Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

[jclogston]

Hi all -

Looking at these guitars:

http://www.charvel.com/production_models.html

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/CrusaderDeluxe.html

Seem very similar in specs but very different in price.

Any comments on them would be greatly appreciated....

thanks in advance,

jeff

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

i think the Charvel looks better. More of that classy super strat look v.s. the more modern super strat look of the Gary Kramer

 

[ErikH]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

Man, if I didn't have enough electrics already I'd be all over one of those Gary Kramers. Nice looking guitars.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

Well the charvels have a compound radius fingerboard and duncan pickups.

the Kramers seem good for the price though

 

[gOgIver]

Re: Kramer Crusader

Re: Kramer Crusader

The Crusader Deluxe sure is tempting...

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

charvel makes quality stuff.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I`d go with the CHarvel any day, but I´m also a Jackson /CHarvel nut.

Is the Kramer USA made? If not that`s probably your price difference right there, the Charvel is

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I'd choose the Charvel Style 2 tele in candy tangerine. I'm almost certain it will be the best sounding guitar out of all of them. Looks cool too.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I've been gassing for the Charvel as of late...jet black with Duncans. Not sure why as I'm not really a floyd guy...I just want to crank it up and play some old Priest and VH.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I don't know about the So Cal, but I have a new slime green San Dimas 1. I've only had it for a month, but I can say without embarrassment that it is THE BEST super-Strat I have ever owned. Believe me, I had more than my share of Kramer, Ibanez and Jackson models back in the 80s and early 90s. This new Charvel has them all beat. The neck is soooooooo comfortable, the body balance is perfect, and the Floyd stays in tune great. At under $1k, how can you lose?

From what I've gathered in magazine reviews, the So Cal differs from the San Dimas in that it has Dimarzio pickups instead of Duncans, and the pickguard of course. However, the bodies of the two models are identical in their routing; there is no extra wood missing under the So Cal's pickguard like on a typical Strat.

Yeah, I know you all want to see it!

 

[acakatura]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

Gary Kramer Guitar is amazing. I have one and it kicks ass.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I don't know about the So Cal, but I have a new slime green San Dimas 1. I've only had it for a month, but I can say without embarrassment that it is THE BEST super-Strat I have ever owned. Believe me, I had more than my share of Kramer, Ibanez and Jackson models back in the 80s and early 90s. This new Charvel has them all beat. The neck is soooooooo comfortable, the body balance is perfect, and the Floyd stays in tune great. At under $1k, how can you lose?

From what I've gathered in magazine reviews, the So Cal differs from the San Dimas in that it has Dimarzio pickups instead of Duncans, and the pickguard of course. However, the bodies of the two models are identical in their routing; there is no extra wood missing under the So Cal's pickguard like on a typical Strat.

Yeah, I know you all want to see it!

That guitar is seriously classy.
That shade of green is stunning, it's just so elegant without being over the top, I think of it as the color equivalent of a guitar sound that fits in a band mix, if that makes sense.

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I have the SoCal in Candy Tangerine. Right now it has a Crazy 8 in the bridge and a PATB1-N in the neck (stock pickups in the pic). I also added Tremolno.

It's been getting more play than any other guitar in my stable right now.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I have the SoCal in Candy Tangerine. Right now it has a Crazy 8 in the bridge and a PATB1-N in the neck (stock pickups in the pic). [/IMG]

I put that same pickup combination into a Jackson Dinky I had last year. I liked it better than the JB/Jazz combo in that guitar. I'm thinking about doing the same in the San Dimas, but the JB definitely sounds better in the San Dimas than it did in the Dinky. Same neck and body woods, but the Floyd bridge in the San Dimas is of higher quality. I guess that helps?

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

If Charvel makes a Style 2 in Candy Plum I'll be all over it!!

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

^^ If it´s not production, the Custom shop will gladly help you out. Either way give www.mattsmusic.com a call and see what Matt can do for ya. Don´t be put off by the prices on the site, those are MAP, that´s why ya gotta call

 

[HighGain]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

I can't speak for the Kramer (they were great guitars in the 80s), but I just got one of the black San Dimas Strat body guitars and it's awesome. I mentioned this in another thread, but I'll post it again...if anyone puts a better neck on a guitar than Charvel, I'm not aware of it. The gunstock oil finish, compound radius, and 6100 frets are total bliss.

The SD JB and '59 are great together, and the Dimarzio Tone Zone and Evolution on the So-Cal model are killer, too. I just like the slightly fatter tone of the SDs. As far as super strats go, you can't go wrong with a Charvel.

I have an original San Dimas Charvel from back in the day, with a maple body and rosewood fretboard, H/S/S pups, and a Kahler. These new USA Production Charvels are every bit as well built and playable.

The gig bag isn't great, but I don't do gig bags anyway, and plan on getting a G & G case for it. This guitar deserves a hard case, regardless.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

The gig bag isn't great, but I don't do gig bags anyway, and plan on getting a G & G case for it. This guitar deserves a hard case, regardless.

Yeah, I saved the Fender molded case from a Strat that I sold last year. Fits the Charvel perfectly. And since Fender owns Chavel anyway, it's not like it's incorrect or anything!

 

[HighGain]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

Dude, love the slime green, too. Reminds me of Vai's "green meanie". I also agree with the other guy about the candy plum finish. If they wind up putting that on the San Dimas style 1, I'm going to be pissed. :lol:

I really like the black too, though. I have a skull and crossbones sticker that's going to look wicked on this thing.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

Dude, love the slime green, too. Reminds me of Vai's "green meanie".

When I first saw a picture of this model/color, I thought immediately of Vai and then Dweezil Zappa's Having a Bad Day album. I had to go down to the basement and dig that one out of the vinyl graveyard. Cool songs, but crummy production.