Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

I have Breeds in my DBK, but I can’t really remember anything about them. Don’t think I have tried the Air Zones, but supposedly it is close to the old PAF. I really need to clean out my pickup drawer. I know there are several DiMarzio in there that can go.

The only pickups you can’t get F spaced are the new ‘59s. The AT-1 is like a better or more rounded JB. The JB is awesome in the right guitar, where the AT-1 seems to work in everything.

The only DiMarzio I still willingly use are the AT-1, HFH, old PAF, VPAF, VHPAF, and 59. I have others still but they will be eventually replaced.

JEM player too? I've got a 505WH fitted with EVOs. Love VAI, love JEM, love RG. Born in the same year too so we have a "bloodline/DNA/spiritual" connection Favourite guitar style is RG/JEM.
The snap and scream my 505 named "Anne Bonney" (17th century female pirate) is astonishing thanks to the relationship between the EVOs and maple fretboard. Been trying to get a '91 77FP as well. Not sure if its still for sale in Cape Town. Money was tight at the time and I just got my PGM. I also have a first release '90 Universe UV7PWH SIGNED by VAI himself Sigh, I can cry with joy.

Your description of the AT-1 in comparison to the JB does it for me. Sounds like that is the pickup I'm looking for in this particular guitar. It's either the Breed or the AT-1 then. Breed in chrome is actually a bit cheaper which helps too. Would sound a bit more modern perhaps while kicking the front end of the amp a little harder than the AT-1? I wonder how dynamics will be in the alder SD. Air Zone may be a better bet than the TZ because I want something with a bit more highs or lets say less bass than the TZ. I play thru a Jim Root #4 head and am cables at the moment but a friend lent me their Rocker 32 combo with 2 x 10 Voice of the World speakers. V30 ish quit a bit. Love V30's and T75's though in cross chained fashion. I record thru a DI into Guitar Rig 5 if I'm not running the head thru a cab.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

JEM player? More like JEM owner. That thing has not seen the light of day in years. There still may be a white one in there as well. Most of my RG stuff is long gone. I have a 770 and a couple 550s in parts, but nothing playable. I do still have my alder JEM copy and RG3120, but anything Ibanez has not come out of storage in who knows how long. I use the blue Charvel, a couple strats and several telecasters the most. I don’t even have a Les Paul out anymore

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

JEM player? More like JEM owner. That thing has not seen the light of day in years. There still may be a white one in there as well. Most of my RG stuff is long gone. I have a 770 and a couple 550s in parts, but nothing playable. I do still have my alder JEM copy and RG3120, but anything Ibanez has not come out of storage in who knows how long. I use the blue Charvel, a couple strats and several telecasters the most. I don’t even have a Les Paul out anymore

Aw that's a shame mate :/ Well at least you own a couple JEM's. Send them my way if you really don't want them anymore and I'll play them like they should be
JEM alder copy?

I'd love a blue Charvel just like yours. Awesome finish. So I've been going over some threads about using a regular spaced pickup in an F spaced guitar and apart from the poles not lining up exactly it doesn't seem to negatively affect tone. I MIGHT have to compromise and take an AT-1 in chrome or Breed in chrome if they don't have the F spaced version. What do you think?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

Spacing? Totally a cosmetic thing.

I have sort of a love/hate relationship with Ibanez. I have owned too many to count from '80's RGs to J Customs, and the great majority of them were tonally duds. I have no real plans to sell off what I have left, but I need to sit down and tweak them to get the goods out. I just don't have the time or desire at the moment. I did have a paticualrly nice sounding RFR 550, but that got "borrowed" a few years ago by a friend and I fear that one will not be coming home. I did get to refret it twice though.

Some pics I have on this computer (most of these are long gone)

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

Is that the SH5/TB5 Duncan Custom? Your description of it sounds nice! I'll give it a look
I assume the pickup clearance from the strings is comfortable?

The Custom is a great pickup too, but I was referring to the SH/Tb16. It has one coil from the Custom, one coil from the 59. Gives an amazing combination.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

My Japanese Pro mod has been modded to the moon and back.. Was awesome in stock trim, but it flat slays now.. (even tho some of the mods are just visual.) Plus, Charvel is considered a "hot rod"guitar and I've hot rodded mine even more.. I prefer the Japanese ones too, (especially the killer case!!!) but have heard that the MIM ones are fine too..

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

Spacing? Totally a cosmetic thing.

I have sort of a love/hate relationship with Ibanez. I have owned too many to count from '80's RGs to J Customs, and the great majority of them were tonally duds. I have no real plans to sell off what I have left, but I need to sit down and tweak them to get the goods out. I just don't have the time or desire at the moment. I did have a paticualrly nice sounding RFR 550, but that got "borrowed" a few years ago by a friend and I fear that one will not be coming home. I did get to refret it twice though.

Some pics I have on this computer (most of these are long gone)

View attachment 85495 View attachment 85496 View attachment 85497 View attachment 85498 View attachment 85499 View attachment 85500 View attachment 85501 View attachment 85502

Glad to hear it's just cosmetic then

OMG dude!!!! You have so many amazing Ibby models!! What JEM is that one with the shiny natural finish? You even the PGM800! and 500? Reverse headstocks are awesome. 2 from the 300/1 series?! I could buy one here locally if the guy still has it but I'm at a crossroads between her and a stunning RG2820 Prestige which is super rare. Has the Tree of Life inlay. J.Custom appointments including the mahogany body and body binding... so many axes to spend a guy's money on even if it's borrowed money haha. I can't believe you didn't get stellar tone from any of your RG's and even J.Customs?? Each to his own definitely, maybe your ears aren't geared towards them? from all the Ibby's I've owned and there have been many, I can't say I got bad tone from any one of them except only from the stock pickups. Especially on the Prestige and signature range the tone was a lot better thanks to higher quality/grade woods.
Yeah your friend ain't giving that one back lol. Seriously though, MAYBE we should chat one day about me buying one or two of your Ibanez guitars in the future. I'll even plan a trip to the US one day

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

The Custom is a great pickup too, but I was referring to the SH/Tb16. It has one coil from the Custom, one coil from the 59. Gives an amazing combination.

Oh I see. There are so many customs in the SD range hehe.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

By the way I didn't even know there was an HSS version of the 301 until I saw yours Ayrton. Wow.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

My Japanese Pro mod has been modded to the moon and back.. Was awesome in stock trim, but it flat slays now.. (even tho some of the mods are just visual.) Plus, Charvel is considered a "hot rod"guitar and I've hot rodded mine even more.. I prefer the Japanese ones too, (especially the killer case!!!) but have heard that the MIM ones are fine too..

You sir, have the correct idea So true, it's a hot rod, probably the ultimate guitar for modding so why not? The Japanese ones are fantastic! Still can't get over how well detailed and finished they are. Lots of love, passion and dedication went into them for sure. Astounding neck and fretboard feel. I've never felt a USA Fender like that before (granted I haven't had the pleasure of playing many USA Strats yet).

What mods you got on your Pro Mod now?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

By the way I didn't even know there was an HSS version of the 301 until I saw yours Ayrton. Wow.

There isn’t, but I am special. Two known to exist in the world and guess who has the oher one?

The LNG RG was a custom that looked awesome, but sounded like Flotsam. SOLD

Desert Yellow RG550, same result SOLD

Still have both white PGM (haven’t played either in years)

Road Flare Red RG550 that was a complete restoration (epic thread on here somewhere) and probably the best sounding 550 I have owned. Guitar has been on permanent “loan” to a close friend who is an actual professional who uses it weekly live. I have refretted it twice, but now has stainless.

Alder “JEM” custom that was never supposed to have a monkey grip (like the LNG) but got one anyway. I love the guitar (or should say the neck) and still have it.

PGM 800 custom made from hard ash. Look close and you will see the F holes are actually inlaid Rosewood. Heavy and just awesome. Just crushing tone and one of my favorite guitars.

Far left is my PGM 10th Anniversary model. That guitar was one of the Japanese market contest winners that came with a matching guitar strap. Uber rare and I never play it.

Carotene Orange RG550 in dead mint condition. Google it and that pic comes up everywhere. Traded an RG7620 for it and sold it to a collector in Florida. SOLD

There are more, but I have take some pics. I am whore, what can I say

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

My Japanese Pro mod has been modded to the moon and back.. Was awesome in stock trim, but it flat slays now.. (even tho some of the mods are just visual.) Plus, Charvel is considered a "hot rod"guitar and I've hot rodded mine even more.. I prefer the Japanese ones too, (especially the killer case!!!) but have heard that the MIM ones are fine too..

You sir, have the correct idea So true, it's a hot rod, probably the ultimate guitar for modding so why not? The Japanese ones are fantastic! Still can't get over how well detailed and finished they are. Lots of love, passion and dedication went into them for sure. Astounding neck and fretboard feel. I've never felt a USA Fender like that before (granted I haven't had the pleasure of playing many USA Strats yet).

What mods you got on your Pro Mod now?

How do the Japanese necks compare to the new production models being made today?
I’ve only had the chance to noodle on one new model a few months ago. The neck was smooth and comfortable. I’ve often heard comments about how the older models had amazing necks so of course, I’m curious about the how the new ones compare.

 

[eaeolian]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

I run a 59/custom hybrid in my promod and it sounds fantastic! hot enough to rock, but enough sweetness to just plain sound amazing. And with a nice hot amp. Im also an 80s metal guy.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/59custom-hybrid

I actually just put one of those in a Jackson DXMGT and I'm impressed so far powerful without being too edgy.

Having said that, I'd say a slightly more exotic option that works well in that guitar construction is a Wolfetone Timbre Wolfe. It has some JB qualities, but is smoother overall, a little darker, and not as wooly on the low end. I don't know if he does short legs, but the PU height is similar to the JB.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

How do the Japanese necks compare to the new production models being made today?
I’ve only had the chance to noodle on one new model a few months ago. The neck was smooth and comfortable. I’ve often heard comments about how the older models had amazing necks so of course, I’m curious about the how the new ones compare.

The MIJ models had the best finishing off all.The frets, fretboard edges, overall QC. The only real complaints were the fake yellow tint on the neck (easy to remove) and the direct mount pickups. That and Charvels are made in the USA.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

There isn’t, but I am special. Two known to exist in the world and guess who has the oher one?

The LNG RG was a custom that looked awesome, but sounded like Flotsam. SOLD

Desert Yellow RG550, same result SOLD

Still have both white PGM (haven’t played either in years)

Road Flare Red RG550 that was a complete restoration (epic thread on here somewhere) and probably the best sounding 550 I have owned. Guitar has been on permanent “loan” to a close friend who is an actual professional who uses it weekly live. I have refretted it twice, but now has stainless.

Alder “JEM” custom that was never supposed to have a monkey grip (like the LNG) but got one anyway. I love the guitar (or should say the neck) and still have it.

PGM 800 custom made from hard ash. Look close and you will see the F holes are actually inlaid Rosewood. Heavy and just awesome. Just crushing tone and one of my favorite guitars.

Far left is my PGM 10th Anniversary model. That guitar was one of the Japanese market contest winners that came with a matching guitar strap. Uber rare and I never play it.

Carotene Orange RG550 in dead mint condition. Google it and that pic comes up everywhere. Traded an RG7620 for it and sold it to a collector in Florida. SOLD

There are more, but I have take some pics. I am whore, what can I say

That's why I didn't recognise that "JEM". You ordered a custom PGM800 hard ash or found one like that? I see the rosewood F holes now!

HSS 301 is that rare?? Wow, you're so lucky!

The 10th is a unicorn. It's unbelievable to think I'm chatting to someone who owns one... Have you seen the PGM 90TH HAM? Amazing blue guitar with white F holes that Paul played on the '97 Ibanez Anniversary tribute concert with Vai and Timmons.

I'm a collector too. Gunning for a J.Custom next with several others I'm keen on. I am aiming for the RG8540ZD-DLL. Ohhhh that machine

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

How do the Japanese necks compare to the new production models being made today?
I’ve only had the chance to noodle on one new model a few months ago. The neck was smooth and comfortable. I’ve often heard comments about how the older models had amazing necks so of course, I’m curious about the how the new ones compare.

Like Ayrton said, best finishing of the lot I would really like to play a USA model to compare to my MIJ.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ - JB Delete, what next?

The MIJ models had the best finishing off all.The frets, fretboard edges, overall QC. The only real complaints were the fake yellow tint on the neck (easy to remove) and the direct mount pickups. That and Charvels are made in the USA.

Haha I'd like to own a USA model some day. Have it alongside my MIJ one. What "fake yellow tint"?