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Racerxrated
Well-known member
If you use a Variac you have to watch your tube Bias...changing the voltage will affect this and you should re-bias the amp. An attenuator doesn't change the bias.
BigGuitars
Active member
Well my amp only has one tube
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Racerxrated
Well-known member
I've had 3 customs, 3 originals(you have one of them) and my 2 USAs from 08/09 outplay any of them. Granted, I went through about 20 of the USAs and 5 MiJs to find these lol. The one advantage the originals have is the tone...all of them have had fantastic complex rich tone that rivals any LP or other custom shop (Suhr, TA) that I've ever played. The 2 USAs I have do have good but not great tone. But playability is #1 for me. The customs also had good tone, but not better than the 2 I have now. There are some gems in that 08/09 line.
SoooRad
Well-known member
“I hate everything about this guitar except the way it looks, let me keep throwing money at it”
Is not a solid plan. If I were you, I would do a parts build and get a neck shape you actually like.
Is not a solid plan. If I were you, I would do a parts build and get a neck shape you actually like.
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braintheory
Well-known member
For me Tone is everything and playability is a nice bonus. I have yet to try a single Suhr or Anderson that had great tone to my ears be it plugged in or unplugged. I agree, my ‘80’s Charvel’s have a tone that’s as good or better than most Les Paul’s I’ve tried except for of course the ‘50’s and ‘60’s ones. Playability wise though my Ronin is hands down the #1 for me. If you had asked me maybe 2 months ago before I got that, my Novo’s and ESP Custom V, I would’ve said Charvel is still king there. Still love my Charvel’s though and for sure will keep 2 or 3, but don’t need them all. Gotta decide now which ones. Ronin’s can be a bit ugly looking, but I don’t care
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braintheory
Well-known member
Haha that how I feel about those high end PRS’s. They certainly look beautiful at least
BigGuitars
Active member
I don't like my guitars to have all the flame tops, binding, abalone, pearl inlays, and all that other stuff people like. I like my guitars to look simple and tough. Like the Charvel San Dimas. Like a Harley Davidson. No need to change the look or style. It's timeless. I don't like it when guitars look too over designed. I like them to look unassuming. That's why I love the San Dimas. I WILL make this guitar work!
DanTravis62
Moderator
I've played a couple of them.
Honestly they feel like any import superstrat guitar does ?
for both good and ill.
I think there are way better options.
Honestly they feel like any import superstrat guitar does ?
for both good and ill. I think there are way better options.
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Racerxrated
Well-known member
I don't have huge hands, but the ESP, Wolfgang and Ibanez necks are just too thin or flat for me(ESP/Wolf too thin, Ibanez too flat). The Charvel has enough back to it that it's just right. I do have another 84 Pointy Charvel that's getting a makeover now, it has the wide/flat profile but they have more back then the Ibanez IMO. These differences are pretty small but they can make/break it or me.
NaturalBornBoy
Well-known member
If you want a great Charvel but don't wanna pony up Custom Shop prices, get a Chubtone built.
/thread
/thread
thiswaythatway
Well-known member
MIM guitars in general are play before you buy. Sooo many of them have fret sprout! I had one a few months ago but sold it to someone here, that one was pretty solid, played and sounded good.
I kinda trust Korean made guitars more than Mexico since some of the Schecters I've played from Korea have been pretty awesome, especially a Custom Solo II I got from Sam Ash for around 600 bucks. It's flawless and plays and sounds as good as guitars that cost 3k.
I kinda trust Korean made guitars more than Mexico since some of the Schecters I've played from Korea have been pretty awesome, especially a Custom Solo II I got from Sam Ash for around 600 bucks. It's flawless and plays and sounds as good as guitars that cost 3k.
GreatRedDragon
Well-known member
I don't have a MIM Charvel but I did built a Partscaster with a MIM neck and hardware.
Over a year in and I'm still struggling to bond with it. I think the neck is just a little too thin/flat for my liking. The Warmoth Strat I built at the same time has the Wolfgang profile and I find that far more comfortable. The fit and finish of the Charvel neck is tops though, I'll give them that.
Over a year in and I'm still struggling to bond with it. I think the neck is just a little too thin/flat for my liking. The Warmoth Strat I built at the same time has the Wolfgang profile and I find that far more comfortable. The fit and finish of the Charvel neck is tops though, I'll give them that.
NeubyWanKaneuby
Well-known member
I had a MIM San Dimas pro mod. I bought it, because I thought the neck would be nice, but there was something just off about it. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great, either. Sold it a few months ago.
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blackie13
Well-known member
Get rid of it and talk with chubtone guitars...
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legend71
Well-known member
I am in the same camp as feeling that the MIM Charvels are terrible. Charvel puzzles me. I had many of the USA Pro Mods and thought they were incredible guitars for the money. I think I had 8-9 of them. I am now kicking myself for selling them as they are super hard to find and people are asking like 1800 for them now. Those necks were great and they sounded good too. They were great modding platforms as well. I assume that Charvel moved production to Japan and then Mexico due to costs / profits etc. I am not sure why they could not keep the parameters the same and the quality the same. It is not like they were difficult guitars to manufacture. I hate the MIM strat head necks. Big and blocky and do not feel at all like the USA Pro Mods. I did not like the Japanese ones either. I had a DK model a year or so ago and it was ok but I got rid of it. I just do not understand why if they had a good thing going - why ruin it? Maybe they sell more guitars now. I dunno
Samhain
Banned
Well-known member
Taste great/less filling.
Less expensive too.
Indonesia > Mexico
scottosan
Well-known member
The is the last one I got and quickly returned. The bass side string were very dull and muted. I attributed it to old strings. As soon as I took the bridge off for a string change it was apparent the area around the bridge posts was compromised. An no it wasn’t dropped. The void/crack extended I to the spring cavity and the paint goes into the voids, which wouldn’t happen if it was later damage.I also got a satchel with a neck pocket crack. That didn’t happen in shipping either. It was new in box and very evident with obvious touch up attempts where it looked like they tried to paint match and buff. They are blatantly putting out garbage. QA is non existent
As expected, after showing this to GC, they put it right back in the rack.
As expected, after showing this to GC, they put it right back in the rack.
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SFW
Well-known member
I have not played the new 24 fret models, but the 2018 ProMod I had was great. It had one of the best necks I have played on.
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Racerxrated
Well-known member
I’m surprised they messed with the best part of any Charvel-the neck. The 2013 MiM I played had the right neck feel but it sounded terrible and maybe weighed 5 lbs...like a cheap imitation. Weight isn’t everything but most of my heavier guitars sound killer. The two USAs I have now play so well, and sound so good I don’t think I’d let them go for 2K each. They are better than any of the 3 customs I’ve owned.
thenine
Well-known member
Surprise at the anti-JB sentiment in this thread. I know there is some dislike out there for it but it’s been a great pickup used by many pros for decades. That’s why Charvel puts it in so many guitars. Have u adjusted pickup height, pole pieces?