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Schecter PT Black Ops
Gibson Firebird
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Playability
78
Sound
74
Build
75
Value
76
Score
76
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Playability
77
Sound
72
Build
72
Value
69
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Schecter PT Black Ops vs Gibson Firebird Specs Comparison
Schecter PT Black Ops Gibson Firebird
General
Brand: Schecter Gibson
Year: 2024 2019
Configuration: H HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Diamond Original Collection
Colors: Black Red, Brown Burst Burst
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Schecter Locking Grover Mini Rotomatics
Fretboard: Ebony Rosewood
Neck Material: Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut
Decoration: None Acrylic Trapezoid
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Thin "C" Slim Taper
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.92'' (23.4mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 12"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fishman Fluence Open Core Modern-6 (Humbucker / Active) Gibson Firebird Alnico V, Lead (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Gibson Firebird Alnico V, Rhythm (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 0 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Black Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Gibson Firebird pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Firebird's switch options

Reasons to Get
Schecter PT Black Ops over Gibson Firebird

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2024 vs 2019
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
H vs HH
Hum-free with more right hand freedom and sustain
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
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.92'' (23.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
76 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Firebird over Schecter PT Black Ops

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 0
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs H
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.92'' (23.4mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Schecter PT Black Ops vs Gibson Firebird

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Open Core Modern-6 vs Gibson Firebird Alnico V, Lead
Different Bridge Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter PT Black Ops vs Gibson Firebird

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Schecter PT Black Ops Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Gibson Firebird Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

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    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gibson Firebird favors large hands more than the Schecter PT Black Ops. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

    Schecter PT Black Ops:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Gibson Firebird:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Schecter PT Black Ops meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Firebird meets only 4. 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 PT Black Ops
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale

    New Player Friendliness

    Gibson Firebird
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    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

    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 Schecter PT Black Ops

    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 Gibson Firebird

    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

    The Schecter PT Black Ops has an H configuration while the Gibson Firebird has HH pickups.

    A single H pickup gives you the advantage of having a little longer sustain (all other things being equal) because there will be less magnetic fields from other pickups affecting the strings' vibration. However, they also give you the least versatility because you won't have other pickups at different distances from the bridge to create different tones. A single humbucking pickup is used for noiseless high output, which is used mainly for Hard Rock genres.

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

    The Schecter PT Black Ops's pickups are Active while the Gibson Firebird'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: Gibson Firebird.

    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.

    When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

    Winner: Gibson Firebird.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Schecter PT Black Ops
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 90
    Versatility 42
    Tuning Stability 80
    Sound 74
    Gibson Firebird
    Pickups 90
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 53
    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 PT Black Ops compares to the Gibson Firebird.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter PT Black Ops is built in Indonesia while the Gibson Firebird is made in United States.

    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.

    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: Gibson Firebird

    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 PT Black Ops 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 Gibson Firebird comes with 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.

    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.

    In this comparison, the Schecter PT Black Ops 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 PT Black Ops.

    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 PT Black Ops has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

    Winner: Schecter PT Black Ops.

    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 PT Black Ops has 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.

    On the other hand, the Gibson Firebird comes with 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.

    Winner: Gibson Firebird.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Schecter PT Black Ops
    • Stainless Steel Frets
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Black Tusq XL Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Gibson Firebird
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Neck-Through Build
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • 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 PT Black Ops
    Quality of materials 86
    Features 65
    Quality Control 75
    Build Quality 75
    Gibson Firebird
    Quality of materials 66
    Features 60
    Quality Control 90
    Build Quality 72

    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 PT Black Ops Nut Width
    Schecter PT Black Ops Nut Width
    Gibson Firebird Nut Width
    Gibson Firebird Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Firebird has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gibson Firebird, 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 PT Black Ops's Scale Length
    Schecter PT Black Ops's Scale Length
    Gibson Firebird's Scale Length
    Gibson Firebird's Scale Length

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

    The Schecter PT Black Ops has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gibson Firebird is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) 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 PT Black Ops Neck Profile
    Schecter PT Black Ops's neck profile
    Gibson Firebird Neck Profile
    Gibson Firebird'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 PT Black Ops and the Gibson Firebird 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 PT Black Ops Fingerboard Radius
    Schecter PT Black Ops's Fingerboard radius
    Gibson Firebird Fingerboard Radius
    Gibson Firebird'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 Gibson Firebird's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter PT Black Ops's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Schecter PT Black Ops.

    Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

    Fret Size

    Schecter PT Black Ops Frets Size
    Schecter PT Black Ops's Frets Size
    Gibson Firebird Frets Size
    Gibson Firebird's Frets Size

    The Schecter PT Black Ops has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gibson Firebird'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 PT Black Ops
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
    Chord Playability 60
    Solo Playability 90
    Playability 78
    Gibson Firebird
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
    Chord Playability 65
    Solo Playability 80
    Playability 77