Charvel : Custom Shop neck vs non Custom

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memberzonly

memberzonly

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Can anyone comment on the differences between a Custom Shop neck and a production line neck like a So Cal, for example?
 
It's been a while since I played one of the 'USA' Pro-mods, but while the profile was similar, the fretwork was a mile better on the custom. Rolled edges etc.
 
memberzonly":3w3sby4w said:
Can anyone comment on the differences between a Custom Shop neck and a production line neck like a So Cal, for example?
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Own a MIJ SoCal and 2 CS Charvels. They are somewhat similar but the CS neck is just superior IMO in the feel and craftsmanship. The profile will differ per each CS model neck since it is a CS order. My Mike Learn Graphic Basswood CS guitar has a thinner neck profile than my CS order one. One that note, my MIJ SoCal is a great guitar for the money!!! I still play it!!
 
I got a SoCal (MIJ) to try out the Charvel's and really loved it. So much so that I got a Custom afterward. I think the Custom shop is superior in every way, feel in particular. That being said, I still play my SoCal all the time. I think it's a great buy for the $500-$700 you can score mint ones for. There is definitely a huge step up with the custom shop but there should be for the huge price difference.
 
All Charvel necks I've owned are pretty consistent. The USA pro mods are a bit of a step up from the MIJ, in feel IMO. I've had 3 of each, and own 1 now. I've had 1 custom shop and that was a great neck, and now I just got a pointy reissue from 2005 and that neck is a bit thinner but not too thin like an Ibanez. Pointy reissues are a custom shop level build quality, and used are under 1K usually. The Mexican Charvels seem to have cheaper wood and aren't as resonant, but the necks are great. But I've only played a few used at some shops in Mpls.
 
To answer your question in a different way....1. Custom shop neck 2. Pointy reissue neck 3. US pro mod neck 4. MIJ neck. That's how I would rank them. All feel great but the Custom shop I had felt like it was built for my hand. Pointy is close and both custom/pointy are great sounding/resonant as well.
 
I just had a USA San Dimas Production but grabbed a MIJ one with a black pickguard. The Japan one has better fretwork. I think all you have to do to make it feel the same as the USA one is take some steel wool to it.

Also, the Japan one sounds better to me. I had 2 USA one's with the JB and 59 pickups, maybe I'm a DiMarzio guy because this one sounds good. The 59 in the neck sounded really thin to me. I think it's a Tone Zone in mine and for lead tones it's nice and warm how I like.
 
I have a usa so cal and a custom shop and even though I waited dang near 3.5 years for the thing,my custom shop neck is a work of perfection.Fretwork is flawless,not a single issue anywhere on the neck.Most definitely a big step up from over the counter necks--and for I paid- it should be.It is.
 
Having owned a pro mod since 2008 and many custom shop models, I've found the pro mod to have an exaggerated roll on the sides...which makes it comfortable. I do prefer the custom shop neck shape and more so, the pre-pro neck shape which is bigger.
 
Little B":z28j6i2x said:
I have a usa so cal and a custom shop and even though I waited dang near 3.5 years for the thing,my custom shop neck is a work of perfection.Fretwork is flawless,not a single issue anywhere on the neck.Most definitely a big step up from over the counter necks--and for I paid- it should be.It is.
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I agree 100% Love my CS Charvel!!! Did not wait as long as you did, but it was a wait!!
 
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