ShortScale.org

Schecter Hellraiser Tempest.

Some guy offered a swap for an epiphone les paul for one. As i have never even heard of them untill now, I was hoping one of you could offer me some advice about this.

No experience but i know they cost quite a bit more than an Epiphone LP. Can you try it out first?

He's willing to travel. So I guess I should just go ahead with it if it's not trashed or anything.

Which Epi have you got? Is it a Custom? Korean or Chinese?

A les paul ultra II. If i'm not mistaken, it's korean.

I'm getting it today. Well excite.

Looking forward to hearing the verdict, but slightly nervous as im the only person that has said anything in the thread

looks a bit nu metal, tbh. don't listen to me though, i'm notoriously shallow.

It looks abit shit, I don't like the looks at all. But i'm interested in giving it a go, plus, i didn't like my les paul, so the worst that happens is i don't like this and i'm back to where i was with a slightly better guitar.

I got another guitar today, i'll take photos of them both soon.

Yeah, this appears to be a "no harm done" sort of transaction. I agree on the looks of the things, they're terrible, but I've also been a little impressed with the Schecters I've played (and I own a Hellcat VI) for quality. Ya never know, it may feel/play like a dream. Definitely interested in the verdict.

Well, i have it. I'm not dissapointed, and i'm not overwhelmed. Its pretty much how i felt about the epiphone. I'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes.

On another note, my friend found this heavy as fuck no name strat copy in a skip covered in dust under bricks and took it for me. Its amazing. It's made in Tiawan, the neck pickup appears to be disconnected and the pots are scratchy, but the neck is perfect and its a 22.5 scale. I'd class it as a win.

Corax-rg wrote:Well, i have it. I'm not dissapointed, and i'm not overwhelmed. Its pretty much how i felt about the epiphone. I'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes.

On another note, my friend found this heavy as fuck no name strat copy in a skip covered in dust under bricks and took it for me. Its amazing. It's made in Tiawan, the neck pickup appears to be disconnected and the pots are scratchy, but the neck is perfect and its a 22.5 scale. I'd class it as a win.

Sweet scores!

Yeah, the Hellraiser may just not be your cup of tea, but doesn't hurt to give it a chance.

Corax-rg wrote:Well, i have it. I'm not dissapointed, and i'm not overwhelmed. Its pretty much how i felt about the epiphone. I'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes.

On another note, my friend found this heavy as fuck no name strat copy in a skip covered in dust under bricks and took it for me. Its amazing. It's made in Tiawan, the neck pickup appears to be disconnected and the pots are scratchy, but the neck is perfect and its a 22.5 scale. I'd class it as a win.

Antoria? They were heavy, made of Ply but damn good all the same.

Glad the Schecter worked out. You should get more in a resale, Epi's are so common it knocks the value down.

I think it's about par with the ultra II, same build quality etc.. the ultras are a bit better than some other epiphones and schecters are pretty good.

Sloan wrote:I think it's about par with the ultra II, same build quality etc.. the ultras are a bit better than some other epiphones and schecters are pretty good.

Schecters blow Epiphones out the water on so many levels . And I'm not just saying that since I bought 2 this month . If you go my price points a $300 Schecter will play and sound much much better than a $300 Epi . As for Semihollows newer Dots and Emperors are shit to a Corsair . That I can confirm . Had a Dot . It was shit . Brought it back 3 days later . Also tried my buddy's Sheridan . It was ok. Certainly not a $600 guitar . But my Corsair blows it out the water . Only Epi Semi Hollow that did anything for me was the Elitist Casino and the Nick Valensi Riviera . The Elitist was $1200 and have fun trying to find a Nick Valensi . Epi won't even be importing any until late January . And they're only importing like 45-50 of them . Got that info from Epiphone themselves . And they suck at returning phone calls .
As of late I haven't been impressed with the quality coming out of Epiphone . Sorry to bash them like I am but it's true . Ever since they moved 99% of their operation to China the stuff just hasn't been the same . The Japanese and Korean stuff is pretty good though. The Slash LP was pretty nice as well but they want too much for it .
Just about anything I've picked up from Schecter always played well and sounded awesome . Their problem is that they need more retros and less shredders . Stuff like the Ultra , Solo-6 and Tempest are just nice . But the Avengers and stuff are just a bit much . And despite them following their heritage of building custom guitar parts for Fenders and such they should make their guitars like the PT look less Fender-ish knockoff and more Schecter original . Or maybe like what they did with the Ultra. It kinda sorta looks Firebird but it obviously isn't .

But off my rant and on with the Tempest : I like the Custom . Played one recently . Plays and sounds like a Gibson . I like the neck which I was surprised . Electrics are really good . You can flick the toggle and get no " pong " through the amp . It just switches to the pickup . Even the Standard was good . Played just as well as the Custom but you can hear it didn't have Duncans . It was good but not great compared to the Custom . But comparing a Tempest to a newer LP ? An Epi LP in that price range doesn't hold a flame to the Tempest .

Sorry if it sounds bias . Don't mean to be . I do like Epis . Especially Casinos and the SG Custom . But Schecters are just better .

The Ultra II is what Nancy Wilson plays.

I played it at practice last night, and another practice this afternoon. It's not for me. I think i just have to come to terms with the fact i can't get comfortable with anything other than a thin neck.

If you're looking for something relatively cheap with a thin neck, I think you should look for one of the Ibanez roadstars or Proline PL's. I have a proline, and the neck is very thin and the single coils have plenty of stratish vibe. I picked up mine for 250$, and the build quality is very good for the price. Can't beat Japanese quality for that price.

Corax-rg wrote:I played it at practice last night, and another practice this afternoon. It's not for me. I think i just have to come to terms with the fact i can't get comfortable with anything other than a thin neck.

I agree. Thin, strat/mustang style rounded necks are the best for me too. You sir, should ask santa for a musicman