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Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
VS
Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
67
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
68
Sound
67
Build
57
Value
79
Score
64
FIND IT ON:
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Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional vs Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS

Reasons to Get
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional over Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
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
Pickups Brand
Schecter USA vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Pickups
HH vs HSS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS over Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
HSS vs HH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
79 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional vs Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA Pasadena Plus vs Standard Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter USA Pasadena vs Standard Single-Coil Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional vs Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
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

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

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
The Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS was discontinued. It was replaced by the Sonic Stratocaster HSS. Check out our comparison.

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 Jack Fowler Traditional is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • 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 Jack Fowler Traditional Overview

  • From Schecter's 2021 Artist series
  • Jack Fowler Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Diamond Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Thin C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Weight between 7.85lbs (3.6kgs) and 7.95lbs (3.6kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2020 Bullet series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Standard Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Standard Die-Cast 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 Jack Fowler Traditional

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

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

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.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS

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

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.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

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 Jack Fowler Traditional.

Pickup Configuration

The Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional has an HH configuration while the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS has HSS 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, HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

Pickups Quality

The Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller 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: Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional.

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 Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional gives you 3. This means that the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional 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 Jack Fowler Traditional pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional's switch options
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS'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 Jack Fowler Traditional.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 80
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 67

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 Jack Fowler Traditional compares to the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

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 Jack Fowler Traditional 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 Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

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.

The Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional's brige 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.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS's 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.

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 Jack Fowler Traditional 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 Jack Fowler Traditional.

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 Jack Fowler Traditional
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • 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

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 67
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 57

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 Jack Fowler Traditional 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 Jack Fowler Traditional and Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional Neck Profile
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional's neck profile
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Neck Profile
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS'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 Jack Fowler Traditional and the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS 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 Jack Fowler Traditional Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS'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 Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional'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 Jack Fowler Traditional.

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 Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS favors large hands more than the Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional Frets Size
Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional's Frets Size
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS Frets Size
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS's Frets Size

The Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS'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 Jack Fowler Traditional
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 68

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional vs Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
General Schecter Jack Fowler Traditional Squier Bullet Stratocaster HT HSS
Brand: Schecter Fender Squier
Year: 2021 2020
Configuration: HH HSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Artist Bullet
Colors: White Black, Pink, Brown Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Poplar
Bridge: Diamond Vintage Tremolo 6-Saddle Strings-Through-Body Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Standard Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: White Pearloid Dots White Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 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 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 9.5"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker / Passive) Standard Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker / Passive) Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2