How are the Charvel San Dimas straight out of the box?

[Kapo_Polenton]

I noticed there was an online retailer clearing out inventory on a few of these they had left and the price on the black charvel with maple neck and a JB/59 config was 699$. I've been flirting with the idea of grabbing one of these, seems like now would be the time. I might have to sell some stuff but hell, it is a chance to get an axe at a good price. I know I like jumbo frets and i love JB's and 59's. Any issues with the neck? I have a "custom" strat i had done for me a few years ago and i don't like the way the neck plays. How do the frets feel ? are they sharp or are they smooth? Not that this would be a deal breaker, just wondering how they feel to you guys. There is no place i can try them out nearby. Whoever this chap is, he sold me on the sound at least: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sehAyJ0T ... re=related . I have an 800 and a Randall Lynchbox. So these tones are right up my alley.

Thanks!

 

[Rev]

I can tell you the first time I played one of the newer Charvel's that was it for me with all other guitars....except.....when I played the Custom Shop. The JB and 59 is my pickup style as well. For the price then I would suggest getting it from that retailer. I get tempted to snatch one of these up for those prices but I just keep reminding myself the feeling I got when I first touched the CS. Its ended my quest for guitars.

That guy in the videos is a cool dude and his tones are fantastic. With an 800 and a Lynchbox you will be set with that Pro Mod!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Thanks for the feedback.. that much closer to pulling the trigger. Looking at what I can sell to help offset the cost but given that I just rolled up close to 400$ in coins i had kicking around the other day, this won't hurt that much..

 

[Anonymous]

I always have to mess with 'em a little to get 'em like I like 'em...

Steve

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Steve, is it anything major? Or are you talking about a truss rod adjustment here or there and some work on the action or filing the corner off a fret here or there?

 

[Chubtone]

We normally had to give the made in USA ones a tweak or two to get them the way we liked them. The made in Japan ones are coming out of the box more consistently nice.

 

[Anonymous]

Steve, is it anything major? Or are you talking about a truss rod adjustment here or there and some work on the action or filing the corner off a fret here or there?

No man - very minor tweaks...

Steve

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Great that's all I needed to know.. i think these are the japanese made ones due to the price and also the fact that the pickups are direct mount. I have another strat with a pickguard already so I kind of fancy the direct mounted look.

 

[ronjhoser]

Mine needed some set up, but it was a 2008 and sat in the stock room at the store where I bought it until this summer. Awesome playing guitar, though. Pretty tough to beat in the category.

The direct mount pups are on the MIJ models. In general, if it includes a gig bag, it's MIA and if it includes an SKB case, it's MIJ.

 

[Hollywood]

The Charvel I got from Chubtone is one of the best guitars I have ever owned..
Charvel USA San Dimas Candy Tangerine...
Curt and Jay give them tweaks if needed before they send them out. Or they buy and sell the only perfect ones made.....

 

[Chris O]

If not for the direct mount pickups, my MIJ would have been awesome, but since you cannot adjust height, in order to get the action and pickup height where I wanted it, I ended up shimming the neck. Otherwise, it was awesome - one of the best guitars for the money out there.

 

[King Loudness]

I just bought a NOS '08 San Dimas in black recently for $450 (priced low due to some finish damage) that I'm loving. I restrung it today with some 9.5-44s and set it up to shred... definitely a killer guitar that serves as an awesome backup/alternate guitar to my Suhr Modern.

W.

 

[The Hoff]

I just bought a NOS '08 San Dimas in black recently for $450 (priced low due to some finish damage)

What a deal!

 

[AndyK]

Wait, the MIJ Charvel's pickup heights are not adjustable? I thought they had Strat like rubber tube springs?

 

[King Loudness]

I can't get into the MIJ ones I've tried for some reason. They're more consistent than the USA ones were which is a plus, but I just cannot get into the cheaper looking finishes and the necks, which I daresay feel different and not as good as the USAs. That is me though.

W.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Back to the direct mount pickups.. if you can't adjust the height, does anyone find they get in the way of your picking? I've never had a direct mount before and I admit I find they look pretty awesome.. cons with these guitars would be appreciated.

 

[Chris O]

Pros - if they are right, you're golden.
Cons - if they are wrong, you're in for a long day.

They never got in my way once I had the neck shimmed so that the action and p'up height were to my liking.

That said, I prefer pickup rings.