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Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
VS
Playability
80
Sound
85
Build
81
Value
82
Score
82
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Playability
73
Sound
86
Build
64
Value
74
Score
74
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Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite vs Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label

Reasons to Get
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite over Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label

Decorative Top
Quilted Maple Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2023 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Ultra Thin C vs Nitro Wizard
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) 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
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Edge Zero II
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Value Score
82 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label over Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite

Neck Profile
Nitro Wizard vs Ultra Thin C
Thin neck for playing fast
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
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
Edge Zero II vs Floyd Rose
Intense vibrato effects and cheaper than Edge Zero

Other Key Differences
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite vs Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA San Andreas vs DiMarzio Fusion Edge
Different Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Nyatoh
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Wenge vs Panga Panga
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Wenge vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite vs Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label

Neck Pickup
Sustainiac
Same Neck Pickup
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
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
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite is probably the better product overall with its final score of 82 compared to the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label's 74 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite wins when it comes to playability, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label has the upper hand when it comes to sound.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite is the better choice.

The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite Overview

  • From Schecter's 2023 Reaper Elite series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple Veneer top
  • Khaya African Mahogany body
  • Wenge neck
  • Wenge fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge
  • Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2020 RG series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Nyatoh body
  • Panga Panga/Walnut neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge
  • Nitro Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh 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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite

Wenge wood pattern used for guitar building
Wenge
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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 RG60ALS Axion Label

Panga Panga wood pattern used for guitar building
Panga Panga
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
Nyatoh

Panga Panga is an African wood very similar to Wenge. It comes in a very dark color with tight grain. Its tonality favors the low-to-mid frequencies.

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.

Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

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: Tie.

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.

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Sustainer.

The pickups with Sustainer are able to recreate the 'feedback' you get when you hold your guitar near a speaker without muting the strings. This allows them to produce infinite sustain that you can use for as long as you want to create interest sounds and harmonics.

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite's switch options
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label'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 RG60ALS Axion Label.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite
Pickups 85
Sustain 100
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 85
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
Pickups 85
Sustain 100
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 86

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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite compares to the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite is built in South Korea while the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label 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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

However, only the Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite.

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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite 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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite.

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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite's brige is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label's is a Edge Zero II. This is a cheaper version of Ibanez's Edge Zero bridges. It comes with the same locking stud bolts that lock down into the body and provide better stabilization, and with easier adjustment of the springs without having to remove the backplate thanks to a thumb-screw. However, the intonation in this cheaper version will require additional work.

Edge Zero IIs that come with the ZPS3 Zero Point system have two extra springs that help return the tremolo to the neutral position faster. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

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

Both come with regular tuners. The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite's are Grover while the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label's are Gotoh

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.

The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite 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 RG60ALS Axion Label 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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Sustainer Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Sustainer Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite
Quality of materials 73
Features 95
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 81
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
Quality of materials 51
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 64

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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite Nut Width
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite Nut Width
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Nut Width
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 1.7mm (0.068'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label, 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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite and Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label'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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite Neck Profile
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite's neck profile
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Neck Profile
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label'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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite 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 RG60ALS Axion Label, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label'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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite 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 RG60ALS Axion Label favors large hands more than the Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite Frets Size
Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite's Frets Size
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label Frets Size
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label's Frets Size

The Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label'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 Reaper-6 FR S Elite
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 100
Playability 80
Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite vs Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
General Schecter Reaper-6 FR S Elite Ibanez RG60ALS Axion Label
Brand: Schecter Ibanez
Year: 2023 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Reaper Elite RG
Colors: Blue Black Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Khaya African Mahogany Nyatoh
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1500 Series Edge-Zero II tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover Gotoh
Fretboard: Wenge Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Wenge Panga Panga/Walnut
Decoration: Pearloid Lines White Step off-set dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Ultra Thin C Nitro Wizard
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) 1st Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA San Andreas (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive) Sustainiac (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Sustainer Sustainer
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1