The Schecter Hellraiser C-8 is an eight-string electric guitar from the C-8 series, designed for powerful tone and extended range. It features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, providing a rich, resonant sound with a striking appearance. The 3-piece set mahogany neck ensures stability and sustain, while the rosewood fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets offers smooth playability. Gothic Cross inlays add a distinctive visual touch. Equipped with two active EMG 808 pickups, the guitar delivers aggressive, high-output tones suited for modern metal and progressive styles. The electronics include a 3-way switch, two volume controls, and a tone control for versatile sound shaping. The Hipshot Custom 8 fixed bridge and string-through-body construction enhance sustain and tuning stability. Additionally, the Schecter Locking tuners provide precise and reliable tuning. Finished in Black Cherry, the Hellraiser C-8 combines premium materials, advanced electronics, and a striking aesthetic, making it a top choice for extended-range guitarists.

Active Pickups
The active EMG pickups provide significantly higher output, allowing the instrument to handle different amplifier input impedances and virtually any cable length with ease. The signal is far less susceptible to interference, such as hum, and is much more tolerant of wireless guitar systems, which affect the sound far less than passive pickups. Another key advantage is extended sustain, as the pickup's magnetic field does not restrict string vibration as much as passive pickups do, thanks to its increased sensitivity. Additionally, the higher output signal enhances tube amplifier overdrive, making it easier to achieve the desired level of distortion.

EMG 808
Since the release of the EMG 707 in 2001, it has remained the most popular active pickup for seven-string guitars. Its evolution, the EMG 808, is designed for eight-string guitars, solving common issues with previous pickups that made the low F# string sound muddy and dull, especially when playing natural or artificial harmonics.

The AlNiCo V magnet alloy, combined with wide-aperture coils, delivers a tight and defined low-end while enhancing the overall clarity of the sound. Whether you're playing bright jazz chords in the style of Opeth or tight, percussive death metal riffs, every note and harmonic remains crisp and articulate—even when using extreme amp settings. The EMG 808 pickup is suitable for both neck and bridge positions, making it a versatile choice for extended-range players.
Artists using the EMG 808 include Ben Savage (Whitechapel), Mika Lagreen (Facebreaker), and Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders).

Set Neck Construction
The set neck construction provides easy access to the highest frets, offering a feel similar to neck-through guitars while maintaining the warm, resonant tone characteristic of glued neck joints. The combination of different wood types at the neck-body joint enhances sustain and ensures a balanced tonal response, just like traditional set-in neck designs.

Baritone Scale Length
With an extended 673mm scale length, the guitar can be easily tuned down multiple steps while maintaining string tension. Even at lower tunings, the strings remain taut without requiring excessively heavy gauge sets. This design enhances playability, making it easier to switch between rhythm and lead techniques, while delivering a rich, powerful sound with long sustain—perfect for hardcore, nu-metal, and other heavy music styles.

Fixed Bridge with String-Through-Body Construction
The fixed bridge with string-through-body design enhances string anchoring and sustain, while the extended string length increases tension—especially beneficial for musicians who play in dropped tunings. The bridge's simple yet robust construction ensures reliability, easy adjustments, and noticeably extended sustain.

Schecter Locking Tuners
High-end models feature Schecter Locking Tuners, which minimize string slippage by reducing the need to wrap the string multiple times around the tuning post. This design significantly improves tuning stability, even during aggressive techniques such as bending and tremolo use. Additionally, it extends string life by reducing breakage, making it a perfect choice for professional and touring musicians.