You want a serious 7-string, but $1,799 is a lot to spend on a guitar you haven't lived with. So is the B-Stock Schecter Banshee Mach-7 in Fallout Burst, at $1,439.20, a smart way in or a compromise?

For most players who want to gig it and play it hard, we think it's the better buy. Here's why, and where it isn't.

View the Schecter Banshee Mach-7 guitar in Fallout Burst Product Page

What the $359.80 Gap Buys You

New, this guitar is $1,799.00. B-Stock is $1,439.20, which works out to $359.80 less for the same model. The listing notes the cosmetic reason it's B-Stock, so look at the photos before you buy.

On a 7-string at this level, that difference covers a good set of strings and a pro setup with plenty left over. Or it can go toward the amp that will make the guitar sound better.

How It Plays: Neck First

A 7-string lives or dies by its neck. The Banshee Mach-7 is a neck-thru build, so the neck runs the full length of the body with no heel joint. Schecter pairs that with its Ultra Access contouring, which makes the upper frets easier to reach.

• Neck: roasted maple and purpleheart multi-ply with carbon fiber reinforcement rods
• Shape: Ultra Thin 'U'
• Fingerboard: ebony with a 12"-16" compound radius (flatter up high for bends and fast runs, rounder near the nut for chords)
• Frets: 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel
• Scale: 26.5" (673mm)
• Nut width: 1.889" (48mm)

The 26.5" scale is a little longer than the 25.5" on a typical 6-string. That extra length helps keep the low B tight. Stainless frets are a real benefit for anyone who plays a lot, because they resist wear far longer than nickel-silver. They also feel slick under bends.

Looks and Build: The Fallout Burst Top

The body is swamp ash with a flamed maple top and a radius top contour. Fallout Burst is a high-contrast finish that shows off the flame, and the Luminlay glow side dots and offset reverse Roman numeral inlays add to the look. The Luminlay dots charge from ambient light, which helps on a dim stage.

That visual detail is also the catch with B-Stock. On a figured top, a small mark can be easier to spot in the right light. Check the listing photos for where the blemish sits. If it's on the back or an edge, you'll never see it while playing.

Sound and Hardware

A pair of Lundgren M7 pickups sit in the bridge and neck positions, run through a volume, a push-pull tone control and a 3-way switch. It's a simple layout with no menu of options to scroll through. That suits players who dial in a sound and leave it.

The bridge is a Hipshot Ibby HM in Black Chrome, with Schecter locking tuners. A fixed bridge means there's no tremolo to fight with, and the locking tuners make string changes quicker.

The Catch: Who Should Skip It

• You want a tremolo. This version has a fixed bridge. Dive bombs and whammy tricks need a different model.
• You're coming from a 25.5" 6-string. The 26.5" scale and the extra string take some getting used to. Give it a few weeks.
• Cosmetics matter to you. If you want a flawless collector's piece, pay the extra for new.

Our Take

If you're buying a 7-string to play, whether in a band, in the studio or in the practice room, the B-Stock Banshee Mach-7 is a strong value. You get a neck-thru build, a roasted maple neck, stainless frets and a flamed maple top for about $360 less than new.

Look closely at the photos for the noted blemish. If it's somewhere you won't see while playing, buy it. If you want a perfect finish for display or resale, buy new.

View the Schecter Banshee Mach-7 guitar in Fallout Burst Product Page

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you save on the B-Stock Banshee Mach-7?

The B-Stock price is $1,439.20 against $1,799.00 new, a difference of $359.80.

Does this Banshee Mach-7 have a tremolo?

No. It uses a Hipshot Ibby HM fixed bridge in Black Chrome, so there is no whammy bar.

Is the 26.5-inch scale hard to adjust to?

The 26.5" (673mm) scale is longer than a standard 25.5" 6-string, so the frets sit slightly farther apart. Most players adapt within a few weeks, and the longer scale helps keep the low strings tight.

What pickups does this guitar have?

It has a Lundgren M7 in both the bridge and neck positions, controlled by a volume knob, a push-pull tone knob and a 3-way switch.