Two Schecter Metal Guitars, Two Different Ideas

If you are shopping Schecter's modern metal range for the studio, the real question is not which one costs less. It is which approach to tuning and tone you want to deal with at 1 a.m. while a take is rolling.

The Schecter IronWorks Barbarian ($1,899) takes the traditional route: set neck, TonePros T3BP Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a pair of EMG pickups. The Banshee Mach models, in 6 and 7-string versions, are built around an EverTune bridge, a mechanical system designed to hold pitch. We will be upfront: the Barbarian is not the cheaper guitar in every comparison, so price alone will not decide this.

The Price Picture

• Schecter IronWorks Barbarian (Black Burst): $1,899 new, $1,519.20 in B-Stock (about $380 less).
• Banshee Mach-7 Evertune: roughly $2,099 new, based on our B-Stock listing sitting about $420 under new.
• Banshee Mach-7 LH: listed at $1,849.

So the Barbarian lands in the middle. It undercuts the Mach-7 Evertune by a couple hundred dollars at full price, and B-Stock widens that gap. For exact Banshee Mach 6-string pricing and specs, check the individual listing, since finishes and configurations vary.

How the Barbarian Is Built (and Why It Matters on Sessions)

The Barbarian pairs a mahogany body with an IronWorks metal top and a set-neck construction. The neck is a 3-piece maple in a Zakk "C" profile, measuring about 0.83" (21.08mm) deep at the first fret and 0.96" (24.4mm) at the 12th. That is a full, rounded handful, not a thin shredder shape. Some players love it for rhythm work; if you want a flat, fast neck, hold one first.

• Scale length: 24.625" (625.5mm), the shorter Gibson-style scale. Strings feel slightly slacker under the fingers, which helps with bends and tends to give a thicker low-end attack when you are tracking rhythm parts.
• Fingerboard: ebony, 14" (355mm) radius, 22 X-jumbo frets with pearloid rune inlays.
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Ivory Tusq, 1.693" (43mm) wide.
• Tuners: Grover Rotomatic 18:1.
• Strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky, .010-.046.

EMG 81 and 85 in the Mix

The EMG 81 in the bridge and EMG 85 in the neck are active pickups, which is why there is a battery compartment in the control cavity. In the studio, that means a hot, consistent, low-noise signal that stays tight under heavy gain and does not pick up as much hum. It also means a signal that is already compressed and focused, so it sits forward in a dense mix with little EQ work. If you want a more open, dynamic, vintage-leaning tone, active EMGs are the thing to consider before you buy.

Tune-O-Matic Simplicity

A Tune-O-Matic with a T1ZS tailpiece is about as predictable as bridges get. Restringing is quick, setup is familiar, and there is no trem to fight. The catch: it relies on your tuning habits and the quality of the nut and tuners. The Tusq nut and Grovers are good for that job, but it will not hold pitch the way a mechanical system can.

Where the Banshee Mach Line Pulls Ahead

The case for the Banshee Mach models is the EverTune bridge. It keeps strings at a constant tension, so tuning stays put through hard picking, temperature swings, and long overdub sessions. If you track a lot of layered rhythm parts, or play a 7-string where low strings tend to drift, that can save real time. We cover the details in our separate EverTune posts, so we will keep it short here: you also get the choice of 6 or 7 strings, which the Barbarian does not offer, since it is a 6-string only.

Here is the catch for EverTune. It is a different feel, and bends and vibrato do not behave like a standard bridge. Some players love that, others never warm to it. If you like to bend notes expressively, try one before you commit.

Which One Should You Buy?

• Get the Barbarian if you want a set-neck 6-string with a short scale, EMG tone, and a bridge you can set up in your sleep. It suits tight rhythm tracking and heavy riff work.
• Get a Banshee Mach if tuning stability is your top priority, especially for long overdub sessions, or if you need a 7-string.
• Skip the Barbarian if you need a seven-string or want a flat, thin neck.
• Consider B-Stock on the Barbarian: at $1,519.20 you get the same spec for about $380 less, which is hard to argue with if a small cosmetic blemish will not bother you in the control room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Schecter IronWorks Barbarian a 6-string or 7-string?

It is a 6-string. If you want a 7-string, look at the Banshee Mach-7 models instead.

What pickups does the Barbarian use?

An EMG 81 in the bridge and an EMG 85 in the neck, with a volume, volume, tone layout and a 3-way switch. They are active and run on a battery inside the control cavity.

Does the Barbarian have an EverTune bridge?

No. It uses a TonePros T3BP Tune-O-Matic bridge with a T1ZS tailpiece. The EverTune is found on the Banshee Mach Evertune models.

How much does the Barbarian cost in B-Stock?

The B-Stock price is $1,519.20, compared with $1,899 new. That is about $380 less for the same model.