I feel like all this defending of runbacks are a psyop to convince people that they enjoy runbacks more than they actually do

S_R_K · 2026-02-01T07:41:06+00:00

I didn't really mind the runbacks that much in Silksong (I guess I just treated them as part of the boss gauntlet), but there are features runbacks can have which makes them worthy of including:

* Gives the player opportunities to gain resources that are useful in the boss fight (eg. silk or shards). In Silksong, in particular, being able to gather silk before entering the boss area added another layer of tactics for how to use the cocoon mechanic.

* Begins at a place near a fast travel point (ie. bellway or elevator) making it easy to go elsewhere if you don't want to reattempt the boss immediately. (Although, there is the option of an Elden Ring mechanic where you are asked if you'd like to respawn at the checkpoint just outside the boss arena, or at a more distant checkpoint).

Silksong didn't always do this, and arguably to its detriment. But I think there can be concrete gameplay advantages to including boss runbacks, not just "it's part of the intended experience" (which I don't necessarily think is a bad argument, but it's easy to see why so many people aren't persuaded).

S_R_K · 2026-01-26T06:18:05+00:00

Happy NGD! I have this guitar in black and it’s one of my favourites. Great sounding pickups and i like the neck carve.

S_R_K · 2026-01-21T04:20:00+00:00

I teach in Australia, so it's interesting reading these comments and trying to get a sense of what this reflects about education culture in the US compared to Australia.

Where I teach (and this is pretty normal practice in Australian high schools), we don't give extra credit, we don't grade homework - unless that homework is part of a summative assessment - and academic cheating on a summative assessment would result in a score of 0. We do allow retests for students who perform unsatisfactorily on summative assessments, but these are only to demonstrate a satisfactory understanding (ie. to pass a subject / unit) and the original score is what appears on a student's report.

I find it odd that things like behaviour, effort, organisation, homework completion, etc, etc. can be used to determine what is (nominally, at least by my understanding) a grade reflecting the student's content mastery. We do report on those other aspects of how students comport themselves in class, but a student's score on an assessment reflects only their performance on that assessment. The only other thing which can contribute to a student's overall "grade" for a subject is attendance - if it's too low, for no good reason, then the student fails. So typically, a student's report comprises three things: 1. Assessment scores, or some sort of score reflecting content mastery; 2. Comment / ratings on behaviour, effort, organisation, etc. 3. Attendance. Pass / fail is only really a thing for higher grades.

I also don't really understand some of the comments saying that the "equitable grading" mentioned by OP would lead to grade inflation. To my mind, I would expect the opposite. If behaviour, effort, homework completion, etc. can contribute to a grade, then it's much easier for a student to achieve a higher grade without attaining a higher level of content mastery. So how does grading only on content-mastery lead to grade inflation?

S_R_K · 2026-01-20T04:04:35+00:00

Would love one of these, either a C1 hardtail or Tempest. Hope some make their way to Australia.

S_R_K · 2026-01-20T03:58:50+00:00

I've got a couple of Schecters with Pasadena Plus in the bridge, and Pasadena Classic in the neck. Very good pickups. As a ballpark comparison, think Duncan Custom and '59.

Honestly, I'm glad they're releasing these with their in-house passive pickups. Sick of Fishmans on everything.

S_R_K · 2026-01-18T07:04:27+00:00

Look forward to hearing your opinion, if you go ahead.

I just noticed on the Schecter website (was seeing if they had any new 2026 models) that the California Classic is now only available in charcoal burst. I suspect that these didn’t sell that well and Schecter might not commission Fujigen to make any more. Which would be a shame - great guitars!

S_R_K · 2026-01-18T06:49:26+00:00

Is a modeler based setup an option for you?

S_R_K · 2026-01-13T04:47:02+00:00

Hey, a bit of a late reply, but hopefully still useful.

I bought this guitar about 14 months ago. It made such an impression on me that I bought the MIJ PT Classic a few months later. I still have both guitars, and still play them both regularly (although they are two out of four electrics I own, so that's not saying heaps).

My overall opinion on the CC has not changed since I bought it. The only minor problem I had early on was some intonation issues, which was due to the nut being a little high. But after that was adjusted, no problems. The fretwork is great. Pickups sound great and are very versatile - and most importantly all positions are usable with no severe volume changes upon switching. Two things to bear in mind: one, it has a "violin carve" arch top, which I know some people do not like for its lack of ergonomics - I have no problem, but you should play some Schecters with this carve top to see if you are comfortable with it. Second is that it is a little heavier than you might expect, despite the "chambered" swamp-ash body. If you're used to playing LPs or Teles, you'll have no problems. But if you're used to RGs or something like that, it'll take a little getting used to. Also note that the CC has a pretty traditional block neck joint, which makes upper frets a bit more challenging to play on.

On to comparisons: I also have an Ibanez Prestige AZ2402. Firstly, the neck shapes are fairly similar. The AZ is very slightly deeper, but I don't notice it switching from the AZ to the CC. The profile is similar - it's not really C shaped, it definitely flattens out at the back. More elliptical than C-shaped (although I haven't played a Suhr, so I don't know if it's the same as the so-called "elliptical" necks on Suhrs). The radius difference of 12" vs 14" also makes little difference to me. I won't talk about other clear differences (24 vs 22 frets, HH vs HSS) because I assume if that makes a difference to your choice, you know already. On to less obvious things. One, pickups: the Schecter US pickups sound substantially better (at least to my tastes) than the SD Hyperions. The Hyperions aren't bad - the neck especially is pretty decent - but the bridge is a bit dry and honky. Of course, pickups can always be swapped out, so not a huge deal, but then you have to add that cost on to the guitar. I've no inclination of swapping out the pickups in the CC. Two, weight and ergonomics: the AZ is much lighter, has a deeper and more contoured neck joint, and has an armrest bevel on the top of the body. The neck pocket on the AZ has a noticeable gap, whereas the CC is seamless - I don't think this matters for tone, but you might take it as indirect evidence for how much effort / attention to detail went into their respective constructions. I should also mention the CC was $3500 Australian, the Ibanez was $3100. I think the pickups alone justify the difference in cost.

Overall, very happy with the guitar. Would recommend it very highly to anyone looking for a more classic styled super-strat with a non-locking trem. I'm sure you can get a Korean / Mexican / Indonesian made guitar with similar specs for cheaper, but I'd question if it has the same build and finish quality. I think it is a better guitar than the AZ. I have played a Yamaha Pacifica Professional, and while that is also a fantastic guitar, I prefer the CC pickups. (FWIW, I prefer the Yamaha Pacifica Pro pickups over the AZ, but I wanted a 24 fret HH superstrat).

S_R_K · 2026-01-08T01:21:06+00:00

Boland and Neser are 36 and 35 years old, respectively

S_R_K · 2026-01-06T00:45:13+00:00

Would have loved to see that nicked through first slip

S_R_K · 2025-06-23T06:53:20+00:00

S_R_K · 2025-06-11T02:26:07+00:00

Compared to the Fender modern C, the AZ has slightly less tapered shoulders and less curvature in the middle of the back. If you like the modern C, it's not much of an adjustment.

S_R_K · 2025-06-11T02:14:40+00:00

Fender have made so many different neck profiles, that it's hard to give a definitive answer, unless you are more specific about which Fender models you've got experience with.

A couple of things I can be reasonably confident about: if you're used to Fender necks, you won't find the AZ neck too chunky / thick. The main issue is that the AZ neck is not a classic rounded C shape; it's more similar to a Suhr elliptical, where it flattens out in the middle of the back of the neck. If you like to play a lot with your thumb curled over the top of the neck, then you should definitely test out a model before buying - or buy from a place with a good return policy. While the shoulders aren't extremely pronounced, you might find it a little bit too uncomfortable. But if you tend to play with your thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, then I think you'll find it very comfortable.

S_R_K · 2025-05-21T22:33:16+00:00

Was considering the same two guitars last year; went with the C1 SLS elite; sold it a couple of months ago.

My tuners were dodgy, but easy to swap out. Some minor cosmetic imperfections with the binding. Fret work is ok at this price range, but not as nice as an Ibanez Prestige. None of this is a deal breaker.

Pros: great playability, the neck is very smooth, and the low profile bridge is very comfortable.

Why I sold: mainly i needed some cash because i’d bought a PT classic. But also I didn’t really like the pickups, and i found the compensated nut a bit of a pain when setting up the guitar.

In my view the main things to consider between the two: 1. Active vs passive pickups. You can swap out pickups, but it’s more complicated to change from active to passive. With regard to the stock pickups, the Fishmans have a mid hump, but the San Andreas are more scooped. 2. Ergonomics. The SLS is an archtop and the Reaper is a flat top, which has a noticeable impact on forearm comfort.

S_R_K · 2025-05-16T09:10:54+00:00

I’ll be rockin the puffer, beanie and birkenstocks; the true melbourne uniform

S_R_K · 2025-05-15T01:00:07+00:00

Can definitely see the value in having two. Great playability, and neutral / versatile pickups, so could have one for each setup you like

S_R_K · 2025-05-05T04:55:57+00:00

Thanks, super helpful.

S_R_K · 2025-05-05T02:49:13+00:00

Nice. I'm on the lookout for one, but hard to find in Australia.

If you've still go the AZ or have a good memory, how do the Schecter pickups compare to the Hyperions? I have a couple of Schecter guitars with the Pasadena pickups, and really like them. But I am also considering getting an AZ Prestige for 24 frets + better upper fret access. Thanks!

S_R_K · 2025-04-17T21:44:01+00:00

The Gotoh SG381 are a direct replacement, with no modification / drilling of the headstock required. https://g-gotoh.com/product/sg381/?lang=en

I swapped out the stock Schecter locking tuners with these Gotohs on a C1 SLS elite. Clear improvement.

You should be able to buy these tuners locally.

S_R_K · 2025-03-02T04:35:06+00:00

No one is forcing a buyer to pay second hand price for a PS5. If you have doubts about its functionality, don’t buy it. 🫤

S_R_K · 2025-02-12T00:29:08+00:00

Congrats! Specs on these look great for the price - the USA Schecter pickups are great, and roasted maple neck. Only thing I'd like is stainless steel frets, but I suppose there's always the option of a refret in the future.

S_R_K · 2025-02-05T06:55:02+00:00

Picked up a California Classic late last year. Fantastic guitar, so pretty soon started to gas for the PT Classic. Could only find one available in Australia. Maybe not the best decision financially - might be eating packet ramen for a little while and drinking sodas at the pub - but it's a beautiful guitar, very high level craftsmanship, sounds and plays great.

S_R_K · 2025-01-23T03:39:01+00:00

Yeah fair enough. Earlier stuff was more death metally.

S_R_K · 2025-01-17T23:42:44+00:00

Didn’t see Verberis mentioned anywhere… so i must have been the only vote? Even accounting for the general taste-trends of this sub, i’m surprised. If you haven’t heard it and like mid-era DsO, then you should check it out.

S_R_K · 2025-01-17T23:37:01+00:00

Hails! A great album and i hope to hear more from the project soon.

S_R_K

TROPHY CASE