Swap
Swap
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
VS
Playability
77
Sound
74
Build
62
Value
71
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
77
Value
78
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Add more to comparison

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Reasons to Get
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames over Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Reasons to Get
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse over Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2019 vs 2009
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
78 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Bridge Pickup
USA DMT Lights Out vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
USA DMT Lights Out vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Prices

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse is the better choice.

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Overview

  • From Dean's 2009 Artist series
  • Michael Schenker Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • C Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Overview

  • From Schecter's 2019 Apocalypse series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
  • Weight between 7.3lbs (3.3kgs) and 7.6lbs (3.4kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's switch options
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames compares to the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in South Korea.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's are Grover while the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's are Grover Rotomatic 18:1

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Quality of materials 61
Features 50
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 62
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Quality of materials 71
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 77

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Nut Width
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Nut Width
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Nut Width
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 1.7mm (0.068'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Scale Length
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Scale Length
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's Scale Length
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse has the longest scale: 25.5". The Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Neck Profile
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's neck profile
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Neck Profile
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames and the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Fingerboard Radius
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Fingerboard radius
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames favors large hands more than the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Frets Size
Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Frets Size
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse Frets Size
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's Frets Size

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
General Dean Michael Schenker Custom Flames Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Brand: Dean Schecter
Year: 2009 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea South Korea
Series: Artist Apocalypse
Colors: Custom Red Patterns
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Eastern Mahogany Swamp Ash
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic Floyd Rose 1500 Series
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Grover Rotomatic 18:1
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Eastern Mahogany Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Pearl Block Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: C Thin C
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: USA DMT Lights Out (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1