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Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
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Playability
82
Sound
80
Build
82
Value
81
Score
81
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Playability
70
Sound
74
Build
62
Value
74
Score
69
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Schecter C-1 SLS Custom vs Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster Specs Comparison
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
General
Brand: Schecter Fender
Year: 2024 2018
Configuration: HH SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Mexico
Series: Diamond Artist
Colors: Black, Red White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Alder
Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo Set Flat to Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Fender Vintage F Stamped
Fretboard: Ebony Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple/Walnut/Padauk 7-Ply Neck with Two Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Maple
Decoration: "Vendetta" White Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Ultra Thin "C" Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 21 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 7.25"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic with Brushed Black Nickel Cover (Humbucker / Active) Fender Custom Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico with Brushed Black Nickel Cover (Humbucker / Active) Fender Custom Ceramic Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom's switch options
Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster's switch options

Reasons to Get
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom over Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2024 vs 2018
From a more recent year
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 7.25"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
81 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster over Schecter C-1 SLS Custom

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom vs Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic with Brushed Black Nickel Cover vs Fender Custom Ceramic Single-Coil
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico with Brushed Black Nickel Cover vs Fender Custom Ceramic Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter C-1 SLS Custom vs Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • 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

Schecter C-1 SLS Custom Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster Prices

    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 Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster favors large hands more than the Schecter C-1 SLS Custom. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Schecter C-1 SLS Custom meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster 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

    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Short scale

    New Player Friendliness

    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    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

    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.

    Woods Used in the Schecter C-1 SLS Custom

    Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ebony
    Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ash

    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.

    Woods Used in the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster

    Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Rosewood
    Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
    Alder

    Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

    Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

    Winner: Schecter C-1 SLS Custom.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Schecter C-1 SLS Custom has an HH configuration while the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster has SSS pickups.

    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.

    On the other hand, SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

    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 Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

    The Schecter C-1 SLS Custom's pickups are Active while the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster's are Passive.

    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: Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster.

    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

    The Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter C-1 SLS Custom gives you 3. This means that the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    Only the Schecter C-1 SLS Custom comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split, Multi-Voicing.

    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.

    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: Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 90
    Versatility 64
    Tuning Stability 80
    Sound 80
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
    Pickups 100
    Sustain 60
    Versatility 72
    Tuning Stability 65
    Sound 74

    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 C-1 SLS Custom compares to the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter C-1 SLS Custom is built in Indonesia while the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster is made in Mexico.

    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.

    Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

    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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster comes with 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.

    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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 C-1 SLS Custom.

    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 C-1 SLS Custom'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 Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

    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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 C-1 SLS Custom.

    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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster comes with 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.

    Winner: Schecter C-1 SLS Custom.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Black Tusq XL Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Neck-Through Build
    • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Compound Radius Fretboard
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
    • Expensive Wood
    • Synthetic Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Tremolo
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Mexico
    • 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

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
    Quality of materials 81
    Features 90
    Quality Control 75
    Build Quality 82
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
    Quality of materials 61
    Features 55
    Quality Control 70
    Build Quality 62

    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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 42mm (1.654'').

    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 C-1 SLS Custom and Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster'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 C-1 SLS Custom Neck Profile
    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom's neck profile
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster Neck Profile
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster'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 C-1 SLS Custom and the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster 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 C-1 SLS Custom Fretboard Compound Radius
    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom's Compound Fretboard Radius
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster'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 C-1 SLS Custom 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 C-1 SLS Custom Frets Size
    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom's Frets Size
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster Frets Size
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster's Frets Size

    The Schecter C-1 SLS Custom has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster'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

    Schecter C-1 SLS Custom
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 100
    Playability 82
    Fender Albert Hammond Jr Stratocaster
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
    Chord Playability 90
    Solo Playability 60
    Playability 70