"Incredibly hot looker - but the quality is more than just Skin Deep!"

Feature:
The guitar did not come with accessories, but it is really a high end product on its own. I like the Elites because the narrower horn width (compared to an SG for example) looks just like my very first high quality electric guitar (a '62 Gibson Melody Maker double cutaway). The wood is superb (handsome flame on the tobacco sunburst)and Schecter even puts the burst on the headstock as well (very nice extra touch). The coil splitter is a nice point - it makes a significant difference in the sound. The neck is very fast, the frets are dressed perfectly, and the action was set up perfectly right out of the box on both guitars.

Quality:
I have heard from a Gibson certified luthier that there are occasional customer complaints about pot quality on Schecter products (i.e. that they fail on occasion), but I have had my S-1's for 2 years without any issues, and even Gibson's are not without occasional problems (hence my visit to the luthier). The manufacturing quality of the S-1 Elite is truly outstanding; I found not a single flaw in the beautiful finish on either axe. Not sure how long the finish lacquer will maintain through stage wear and tear where your arm contacts the upper edge - I wear a thin wrist band to help keep the sweat off (too thick wears on the finish), and I lightly polish the guitars after every use; so far so good, though it will eventually wear thin, I'm sure. The Elites stay in tune very well (Grovers) even after a couple hours of playing, and access to the high end of the fretboard is total. I have never had any problems with either guitar on stage - but one backs up the other anyway, and I have other guitars that I also use.

Value:
About the best value available for what is an extremely reasonable price. The guitar has Custom quality fittings and workmanship, at more than $200 less than a Gibbie Les Paul Studio.

Desirability:
This is a killer-looking guitar, and it feels equally good. The narrow waist and smaller width double-cutaway is always an appealing shape (my personal favorite); the abalone binding work around body, the entire neck and the headstock as well, along with the abalone Gothic Cross fret inlays, makes this axe an impressive sparkler under stage lights - really stunning say my friends (greens, oranges, silver sparkles, etc.).

Sound:
I have two S-1 Elites - one with a black cherry finish, the other in tobacco sunburst (latter not available anymore). They are outstanding instruments with excellent tone and very good sustain. The pickups are "Duncan Designed" rather than Duncan-Made, but are clean with excellent tone whether clean or with the gain cranked. I play through a Peavey 6505+ head and stereo 6505 an Behringer cabs; also play through a Crate amp, and a Peavey 112 Valve King for smaller venues - sounds great through any of these (a little shrill through the Crate if you have the treble maxed). The coil splitter provides a definitely crisper tone, though there's a slight drop in output when you switch (volume falls off).

Ease of Use:
As easy to adjust the sound as pretty much any guitar. The response on the volume and tone pots is quite fine: e.g. you can turn the volume knob with smooth reduction nearly all the way down to the "1" mark, before the sound simply cuts out (my Gibson Explorer does this at around the 2 1/2 point).

Support:
Haven't had any questions for Schecter other than one about a Stilleto Studio 5-String bass that I bought, for which I needed info on the volume / equalizer knob arrangement; a call got me everything I needed. I assume they would have been just as helpful with a question about the Elite; very friendly.

Overall:
Will be satified forever! I tend to collect guitars (have 12) so play others as well, but I always use my S-1 Elites for at least half the songs in any show. Barring being able to get my hands on a '62 Gibson Melody Maker to re-construct my original first love (which, even still, would never look as good as the Schecters), I will always use my Elites - may even buy a third in a different finish.

"this guitar is a steal!!!"

Feature:
An ebony fretboard would make this guitar one of the best, but the mohogany is still super-fast.

Quality:
this guitar is very very high quality. it would be a steal if priced at 1K but at the price i got it for ($350 barely used) it felt like they gave it to me.

Value:
see quality

Desirability:
the albacore inlay around the whole edge of the guitar is very appeling and it has so much flare, it just kinda pops out at you.

Sound:
the sound of this guitar is amazing. When i practice at home i use an old pedal through an even older yamaha amp and it still has clear highs and chest throbbing lows. natural harmonics are a breeze with the duncan designed pickups.

Ease of Use:
very playable. my learning curve as a guitar student went from 6 months of sucking and with guitar i have seen major improvements in my playing abilities and i bought this guitar 3 months ago.

Support:
haven't needed it.

Overall:
i dont see myself buying a different guitar for a very long time.

"Love It!"

Feature:
The Duncan Design pickups deliver a lot of punch. They are great. Also, the through-body stringing reallyt does seem to help with the sustain.

Quality:
The only problem I've had is that there was a little bit of a sharp edge left on the bridge which causes my strings to break prematurely. This is easily remedied by delicately using a file.

Value:
I'd say that it is worth every penny.

Desirability:
I have the S-1 with the Amber finish & Gold Hardware, and I get comments on it all the time. It is a beautiful guitar. Furthermore, the inlays and abalone trim are really nice touches you seldom find in this price range.

Sound:
Great tone, long sustain. I love this guitar. Mine came equipped with 9's and the tone and sound were just as rich as if it had heavier strings. It is just shy of perfection.

Support:
I haven't called Schecter or needed anything yet, but their website is awesome!

Overall:
Typically, when I get a guitar, I realy like it, but I always say something like "on my next guitar I want..." I don't have anything like taht to say about this Schecter. It is everything I want in a guitar.

"hot guitar"

Sound:
This guitar has given me more confidence in my playing and my presence on stage. High quality design and workmanship, along with great tone and flexibility make this guitar a great buy.

"THIS GUITAR SEDUCES IT PLAYER"

Quality:
just by holding the guitar you get a quality feel.

Value:
great guitar for for ts money.

Desirability:
this guitar has the best look i have ever seen. its a very distinct and classic look that seduces .

Sound:
it has a greatwarm sound escpecially with coil tap. very smooth and rich pop.

Overall:
great sound great feel great guitar just expensive but u get what u pay for.