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Schecter Hellcat-VI
Schecter PT Van Nuys
VS
Playability
75
Sound
79
Build
64
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
73
Sound
78
Build
62
Value
76
Score
71
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Schecter Hellcat-VI vs PT Van Nuys

Reasons to Get
Schecter Hellcat-VI over PT Van Nuys

Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.826'' (21mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.905'' (23mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
30'' (762mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Schecter PT Van Nuys over Hellcat-VI

Release Year
2021 vs 2010
From a more recent year
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.826'' (21mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.905'' (23mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 30'' (762mm)
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
Value Score
76 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Schecter Hellcat-VI vs PT Van Nuys

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack vs Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack vs Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Pau Ferro vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Schecter Hellcat-VI vs PT Van Nuys

Body Wood
Ash
Same Body Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
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
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Schecter Hellcat-VI Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Hellcat-VI is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Schecter PT Van Nuys's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Hellcat-VI wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Schecter PT Van Nuys has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Schecter PT Van Nuys is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter PT Van Nuys is the better choice.

The Schecter PT Van Nuys meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter Hellcat-VI 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 Hellcat-VI
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Schecter PT Van Nuys
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • 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 Hellcat-VI Overview

  • From Schecter's 2010 Retro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 30"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • TonePros System w/Custom Brass Saddles bridge
  • Schecter C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover Vintage Deluxe tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter PT Van Nuys Overview

  • From Schecter's 2021 Retro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Diamond Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Thin C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Weight between 8.3lbs (3.8kgs) and 9.15lbs (4.2kgs)
  • 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 Both

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Woods Used in the Schecter Hellcat-VI

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Pau Ferro wood pattern used for guitar building
Pau Ferro

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.

Pau Ferro has a dark, chocolate-like color with straight dark grains that is being used as a replacement to Rosewood due to the regulations. It produces a warm tone that is somewhere between Mahogany and Rosewood. Find out more about Pau Ferro.

Woods Used in the Schecter PT Van Nuys

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Schecter Hellcat-VI has an SSS configuration while the Schecter PT Van Nuys has HH pickups.

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.

On the other hand, 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.

However, the Schecter Hellcat-VI has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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: Schecter Hellcat-VI.

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 Schecter Hellcat-VI 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.

Schecter Hellcat-VI pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Schecter Hellcat-VI's switch options
Schecter PT Van Nuys pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Schecter PT Van Nuys'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: Schecter Hellcat-VI.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Hellcat-VI
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 79
Schecter PT Van Nuys
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 75
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 Hellcat-VI compares to the Schecter PT Van Nuys.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Hellcat-VI is built in South Korea while the Schecter PT Van Nuys is made in Indonesia.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Black Tusq XL nuts. 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).

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 Hellcat-VI'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 Schecter PT Van Nuys'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 PT Van Nuys 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 PT Van Nuys.

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.

Both have 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.

Winner: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellcat-VI
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter PT Van Nuys
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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 Hellcat-VI
Quality of materials 61
Features 55
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 64
Schecter PT Van Nuys
Quality of materials 51
Features 65
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 Hellcat-VI 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 Hellcat-VI's Scale Length
Schecter Hellcat-VI's Scale Length
Schecter PT Van Nuys's Scale Length
Schecter PT Van Nuys'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 Hellcat-VI has the longest scale: 30". The Schecter PT Van Nuys is only 25.5" long. This is a 4.5'' (114.3mm) 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 Hellcat-VI Neck Profile
Schecter Hellcat-VI's neck profile
Schecter PT Van Nuys Neck Profile
Schecter PT Van Nuys'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 Hellcat-VI and the Schecter PT Van Nuys 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 Hellcat-VI Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Hellcat-VI's Fingerboard radius
Schecter PT Van Nuys Fingerboard Radius
Schecter PT Van Nuys'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 Hellcat-VI's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter PT Van Nuys'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 PT Van Nuys.

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''.

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 Schecter Hellcat-VI favors large hands more than the Schecter PT Van Nuys. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Hellcat-VI:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter PT Van Nuys:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Hellcat-VI and Schecter PT Van Nuys Frets Size
Both have a similar XL Jumbo fret size

Both have a XL Jumbo fret size. These are really tall frets made like this so you don't meet any resistance when playing techniques like vibrato, bending, tapping, etc. They should make the guitar easier to play, but you have to be careful not to get the notes out of pitch by pressing down too hard, which might happen since the fretboard will be too low to stop your hand.

Final Playability Scores

Schecter Hellcat-VI
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Schecter PT Van Nuys
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Hellcat-VI vs PT Van Nuys
General Schecter Hellcat-VI PT Van Nuys
Brand: Schecter Schecter
Year: 2010 2021
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Retro Retro
Colors: White, Sunburst Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Ash
Bridge: TonePros System w/Custom Brass Saddles Diamond Vintage Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover Vintage Deluxe Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Pau Ferro Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Roasted Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pear Dots White Dots
Scale Size: 30" 25.5"
Shape: Schecter C Thin C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.826'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 14"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil / Passive) Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil / Passive) Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1