2016 Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas opinions

[Findthetone1]

Anybody have one? I know they made some changes and am wondering if they are worth looking into at the price they're at

 

[jkdsteve]

I bought a (s)Lime Green one.....if u like recessed trem and love the idea of neck heel adjustment wheel..pretty well appointed guitar for $800 clams.

Think my board shrank a bit already though...Cali humidity (or lack thereof)....have sharp fret tangs already after only couple weeks.

 

[BigBellyRocker]

Aren't the 2016 pro mod neck made of flatsawn maple instead of quartersawn? Anything that are made in Mexico are cheap and junk if you ask me. Don't let the dealers fool you by saying oh the quality is good for the price point. All they are doing is trying to sell their shit and trying to make some money off of you. Just be patience and buy a used USA pro mod off of Ebay or Reverb.

 

[nigelpkay]

I've tried several of the 2016 line and did not like them at all. Even the previous 2014-15 MIM ones were better all around. Just seems like cheap wood all over and the necks are changed, it's not one piece necks now, imagine a two piece neck with the fretboard glued on top.

I like the new control layout and heel adjustment but they just seem like those MIM EVH striped series guitars now.

 

[Tone Zone]

I'd take my Kiesels over those anyday, at that price point.

 

[gtrplr71]

I cant speak to the San Dimas but I have the 2016 So-Cal and charvel stepped up there game a lot with the 3 way switch, push-pull pot ,and the pin wheel. it is a lot more flexible. Just look around reverb for the deals. I bought mine for $680.00

 

[mystixboi]

I love the 2016 line. I had a san dimas in neon yellow. It is a very personal guitar that plays and sounds great. The fit and finish were excellent.

 

[Rockinloud]

I'm really happy with mine. Plays and sounds very good. I also have a couple older MIM models and a few USA models. I do think the US models are just a bit better in tone, they just feel more solid if that makes sense but the MIM models I've played have held their own especially for the price. No complaints here.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I look at a regular Charvel like a tuna sandwich, it's kinda hard to fuck it up, at least compared to other guitars with set necks and bindings. But if the wood sucks or the frets are done poorly then it's going to suck.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've picked a few up at GC and Music go round and played them, they are a step down from a used USA or MIJ if you ask me. Probably gone cheap on the wood.

 

[nigelpkay]

I think the wood and neck work is the factor here, they have been cheapening out as time goes on.
As I said, I've tried a few 2014-2015 MIM ones that felt and played great, but I think the change to the two piece neck in 2016 is a shame, and I think the body woods have been getting worse over time too. So at their current price point it's hard to justify buying new.

Whenever I play a guitar in the store, I always play it acoustically, not plugged in, you can really get a feel for the wood then.
Just keep trying till you find a good one.

 

[jkdsteve]

I'm really happy with mine. Plays and sounds very good. I also have a couple older MIM models and a few USA models. I do think the US models are just a bit better in tone, they just feel more solid if that makes sense but the MIM models I've played have held their own especially for the price. No complaints here.

The MIA So-Cal I had (bought new) was a huge chunk of wood...man that thing was heavy! Serious balls to the tone from that and the DiMarzios....very stable tuning wise etc.

The MIJ San Dimas I still own (owned from new) is a great sounding guitar too and the fretwork, rolled edges on the board make it a joy to play....that said it needs a serious setup and pulling the neck to adjust it is a royal PITA. I have setup a lot of guitars and the action on this is pretty high, with the top mounted floyd....so it has excellent tone (no fret buzz) but playability isn't great because of how high I've been able to set the action.

The MIM San Dimas I own now (bought new)...while it kinda feels likes a lower quality instrument, mainly from the feel/wood of the neck .... it has good tone/sustain and the JB/59 is excellent of course...but I haven't really played it much to determine quality of Floyd etc.

 

[sahlomonic]

Not that mine is the same, but I have a 2015 DeMartini Snake. I jumped on it because I read that the 2016 San Dimas models all around were getting updates that I didn't care for. I do believe they are currently 2 piece maple necks instead of 1. My DeMartini neck is quartersawn and one piece, and has the 'heel wheel'. I don't care for a Tone knob or the 3 way blade switch on the 2016+ models, so even if I was going to get a regular San Dimas it would have to be 2014-2015.

 

[Findthetone1]

Thanks for the feedback folks. My back is giving me fits so I'm going to bench my Les Pauls for now and am looking for a Floyd guitar. I will be building a superstrat but I want something to futz around with for now. But I want decent quality and not a pointy guitar.
What about the EVH specials?