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

Mononoaware

Mononoaware

Active member
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!
 
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Definitely worth it. I know three guys with them. One (my other guitar player) is a long time Ibanez guy and he loves his. They are solid players.

Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas

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I owned a recent Charvel and it had a great neck. Ultimately I couldn’t justify keeping it but it’s a solid choice.
 
Mononoaware said:
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!
Click to expand...

What exactly do you want to know?
 
Last November and December I finally took the plunge, since I will be relocating later this year and am going through a major overhaul on my gear.

Got a mahogany-bodied DK24 HSH 2PT CM, an alder-bodied DK22 SSS 2PT CM and an ash-bodied So Cal Style 2 24 HH 2PT CM.

All are stellar guitars, and the necks are an absolute dream. The neck joints put Ibanez' AANJ to shame.

Am considering getting a So Cal Style 1 too. They are that good.
 
LLL said:
What exactly do you want to know?
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Several things, I guess, but basically, "How ready-to-go are the 1k-ish Pro Mod San Dimases out of the box?"

The JB/59 combo probably wouldn't need to be changed (love 'em both, one reason I'm interested in this model). So it comes down to how good the fretwork, hardware, fit and finish usually are. The FR 1000 seems to have a good but not stellar reputation, so I guess I'd be specifically curious about that, too.

I should've mentioned that I'm not in a great place to try one of these in person. But I'm keeping a lookout.
 
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Mincer said:
I'd also say to look at Music Man, too.
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I've only played one Music Man, a Wolfgang, many years ago, and the neck felt... different. Pretty thick, yet too small for my hand, somehow. Maybe tighter string spacing? Is that typical?

That, plus my inability to figure out where their pricing sweet spot is (I could only afford a Sterling of some sort right now), had kind of crossed them off my list. Probably wrongfully so; I might be leaning way too much on that hazy first impression.
 
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Stay away from the first gen MIJ. Neck is prone to warping, fret sprouting and the body is thinner than a standard Strat, kinda like Squier. The only thing good about it is the embossed hard case which is ATA approved.

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Mononoaware said:
Several things, I guess, but basically, "How ready-to-go are the 1k-ish Pro Mod San Dimases out of the box?"

The JB/59 combo probably wouldn't need to be changed (love 'em both, one reason I'm interested in this model). So it comes down to how good the fretwork, hardware, fit and finish usually are. The FR 1000 seems to have a good but not stellar reputation, so I guess I'd be specifically curious about that, too.

I should've mentioned that I'm not in a great place to try one of these in person. But I'm keeping a lookout.
Click to expand...

I just bought a So Cal and totally modified it. But before I did, I played it stock for about a week.

Not much difference between the So Cal and the San Dimas, except perhaps the So Cal is slightly better mod platform due to the pickguard.

The Charvel necks are killer. jumbo frets (not super jumbo), rolled fret/fretboard edges, truss adjust wheel with easy access, 2 bars in neck for stability.

Neck finish is super satiny smooth; almost like there's no finish at all. If maple fretboard, then it's a capped maple fretboard on maple neck.

The FR 1000 is a good trem; you can direct replace the bridge with an OFR if needed (I did). The screw on arm works but has a hair of slop versus the pop-in arm upgrade (which I also did).

Hardware is decent.

Finish was immaculate. Neck joint tight.

Keep in mind this data is for a 2022 So Cal model (not an older model).
 
The newer from Mexico is better especially the truss rod adjustment.

The old series from Japan has the truss rod adjustment at the heel so you have to unscrew the neck and repeat it over and over until you hit the target.

One more minus point for MIJ So Cal.

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Mononoaware said:
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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
Top-L said:
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.
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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.
 
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