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Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
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Playability
77
Sound
72
Build
57
Value
79
Score
69
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Playability
80
Sound
79
Build
75
Value
78
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Specs Comparison
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
General
Brand: Gretsch Schecter
Year: 2022 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China South Korea
Series: Electromatic Apocalypse
Colors: Gold, Black, Blue, Brown Burst, Red, Gray Red Patterns
Left-Handed Version: Yes Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Chambered Mahogany Swamp Ash
Bridge: Anchored Adjusto-Matic TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Die-Cast Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Laurel Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Pearloid Big Block Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 24.6" 24.75"
Shape: Thin U Thin C
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Gretsch Black Top Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gretsch Black Top Broad'Tron (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 3 2
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's switch options
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign's switch options

Reasons to Get
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT over Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Decorative Top
Arched Laminated Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2022 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Thin U vs Thin C
Comfortable neck with more grip
Volume Knobs
3 vs 2
More volume control
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.6'' (624.8mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Value Score
79 vs 78
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign over Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT

Country of Manufacturing
South Korea vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Thin C vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 24.6'' (624.8mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Avg. Weight
7.8lbs (3.5kgs) vs 8.175lbs (3.7kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Other Key Differences
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Bridge Pickup
Gretsch Black Top Broad'Tron vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Gretsch Black Top Broad'Tron vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

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
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

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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 Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT favors large hands more than the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT meets only 5. 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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
  • 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 the Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

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.

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.

Woods Used in the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
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.

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.

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: Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

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.

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: Tie.

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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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.

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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 61
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 79

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 Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT compares to the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT is built in China while the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

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 Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT has a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

On the other hand, the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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: 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

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
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
Quality of materials 60
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 57
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
Quality of materials 71
Features 80
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 75

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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Nut Width
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Nut Width
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Nut Width
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's Scale Length
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's Scale Length
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign's Scale Length
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign'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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign has the longest scale: 24.75". The Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT is only 24.6" long. This is a 0.15'' (3.8mm) 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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Neck Profile
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's neck profile
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Neck Profile
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign, on the other hand, has a C 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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Fingerboard Radius
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's Fingerboard radius
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign'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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT Frets Size
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's Frets Size
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Frets Size
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign's Frets Size

The Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT's Medium 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

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 77
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80