Mo Says...

An Explorer-shaped guitar wearing koa is a rather curious marriage of brute force and fine furniture. Fortunately, the two get along splendidly. The sort of instrument that looks equally at home in a recording studio or a particularly adventurous drawing room.

Notable Particulars

• Mahogany body with a beautifully figured koa top in Natural Satin, combining distinctive grain patterns with the warmth and resonance of mahogany.
• Dual Schecter USA San Andreas humbuckers deliver powerful, articulate tones with excellent definition for rock, metal and expressive lead playing.
• Three-piece mahogany set neck with Ultra Access heel, paired with a 14" radius ebony fingerboard and 22 extra-jumbo frets for comfortable, fluid playability.
• TonePros locking Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece, complemented by Schecter locking tuners for reliable tuning stability and straightforward string changes.
• Versatile electronics featuring a three-way pickup selector, master volume and push/pull tone control for coil-splitting, expanding the guitar's tonal range beyond traditional humbucker sounds.

The Details

The Schecter E-1 Koa is a striking interpretation of the classic Explorer-style electric guitar, combining an angular, unapologetic silhouette with beautifully figured natural timber. Part of Schecter's Diamond Series, this South Korean-made instrument features a mahogany body topped with koa, finished in a subtle Natural Satin that allows the character of the grain to take centre stage. Black binding, black hardware and a matching wood-faced headstock provide an elegant contrast, while the mother-of-pearl block fingerboard inlays lend a distinctly luxurious touch.

Beneath its distinctive appearance lies a serious performance guitar. A pair of Schecter USA San Andreas humbuckers provides the high-output response, tight low end and articulate attack needed for demanding rock and metal playing. The push/pull tone control adds coil-split options for brighter, leaner sounds, making the E-1 more versatile than its imposing shape might suggest. Its three-piece mahogany set neck, 24.75" scale length and ebony fingerboard offer a familiar, comfortable feel, while the Ultra Access neck joint improves reach to the upper frets. TonePros hardware and Schecter locking tuners complete a well-considered specification.

This 2018 example, identified by its serial number beginning W18, presents attractively with the natural koa figuring giving it a distinctive individual appearance. The guitar shows some light signs of previous use, with minor cosmetic marks visible on the body and hardware. Its combination of unusual timber, quality electronics and unmistakable styling makes it a particularly interesting alternative to more conventional dual-humbucker guitars.