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Schecter Corsair 2020
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
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Playability
75
Sound
66
Build
69
Value
70
Score
70
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Playability
73
Sound
68
Build
50
Value
74
Score
64
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Schecter Corsair 2020 vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special Specs Comparison
Schecter Corsair 2020 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
General
Brand: Schecter Fender Squier
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: HH SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: Corsair Contemporary
Colors: Gold Black, Blue Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Solid Body
Body Material: Maple Poplar
Bridge: Tremolo Roller Tune-O-Matic 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover Rotomatic 18:1 Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Fretboard: Ebony Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Mahogany Roasted Maple
Decoration: Blocks Black Dot
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: Thin C Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Graphite
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Schecter Diamond 78 (Humbucker / Passive) Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter Diamond 78 (Humbucker / Passive) Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Speed Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Schecter Corsair 2020 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Corsair 2020's switch options
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special's switch options

Reasons to Get
Schecter Corsair 2020 over Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Poplar Burl Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Bridge
Bigsby Tremolo vs Tremolo
Intense vibrato with a solid arm
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special over Schecter Corsair 2020

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Bridge
Tremolo vs Bigsby Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Avg. Weight
7.225lbs (3.3kgs) vs 8.375lbs (3.8kgs)
Tends to be lighter
Value Score
74 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Schecter Corsair 2020 vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special

Bridge Pickup
Schecter Diamond 78 vs Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter Diamond 78 vs Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Corsair 2020 vs Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special

Strings
6
Same playing style
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Weaknesses

  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

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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 Corsair 2020:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter Corsair 2020 meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Corsair 2020
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
  • 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 the Schecter Corsair 2020

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

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.

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 Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special

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

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.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Winner: Schecter Corsair 2020.

Pickup Configuration

The Schecter Corsair 2020 has an HH configuration while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special 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

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special pickups from a more specialized brand than the Schecter Corsair 2020. 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 Funk 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: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter Corsair 2020 gives you 3. This means that the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Schecter Corsair 2020 comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Corsair 2020
Pickups 60
Sustain 70
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 66
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
Pickups 70
Sustain 65
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 68

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 Corsair 2020 compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Corsair 2020 is built in Indonesia while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special is made in China.

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.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Schecter Corsair 2020

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 Corsair 2020 has 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.

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

Winner: Schecter Corsair 2020.

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.

The Schecter Corsair 2020's brige is a Bigsby Tremolo. Bigsby tremolos are built differently than regular tremolos. They have a stiffer arm, which is something a lot of people like because the arm won't wiggle around a lot. On the other hand, this type of tremolo is more complicated to restring and it might not be as newbie-friendly as other simpler tremolos.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special'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: Schecter Corsair 2020.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Schecter Corsair 2020's are Grover Rotomatic 18:1 while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special's are Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts

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 Corsair 2020 has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special 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: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Corsair 2020
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Corsair 2020
Quality of materials 68
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 69
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
Quality of materials 41
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 50

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 Corsair 2020 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 Corsair 2020's Scale Length
Schecter Corsair 2020's Scale Length
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special's Scale Length
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special'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 Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special has the longest scale: 25.5". The Schecter Corsair 2020 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 Corsair 2020 Neck Profile
Schecter Corsair 2020's neck profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special Neck Profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special'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 Corsair 2020 and the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special 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 Corsair 2020 Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Corsair 2020's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special'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 Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter Corsair 2020's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Schecter Corsair 2020.

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

Fret Size

Schecter Corsair 2020 Frets Size
Schecter Corsair 2020's Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special Frets Size
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Schecter Corsair 2020's Medium 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 Corsair 2020
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 70
Playability 75
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73