable users include Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance, and Shaun Morgan. Schecter's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.