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Kramer NightSwan
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
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Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
57
Value
81
Score
71
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Playability
80
Sound
79
Build
75
Value
78
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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Kramer NightSwan vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign Specs Comparison
Kramer NightSwan Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
General
Brand: Kramer Schecter
Year: 2022 2019
Configuration: HHX HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Original Apocalypse
Colors: Blue Red Patterns
Left-Handed Version: Yes Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Swamp Ash
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Hard Maple Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: White Pearloid Dots (size varies) in Ping Pong Configuration Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: C-Shaped Thin C
Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 0 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Kramer NightSwan pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Kramer NightSwan'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
Kramer NightSwan over Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

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 Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Pickups
HHX vs HH
High output warm tones without a neck pickup
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Avg. Weight
7.5lbs (3.4kgs) vs 7.8lbs (3.5kgs)
Tends to be lighter
Value Score
81 vs 78
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign over Kramer NightSwan

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 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs HHX
High output without hum
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Other Key Differences
Kramer NightSwan vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Kramer NightSwan vs Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor small hands .

Kramer NightSwan:
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 Kramer NightSwan meets only 4. 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

Kramer NightSwan
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 Both

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

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.

Woods Used in the Kramer NightSwan

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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

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

The Kramer NightSwan has an HHX configuration while the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign has HH pickups.

HHX means there's no pickup in the neck position. It's a rare pickup combination. It gives you high output with a warm tone for hard rock with a bit more versatility than single-pickup guitars. You'll have to be careful not to set the middle pickup too high if you want to avoid hitting it with your pick.

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

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 Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Kramer NightSwan's and use them on any guitar:

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: Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign.

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: Kramer NightSwan.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Kramer NightSwan
Pickups 85
Sustain 70
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 77
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 Kramer NightSwan 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 Kramer NightSwan is built in Indonesia while the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign is made in South Korea.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

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 Kramer NightSwan has 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.

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.

The Kramer NightSwan's brige 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.

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

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.

Nevertheless, the Kramer NightSwan has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

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.

The Kramer NightSwan 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 Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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: Kramer NightSwan.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Kramer NightSwan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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 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

Kramer NightSwan
Quality of materials 41
Features 65
Quality Control 65
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

Kramer NightSwan Nut Width
Kramer NightSwan 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 Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.7mm (0.029'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Kramer NightSwan and Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign'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 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

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

Kramer NightSwan Neck Profile
Kramer NightSwan'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.

Both the Kramer NightSwan and the Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign 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

Kramer NightSwan Fingerboard Radius
Kramer NightSwan'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

Kramer NightSwan Frets Size
Kramer NightSwan'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 Kramer NightSwan'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

Kramer NightSwan
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 78
Schecter Solo-II Apocalypse Red Reign
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80