Okay. Current run Charvels. Tell me what you know about them.

[UnderTheFlame83]

All of the current line of Charvels I have played were really nice. Comfortable necks. I almost got this one with pink Super Distortion and PAF Pro pickups. I got a better deal on a Jackson soloist, so I got the Jackson instead. I really this Charvel, though...

[Mononoaware]

elbow = lower cutout.

Yeah, that's what I meant. Wordz is hard.

[Top-L]

Yeah, I see what you mean now. Compared to any Ibanez I own, there appears to be some extra wood there both in the horn and the "elbow" (or whatever you call it). I should probably try before I buy, if I can swing it.

As best I can tell, the DKs may not have this issue. They appear to have more clearance in the upper range. Shame most of them seem to be 24 frets.

The variation probably comes down to where the neck is drilled in the pocket, which will affect intonation adjustment range on the trem. Some are probably better than others, but IME, if there appears to be any elbow overhang into the "space" of the 22nd or 24th fret, it will get in the way. I have a 24 fret LTD guitar I'm dealing with this a little bit now, and its not nearly as bad as either of those Charvels.

The important point is that Ibanez body designs are conscious of the upper fret access. The Charvels, the goal seems to be to use an original Fender body shape without really caring about access. This is the main reason I'm not stoked to buy a Charvel.

elbow = lower cutout.

[Mononoaware]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...tte-blue-frost

This one appears to be even worse. No can do (for me). Its a shame because otherwise they are pretty great.

Yeah, I see what you mean now. Compared to any Ibanez I own, there appears to be some extra wood there both in the horn and the "elbow" (or whatever you call it). I should probably try before I buy, if I can swing it.

As best I can tell, the DKs may not have this issue. They appear to have more clearance in the upper range. Shame most of them seem to be 24 frets.

[JMP/HBE]

"Outstanding" is all you need to know.

[Top-L]

On a 22 fret neck strat block-heel, can't say I've ever had difficulty playing way up there. While that block heel is a "shocking" change in the feel of the neck as you move up, I've always been able to adjust and get that upper fret access.

A Les Paul is prolly the worst.

The SG is killer. As are (prolly all) neck-throughs as well.

The heel doesn't bother me, I don't even notice it. Its when the side of my hand bangs into the wood and impact my pinky ability to move.

Some of us crazy people spend alot of time up there.

[Top-L]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SDimHHFRMBF--charvel-pro-mod-san-dimas-style-1-hh-fr-matte-blue-frost

This one appears to be even worse. No can do (for me). Its a shame because otherwise they are pretty great.

[GuitarStv]

A Les Paul is prolly the worst.

I find Les Pauls are easier to work with up high than 335s. On a Les Paul there's a chunky heel, but you can adjust to it. With a 335 I'm always banging my wrist into the lower horn trying to reach 19 or higher.

[LLL]

On a 22 fret neck strat block-heel, can't say I've ever had difficulty playing way up there. While that block heel is a "shocking" change in the feel of the neck as you move up, I've always been able to adjust and get that upper fret access.

A Les Paul is prolly the worst.

The SG is killer. As are (prolly all) neck-throughs as well.

[Top-L]

And I'm comfortable with your basic Strat design. 22 frets is what I'm going for,

Make sure you can actually play the 22nd fret. Those San Dimas bodies appear to be original Fender dimensioned bodies with 22 fret necks, meaning that the 22nd fret access is tight. Yngwie only needs 21 frets, so it may not be an issue.

Check out this guitar. The thing that scares me away is the 22nd fret access. I prefer 24 frets, but if it only has 22, the access to the 22nd better be great. My hand would be jammed in there, bends and vibrato would be difficult.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PMSD1FSP--charvel-pro-mod-san-dimas-style-1-hh-fr-m-shell-pink?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organicpla&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=0&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700057512939622&lid=92700057512939622&ds_s_kwgid=58700006367770166&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=964451398036&product_id=PMSD1FSP&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9007937&creative=468129393766&targetid=aud-566384630639:pla-964451398036&campaignid=11205481652&awsearchcpc=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjN-SBhCkARIsACsrBz5Tap_I6Wd5hEjVIf8YB7Yoto8p6CCmNbMOcBFM-6bl0x3S5V3l4acaAuUCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Mononoaware]

Going from satch prestige to charvel, I predict. Eww, blocky heel! 22 frets, but only a 21 fret body shape! Can't. Play. Up. There. Headstock not angled, will feel like canoe paddle.

I think most of those will be fine. The Satch has a straight headstock and an angled heel, which is imho a simple but great compromise between the big block and AANJ.

And I'm comfortable with your basic Strat design. 22 frets is what I'm going for, just because I struggle with neck pickups on 24 fret guitars. They're "workable," but not sweet like I like 'em.

All this said, an Ibanez AZ would seem to be a good middle ground, but... everyone seems to be playing them these days, and they're a higher price point anyway. So, two strikes.

[AdrianSD]

I have a MIM San Dimas, brilliant all around, great fretwork, finishing, including the Floyd 1000 that holds its tune for weeks, just as well as the Gotoh 1996T I have on 2 other guitars. Seriously, hardly anything wrong with it except for a dead spot on the G string, 12th fret. Or is it a dead fret on G spot, 12th string? Whatever...

[BeKindRewind]

They look awesome and I'd love to add one to my collection. Only problem is they don't have any that are pickguard+non-floyd (Except jake E lee signature, but I'm not really into that). If they had one that was pickguard (So I can endlessly mess with the configuration) and not a floyd rose, then i'd almost certainly grab it.

as it is, I'm personally better off going with my next planned purchase which is very very similar. a hardtail warmoth strat with 12-16" radius

[Top-L]

I defected from Ibanez and find that esp/Ltd are the sweet spot for me. Some Korean models, mostly Indonesian.

Necks a bit thicker. Floyds instead of proprietary Ibanez teams. Mostly neck thru. great 24 fret access. Pointy inline headstock as opposed to hockey stick or fender bulb. Better selection of finishes and appointments than Ibanez.

Problem with charvel, for me is they are intentionally anachronistic. Difficult fret access, 22 frets. Thicker necks. Basic finishes. They are aimed at the boomers who were evh fans, trying to recreate the early super strat feel. Too many compromises in design in the name of nostalgia.

Going from satch prestige to charvel, I predict. Eww, blocky heel! 22 frets, but only a 21 fret body shape! Can't. Play. Up. There. Headstock not angled, will feel like canoe paddle.

[Top-L]

I've always been an Ibanez guy, but I'm beginning to branch out in my middle age. I don't think it's that my taste have changed, so much as solidified, and I'm not sure Ibanez is offering much that hits the nail on the head for me any more. To wit:

-Strat-profile necks with a flatter (12-16") fretboard
-25.5" bolt-on neck
-22 taller frets
-HH configuration
-reliable trem of some sort
-comfy, ergonomic body
-classy, simple-ish finishes (not a fan of flame maple, etc.)
-under $1000 if possible
-not a metal guy; blues, fusiony-rock, and hard rock

For reference, my personal faves right now are my Satriani Prestiges and a Yamaha 612 with a glorious neck.

This has got me looking at Charvels, which I know next to nothing about.

What say you? Worth my time to investigate? Or better stuff out there at this price point? And personal experiences welcome!

I defected from Ibanez and find that esp/Ltd are the sweet spot for me. Some Korean models, mostly Indonesian.

Necks a bit thicker. Floyds instead of proprietary Ibanez teams. Mostly neck thru. great 24 fret access. Pointy inline headstock as opposed to hockey stick or fender bulb. Better selection of finishes and appointments than Ibanez.

Problem with charvel, for me is they are intentionally anachronistic. Difficult fret access, 22 frets. Thicker necks. Basic finishes. They are aimed at the boomers who were evh fans, trying to recreate the early super strat feel. Too many compromises in design in the name of nostalgia.