MIJ vs MIA Charvel San Dimas

[jkdsteve]

Anyone owned/played both...talk to me about the differences/similarities..

Really want to grab a MIA San Dimas but can't seem to get one in the colours I want...so considering a bare bones White or Black MIJ or Curt's version thereof....either one of those with the Maple board = sexy!

Also... Ferrari Red vs erm...Candy(?) Red What's the official Jap colour look like...seems like there are two reds out.

Talk to me pls.

EDIT: kind of interested if the necks are the same...?

EDIT: also kind of assuming they are the same quality wise (why wouldn't they be, MIJ have been excellent for many years now) but how do they sound/feel to play by comparison?

 

[Rev]

MIJ is as good or better than the MIA, but Curt is the man for all things Charvel. He'll be able to tell you better than anyone. They are stellar guitars though.

 

[jkdsteve]

MIJ is as good or better than the MIA, but Curt is the man for all things Charvel. He'll be able to tell you better than anyone. They are stellar guitars though.

Yup..Curt is the man...hoping he'll chime in

 

[rupe]

I found the Japanese ones to actually have better fretwork and more roll to the fretboard edges. Everything else was pretty much a wash.

 

[Anonymous]

I found the Japanese ones to actually have better fretwork and more roll to the fretboard edges. Everything else was pretty much a wash.

Yup, only thing I'd add is that MIJ I got had some stickier finish on the neck that required some sanding/steel wool/oil to get to where I wanted it, playing wise. I don't remeber the USAs having the sticky finish. Either way, it is easily remedied...

Steve

 

[Metalred]

I found the Japanese ones to actually have better fretwork and more roll to the fretboard edges. Everything else was pretty much a wash.

I have one of each and love them both.
Can't go wrong with the prices for these.

 

[irondeth21]

I think the charvel forum guys say the same thing, they are about the same quality. I just bought a USA san dimas and after shopping around ebay for a few weeks it seems the USA's are holding better resale though. Average USA 650-900. Average MIJ 550-650 and they are pretty much brand new still.

 

[jkdsteve]

Hmmm...'rolled edges' on the fretboard got me wondering if I'd like the MIJ...I don't like that about strats but then they seem to have a very different neck shape typically.

Useful info on the 'sticky' finish...the necks look different in pictures on eBay (but then white balance is an issue between pics.) I guess it's a different finish than the one I have currently (although that's a MIA So-Cal of course...)

 

[Ayrton]

The paint and fret work on the MIJ models is better than the USA from what I have seen. You really can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Chris O]

MIJ is as good or better than the MIA,... They are stellar guitars though.

^^This.

My only gripe is the direct mounted p'ups on the MIJ. The neck still has "the magic", but the fretwork is, I dare say, BETTER on the MIJ. I LOVE the rolled edges on the MIJ.

 

[jkdsteve]

Anyone else know about the colours?

I've seen at least two versions of the Red for example, is the Jap Candy Red supposed to look 'sparkly' like say US/JAP Candy Tangerine?

 

[Erock]

gotta agree with the sentiments from this thread. I have a MIA so cal and a MIJ so cal, and I prefer the MIJ neck. I do like the raw feel and whiter appearance of the MIA necks, but it just seems like some extra care went into the fretwork and finish on the MIJ. As far as colors, and just from what I've seen, MIA's had red ale and candy apple red, while the MIJ have ferrari red and candy red. The MIJ candy red and candy blue look more like pastel colors to me from pics, compared to the candy sparkle MIA red and blue.

 

[rupe]

It's funny to hear somebody who prefers the whiter maple on the US necks. The Charvel Police were pretty vocal about how bad the "white" necks looked and cried loudly (typed in CAPS) that they should be tinted. This complaint was also prevelant even earlier in regard to the whiteness of custom shop necks.

 

[Ayrton]

I oiled my USA necks and they have taken on a more "correct" look. The headstock face is the only part that is poly coated I believe.

 

[Chris O]

I oiled my USA necks and they have taken on a more "correct" look. The headstock face is the only part that is poly coated I believe.

What were they oiled with? I will say that I'm not wild about how WHITE the USA necks are either, and that goes for my WDM's as well.

 

[Ayrton]

Scuff up the neck with some Scotch Brite or steel wool, the apply Watco "Golden Oak" Danish oil. Charvel used to tint Watco oil, but you can buy pre tinted stuff now.

Remember the headstock face is poly, so no oil there.