Ibanez SZ520 or Shecter

Armando Cordero · #1 08-26-2005, 01:23 PM

I've looked at this model so many times that I just can't decide to buy it or not. Any one know anything about the pickups in this guitar and what they may sound like? I am truly trying to avoid anything that may be a duncan design pickup. Other choice that I may select will be a Shecter Blackjack Tempest series with the Duncan JB bridge and the Jazz in the neck for about $50 dollars more.

Imput please
Armando Cordero

fuze · #2 08-26-2005, 01:41 PM

Armando, I'm pretty sure the Schecter and the SZ are the same guitar, as produced by Cort in Korea. Just different name and paint job. If you like the PUs on the Schecter, I'd go with it. As far as I know, the Duncan/Ibanez PUs are actually made by Duncan, not just designed. Both of these guitars are readily available at GC and other places - you should be able to do a direct comparison.

-Fuze

King Knall · #3 08-26-2005, 01:58 PM

I think that the Duncan/Ibanez is just designed by Seymour Duncan. The real Duncans are the Duncan/IBZ, which are USA made. The Scecter and SZ are NOT the same guitar. Just because it's made in Cort doesn't mean that it's the same thing(i.e neck profile, body shape, etc). They're both their own, unique, savage beasts. Armando, just go with which one sounds better to you, 'cause I'm pretty sure that the pups in those guitars are VERY different.
Hope this helps.

nightfiend14 · #4 08-26-2005, 02:03 PM

for me the s has a nicer neck. It felt smoother to me then any of the schecters I have looked at.

aero90 · #5 08-26-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfiend14

for me the s has a nicer neck. It felt smoother to me then any of the schecters I have looked at.

+1. The Schecters always look better on paper, but the SZ feels better.

fortysixandtwo · #6 08-26-2005, 04:59 PM

yeah go with the feel. the schecter feels nicer in my hand, but that's just me.

shredfreak · #7 08-27-2005, 08:16 AM

I have played Shecter and it played like a dream. Fantastic guitar!

fuze · #8 08-27-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamikaze_1

The Scecter and SZ are NOT the same guitar. Just because it's made in Cort doesn't mean that it's the same thing(i.e neck profile, body shape, etc).

Sorry for my premature comment. I went by GC yesterday and tried out several of the Schecter C series, and see now that there are very many different configurations: set neck, bolt neck, semi-hollow, different pickups within the range. The Ibanez SZ, Schecter C, cort KX and other similar guitars all appeared on the market at the same time, and they all look like they came from the same mold. BTW, I was not impressed with the fit and finish E/A semi-hollow.

gunkungfu · #9 08-27-2005, 12:36 PM

If the schecter and sz are both made by cort just save your money and buy the upper model cort Katana it has the same features as the sz and you can get it with a flamed top for under 350.00 shipped

mike79 · #10 08-28-2005, 12:02 AM

All I can say is I love my sz520, the sound and feel is amazing. I recommend it to anyone who asks. Go with what you feel is best though, play the guitar on a few different amps also.

Flobanez · #11 08-28-2005, 12:51 AM

I played an Ibanez SZ520 last week here at a local music store, not bad at all.
Im strictly 7 but for a 6-string, I thought it played nice.

Armando Cordero · #12 08-29-2005, 07:29 AM

Thanks guys, I really did not know that cort made Ibanez and Shecter but it goes to show you why on www.cort.com that the K series guitars look alot like the SZ and the Schecters? I almost bought one of the cort KX1T the mighty mite pickups would come out and they would be replaced with the Bartoloni pickups almost like the EMGs just 10 times better in sound and quality. By the way anyone try out a cort yet?

Armando

fettouhi · #13 08-29-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flobanez

I played an Ibanez SZ520 last week here at a local music store, not bad at all.
Im strictly 7 but for a 6-string, I thought it played nice.

You've gone completely 7? I can't love my 6 stringer to much

.

Regards

André

King Knall · #14 08-29-2005, 11:09 AM

Well, Ibanez znd Schecter do kick ass when it comes to mid-priced guitars

Flobanez · #15 08-29-2005, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fettouhi

You've gone completely 7? I can't love my 6 stringer to much

.

Regards

André

I love them too but...........
I own 1 6-string. A strat. That is it, a Fender Mex white strat with a maple neck and I seldomly play it. I do still play 6-strings though (friends' guitars) or when Im in the music store every once in a while but ever since I bought my first 7-string in 1998 which I still have, I've been hooked.