Charvel vs LTD (value for money?)

Coma

Coma

Well-known member
I was just eyeing the Charvel DK24 FR and the LTD H1001 FR. The latter seem to warrant a higher price than the former, as it comes with proper neck-through and a carved top, while the former comes with a slab body and a bolt on neck. But they're actually priced justa bout the same.

Has anyone played both? Do they seem on par with each other, quality- and value-wise? No stores around here carry them ATM, otherwise I'd just check it out myself.
 
Coma said:
I was just eyeing the Charvel DK24 FR and the LTD H1001 FR. The latter seem to warrant a higher price than the former, as it comes with proper neck-through and a carved top, while the former comes with a slab body and a bolt on neck. But they're actually priced justa bout the same.

Has anyone played both? Do they seem on par with each other, quality- and value-wise? No stores around here carry them ATM, otherwise I'd just check it out myself.
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I own both a MIM San Dimas and a 200 Series LTD, Indonesian made which cost less than half the Charvel price. Tell you what, the LTD is really, I mean REALLY close to the Charvel when it comes to how it plays and feels. Don't think you'd go wrong with any of them, if I were you I'd try the LTD, if my dirt cheap 200 plays this well I can imagine the H1001 is gonna kill it!
Ah wait, just remembered now: the LTD trem was absolute rubbish, the only weak point and I've swapped it with a Gotoh GE-1996T and now it's got a JB8 in the bridge with a 59/Jazz hybrid in the neck. So not exactly a $650 axe anymore, more like $1000 eh? But the craftsmanship is right up there.
 
I as about to mention about the FR. The FR 1000 is better quality then the FR Special, they will both work fine brand new but the FR Special being cheaper material may start to give some problems sooner, how long depends on how much you use it and abuse it. I am talking about the blade and the studs here. Also the FR 1000 has a nicer block.
 
IMENATOR said:
I as about to mention about the FR. The FR 1000 is better quality then the FR Special, they will both work fine brand new but the FR Special being cheaper material may start to give some problems sooner, how long depends on how much you use it and abuse it. I am talking about the blade and the studs here. Also the FR 1000 has a nicer block.
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According to specs online they both have the 1000 model now. But, pricey as it is, hardware and pups can be swapped. Trickier with body parts.
 
I haven't played an LTD H1001 but the neck on my Charvel Pro Mod is one of the nicest guitar necks I've ever laid hands on.
 
Well that's good to know. I usually stay far away from bolt-ons and the H series pretty much ticks every box for me design-wise, buuuuut I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of playing really heavy guitars with necks too fat for comfort. The Dinky popped up on my radar because it seems to have a slimmer neck and the construction generally means it weighs less. If they'd offer it in 24.75 scale length I'd be sold.
 
Good question. I don’t think I could say that either is necessarily a better value. They’re in the same price ballpark brand new. But fairly different features. I think it would come down to your preferences.
charvel is bolt on alder body featuring a Pegasus/sentient pickups.
ltd is mahogany body with the set neck(sculpted to feel like neck-thru) with a full shred and alnico2 pro humbuckers.
Both damn cool guitars.
 
Adieu said:
1001 means Indo, right? If the Charvel is Mexican, that *suggests* a higher manufacturing tier.
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I thought about that, but I wonder if that actually means higher quality or just higher manufacturing costs, thus pushing the price up into a higher bracket.
 
Obsessive Compulsive said:
Schecter C1 Korean also come with thru-feel neck joint but superior FR.
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Yeah, good call. Some of them even come with a 24.75 neck. Been over ten years since I last played a Schecter, I remember them being cool but feeling kinda cheap, a lot of string noise and way too much lacquer. Maybe they're better these days? IIRC they're built in the same factories as LTD.
 
Coma said:
I thought about that, but I wonder if that actually means higher quality or just higher manufacturing costs, thus pushing the price up into a higher bracket.
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These days it’s all about the specs imho. Manufacturing can be excellent everywhere.
 
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