Head to head
ESP EXL-200 Black vs Schecter Blackjack SLS C-1 FR A Hell's Gate
The verdict
The ESP EXL-200 Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 70 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EXL-200 Black wins on
- Better build (87 vs 61)
- Better sound (74 vs 68)
- Better value (85 vs 74)
Schecter Blackjack SLS C-1 FR A Hell's Gate wins on
- Lower price ($599 vs $699)
Scorecard
| Metric | EXL-200 Black | Blackjack SLS C-1 FR A Hell's Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 70 |
| Build | 87 | 61 |
| Playability | 81 | 81 |
| Sound | 74 | 68 |
| Value | 85 | 74 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EXL-200 Black | Blackjack SLS C-1 FR A Hell's Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Schecter |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | JP | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple 3-pc |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-301N / ESP LH-301B | Seymour Duncan BlackOuts AHB-1 / Seymour Duncan BlackOuts AHB-1 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $699 | $599 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | Floyd Rose 1000 Series |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-301B | Seymour Duncan BlackOuts AHB-1 |
| Case | EXL GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | Set-Neck w/Ultra Access |
| Controls | Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | Volume/Volume/Tone/3-Way Switch |
| Finish | Black | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | 14" (355mm) |
| Hardware | Black | Black Chrome |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-301N | Seymour Duncan BlackOuts AHB-1 |
| Neck profile | Thin U | Ultra Thin "C" |
| Nut | Molded | Floyd Rose |
| Nut width | 42mm | 1.625" (41.3mm) |
| Scale length | 24.75" | 25.5" (648mm) |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | Grover |
| Battery Compartment | — | 9-volt Clip-in Battery Compartment |
| Binding | — | Black Multi-ply |
| Dexterity | — | Right Handed |
| Fretboard inlay | — | MOP Hell's Gate Skull at 12th Fret |
| Guitar Colors | — | Crimson Red Burst (CRB) |
| Knobs | — | Metal Knurled w/ Set Screw |
| Thickness | — | @ 1st Fret- .748" (19mm)/ @ 12th Fret- .787" (20mm) |
| Top Contour | — | Arched Top |
| Top Material | — | Flamed Maple |
| Truss rod | — | 2-Way Adjustable Rod w/ 5/32" (4mm) Allen Nut |