Schecter USA Nick Johnston V-1 Electric Guitar - Atomic Mercury

Over the past two decades, Nick Johnston has established himself as one of the most dynamic guitarists of his generation, pushing the boundaries of contemporary playing on his signature S-style platform. Now, the modern virtuoso embarks on a bold new chapter with the Schecter USA Nick Johnston V-1, a dramatic departure from the familiar double-cut formula that pairs an aggressive V silhouette with a versatile dual-humbucker design. Part of Schecter's reintroduced lineup of USA-built instruments, the V-1 arrives as Nick joins progressive metal legends Mastodon, expanding his tonal arsenal for this latest evolution in his career. An alder body provides a balanced, resonant foundation, while a nine-piece wenge, purpleheart and maple neck reinforced with dual carbon-fiber rods pairs with an ebony fingerboard for exceptional stability and refined playability. Nick Johnston Signature Atombuckers deliver articulate Alnico III humbucker tone with five-way switching that moves between full and coil-tapped voices, while a Hipshot Ibby bridge and locking tuners provide a precise, dependable hardware platform. Complete with aged chrome hardware and a molded hardshell case, the USA-made V-1 brings Nick's unmistakable approach to an entirely different kind of instrument.

Alder V-Style Body for Balanced Tone and Articulate Response

The Nick Johnston USA V-1 starts with an alder body, providing a balanced tonal foundation with clear lows, articulate midrange and an open high-end response that complements its flexible dual-humbucker electronics. Its angular V silhouette marks an unmistakable visual departure from Nick's previous signature instruments, bringing a more aggressive presence to a guitar designed around his evolving musical direction. A three-ply black/white/black pickguard provides crisp contrast against the body, setting the stage for the aged chrome hardware and understated appointments found throughout the instrument.

Nine-Piece Carbon-Reinforced Neck for Stability and Refined Playability

A nine-piece wenge, purpleheart and maple neck gives the Nick Johnston USA V-1 an exceptionally robust foundation, with dual carbon-fiber reinforcement rods adding further stability alongside a two-way adjustable truss rod. The Custom C profile and satin finish provide a smooth, comfortable feel, while the 24.75" scale offers a slightly more relaxed string response beneath the fingers. An ebony fingerboard combines a flat 14" radius with 22 Jescar Premium German Silver frets for precise fretting, wide bends and fluid lead work, complemented by a 1.65" Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut. Aluminum ring inlays give the fingerboard a distinctive modern look, while glow-in-the-dark side dots provide clear position reference on dark stages.

Alnico III Atombuckers With Five-Way Switching for Power and Articulation

A pair of Nick Johnston Signature Atombuckers gives the V-1 a dynamic, articulate dual-humbucker voice built around Alnico III magnets and a moderate 7.6k-ohm output. Rather than relying on extra switches or push-pull controls, a five-way Super Switch dramatically expands the pickup set's range from the familiar blade selector. The outer positions deliver the full bridge and neck humbuckers, while dedicated bridge and neck coil-tapped settings provide leaner, more open alternatives. Between them, a hum-canceling combination of the tapped bridge and neck pickups adds another distinctive texture. Master volume and tone controls keep the interface straightforward, putting five useful voices within a familiar, performance-friendly layout.

Hipshot Hardware for Precise, Dependable Performance

The Nick Johnston USA V-1 pairs a Hipshot Ibby fixed string-through bridge with Schecter/Hipshot locking tuners for a stable, precise hardware platform built around dependable everyday performance. The string-through design anchors the strings securely through the body, while the locking tuners simplify string changes and provide smooth, accurate adjustment at the headstock. A Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut supports consistent string movement and tuning performance, while aged chrome hardware brings a distinctive, understated character to the V-1's aggressive silhouette. An SGR-8V premium molded hardshell case is included for secure transport and storage.

A New Chapter for Nick Johnston and Schecter USA

From his acclaimed solo work and extensive career as a session musician to his latest role with Mastodon, Nick Johnston has built a reputation on technical precision, melodic exploration and an unmistakably individual approach to the guitar. The Schecter USA Nick Johnston V-1 arrives at a pivotal point in that journey, giving Nick a distinctly different platform as he brings his playing to Mastodon's progressive metal sound and prepares to take the instrument on tour. It's also part of Schecter's reintroduced USA-built lineup, bringing premium American construction back to the forefront through an instrument that combines ambitious neck construction, expressive custom electronics and carefully selected hardware. Made in the USA, the Nick Johnston V-1 captures both artist and builder moving forward while remaining unmistakably their own.