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Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
Ibanez NDM5
VS
Playability
82
Sound
74
Build
79
Value
78
Score
78
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Playability
72
Sound
70
Build
55
Value
71
Score
66
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Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid vs Ibanez NDM5

Reasons to Get
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid over Ibanez NDM5

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 9"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Ultra Thin C vs NDM
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Compensated vs Plastic
Fixes intonation issues
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs P90P90
High output without hum
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 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
78 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez NDM5 over Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid

Type of Frets
Medium vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
NDM vs Ultra Thin C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
P90P90 vs HH
Vintage tone with decent versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid vs Ibanez NDM5

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker vs Seymour Duncan P90 Stack
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker vs Seymour Duncan P90 Stack
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Compensated vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid vs Ibanez NDM5

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
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
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the Ibanez NDM5's 66 score, which is a significant difference.

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Ibanez NDM5 in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid is the better choice.

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez NDM5 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez NDM5
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid Overview

  • From Schecter's 2020 Artist series
  • Keith Merrow Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot Hardtail w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Weight around 6.5lbs (2.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez NDM5 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2020 NDM series
  • Noodles Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan P90 Stack (P90/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • F106 bridge
  • NDM Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Ibanez 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

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 Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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 Ibanez NDM5

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

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

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid has an HH configuration while the Ibanez NDM5 has P90P90 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, P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

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 Ibanez NDM5 has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Ibanez NDM5's online:

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid's pickups are Active while the Ibanez NDM5'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: Ibanez NDM5.

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.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid's switch options
Ibanez NDM5 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez NDM5'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: Ibanez NDM5.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 47
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 74
Ibanez NDM5
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 70

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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid compares to the Ibanez NDM5.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid is built in South Korea while the Ibanez NDM5 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid has a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

On the other hand, the Ibanez NDM5 comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid.

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.

In this comparison, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid.

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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid.

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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid has a Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

On the other hand, the Ibanez NDM5 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: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez NDM5
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
Quality of materials 76
Features 85
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 79
Ibanez NDM5
Quality of materials 46
Features 50
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 55

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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid 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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid and Ibanez NDM5'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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid Neck Profile
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid's neck profile
Ibanez NDM5 Neck Profile
Ibanez NDM5'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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid 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 Ibanez NDM5, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez NDM5 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez NDM5'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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid 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 Ibanez NDM5 favors large hands more than the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez NDM5:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid Frets Size
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid's Frets Size
Ibanez NDM5 Frets Size
Ibanez NDM5's Frets Size

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez NDM5'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 Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82
Ibanez NDM5
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid vs Ibanez NDM5
General Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 Mk-III Hybrid Ibanez NDM5
Brand: Schecter Ibanez
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH P90P90
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Artist NDM
Colors: White, Gray Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Basswood
Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail w/ String Thru Body F106
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Ibanez
Fretboard: Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods 3pc Maple
Decoration: Offset/Reverse Aluminum Circles & Black Dots White Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Ultra Thin C NDM
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 9"
Nut: Compensated Plastic
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan P90 Stack (P90 / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Keith Merrow Humbucker (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan P90 Stack (P90 / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 0 1