"A pleasant surprise in a sea of mediocrity!"

Feature:
I like how Schecter wired the 5-way switch to tap in a single-coil sound. It has decent quiet electronics. Single-coils hum LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO--live with it. (That's why someone invented humbuckers.) Considering the price, it has a solid standard set of features and some special versatility (coil taps).

Quality:
Considering the price and how difficult it is to control quality of manufacture over-seas, Schecter deserves great respect for a very nice-looking, quality-made instrument with impeccible set-up (in Calif.), perfect intonation at 0, 12, & 24 (frets)! You should definitely invest in a decent hard case for this guitar. Though the photos of this product make it look over-large, it will fit into a case meant for a standard strat-style guitar. (the body is slightly elongated as well as the neck. My Ibanez SZ720FM is 38" long from tip of head-stock to heel, 18" of body length between strap fasteners--the Schecter C7 is 39" from tip of head-stock to heel, with 19-1/2" of body length between strap fasteners. Both guitars are 12-1/2" across the widest part of the body front. (This should help with case selection.)

Value:
This guitar is a pleasant surprise in a world of mediocrity. Don't pay $2,199 for a Gibson--I owned a new LP standard in 2005 and sold it because it played great but sounded lousy with the new burstbucker pickups. Buy this guitar, 7-stringers. I could find an American-made guitar for $1,200 that MIGHT match the quality of this instrument.

Desirability:
This guitar is not drop-dead gorgeous compared to the finish on something like a Dean Hardtail. However, it's much-much better-looking in shape, fit, and color than anything out there. Believe me, I've looked. If Carvin had better body styles and would loose the stupid Floyd-Rose fixation (and if I didn't have to wait 8 weeks for it to be built) I would have paid $1,500 for a custom instrument from them.

Sound:
Provided you have a good quality amplifier, you should have no problem getting pristine sounds out of this guitar. I suggest bumping up the bass, low mid-range, highs, and decreasing mid-range and upper mid-range on your EQ. Like others have said, the guitar produces a flat response and needs proper mixing at the amplifier. I run the guitar through a Mesa-boogie Nomad 100 2x12 combo. Those with a 4x12 set up will not need to bump up the bass so much.

Ease of Use:
Tweak the sound from your amp. Play with the sound a little--it's supposed to be fun. :) You don't need a degree to work the electronics on this guitar, but you will need to acclimate to the 7-string neck--not too bad.

Support:
I assume its the best because I've never needed it.

Overall:
Balancing cost, features, and quality; I give this instrument a "10." Somebody over at Schecter is extremely intelligent. Don't be shy about Schecter--the name may sound goofy, but they make affordable high-quality instruments.