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Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
77
Value
61
Score
76
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Playability
72
Sound
77
Build
75
Value
65
Score
75
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Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature over Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Release Year
2017 vs 2012
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.825'' (21mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.865'' (22mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.67'' (42.4mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster over Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 14"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.825'' (21mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.865'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.67'' (42.4mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
65 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set vs EMG 81
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set vs EMG 60
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Wenge vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
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 vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

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 Nick Johnston USA Signature
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature Overview

  • From Schecter's 2017 Artist series
  • Nick Johnston Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Contoured 4-Bolt Wenge neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Schecter Vintage 2-Point Tremolo bridge
  • Nick Johnston Custom C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter/Hipshot Staggered Locking Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2012 Artist series
  • Jim Root Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking 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

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 Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature

Wenge wood pattern used for guitar building
Wenge
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Wenge is a stiff wood that comes with straight and tight grains. Its color is dark brown and the tonality emphasizes the low and mid-ends (warm) frequencies, similar to Rosewood.

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 Jim Root Stratocaster

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.

Winner: Fender Jim Root Stratocaster.

Pickup Configuration

The Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature has an SSS configuration while the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature 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 Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's online:

The Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature's pickups are Passive while the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's are Active.

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: Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature.

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 Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature gives you 5 switch options while the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster gives you 3. This means that the Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

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

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature's switch options
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster'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 Nick Johnston USA Signature.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
Pickups 100
Sustain 70
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 79
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Pickups 90
Sustain 90
Versatility 47
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77

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 Nick Johnston USA Signature compares to the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster.

Country of Origin

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

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

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 Nick Johnston USA Signature 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 Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature'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 Jim Root Stratocaster'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

They both have 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: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

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 Nick Johnston USA Signature
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • 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
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
Quality of materials 66
Features 65
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 77
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Quality of materials 56
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 75

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 Nick Johnston USA Signature Nut Width
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature Nut Width
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.4mm (1.67''). This is a 0.6mm (0.023'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster, 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature and Fender Jim Root Stratocaster'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 Nick Johnston USA Signature Neck Profile
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature's neck profile
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster'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 Nick Johnston USA Signature and the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature's Fingerboard radius
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's Compound Fretboard 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 Jim Root Stratocaster 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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature Frets Size
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature's Frets Size
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's Frets Size

The Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's 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 Nick Johnston USA Signature
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
General Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Brand: Schecter Fender
Year: 2017 2012
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Artist Artist
Colors: White, Orange, Blue Nitro Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Mahogany
Bridge: Schecter Vintage 2-Point Tremolo 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter/Hipshot Staggered Locking Tuners Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Contoured 4-Bolt Wenge Maple
Decoration: Silver Ring
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Nick Johnston Custom C Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.865'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 12" to 16"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42.4mm (1.67'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive) EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive) EMG 60 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0