INTRODUCTION

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH in Atomic Mercury takes the familiar comfort and balance of a traditional double-cutaway electric guitar and equips it with a distinctly modern performance specification. Developed around Nick Johnston’s signature preferences, this HH version combines two signature Atom-Bucker humbuckers with a premium wenge neck, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners and Schecter’s Nouveau tremolo system.

Its alder body and 25.5" scale provide a familiar foundation, but the details place the Nick Johnston Traditional HH firmly in contemporary territory. The smooth Nick Johnston “C” neck profile, flat 14" fingerboard radius and 22 Jumbo stainless steel frets create a fast but substantial playing feel suited equally well to expressive lead work, technical playing, rhythm guitar and cleaner styles.

Finished in distinctive Atomic Mercury with chrome hardware and understated metal ring fingerboard inlays, this is a refined signature instrument for guitarists who appreciate classic ergonomics but want modern hardware, playability and humbucker power.

KEY FEATURES

• Nick Johnston signature electric guitar

• Striking Atomic Mercury finish

• Traditional double-cutaway body design

• Alder body

• Bolt-on construction

• Wenge neck

• Ebony fingerboard

• Nick Johnston “C” neck profile

• 25.5" scale length

• 14" fingerboard radius

• 22 Jumbo stainless steel frets

• Metal ring fingerboard inlays

• Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ nut

• Schecter Nouveau locking tuners

• Two Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker humbuckers

• Master volume and master tone controls

• 5-way Super Switch

• Schecter Nouveau tremolo

• Music City Bridge three-string tree string retainer

• Chrome hardware

• Heel-access spoke-wheel truss rod adjustment

• Factory-fitted Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .010–.046 strings

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The Nick Johnston Traditional HH is an excellent choice for players who like the physical familiarity of a traditional S-style instrument but want something substantially more contemporary underneath their hands. Stainless steel frets, locking tuners, a 14" radius ebony board and a purpose-designed signature neck profile give it the precision expected from a modern performance guitar without abandoning the timeless 25.5" bolt-on format.

The twin Atom-Bucker configuration also makes this model particularly appealing to players who want a thicker, more powerful pickup response than a traditional three-single-coil guitar. Add the five-way Super Switch and tremolo system and the result is a signature guitar that is capable of moving comfortably between expressive clean playing, rock rhythm work and highly technical lead styles.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker Pickups

The Traditional HH is equipped with Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker humbuckers in both the neck and bridge positions.

Moving to a twin-humbucker layout gives this version of Johnston's Traditional platform a fundamentally different character from his familiar single-coil and HSS instruments.

The bridge pickup provides the stronger, more concentrated response many players want for driven rhythm sounds and lead guitar, while the neck pickup offers a fuller alternative for melodic playing, smoother lead tones and clean passages.

For guitarists who love the ergonomics of a traditional double-cutaway guitar but naturally gravitate towards humbuckers, the HH version makes a great deal of sense.

Five-Way Super Switch

Rather than limiting the guitar to the conventional three positions normally associated with a two-humbucker layout, Schecter equips the Nick Johnston Traditional HH with a 5-way Super Switch.

This gives the switching system greater scope than a standard neck/both/bridge configuration and helps make the HH design more adaptable across different playing situations.

Combined with straightforward master volume and master tone controls, the layout remains quick and intuitive on stage while offering more flexibility than its simple appearance initially suggests.

Alder Body

The guitar is built around an alder body, maintaining one of the most established foundations for traditional bolt-on electric guitar construction.

Alder provides a sensible platform for a guitar intended to cover a wide musical range and keeps the fundamental feel familiar to players coming from classic S-style instruments.

The understated body contour also allows the more unusual Atomic Mercury finish to take centre stage.

Atomic Mercury Finish

Atomic Mercury gives the Nick Johnston Traditional HH a distinctive visual identity without relying on elaborate figured woods or overly decorative appointments.

It complements the instrument's combination of traditional body styling and modern specification particularly well.

Chrome hardware and minimalist metal ring fingerboard markers add a refined finish, creating an instrument that feels contemporary while retaining a clear connection to traditional electric guitar design.

Premium Wenge Neck

One of the most significant departures from more conventional guitars in this style is the wenge neck.

Wenge is a dense hardwood with a distinctive grain and tactile character, giving this version of the Nick Johnston Traditional a noticeably premium feel.

It also visually complements the dark ebony fingerboard, creating a neck that looks considerably different from the conventional maple construction found on many traditional double-cutaway guitars.

For players who already own more standard bolt-on instruments, this is one of the details that helps the Nick Johnston HH feel like a genuine alternative rather than simply another variation on a familiar formula.

Nick Johnston “C” Neck Profile

The neck uses Schecter’s dedicated Nick Johnston “C” profile.

It measures approximately:

• 20.32mm at the 1st fret

• 21.59mm at the 12th fret

This gives the neck enough substance to feel controlled without becoming unnecessarily bulky.

It is particularly appropriate for players whose technique moves regularly between chord work and lead playing, providing a comfortable foundation without forcing the hand into an aggressively thin modern profile.

Ebony Fingerboard

The wenge neck is paired with an ebony fingerboard, providing a premium playing surface with a clean, dark appearance.

Ebony is particularly well suited to the refined aesthetic of the Atomic Mercury finish, while its smooth surface complements the guitar's modern fret and radius specifications.

Minimalist metal ring inlays maintain the distinctive Nick Johnston visual identity without making the fingerboard unnecessarily busy.

14-Inch Fingerboard Radius

A 14-inch fingerboard radius gives the guitar a much flatter playing surface than many vintage-inspired instruments.

This is particularly beneficial for players who regularly use:

• Wide string bends

• Fast alternate picking

• Legato

• Tapping

• Sweep picking

• Technical lead work

• Modern chord voicings

The flatter radius works especially well in combination with the Jumbo stainless steel frets.

Players coming from more curved vintage fingerboards are likely to notice the difference immediately, particularly higher up the neck.

22 Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets

The Traditional HH features 22 Jumbo stainless steel frets.

Stainless steel offers substantially greater resistance to wear than conventional nickel-silver fretwire, making it an important long-term specification upgrade for players who put significant hours into their instruments.

The Jumbo dimensions also provide a smooth, direct feel for bends and vibrato.

Combined with the flatter 14" fingerboard radius, they create a playing surface particularly well suited to expressive lead guitar.

Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ Nut

Schecter fits a Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ nut with a 42mm width.

The nut forms an important contact point between the strings and neck and works alongside the locking tuners and tremolo system to provide a carefully considered hardware package.

Its black finish also integrates neatly with the dark fingerboard and neck.

Schecter Nouveau Locking Tuners

The Schecter Nouveau locking tuners simplify string installation by allowing the string to be secured directly at the tuner rather than relying on multiple wraps around the post.

This makes restringing faster and reduces unnecessary string movement around the tuner post.

Locking tuners are particularly useful on a tremolo-equipped guitar, where minimising unnecessary movement within the string path can help create a more predictable setup.

Schecter Nouveau Tremolo

At the bridge, the Nick Johnston Traditional HH uses the Schecter Nouveau Tremolo.

This gives players access to expressive vibrato and pitch manipulation without moving to the additional complexity of a double-locking Floyd Rose system.

For guitarists who use tremolo musically for subtle movement, chord shimmer, lead phrasing and conventional pitch effects, it provides a more traditional operating experience.

Schecter also uses a Music City Bridge three-string tree string retainer within the hardware arrangement.

Easy Heel-Access Truss Rod Adjustment

The neck features a two-way adjustable truss rod with a spoke wheel positioned at the neck heel.

This is a particularly practical feature.

Rather than requiring conventional tools to access a hidden truss rod adjustment at the headstock or beneath a cover, the spoke wheel allows much easier access when small setup corrections are required.

For players who maintain their own guitars or regularly change string gauges, this is the kind of detail that can become increasingly valuable over years of ownership.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH is particularly well suited to intermediate, advanced and professional guitarists who appreciate traditional electric guitar ergonomics but want a more contemporary specification.

It is an excellent choice for:

• Rock

• Progressive rock

• Fusion

• Alternative

• Modern blues

• Instrumental guitar

• Lead guitar

• Session work

• Studio recording

• Clean and driven playing

• Players who prefer humbuckers

• Guitarists wanting modern playability without a Floyd Rose

• Players upgrading from a conventional S-style guitar

• Guitarists looking for a premium signature instrument

It is especially compelling for a player who would normally choose an S-style guitar for comfort but finds traditional single-coil electronics too limiting for their preferred sounds.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

Lead Guitar

The Nick Johnston association immediately sets expectations for expressive lead playing, and the specification supports it extremely well.

An ebony fingerboard, 14" radius, Jumbo stainless steel frets and comfortable signature neck profile create an excellent platform for bends, legato, fast picking and more technical playing.

The tremolo adds another expressive tool without requiring the maintenance associated with a fully locking system.

Rock and Driven Rhythm

The dual Atom-Bucker configuration makes the HH version particularly well suited to driven guitar sounds.

For players using overdrive or higher-gain amplification, the humbuckers provide a more substantial starting point than a traditional SSS configuration.

The familiar 25.5" scale also keeps the response controlled for rhythm work.

Clean Playing

Despite the HH designation, this is far from a one-dimensional high-gain guitar.

The five-way switching system gives the instrument greater flexibility than a conventional two-humbucker configuration, while the alder body and traditional platform make it equally comfortable for cleaner playing.

Progressive and Fusion Styles

The combination of a relatively flat fingerboard, excellent upper-register playability, stable hardware and versatile electronics makes the Traditional HH particularly appealing for progressive and fusion players.

It provides the precision required for technical material without forcing the guitarist into the feel or aesthetic of an overtly metal-focused instrument.

Recording and Session Work

The familiar physical layout makes the Nick Johnston Traditional HH an excellent studio instrument.

Players can move between clean, driven and heavier sounds without adapting to an unfamiliar body shape or scale length, while the twin humbuckers and five-way switching provide a practical range of starting points for different parts.

HOW IT COMPARES

Versus the Nick Johnston Traditional SSS

The biggest distinction is the pickup configuration.

The SSS Traditional emphasises the brighter, more open character associated with three single-coil pickups.

The Traditional HH is the better option for players who want a fuller humbucker response, particularly when using overdrive and distortion.

Both retain the traditional double-cutaway concept, but they approach amplification very differently.

Versus the Nick Johnston Traditional HSS

The HSS model bridges single-coil and humbucker territory by combining single coils in the neck and middle with a bridge humbucker.

The HH version is the more natural choice when humbucker sounds form the core of your playing and you want that fuller pickup character available from both major positions.

Versus a Vintage-Style S-Type Guitar

A genuinely vintage-inspired guitar will typically use a more curved fingerboard, conventional frets, vintage tuners and traditional single-coil electronics.

The Nick Johnston Traditional HH keeps the overall ergonomic concept but modernises almost everything that the player actually interacts with.

Its 14" radius, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, ebony fingerboard and signature humbuckers make it considerably more contemporary under the fingers.

Versus a Floyd Rose-Equipped Performance Guitar

A double-locking tremolo is the better choice for extreme dive-bombs and dramatic pitch manipulation.

The Nouveau tremolo fitted here is aimed at players who want expressive tremolo functionality without the additional setup procedures associated with a Floyd Rose.

For many rock, fusion and instrumental players, that makes the Traditional HH easier to live with day to day.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Brand	Schecter
Model	Nick Johnston Traditional HH
Item Number	1158
Instrument Type	Solidbody Electric Guitar
Finish	Atomic Mercury
Dexterity	Right Handed
Number of Strings	6
Construction	Bolt-On
Body Material	Alder
Top Contour	Traditional
Neck Material	Wenge
Fingerboard Material	Ebony
Neck Profile	Nick Johnston “C”
Neck Thickness	20.32mm at 1st fret / 21.59mm at 12th fret
Scale Length	25.5"
Fingerboard Radius	14"
Frets	22 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Inlays	Metal Rings
Side Markers	Dots
Nut	Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ
Nut Width	42mm
Truss Rod	2-Way Adjustable with Spoke Wheel at Neck Heel
Bridge Pickup	Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker
Neck Pickup	Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker
Controls	Master Volume / Master Tone
Pickup Selector	5-Way Super Switch
Bridge	Schecter Nouveau Tremolo
String Retainer	Music City Bridge Three String Tree
Tuners	Schecter Nouveau Locking Tuners
Hardware Colour	Chrome
Control Knobs	Metal Dome
Factory Strings	Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .010–.046
Compatible Case	Schecter Case 6995, sold separately

🎵 FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Intermediate to professional players wanting classic double-cutaway ergonomics combined with modern humbuckers, stainless steel frets and premium contemporary hardware.

Customers usually upgrade from: Conventional S-style guitars or mid-range bolt-on instruments where better fretwork, more substantial humbucker tones and upgraded hardware have become priorities.

Most commonly paired with: Quality valve or modelling amplifiers, overdrive pedals, delay and reverb effects, premium instrument cables and a protective hardcase or gig bag.

Our tip: The HH configuration is the one to choose if you already know that humbuckers form the foundation of your sound. You retain the comfort and expressive tremolo of a traditional-style guitar while gaining a more substantial pickup response at both the neck and bridge.

Showroom feedback: What makes the Nick Johnston Traditional concept particularly appealing is that it does not feel as though modern features have simply been added for the sake of a specification sheet. The flatter ebony board, stainless frets, locking tuners and accessible truss rod adjustment are all upgrades a regular player can genuinely appreciate.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our team of knowledgeable musicians helps players choose instruments that genuinely suit their technique, equipment and musical ambitions.

When buying from Fair Deal Music you benefit from:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading musical instrument brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after purchase

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience supplying guitars, amplifiers and musical equipment

For a premium guitar such as the Nick Johnston Traditional HH, our team can also help you choose an appropriate amplifier, effects, case and accessories to create a complete setup.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading?

Fair Deal Music accepts part exchange on guitars, basses, amplifiers and other musical equipment, which could help reduce the cost of your new Schecter.

Contact our team with details of the equipment you would like to trade and we can provide a no-obligation valuationtowards your next purchase.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH a signature guitar?

Yes. It is part of Schecter’s Nick Johnston signature range and incorporates features developed around his preferred traditional-style guitar platform.

What pickups are fitted?

This HH version uses two Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Bucker humbuckers, one in the neck position and one at the bridge.

Does it use active pickups?

No. The Atom-Buckers do not require a battery for normal operation.

What is different about the HH version?

The HH model uses two humbuckers rather than the single-coil or HSS configurations available elsewhere in the Nick Johnston Traditional range.

This makes it particularly appealing to players who prefer a fuller pickup response for rock, driven rhythm and lead playing.

How many frets does it have?

The guitar has 22 Jumbo stainless steel frets.

Stainless steel provides excellent resistance to fret wear and a particularly smooth feel for bending.

What is the neck made from?

The neck is wenge, paired with an ebony fingerboard.

This is a notably premium combination compared with the more conventional maple neck construction used on many traditional-style guitars.

What is the fingerboard radius?

It has a 14-inch radius, giving the fingerboard a relatively flat modern feel.

Does it have locking tuners?

Yes. The guitar features Schecter Nouveau locking tuners.

These make restringing quicker and reduce the amount of string that needs to be wound around each tuner post.

Does it have a tremolo?

Yes. It uses a Schecter Nouveau Tremolo.

This allows expressive vibrato and pitch effects without moving to a fully double-locking Floyd Rose arrangement.

Is this a Floyd Rose guitar?

No. The Nouveau tremolo is a different design and does not use a Floyd Rose locking nut.

Players wanting extreme double-locking tremolo performance may prefer a dedicated Floyd Rose-equipped Schecter.

Is the Nick Johnston Traditional HH good for metal?

It can certainly handle heavier sounds thanks to its twin Atom-Bucker humbuckers, but it is designed as a broadly versatile modern performance guitar rather than a dedicated metal model.

Players covering rock, progressive, fusion and contemporary instrumental styles may particularly appreciate its balance.

What scale length does it use?

The guitar uses a familiar 25.5-inch scale length.

What strings are fitted from the factory?

Schecter specifies Ernie Ball Regular Slinky .010–.046 strings.

Is a hardcase included?

No. Schecter lists the compatible case 6995 separately, so a hardcase is not included as standard.

Can I part exchange another guitar towards it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music welcomes part-exchange enquiries. Contact our team with details of your current guitar or other equipment for a no-obligation valuation.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

• Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH Atomic Mercury Electric Guitar

Please note: A hardcase is not included as standard. Schecter lists compatible case 6995 separately.

CLOSING CALL TO ACTION

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH in Atomic Mercury is an excellent example of how a familiar electric guitar design can be modernised without losing the qualities that made the original format so successful.

Its alder body and 25.5" bolt-on construction feel immediately recognisable, while the wenge neck, ebony fingerboard, Jumbo stainless steel frets, locking tuners and dual Atom-Bucker pickups move the specification firmly into contemporary territory.

For players who want the comfort and expressive response of a traditional double-cutaway guitar but naturally prefer humbuckers and modern playability, the Nick Johnston Traditional HH deserves serious consideration.

Order securely from Fair Deal Music, visit our Birmingham showroom or contact our team if you would like help deciding whether the HH, HSS or SSS Nick Johnston configuration best suits your playing.