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Schecter Tempest Custom
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
VS
Playability
80
Sound
79
Build
64
Value
74
Score
74
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Playability
80
Sound
77
Build
73
Value
72
Score
77
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Schecter Tempest Custom vs Solo-II Supreme

Reasons to Get
Schecter Tempest Custom over Solo-II Supreme

Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.643'' (41.7mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Value Score
74 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Schecter Solo-II Supreme over Tempest Custom

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 14"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Nut Width
1.643'' (41.7mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes

Other Key Differences
Schecter Tempest Custom vs Solo-II Supreme

Bridge Pickup
Schecter USA Pasadena Plus vs Lundgren Black Heaven
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter USA Pasadena vs Lundgren Black Heaven
Different Neck Pickup

Shared Features
Schecter Tempest Custom vs Solo-II Supreme

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.866'' (22mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.925'' (23.5mm)
Same neck comfortability
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Solo-II Supreme is probably the better product overall with its final score of 77 compared to the Schecter Tempest Custom's 74 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Solo-II Supreme wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Schecter Tempest Custom has the upper hand when it comes to sound, 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?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Solo-II Supreme is the better choice.

The Schecter Solo-II Supreme meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter Tempest Custom meets only 5. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Tempest Custom
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Solo-II Supreme
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 Tempest Custom Overview

  • From Schecter's 2020 Custom series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge
  • Schecter Medium C Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter Solo-II Supreme Overview

  • From Schecter's 2022 Solo-II Supreme series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Lundgren Black Heaven (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Lundgren Black Heaven (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT Tune-O-Matic T1Z Tailpiece bridge
  • Thick C Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Graph Tech Ratio tuners
  • Weight between 8.4lbs (3.8kgs) and 9.1lbs (4.1kgs)
  • 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

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

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.

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: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

They both share the following switching options:

Schecter Tempest Custom and Schecter Solo-II Supreme pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Tempest Custom and Schecter Solo-II Supreme'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: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Tempest Custom
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 61
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 79
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 61
Tuning Stability 70
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 Tempest Custom compares to the Schecter Solo-II Supreme.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Schecter Tempest Custom is built in South Korea while the Schecter Solo-II Supreme 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 Ivory Tusq nuts. 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.

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 Solo-II Supreme 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 Solo-II Supreme.

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 Tempest Custom 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 Tempest Custom.

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 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.

Winner: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Tempest Custom
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Tempest Custom
Quality of materials 51
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 64
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
Quality of materials 75
Features 65
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 73

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 Tempest Custom Nut Width
Schecter Tempest Custom Nut Width
Schecter Solo-II Supreme Nut Width
Schecter Solo-II Supreme Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Schecter Tempest Custom has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.7mm (1.643''). This is a 0.3mm (0.011'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Schecter Tempest Custom, 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 Tempest Custom and Schecter Solo-II Supreme'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 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

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 Tempest Custom Neck Profile
Schecter Tempest Custom's neck profile
Schecter Solo-II Supreme Neck Profile
Schecter Solo-II Supreme'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 Tempest Custom and the Schecter Solo-II Supreme 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 Tempest Custom Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Tempest Custom's Fingerboard radius
Schecter Solo-II Supreme Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Solo-II Supreme'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 Schecter Solo-II Supreme 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 Tempest Custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter Solo-II Supreme:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Tempest Custom and Schecter Solo-II Supreme Frets Size
Both have a similar XL Jumbo fret size

Both have a XL Jumbo fret size. These are really tall frets made like this so you don't meet any resistance when playing techniques like vibrato, bending, tapping, etc. They should make the guitar easier to play, but you have to be careful not to get the notes out of pitch by pressing down too hard, which might happen since the fretboard will be too low to stop your hand.

Final Playability Scores

Schecter Tempest Custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Tempest Custom vs Solo-II Supreme
General Schecter Tempest Custom Solo-II Supreme
Brand: Schecter Schecter
Year: 2020 2022
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Custom Solo-II Supreme
Colors: White, Black, Orange Burst Red
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece TonePros T3BT Tune-O-Matic T1Z Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Schecter Locking Graph Tech Ratio
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Mahogany 3-pc
Decoration: Pearloid Split Crown Abalone Lines
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Schecter Medium C Thick C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) - 12th Fret: 0.925'' (23.5mm) 1st Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) - 12th Fret: 0.925'' (23.5mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 14" 12" to 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 41.7mm (1.643'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker / Passive) Lundgren Black Heaven (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker / Passive) Lundgren Black Heaven (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Coil Split
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 1 1