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Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
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Playability
80
Sound
85
Build
83
Value
78
Score
83
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Playability
77
Sound
84
Build
74
Value
78
Score
78
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Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S vs Balsac E-1 FR Specs Comparison
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S Balsac E-1 FR
General
Brand: Schecter Schecter
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Banshee Mach Artist
Colors: Black Burst, Natural Burst Red
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Mahogany
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1500 Series Floyd Rose 1500 Series
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Set
Tuners: Grover Rotomatic 18:1 Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple/Purpleheart Multi-ply with Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Offset/Reverse Roman Numerals BälSäc Jaw at 3rd Fret
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Ultra Thin U Ultra Thin C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 14"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Lundgren M6 (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: Sustainer Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black & Chrome Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S's switch options
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR's switch options

Reasons to Get
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S over Balsac E-1 FR

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 14"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Ultra Thin U vs Ultra Thin C
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickup Mods
Sustainer vs Multi-Voicing
Infinite sustain when activated
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR over Banshee Mach-6 FR S

Neck Profile
Ultra Thin C vs Ultra Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs Sustainer
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S vs Balsac E-1 FR

Bridge Pickup
Lundgren M6 vs Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Sustainiac vs Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood

Shared Features
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S vs Balsac E-1 FR

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm)
Same string separation at the nut
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
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 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

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S favors large hands more than the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 Banshee Mach-6 FR S

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

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.

Woods Used in the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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: 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.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR's online:

The Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S's pickups are Passive while the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR'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: 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.

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S offers Sustainer.

The pickups with Sustainer are able to recreate the 'feedback' you get when you hold your guitar near a speaker without muting the strings. This allows them to produce infinite sustain that you can use for as long as you want to create interest sounds and harmonics.

On the other hand, the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR comes with the following: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

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

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S
Pickups 85
Sustain 100
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 85
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 95
Sound 84

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 Banshee Mach-6 FR S compares to the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S is built in South Korea while the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR 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.

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.

Both models come with a retainer bar, which is helpful when changing the strings on a double-locking tremolo. Without it, the strings would change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'd have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly

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.

Both in this comparison come with 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: 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.

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

The Schecter Balsac E-1 FR 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 Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Schecter Balsac E-1 FR.

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 Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S has a Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

On the other hand, the Schecter Balsac E-1 FR 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: Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Sustainer Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S
Quality of materials 75
Features 95
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 83
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
Quality of materials 61
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 74

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 Banshee Mach-6 FR S Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 41.3mm (1.625'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S and Schecter Balsac E-1 FR'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

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S Neck Profile
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S's neck profile
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR Neck Profile
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR'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 Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S 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 Balsac E-1 FR, 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

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S's Compound Fretboard Radius
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR'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 Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S 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

Schecter Banshee Mach-6 FR S and Schecter Balsac E-1 FR 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 Banshee Mach-6 FR S
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 90
Playability 80
Schecter Balsac E-1 FR
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77