Anyone set up a usa charvel as good as a suhr or anderson?

[halebox]

Is it possible to dial one of these in as good as a high end suhr?

 

[psychodave]

My USA custom shop Charvel plays better than the Suhrs and Andersons I've played. It all depends on how each guitar is setup.

 

[Racerxrated]

I think it's more preference between brands, than one being better or not..I've played 1 Anderson and 2 Suhr Super Strats..and while the Anderson and Suhr are fantastic I felt more at home with my Charvel Customs. I can 'dig in' more if you will. Neck profiles were similar though.

 

[halebox]

I know the charvel custom shops are on par yet different. I'm just talking like the late 2000's usa charvels

 

[Racerxrated]

I would say the USA Charvels promods aren't going to quite measure up to the Anderson/Suhr, unless you get lucky with one. Charvel Custom/Suhr/Andersons are definitely a step up from the Promods imo.

 

[Red_Label]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

 

[mrcak]

In terms of action and playability? Sure.

 

[Fordman65]

Never played a Charvel before so I can't comment on the quality of their setups. I will say whenever I read someone talk about them I automatically think 80's rocker that hasn't let go. Probably an unfair association.

Regarding Suhr and Anderson. Two of the best damn guitars I've ever owned. Where I live humidity swings are a bitch, even in heavily regulated spaces. After the initial setup I haven't had too adjust either one since. Once set right they are awesome. Playability and tone also come in spades. For reference I have to tweak my ESP about twice a year.

 

[rcm78]

My Guitars all play just as good as an Anderson or Suhr.
I'm very picky when it comes to set up so all of mine have had the frets dressed or when needed refretted with SS6105 frets.
I recently played about a dozen Suhrs and will be placing a custom order soon. Maybe I expected too much or maybe my current guitars are on par with Suhr because while they're very nice guitars they weren't this unattainable level of quality most owners lead you to believe. I was actually surprised a few had what I would consider unacceptable fret buzz.

I still want one!!!

 

[Racerxrated]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

This. Custom shop Charvels are every bit as good as a Suhr or Anderson, IMO. Regular production Charvels are a different story. Nice guitars but on a different level than Customs. They should be, considering the price difference.

Same comparison when it comes to amps..Mesa v Marshall? Friedman v Soldano? All quality gear, made by excellent designers. Just a matter of personal taste.

 

[jack butler]

Charvel won't have Stainless Frets. Big difference in feel

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've owned more than a couple of Suhr's and I had a MIJ Charvel that sounded better than all the Suhr's I had. It played just about as good as anything really. Suhr's and Anderson's are great though and are made with a lot of attention to detail. But IMHO cheaper guitars are being made REALLY well these days, the gap has shrunken between a 3k Suhr or Anderson and a cheaper guitar.

Right now, where I'm at if I wanted a HSS style Strat I'm going to play a BUNCH of Fenders and find one I like. I found I like the American Specials and the Deluxe model, the standard doesn't do much for me. Some tweaking and a bit of ignoring internet hype and your good.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Charvel won't have Stainless Frets. Big difference in feel

And a lot of people don't like stainless frets. Just a matter of opinion. I don't feel I need to have them.

 

[Anonymous]

Charvel won't have Stainless Frets. Big difference in feel

I've had guitars with both and if I was blindfolded, no way I could tell the difference. I don't see how I could, but I'll take your word that you can...

Steve

 

[Red_Label]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

You feel completely the opposite how? That Charvel is so good that they ruined Anderson and Suhr for you?

Of course it's an opinion... this is an internet forum. It's not science.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

You feel completely the opposite how? That Charvel is so good that they ruined Anderson and Suhr for you?

Of course it's an opinion... this is an internet forum. It's not science.

It sure is. Just opinion. My Charvels are all customs, and leave the Suhrs and 1 Anderson I've played far behind, for me and my taste. They are all nice but it's the necks on the Charvels that are home for me.
Just like I feel a good Marshall and a boost shits on any of the Friedman stuff. And the SLO with a boost shits on the Wizard I had. And a Mark 2C+ shits on any other Mesa made.

I think Wizards, Friedmans and other Mesa products are great. But I have my favorites, and that's my prerogative.

Just my opinion.

 

[Red_Label]

I've owned more than a couple of Suhr's and I had a MIJ Charvel that sounded better than all the Suhr's I had. It played just about as good as anything really. Suhr's and Anderson's are great though and are made with a lot of attention to detail. But IMHO cheaper guitars are being made REALLY well these days, the gap has shrunken between a 3k Suhr or Anderson and a cheaper guitar.

Right now, where I'm at if I wanted a HSS style Strat I'm going to play a BUNCH of Fenders and find one I like. I found I like the American Specials and the Deluxe model, the standard doesn't do much for me. Some tweaking and a bit of ignoring internet hype and your good.

Having owned a LOT of Fenders over the past 33 years, including plenty of American Standard and Deluxe models I frankly don't see how you can even compare them to Anderson and Suhr. If you wanted to conpare Fender CS instruments to those brands, then fine. But the attention to detail on the two brands is in an entire different universe than non-CS Fenders. That's why they cost more money and are made in far more limited numbers.

Guitars are very personal tastes and opinions are very subjective. But don't kid yourself into thinking that production Fenders are truly comparable to boutique instruments. Just like a Gibson Studio is not comparable to a True Historic. If they were, there are plenty of people who wouldn't spend the money on them regardless of "forum cred". Suhrs have long been a darling of R-T, TGP, and other gear sites. While Andersons get mentioned far less. Makes no difference to me... as I've never played a guitar that stacks up to my Andys for my tastes (including the Suhr that I sold here). So it wouldn't matter to me if I was the only guy on earth who played Anderson... I'd still play and love them.

It's all good and whatever inspires you is the right guitar for you. But most production Fenders aren't that special.

 

[Red_Label]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

You feel completely the opposite how? That Charvel is so good that they ruined Anderson and Suhr for you?

Of course it's an opinion... this is an internet forum. It's not science.

It sure is. Just opinion. My Charvels are all customs, and leave the Suhrs and 1 Anderson I've played far behind, for me and my taste. They are all nice but it's the necks on the Charvels that are home for me.
Just like I feel a good Marshall and a boost shits on any of the Friedman stuff. And the SLO with a boost shits on the Wizard I had. And a Mark 2C+ shits on any other Mesa made.

I think Wizards, Friedmans and other Mesa products are great. But I have my favorites, and that's my prerogative.

Just my opinion.

Your sample of having "played an Anderson" seems pretty limited. I like to live with something in my home and on stage (when possible) to form a complete opinion.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've owned four Andersons and had a Suhr for a while. Charvels are great guitars, but aren't on the same level IMO. In fact, since my first Anderson showed up I've been ruined for pretty much every other guitar. Sure, I can play other guitars... but I always feel at least a little frustration when "slumming" it with other brands. The fit, finish, playability, versatility and tone just are a cut above for me. I especially like how Tom does his newer, two screw bolt-on neck pockets. They sustain like a neck-thru in my opinion.

This is all a matter of opinion. I feel completely opposite. Whatever works for someone works...

Steve

You feel completely the opposite how? That Charvel is so good that they ruined Anderson and Suhr for you?

Of course it's an opinion... this is an internet forum. It's not science.

It sure is. Just opinion. My Charvels are all customs, and leave the Suhrs and 1 Anderson I've played far behind, for me and my taste. They are all nice but it's the necks on the Charvels that are home for me.
Just like I feel a good Marshall and a boost shits on any of the Friedman stuff. And the SLO with a boost shits on the Wizard I had. And a Mark 2C+ shits on any other Mesa made.

I think Wizards, Friedmans and other Mesa products are great. But I have my favorites, and that's my prerogative.

Just my opinion.

Your sample of having "played an Anderson" seems pretty limited. I like to live with something in my home and on stage (when possible) to form a complete opinion.

Dude, I can tell within 5 minutes of playing a guitar whether or not it's for me. I know immediately, unlike an amp like a Mesa that needs some time to explore the possibilities. The neck either feels right or it doesn't. At the prices these TAs and Suhrs command, new or used, they have to have the perfect feel for me. And yes I haven't played very many of either, but I do know the 3 that I've played had neck profiles that varied too much from my comfort zone of a Charvel profile.
Simple as that. Just preference. I'd rather spend 4 hours on stage with a guitar that I know will feel best for my hands. Charvels have that feel. Andersons and Suhrs are fantastic axes, and are impeccably made. But I'd rather have my 3 Charvel Custom shops than either of those brands.