Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature V
Schecter unveils the Nick Johnston USA Signature V: a limited-edition, American-made Flying V with Atom-Buckers, ebony fretboard, and premium hardware
Schecter Guitar Research has officially dropped a massive surprise for tone chasers and collectors alike: the Nick Johnston USA Signature. This highly anticipated, limited-quantity, American-made instrument takes the classic Flying V shape and injects it with modern, high-performance DNA.
Nick Johnston USA Signature
Interestingly, while bearing the name of the renowned instrumental virtuoso, the new USA Signature model heavily channels the aggressive, sludgy spirit of Mastodon.
Brent Hinds V
In fact, eagle-eyed guitar aficionados will immediately notice its striking resemblance to Epiphone’s Brent Hinds Flying V released a few years ago (I own that one, and it is a fantastic guitar). Whether this design overlap is an intentional homage to the Mastodon lead guitarist or a happy coincidence remains a mystery, but the result is a visually stunning, undeniably heavy-hitting axe.
Here is everything you need to know about Schecter's newest premium offering.
Unmatched Playability: A Neck Built for Speed
When you are dropping top-tier cash on a USA-built Schecter, you expect flawless craftsmanship, and this guitar delivers. The instrument's foundation is a meticulously crafted 9-piece Wenge, Purpleheart, and Maple neck.
Carved into a sleek "Custom C" profile, this neck is precision-engineered for blazing-fast, fretboard-spanning lead work. It features a premium 14-inch radius Ebony fingerboard, providing a smooth, lightning-fast surface that makes string bending and complex chording effortless.
Schecter didn't skimp on the fretwork, outfitting the board with 22 Jescar premium German silver frets. Visually, the guitar stands out on stage thanks to its unique aluminum ring fingerboard inlays and glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side markers, ensuring you never lose your place on a dimly lit stage.
NJ Signature Atom-Buckers: Versatile, Aggressive Tone
While the Flying V shape screams heavy metal, the electronics under the hood tell a story of incredible versatility. The guitar features a set of NJ Signature Atom-Buckers.
Powered by Alnico III magnets, these pickups deliver a darker, moderate-output tone with rich, full mids and beautifully softened highs. According to Schecter, these humbuckers are incredibly responsive to picking dynamics.
When dialed back, they deliver the nuanced articulation needed for jazz fusion or classic rock. However, when you push them through a high-gain amplifier or a modern modeling preset, these Atom-Buckers unleash aggressive growls and metallic screams that cut through a heavy mix.
The 5-way Super Switch lets players dial in an impressive range of tones by expanding standard pickup-switching configurations. The streamlined control layout is rounded out by master volume and master tone knobs, keeping things simple yet highly effective.
Bulletproof Hardware and Tuning Stability
A high-performance guitar requires high-performance hardware, and the Nick Johnston USA Signature is locked down from headstock to bridge.
The guitar features a Hipshot Ibby HM bridge paired with Hipshot locking tuners, ensuring maximum resonance and intonation. Paired with a Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut, this hardware combination guarantees rock-solid tuning stability—an absolute necessity for surviving the demanding, wide-bending playing style that Nick Johnston is famous for.
Pricing and Availability
As with most premium, USA-crafted Schecter models, exclusivity comes at a price. The Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature is available now in strictly limited quantities through major retailers like Guitar Center and Sweetwater, carrying a premium price tag of $6,499.
While the boutique price point puts it out of reach for the average gigging musician, history shows that major brands often follow up these ultra-premium USA drops with more accessible, mass-produced import versions. Here's hoping Schecter brings a more affordable Diamond Series iteration of this incredible V to the market in the near future.
- +Versatile NJ Signature Atom-Buckers work for jazz fusion to heavy metal
- +9-piece neck construction with premium ebony fretboard and Jescar frets for speed and playability
- +Solid tuning stability via Hipshot hardware and Graph Tech nut
- +Striking visual design inspired by aggressive heavy metal aesthetics
- +Glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side markers aid visibility in live settings
- −$6,499 price point prohibits most gigging musicians
- −Limited production quantities make it difficult to acquire
What pickups are in the Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature V?
The guitar features NJ Signature Atom-Buckers powered by Alnico III magnets. These humbuckers deliver moderate output with rich mids and softened highs, responding well to picking dynamics for both clean tones and aggressive high-gain sounds.
What is the neck construction of the Nick Johnston USA Signature?
The neck is a 9-piece construction using wenge, purpleheart, and maple. It features a custom C profile carved for speed, a 14-inch radius ebony fingerboard with 22 Jescar premium German silver frets, and aluminum ring inlays with glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side markers.
How much does the Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature V cost?
The guitar is priced at $6,499 and is available in strictly limited quantities through major retailers like Guitar Center and Sweetwater.
What hardware does the Nick Johnston USA Signature feature?
The guitar includes a Hipshot Ibby HM bridge, Hipshot locking tuners, and a Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut to ensure rock-solid tuning stability and maximum resonance.
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