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Schecter C-6 Plus
Gibson Les Paul Modern
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Playability
78
Sound
66
Build
53
Value
76
Score
66
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Playability
73
Sound
78
Build
82
Value
68
Score
78
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Schecter C-6 Plus vs Gibson Les Paul Modern

Reasons to Get
Schecter C-6 Plus over Gibson Les Paul Modern

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
Neck Profile
Thin C vs Asymmetrical Slim Taper
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.9'' (22.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
76 vs 68
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Les Paul Modern over Schecter C-6 Plus

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2019 vs 2015
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
10" to 16" vs 14"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Asymmetrical Slim Taper vs Thin C
Adapts to the natural shape of your hand
Pickups Brand
Gibson vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Pickup Mods
Multiple vs None
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.9'' (22.9mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Other Key Differences
Schecter C-6 Plus vs Gibson Les Paul Modern

Bridge Pickup
Schecter Diamond Plus vs Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter Diamond Plus vs Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Graphite vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter C-6 Plus vs Gibson Les Paul Modern

Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
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
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Quilted Maple Image vs Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns

Common Strengths

  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Gibson Les Paul Modern is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Schecter C-6 Plus's 66 score, which is a significant difference.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Schecter C-6 Plus 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 C-6 Plus is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Gibson Les Paul Modern is the better choice.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter C-6 Plus 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-6 Plus
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Gibson Les Paul Modern
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

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 C-6 Plus Overview

  • From Schecter's 2015 C-6 Plus/Deluxe series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple Image top
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Gibson Les Paul Modern Overview

  • From Gibson's 2019 Modern Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 10" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatics w/Keystone buttons 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 the Schecter C-6 Plus

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

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.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Gibson Les Paul Modern

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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.

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.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Gibson Les Paul Modern pickups from a more specialized brand than the Schecter C-6 Plus. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

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 Gibson Les Paul Modern comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Tap, Phase Out.

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 the Phase Out option is activated, the pickups will ''work against each other'', meaning that they will cancel out their shared frequencies. The result is a very thin sound, instead of a full, rich tone. This is an interesting sound for genres like reggae or funk and has also been used in classic Hard Rock.

Schecter C-6 Plus pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter C-6 Plus's switch options
Gibson Les Paul Modern pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Les Paul Modern'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: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter C-6 Plus
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 66
Gibson Les Paul Modern
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78

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-6 Plus compares to the Gibson Les Paul Modern.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter C-6 Plus is built in Indonesia while the Gibson Les Paul Modern is made in United States.

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.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern

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-6 Plus has 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.

On the other hand, the Gibson Les Paul Modern comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

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: 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.

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 Gibson Les Paul Modern 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: Gibson Les Paul Modern.

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-6 Plus has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

On the other hand, the Gibson Les Paul Modern 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 C-6 Plus.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter C-6 Plus
  • Expensive Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Les Paul Modern
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap, Phase Out Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter C-6 Plus
Quality of materials 45
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 53
Gibson Les Paul Modern
Quality of materials 70
Features 80
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 82

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-6 Plus Nut Width
Schecter C-6 Plus Nut Width
Gibson Les Paul Modern Nut Width
Gibson Les Paul Modern Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Les Paul Modern 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 Gibson Les Paul Modern, 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-6 Plus's Scale Length
Schecter C-6 Plus's Scale Length
Gibson Les Paul Modern's Scale Length
Gibson Les Paul Modern's 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.

The Schecter C-6 Plus has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gibson Les Paul Modern is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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-6 Plus Neck Profile
Schecter C-6 Plus's neck profile
Gibson Les Paul Modern Neck Profile
Gibson Les Paul Modern'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 C-6 Plus has a C type of 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.

The Gibson Les Paul Modern, on the other hand, has a Asymmetrical neck. Even though this neck shape looks like a poorly-made job, it's, in fact, the neck that most naturally adapts to the arc of your hand when grabbing a guitar neck. You'll notice that the lower part of your palm makes a more pronounced, deeper curve while the upper part makes a more subtle arch. This is the shape that adapts the best to that natural arch your hand makes while playing.

Fretboard Radius

Schecter C-6 Plus Fingerboard Radius
Schecter C-6 Plus's Fingerboard radius
Gibson Les Paul Modern Fretboard Compound Radius
Gibson Les Paul Modern's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Gibson Les Paul Modern is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gibson Les Paul Modern favors large hands more than the Schecter C-6 Plus. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter C-6 Plus:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gibson Les Paul Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter C-6 Plus Frets Size
Schecter C-6 Plus's Frets Size
Gibson Les Paul Modern Frets Size
Gibson Les Paul Modern's Frets Size

The Schecter C-6 Plus has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gibson Les Paul Modern'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-6 Plus
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78
Gibson Les Paul Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 85
Solo Playability 60
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter C-6 Plus vs Gibson Les Paul Modern
General Schecter C-6 Plus Gibson Les Paul Modern
Brand: Schecter Gibson
Year: 2015 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: C-6 Plus/Deluxe Modern Collection
Colors: Black Burst, Blue Burst, Purple, Red Burst, C 6 Plus Vintage Sunburst Detail Black, Blue, Red
Left-Handed Version: Yes Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Mahogany
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic w/ String Thru Body Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Schecter Grover Locking Rotomatics w/Keystone buttons
Fretboard: Rosewood Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Mahogany
Decoration: 4mm Dots Mother of Pearl Trapezoids
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Thin C Asymmetrical Slim Taper
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 10" to 16"
Nut: Graphite Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson Burstbucker Pro + Lead (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson Burstbucker Pro Rhythm (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: None Coil Tap, Phase Out
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2