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Schecter C-1 SLS Elite
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
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Playability
82
Sound
77
Build
80
Value
80
Score
80
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
84
Value
71
Score
81
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Schecter C-1 SLS Elite vs Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Specs Comparison
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
General
Brand: Schecter Ibanez
Year: 2018 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 7
Made in: South Korea Japan
Series: SLS Elite AZ
Colors: Black, Orange Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Alder
Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body Gotoh T1872S
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads
Fretboard: Ebony Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Roasted Maple
Decoration: Abalone Offset/Reverse Dots Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Ultra Thin C AZ7 Oval C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12"
Nut: Compensated Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 47mm (1.85'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's switch options
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige's switch options

Reasons to Get
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite over Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs Coil Tap
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.85'' (47mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
80 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige over Schecter C-1 SLS Elite

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs South Korea
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs Multi-Voicing
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.85'' (47mm) 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
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 Elite vs Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Compensated vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite vs Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige

Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
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
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Schecter C-1 SLS Elite Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

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

Schecter C-1 SLS Elite:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige meets only 6. 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 Elite
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Schecter C-1 SLS Elite

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

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 Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige

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

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.

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 Elite.

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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's and use them on any guitar:

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's pickups are Active while the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige'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: 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

The Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter C-1 SLS Elite gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite offers 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.

On the other hand, the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige comes with the following: Coil Tap.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

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

Winner: Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter C-1 SLS Elite
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 82
Tuning Stability 75
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 Schecter C-1 SLS Elite compares to the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite is built in South Korea while the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige is made in Japan.

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.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige

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 Elite has a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

On the other hand, the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

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.

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite'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 Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige'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

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.

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite 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 Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige 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 Elite.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter C-1 SLS Elite
Quality of materials 80
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 80
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
Quality of materials 81
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 84

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 Elite Nut Width
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite Nut Width
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Nut Width
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige has the wider nut with 47mm (1.85'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 5mm (0.196'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige, 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 C-1 SLS Elite and Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige'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 Elite Neck Profile
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's neck profile
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige'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 Elite and the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige 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 Elite Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige'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 Elite 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 Elite Frets Size
Schecter C-1 SLS Elite's Frets Size
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige Frets Size
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige's Frets Size

The Schecter C-1 SLS Elite has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige's 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 Elite
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82
Ibanez AZ24027 Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77