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Kramer Nite-V
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
VS
Playability
70
Sound
70
Build
55
Value
75
Score
65
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
77
Value
78
Score
78
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Kramer Nite-V vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Reasons to Get
Kramer Nite-V over Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
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
Nut Width
1.68'' (42.7mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Tuner Ratio
14 vs 18
Fewer turns allows faster tuning

Reasons to Get
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse over Kramer Nite-V

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
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups Brand
Schecter USA vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
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 1.68'' (42.7mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Tuner Ratio
18 vs 14
More turns allows more precise tuning
Value Score
78 vs 75
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Kramer Nite-V vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Bridge Pickup
Alnico 5 humbucker vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Alnico 5 humbucker vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Kramer Nite-V vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
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
  • 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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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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 Kramer Nite-V's 65 score, which is a significant difference.

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Kramer Nite-V in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

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 Kramer Nite-V 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

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

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.

Kramer Nite-V Overview

  • From Kramer's 2020 Modern series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Alnico 5 humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Alnico 5 humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Licensed Tremolo with locking nut bridge
  • Slim Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio 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

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 Nite-V

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

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

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

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse pickups from a more specialized brand than the Kramer Nite-V. 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.

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 V-1 FR Apocalypse.

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.

Kramer Nite-V pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Kramer Nite-V'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

Kramer Nite-V
Pickups 60
Sustain 70
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 70
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 Kramer Nite-V 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. The Kramer Nite-V is built in Indonesia while the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse 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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. 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.

However, only the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Kramer Nite-V's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: 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: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Kramer Nite-V's are Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio while the Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's are Grover Rotomatic 18:1

The Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse's tuners have a higher ratio of 18:1. This means that it takes more turns of the pegs to reach a full revolution. In other words, you can tune your guitar with more precision this way, although it will take you more time to restring it.

Winner: Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse.

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 Nite-V 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 V-1 FR Apocalypse 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 Nite-V.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Kramer Nite-V
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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 Retainer Bar
  • 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

Kramer Nite-V
Quality of materials 41
Features 60
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 55
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

Kramer Nite-V Nut Width
Kramer Nite-V 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 Kramer Nite-V has the wider nut with 42.7mm (1.68'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 1.4mm (0.055'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Kramer Nite-V, 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 Nite-V and Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse'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

Kramer Nite-V Neck Profile
Kramer Nite-V'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 Kramer Nite-V 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

Kramer Nite-V Fingerboard Radius
Kramer Nite-V'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.

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

Kramer Nite-V:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Kramer Nite-V Frets Size
Kramer Nite-V'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 Kramer Nite-V'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 Nite-V
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Kramer Nite-V vs Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
General Kramer Nite-V Schecter V-1 FR Apocalypse
Brand: Kramer Schecter
Year: 2020 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Modern Apocalypse
Colors: Black Satin Red Patterns
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Swamp Ash
Bridge: Floyd Rose Licensed Tremolo with locking nut Floyd Rose 1500 Series
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Kramer Deluxe 14:1 Ratio Grover Rotomatic 18:1
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Thorn Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Slim Thin C
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 42.7mm (1.68'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Alnico 5 humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Alnico 5 humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1