Description
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S – Black Gold (1742)
The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S in Black Gold is the full-spec signature model built for Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold, combining one of Schecter's most recognisable body designs with a Sustainiac system, Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature bridge pickup and Floyd Rose 1500 Series tremolo.
Model 1742 is the Black Gold version, pairing the black finish with gold pinstriping, gold hardware and the distinctive SYN and Deathbat fingerboard inlays.
Underneath the unmistakable styling is a seriously capable modern guitar built for high-gain rhythm playing, fast lead work, aggressive tremolo techniques and the controlled feedback and extended sustain made possible by the Sustainiac.
Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature Bridge Pickup
At the bridge is a Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature humbucker, designed around Synyster's combination of high-gain rhythm and articulate lead playing.
There's plenty of output for pushing a high-gain amp, but clarity is equally important here. Fast riffs, palm-muted passages and harmonically rich lead work need definition, particularly once you're adding distortion, effects and lower tunings.
It's a natural fit for metal and hard rock, but there's more versatility available than the appearance of the guitar might suggest.
Sustainiac Neck System
The big difference between the Custom-S and a conventional Synyster Gates Custom is the Sustainiac.
Located in the neck pickup position, the Sustainiac system actively keeps the strings vibrating, allowing notes to sustain far beyond what you'd normally achieve from the guitar alone.
The system can be switched on and off independently and offers three operating modes:
- Fundamental – emphasises the fundamental note
- Mix – blends fundamental and harmonic characteristics
- Harmonic – encourages the sustained note to develop into upper harmonics
Combine it with bends, vibrato, high gain and the Floyd Rose and you can create everything from long singing lead notes to controlled harmonic feedback.
It's not just a novelty either. Once you start working it into lead playing, the Sustainiac becomes another expressive tool available from the guitar.
Floyd Rose 1500 Series Tremolo
The Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo is an important part of the Custom-S design.
With the strings locked at both the bridge and nut, it's designed to handle aggressive pitch changes while maintaining much greater tuning stability than a conventional tremolo system.
That means dive bombs, pull-ups, flutter, wide vibrato effects and more subtle tremolo work are all available.
Fast, Modern Neck
The Custom-S uses a three-piece mahogany neck with carbon fibre reinforcement rods and Schecter's Ultra Thin C profile.
It's paired with a 16-inch radius ebony fingerboard, 24 X-Jumbo frets and a 25.5-inch scale length, giving the guitar a distinctly modern playing feel.
The flatter radius is particularly well suited to lower action, wide bends and fast lead playing, while the X-Jumbo frets make bends and vibrato feel effortless under the fingers.
Set-Neck Construction & Ultra Access
The mahogany neck is set into the body rather than bolted on, with Schecter's Ultra Access heel shaping the neck joint for easier access to the highest frets.
That's particularly useful on a guitar like this. With 24 frets and such a strong lead-playing focus, being able to comfortably reach the upper register is more than just a specification on paper.
Black Gold Finish
If the Satin Gold Burst 1743 is the more unusual version, Black Gold is the classic Synyster Gates look.
The black finish is contrasted by distinctive gold pinstriping and gold hardware, while the ebony fingerboard carries the Gold Pearloid SYN inlays and Deathbat at the 12th fret.
It's immediately recognisable, particularly to Avenged Sevenfold fans, but the visual design also matches the fairly uncompromising nature of the guitar itself.
Key Features
- Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S
- Model/item number: 1742
- Black Gold finish
- Made in South Korea
- Mahogany body
- Set-neck construction
- Ultra Access neck joint
- 3-piece mahogany neck
- Carbon fibre neck reinforcement
- Ultra Thin C neck profile
- Ebony fingerboard
- 25.5" scale length
- 16" fingerboard radius
- 24 X-Jumbo frets
- 41.3mm nut width
- Gold Pearloid SYN fingerboard inlays
- Deathbat 12th-fret inlay
- Glow-in-the-dark side dots
- Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature bridge humbucker
- Sustainiac neck system
- Sustainiac on/off control
- 3-way Sustainiac mode control
- Fundamental, Mix and Harmonic modes
- 3-way pickup selector
- Master Volume
- Master Tone
- Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo
- Floyd Rose 1500 Series locking nut
- Grover tuners
- Gold hardware
- 9V clip-in battery compartment
- Factory strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .010–.046
- Schecter SGR-2A fitted case available separately
Who Is It For?
There's an obvious audience here: Synyster Gates and Avenged Sevenfold fans. If you're chasing the look, feel and features of Synyster's signature guitar, the Custom-S is the model that delivers the complete package.
But you don't need to play Avenged Sevenfold songs to make sense of it.
The combination of a fast 24-fret neck, high-output bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and Sustainiac makes this a genuinely interesting guitar for metal, hard rock, progressive playing and technically demanding lead work.
The Sustainiac is particularly useful for players who like experimenting with feedback, long sustained notes and harmonic textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Synyster Gates Custom and Custom-S?
The major difference is the Sustainiac system fitted to the Custom-S. The "S" model gives you the active sustain system in the neck position along with its dedicated controls.
What does the Sustainiac actually do?
It actively encourages the strings to continue vibrating, allowing you to create extremely long sustained notes and controlled feedback.
You can also change the way that sustained note behaves using Fundamental, Mix and Harmonic modes.
Does the Sustainiac need a battery?
Yes. The Sustainiac is an active system and requires a 9V battery. The guitar has a convenient clip-in battery compartment.
What bridge pickup is fitted to the 1742?
The Black Gold 1742 uses the Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature humbucker in the bridge position.
Does it have a real Floyd Rose?
Yes. This model uses a Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo together with a 1500 Series locking nut.
Is the Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S 1742 made in Korea?
Yes. Model 1742 is manufactured in South Korea.
What's the difference between model 1742 and 1743?
The biggest difference is the finish and visual treatment. 1742 is Black Gold, giving you the classic black-and-gold Synyster Gates aesthetic, while 1743 is Satin Gold Burst.
Both are Custom-S models with the Sustainiac, Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature bridge pickup, ebony fingerboard and Floyd Rose 1500 Series tremolo.
Does it come with a case?
The compatible Schecter SGR-2A case is available separately rather than being included as standard.
Our Take
There's no pretending the Synyster Gates Custom-S Black Gold is understated. It's one of those guitars you can recognise from across the room.
But the important thing is that the specification backs up the appearance.
The Schecter USA signature humbucker, Sustainiac, Floyd Rose 1500, ebony fingerboard, 24 X-Jumbo frets and Ultra Thin C neck make this a seriously capable performance guitar rather than simply a signature model for collectors.
For an Avenged Sevenfold fan, Black Gold is also the quintessential Synyster Gates colour scheme.
Available from Colemans Music in South Melbourne or shop online with fast shipping Australia-wide. A place for players — new, used, traded, upgraded.
