Is $379.80 Off Enough to Make the BälSäc E-1 Worth It?

At $1,899, the Schecter BälSäc E-1 is not an impulse buy. The B-Stock price of $1,519.20 changes the math, so the real question is what you give up for the discount. Usually it's very little, and we'll be specific about where it might not be right for you.

We'll walk through what you're getting under the crackle finish, then who should buy this one and who should keep shopping.

View the Schecter BälSäc E-1 Guitar in Antarctic Crackle Product Page

What the Savings Actually Buy

B-Stock means the guitar has a cosmetic or packaging issue, or was opened and returned. It doesn't mean a lesser build. The specs below are the same as on the new-in-box version.

• Body: mahogany with a flat top, bevel edge and 1-ply carbon fiber binding
• Construction: set-neck with Ultra Access heel
• Neck: 3-piece maple with carbon fiber reinforcement rods, Ultra Thin 'C' profile
• Fretboard: ebony, 14" radius (355mm), 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets
• Scale and nut: 25.5" scale (648mm), 1.625" nut width (41.3mm)
• Pickups: two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers
• Strings: Ernie Ball Slinky .010-.046

How It Should Feel in Your Hands

The neck is the main selling point. An Ultra Thin 'C' at roughly .748" (19mm) at the first fret and .787" (20mm) at the 12th is slim and fast. The 14" radius is flatter than a vintage-style board, which suits big bends and quick lead work without much fretting-out.

The stainless steel frets matter if you play a lot. They resist wear much better than nickel-silver, so the guitar should feel the same after hundreds of hours. The set-neck joint and Ultra Access heel make the upper frets easy to reach.

Why the Pickups Matter at Gig Volume

The Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers are the other big piece of this guitar's value. Controls are two volumes, a 3-way pickup toggle and a 3-way mini toggle voicing switch. That's a simple layout with no tone knobs to fiddle with mid-set. Check the listing for the full details on what each voicing position does before you buy.

The Catch: Who Should Skip This One

• You like a chunky neck. If you're used to a baseball-bat profile, the Ultra Thin 'C' may feel too slim.
• You want tone knobs. There are two volumes and the voicing switch, with no dedicated tone control.
• You care about mint condition. If resale value or a flawless finish matters to you, pay the difference for new-in-box.
• You want the exact specs of another version. This model's listing is the reference. Check its bridge and finish details so you know you're getting what you expect.

Our Take

For a gigging or serious practicing player, $379.80 off a mahogany set-neck guitar with stainless frets and Fluence pickups is a solid saving. Look at the listing photos, confirm the noted blemish is somewhere you won't see while playing, and if you like a thin neck, buy it. If you want a thicker neck or classic knob-heavy controls, look at other models instead.

View the Schecter BälSäc E-1 Guitar in Antarctic Crackle Product Page

Frequently Asked Questions

What does B-Stock mean on the BälSäc E-1?

B-Stock guitars are open-box or returned units, or ones with a minor cosmetic issue. The listing notes the specific blemish, so check the photos before you buy.

How much do I save with the B-Stock BälSäc E-1?

The B-Stock price is $1,519.20 against a $1,899.00 new price, a savings of $379.80.

Is the neck too thin for larger hands?

The Ultra Thin 'C' profile is about .748" (19mm) at the first fret, with a 1.625" (41.3mm) nut. Many players with larger hands like that, but if you prefer a thick neck it may feel slim, so consider that first.

What pickups does the BälSäc E-1 use?

It has two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, controlled by a 3-way pickup toggle, a 3-way mini toggle voicing switch and two volume knobs.