I haven't bought electric guitars for more than twenty years, so I don't know how valid these suggestions might be. Having said that, I would never buy a guitar I hadn't played. Why? You shouldn't buy a guitar that doesn't respond to you, and to play it is the only way to find out whether it will. What's more, I wouldn't audition it through an amp. Why not? A great-sounding guitar with great electronics, matched with a great amp will always sound better than a mediocre-sounding guitar with great electronics, matched with a great amp. Plus, you'll find it easier to modify the electronics than the wood. Lastly, cost should be ignored. What?! If you want it bad enough, you can afford it. It's better to have bought and lost than never to have bought at all. And it's hard to live with yourself knowing you let a great one get away. Buy it because you sound good on it; not because it looks good in a magazine - or because you "can't afford" the one you'd prefer.

Well, Im gonna end up trying them both out sooner or later at a shop, if i can find a place with some schecters, but I was just lookin at them online until then. Good advice by the way. Also, being almost 16, money is kinda tough to come by in large amounts, but still I understand what you are saying. Thanks for the help, and anyone else have any advice on these two guitars?

What kind of music do you play? What sort of player are you currently?

Hmm, the tone Im wanting from one of these would be like a Synyster Gates/avenged sevenfold tone... Im wanting it for metal, hard rock and stuff like that. I have a MIM Fender Stratocaster for blues, and all that good stuff, and now I need a humbuckers sound. Not sure how to answer "What sort of player are you currently"

you can score a damien FR from just about anywhere(musician's friend,zzsounds,etc.) for $399. great bang for the buck. i got one and i'm very pleased with it. took a few weeks to warm up to her, but now she's one of my favorites....

When I'm that undecided, I either go with the least expensive or I buy all of them. (I'm a collector of sorts)

Well, Im leaning toward the C-1 FR.... active pickups and a floyd rose... I just thought the artist would be cool.... Now all I have to do is finish gettin the money =)

My suggestion would be:

Get the one with the Floyd, especially if you already know how to string and tune a Floyd up.

I have to put in my plug here for my favorite company:

Have you tried Ibanez? They have a few shechter-like guitars. Their SZ and RGT series are pretty sweet. They also have a new les paul copy, the ART100 that's pretty cool.

Most of the sound you're looking for will be in the pickups. For the modern heavy tone, hot pickups + hot amp is a good way to get there. I would suggest either EMG's or Dimarzios for you, especially the EMG 81 and the Dimarzio dActivators, Evolutions, and Super Distortions.

Shechter's a good company too from what I can tell...I've never heard a bad thing about them.