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Schecter Sin Quirin V-1
Harley Benton R-458MN
VS
Playability
78
Sound
77
Build
64
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
72
Sound
62
Build
49
Value
76
Score
61
FIND IT ON:
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Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 vs Harley Benton R-458MN

Reasons to Get
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 over Harley Benton R-458MN

Country of Manufacturing
South Korea vs China
Built with higher quality standards
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
Neck Profile
Thin C vs Harley Benton Speed D
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
EMG vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Strings
6 vs 8
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 2.126'' (54mm)
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 26.5'' (673.1mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 20'' (508mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Harley Benton R-458MN over Schecter Sin Quirin V-1

Release Year
2018 vs 2016
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Harley Benton Speed D vs Thin C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Strings
8 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Nut Width
2.126'' (54mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
26.5'' (673.1mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
20'' (508mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
76 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 vs Harley Benton R-458MN

Bridge Pickup
EMG 57 vs Hi-Gain Humbucker
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG 66 vs Hi-Gain Humbucker
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 4-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 vs Harley Benton R-458MN

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
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
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Common Weaknesses

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Harley Benton R-458MN's 61 score, which is a significant difference.

The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Harley Benton R-458MN has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Sin Quirin V-1.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 is the better choice.

The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Harley Benton R-458MN 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 Sin Quirin V-1
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Harley Benton R-458MN
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 Sin Quirin V-1 Overview

  • From Schecter's 2016 Artist series
  • Sin Quirin Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple 3-pc neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 57 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 66 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Harley Benton R-458MN Overview

  • From Harley Benton's 2018 Progressive series
  • Made in China
  • 8 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 20" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • HB bridge
  • Harley Benton Speed D Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Machine heads: DLX diecast 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 Sin Quirin V-1

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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 Harley Benton R-458MN

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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: Schecter Sin Quirin V-1.

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

The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Harley Benton R-458MN. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Heavy Metal and similar genres.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's and use them on any guitar:

The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's pickups are Active while the Harley Benton R-458MN'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: Schecter Sin Quirin V-1.

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.

They both share the following switching options:

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 and Harley Benton R-458MN pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 and Harley Benton R-458MN'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: Harley Benton R-458MN.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Harley Benton R-458MN
Pickups 55
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 62

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 Sin Quirin V-1 compares to the Harley Benton R-458MN.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 is built in South Korea while the Harley Benton R-458MN is made in China.

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.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Schecter Sin Quirin V-1

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 Sin Quirin V-1 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 Harley Benton R-458MN 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 Sin Quirin V-1.

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.

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 Sin Quirin V-1 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 Sin Quirin V-1.

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 Sin Quirin V-1 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 Harley Benton R-458MN 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: Harley Benton R-458MN.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • 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
Harley Benton R-458MN
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1
Quality of materials 51
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 64
Harley Benton R-458MN
Quality of materials 41
Features 50
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 49

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 Sin Quirin V-1 Nut Width
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 Nut Width
Harley Benton R-458MN Nut Width
Harley Benton R-458MN Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Harley Benton R-458MN has the wider nut with 54mm (2.126'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 12mm (0.472'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Harley Benton R-458MN, 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 Sin Quirin V-1's Scale Length
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's Scale Length
Harley Benton R-458MN's Scale Length
Harley Benton R-458MN'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 Harley Benton R-458MN has the longest scale: 26.5". The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 is only 25.5" long. This is a 1'' (25.4mm) 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 Sin Quirin V-1 Neck Profile
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's neck profile
Harley Benton R-458MN Neck Profile
Harley Benton R-458MN'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 Sin Quirin V-1 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 Harley Benton R-458MN, 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 Sin Quirin V-1 Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's Fingerboard radius
Harley Benton R-458MN Fingerboard Radius
Harley Benton R-458MN'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 Sin Quirin V-1's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Harley Benton R-458MN'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 Harley Benton R-458MN.

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 Harley Benton R-458MN favors large hands more than the Schecter Sin Quirin V-1.

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Harley Benton R-458MN:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 Frets Size
Schecter Sin Quirin V-1's Frets Size
Harley Benton R-458MN Frets Size
Harley Benton R-458MN's Frets Size

The Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Harley Benton R-458MN'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 Sin Quirin V-1
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78
Harley Benton R-458MN
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 vs Harley Benton R-458MN
General Schecter Sin Quirin V-1 Harley Benton R-458MN
Brand: Schecter Harley Benton
Year: 2016 2018
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 8
Made in: South Korea China
Series: Artist Progressive
Colors: Black White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Basswood
Bridge: TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body HB
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Machine heads: DLX diecast
Fretboard: Ebony Maple
Neck Material: Maple 3-pc Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Sin Symbol at 12th Fret Offset Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 26.5"
Shape: Thin C Harley Benton Speed D
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 20"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Plastic
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 54mm (2.126'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: EMG 57 (Humbucker / Active) Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: EMG 66 (Humbucker / Active) Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1