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Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
Solar GC1.6TBR
VS
Playability
80
Sound
78
Build
62
Value
78
Score
73
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Playability
78
Sound
79
Build
67
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Side to side spec comparison >

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton vs Solar GC1.6TBR

Reasons to Get
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton over Solar GC1.6TBR

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Graphite
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Evertune
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
78 vs 75
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Solar GC1.6TBR over Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2019 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
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
Evertune vs Fixed
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton vs Solar GC1.6TBR

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA San Andreas vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter USA San Andreas vs Duncan Solar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton vs Solar GC1.6TBR

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
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
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Solar GC1.6TBR is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Solar GC1.6TBR wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton is the better choice.

The Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar GC1.6TBR 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

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Solar GC1.6TBR
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • 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.

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Overview

  • From Schecter's 2017 Artist series
  • Al Jourgensen Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Solar GC1.6TBR Overview

  • From Solar's 2019 Type G series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune F-Type bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
  • 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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton

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 Solar GC1.6TBR

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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton 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: Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton.

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 Al Jourgensen Signature Triton 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.

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton's switch options
Solar GC1.6TBR pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar GC1.6TBR'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 Al Jourgensen Signature Triton.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78
Solar GC1.6TBR
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 56
Tuning Stability 100
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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton compares to the Solar GC1.6TBR.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton is built in South Korea while the Solar GC1.6TBR is made in Indonesia.

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.

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.

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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton has 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).

On the other hand, the Solar GC1.6TBR comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton.

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 Solar GC1.6TBR 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: Solar GC1.6TBR.

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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton'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 Solar GC1.6TBR's is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

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: Solar GC1.6TBR.

Tuners

They both have 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: 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
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar GC1.6TBR
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
Quality of materials 51
Features 65
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 62
Solar GC1.6TBR
Quality of materials 61
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 67

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

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Nut Width
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Nut Width
Solar GC1.6TBR Nut Width
Solar GC1.6TBR Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar GC1.6TBR has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar GC1.6TBR, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton and Solar GC1.6TBR'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

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Neck Profile
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton's neck profile
Solar GC1.6TBR Neck Profile
Solar GC1.6TBR'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 Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton and the Solar GC1.6TBR 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

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton's Fingerboard radius
Solar GC1.6TBR Fingerboard Radius
Solar GC1.6TBR's Fingerboard 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 Solar GC1.6TBR's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

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 Solar GC1.6TBR favors large hands more than the Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Solar GC1.6TBR:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton and Solar GC1.6TBR Frets Size
Both have a similar XL Jumbo fret size

Both have a XL Jumbo fret size. These are really tall frets made like this so you don't meet any resistance when playing techniques like vibrato, bending, tapping, etc. They should make the guitar easier to play, but you have to be careful not to get the notes out of pitch by pressing down too hard, which might happen since the fretboard will be too low to stop your hand.

Final Playability Scores

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80
Solar GC1.6TBR
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton vs Solar GC1.6TBR
General Schecter Al Jourgensen Signature Triton Solar GC1.6TBR
Brand: Schecter Solar
Year: 2017 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Artist Type G
Colors: Black Red Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Swamp Ash
Bridge: TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body Evertune F-Type
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Schecter Locking Solar 18:1 Locking Type
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Blocks Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Thin C Solar C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 14" 13.78"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Graphite
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 0 1