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Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
PRS SE 277
VS
Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
67
Value
74
Score
74
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Playability
67
Sound
72
Build
58
Value
71
Score
66
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Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 vs PRS SE 277

Reasons to Get
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 over PRS SE 277

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 10"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Ultra Thin C vs Wide Fat
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.86'' (21.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.96'' (24.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 27.7'' (703.6mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
74 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
PRS SE 277 over Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1

Release Year
2020 vs 2015
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Wide Fat vs Ultra Thin C
Thick neck that gives you a better grip
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.86'' (21.8mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.96'' (24.4mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
27.7'' (703.6mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 vs PRS SE 277

Bridge Pickup
EMG 57 vs PRS 85/15 S
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG 66 vs PRS 85/15 S
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs PRS Propietary
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 vs PRS SE 277

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Decorative Top
Quilted Maple vs Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

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

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the PRS SE 277's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the PRS SE 277 in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 is the better choice.

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the PRS SE 277 meets only 3. 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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

PRS SE 277
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Overview

  • From Schecter's 2015 Hellraiser Hybrid series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple 3-pc neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 57 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 66 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Ultra Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Weight between 7.45lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.75lbs (3.5kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

PRS SE 277 Overview

  • From PRS's 2020 SE series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 27.7"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • PRS Plate Style (String Through) bridge
  • Wide Fat Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • PRS Designed Tuners 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 Both

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

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.

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.

Woods Used in the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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.

Woods Used in the PRS SE 277

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

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.

Winner: Tie.

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.

However, the PRS SE 277 has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's pickups are Active while the PRS SE 277'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: PRS SE 277.

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 PRS SE 277 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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's switch options
PRS SE 277 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
PRS SE 277'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: PRS SE 277.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
PRS SE 277
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72

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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 compares to the PRS SE 277.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 is built in South Korea while the PRS SE 277 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.

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 has a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

On the other hand, the PRS SE 277 comes with a PRS Propietary nut. It's similar to TUSQ nuts, but they're not as hard, and the tone is not as bright. However, the material is self-lubricating, and it's usually well cut, so they have good tuning 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.

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 Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1.

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 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: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE 277
  • Expensive Wood
  • PRS Propietary Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
Quality of materials 55
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 67
PRS SE 277
Quality of materials 48
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 58

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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Nut Width
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Nut Width
PRS SE 277 Nut Width
PRS SE 277 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the PRS SE 277 has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the PRS SE 277, 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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's Scale Length
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's Scale Length
PRS SE 277's Scale Length
PRS SE 277'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 PRS SE 277 has the longest scale: 27.7". The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 is only 25.5" long. This is a 2.2'' (55.9mm) 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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Neck Profile
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's neck profile
PRS SE 277 Neck Profile
PRS SE 277'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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 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 PRS SE 277, on the other hand, has a Vintage neck. This means that it's thicker than most modern necks, and makes it a better fit for playing chords and slow solos. Some people prefer this type of neck because it gives them a better grip thanks to the extra mass. Still, the vast majority prefer a thinner, faster, and more ''modern'' neck.

Fretboard Radius

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's Compound Fretboard Radius
PRS SE 277 Fingerboard Radius
PRS SE 277'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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 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 PRS SE 277 favors large hands more than the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1.

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1:
Big Hands
Small Hands
PRS SE 277:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 Frets Size
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1's Frets Size
PRS SE 277 Frets Size
PRS SE 277's Frets Size

The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the PRS SE 277'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 Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78
PRS SE 277
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 55
Playability 67

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 vs PRS SE 277
General Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 PRS SE 277
Brand: Schecter PRS
Year: 2015 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Hellraiser Hybrid SE
Colors: Black, Purple Black Burst
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body PRS Plate Style (String Through)
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Schecter Locking PRS Designed Tuners
Fretboard: Ebony Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple 3-pc Maple
Decoration: MOP Offset/Reverse Dots w/Gothic Cross at 12th Fret Birds
Scale Size: 25.5" 27.7"
Shape: Ultra Thin C Wide Fat
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.86'' (21.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 10"
Nut: Black Tusq XL PRS Propietary
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: EMG 57 (Humbucker / Active) PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: EMG 66 (Humbucker / Active) PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1