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Yamaha PAC311H
Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
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Playability
72
Sound
70
Build
64
Value
74
Score
69
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Playability
75
Sound
71
Build
62
Value
74
Score
69
FIND IT ON:
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Yamaha PAC311H vs Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Specs Comparison
Yamaha PAC311H Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
General
Brand: Yamaha Schecter
Year: 2013 2017
Configuration: HS HSS
Strings: 6 7
Made in: China Indonesia
Series: Pacifica Banshee Extreme
Colors: White, Black, Red, Natural Satin Black Burst, Red Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Mahogany
Bridge: Hardtail Bridge Schecter Custom Hardtail w/ String Thru Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover locking Schecter
Fretboard: Rosewood Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Maple w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Dots Pearloid & Abalone Vector
Scale Size: 25.5" 26.5"
Shape: Pacifica C Ultra Thin C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.823'' (20.9mm) - 12th Fret: 0.902'' (22.9mm) 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 41mm (1.614'') 48mm (1.89'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Alnico Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter Diamond Plus (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Schecter Diamond Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: P-90 Type Single Coil /Alnico (Single Coil / Passive) Schecter Diamond Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Black & Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Yamaha PAC311H pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Yamaha PAC311H's switch options
Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme's switch options

Reasons to Get
Yamaha PAC311H over Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme

Type of Frets
Medium vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Pickups
HS vs HSS
High output with bright neck cleans
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.823'' (20.9mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.902'' (22.9mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.614'' (41mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 26.5'' (673.1mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 16'' (406.4mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme over Yamaha PAC311H

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Quilted Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2017 vs 2013
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
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSS vs HS
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.823'' (20.9mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.902'' (22.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.614'' (41mm)
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
16'' (406.4mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
Yamaha PAC311H vs Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme

Bridge Pickup
Alnico Humbucker vs Schecter Diamond Plus
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
P-90 Type Single Coil /Alnico vs Schecter Diamond Single Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Yamaha PAC311H vs Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Same Fretboard Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Yamaha PAC311H Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme favors large hands more than the Yamaha PAC311H.

    Yamaha PAC311H:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Yamaha PAC311H meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme 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

    Yamaha PAC311H
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale

    New Player Friendliness

    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
    • 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

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
    Rosewood

    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.

    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.

    Woods Used in the Yamaha PAC311H

    Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
    Alder

    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 Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme

    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.

    Winner: Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Yamaha PAC311H has an HS configuration while the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme has HSS pickups.

    An HS configuration gives you a bridge pickup with a lot of output for playing distortion parts, but you'll also have the bright sound of a Tele or Strat neck pickup for your clean tones.

    On the other hand, HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

    Pickups Quality

    The Yamaha PAC311H has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme. 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 Hard Rock and similar genres.

    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: Yamaha PAC311H.

    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 Banshee-7 Extreme gives you 5 switch options while the Yamaha PAC311H gives you 3. This means that the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

    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.

    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 Banshee-7 Extreme.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Yamaha PAC311H
    Pickups 60
    Sustain 75
    Versatility 64
    Tuning Stability 80
    Sound 70
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
    Pickups 55
    Sustain 85
    Versatility 75
    Tuning Stability 70
    Sound 71

    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 Yamaha PAC311H compares to the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Yamaha PAC311H is built in China while the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme is made in Indonesia.

    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.

    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: Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme

    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 Yamaha PAC311H has 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.

    On the other hand, the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme comes with 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).

    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.

    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 Yamaha PAC311H 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: Yamaha PAC311H.

    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
    Yamaha PAC311H
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Ivory Tusq Nut
    • Coil Split Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • Made in China
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • 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 Banshee-7 Extreme
    • Expensive Wood
    • Black Tusq XL Nut
    • Coil Split Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Yamaha PAC311H
    Quality of materials 66
    Features 65
    Quality Control 60
    Build Quality 64
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
    Quality of materials 60
    Features 55
    Quality Control 70
    Build Quality 62

    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

    Yamaha PAC311H Nut Width
    Yamaha PAC311H Nut Width
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Nut Width
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 41mm (1.614''). This is a 7mm (0.276'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

    Scale Length

    Yamaha PAC311H's Scale Length
    Yamaha PAC311H's Scale Length
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme's Scale Length
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme'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 Banshee-7 Extreme has the longest scale: 26.5". The Yamaha PAC311H 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

    Yamaha PAC311H Neck Profile
    Yamaha PAC311H's neck profile
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Neck Profile
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme'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 Yamaha PAC311H and the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme 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

    Yamaha PAC311H Fingerboard Radius
    Yamaha PAC311H's Fingerboard radius
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Fingerboard Radius
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme'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 Yamaha PAC311H's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme'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 Banshee-7 Extreme.

    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

    Yamaha PAC311H Frets Size
    Yamaha PAC311H's Frets Size
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme Frets Size
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme's Frets Size

    The Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Yamaha PAC311H's Medium 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

    Yamaha PAC311H
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 72
    Schecter Banshee-7 Extreme
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
    Chord Playability 50
    Solo Playability 90
    Playability 75