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Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
VS
Playability
70
Sound
67
Build
52
Value
78
Score
63
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Playability
78
Sound
76
Build
69
Value
74
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Squier Debut Series Stratocaster vs Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Specs Comparison
Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
General
Brand: Fender Squier Schecter
Year: 2024 2015
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China South Korea
Series: Debut Hellraiser Hybrid
Colors: Sunburst, Black, Red Black, Purple
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Mahogany
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Die-Cast Sealed Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Laurel Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple 3-pc
Decoration: Dots Offset/Reverse Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: C Ultra Thin C
Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) EMG 57 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) EMG 66 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Black & Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's switch options
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's switch options

Reasons to Get
Squier Debut Series Stratocaster over Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Release Year
2024 vs 2015
From a more recent year
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
78 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT over Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster

Country of Manufacturing
South Korea vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 9.5"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups Brand
EMG vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Squier Debut Series Stratocaster vs Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Bridge Pickup
Ceramic Single-Coil vs EMG 57
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Ceramic Single-Coil vs EMG 66
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Debut Series Stratocaster vs Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Prices

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Hand Size Comfortability

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster favors large hands more than the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster meets only 6. 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

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

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

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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.

Winner: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster has an SSS configuration while the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT has HH pickups.

SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

On the other hand, 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

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's online:

The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's pickups are Passive while the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT.

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

The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT gives you 3. This means that the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

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

Winner: Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
Pickups 70
Sustain 65
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 60
Sound 67
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 76

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 Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster compares to the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster is built in China while the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT is made in South Korea.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like 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: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

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 Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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 Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's 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.

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: Tie.

Tuners

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT.

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.

The Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

On the other hand, the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT comes with 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: Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
Quality of materials 46
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 52
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
Quality of materials 61
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 69

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

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Nut Width
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Nut Width
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 0.1mm (0.004'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster and Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's Scale Length
Both have the same 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.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

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

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's neck profile
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Neck Profile
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT'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 Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster and the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT 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

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's Fingerboard radius
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT'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 Hellraiser Hybrid PT 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.

Fret Size

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's Frets Size
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT Frets Size
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT's Frets Size

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster's Narrow Tall 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

Fender Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78