NGD - Charvel So Cal

[RockNRun]

Been gassing for a new 'workhorse' guitar for a couple of years now, my trusty old US RG20 needs the break, friggin' frets are so worn. Last year I bought a Prestige RG2550Z because it plays so well, looks great, etc, love it, but sonically it doesn't track great with my newer amps (the only non Alder guitar I own) so it turned out to be a failed replacement. I still use it for daily woodshedding, etc, but I really need a new baby for everything, great player, toneful when recorded, snappy looks, etc. Enter Charvel, the pro mod stuff has been in my sights since launch and I finally caved in and bought one! I WANTED a Dimas model (as you can see, too many 'pickguard' axe's) but the avail finishes never were ideal for me (prolly woulda nabbed the early white version w/zebra pups though if I could've found one, and the Sea Sick color from the last batch looks muuuch better in person and was tempting)! I wen't with the So-Cal Trans Red Ale (this color on a San Dimas would've been the perfect guitar for me).

All I can say is this thing is such a player! I have the action set to greasy fast and there is zero buzz, just kills me how buttery smooth it is, plays better than both of my Ibby's.

I think the black hardware works well with the So-Cals, it all ties in with the pickguard. I know some don't care for transparent on Alder, heh, whatever, I personally like the way my G&L Legacy Strat looks with it, not to mention other big manufacturers stuff, think it looks classy/vintagey. I like the color description of "Red Ale" even though I don't find that accurate, its closer to a rich earthy brown to the naked eye...BUT, at least I get to label the new guitar as my CharvALE now.

It's late in the day, the pics are crummy, sorry, no good lighting left... I need to update my gear pics anyways, next sunny day I have an excuse now.

Right outta the box (minus the pickguard plastic)...

...and after swapping pups with the aforemention Ibanez. My new Charvale now has a Super Distortion and PAF Pro while the Nez gets the Tone Zone and Evo. After a few quick tests, this move improved both guitars as hoped!

Peace,
derek

 

[JackTripper]

Nice guitar--and nice collection

 

[gbsmusic]

Nice guitar--and nice collection

Yes very nice! I really like that you can see the wood in the body! Congrats

 

[Digital Jams]

NIce collection!

I scored the h/s/s and the alder looks great, better than I thought it would.

These Charvels are the bargain shredders at the moment for sure.

 

[Hard&Heavy]

Nice, I want the single humbucker one.

 

[Variable]

I like that the Legacy is in the middle of the collection

 

[fek]

I love the way my SoCal plays but I do not like the Tone Zone. I am on a quest to get that thing out and a JB in.

 

[Les Zombie]

looks nice, enjoy it.

 

[Gainfreak]

Awesome!!

I was actually thinking about putting a Super distortion in mine just to finally own a guitar that had dimarzios loaded in it lol. Does the distortion split well for clean or is it just a full throttle pickup? Ive heard mixed reviews on that subject lol With that said, I alfeady know I love the SD ive just never played it split.

 

[RockNRun]

Thanks, all!

I saw yours, digital jams, a real beauty, think I commented in your thread. Congrats. (=

Gainfreak - can't answer that one, never split it (or any humbucker, hell, I can barley wire up a pickup normally, shaky hands, lol)...I just know that the Super Dist is my favorite PU 'as is' in alder guitars...wish I had more of them than the standard TZ manufacturers like to stuff in everything (I like those too, but variety, ya know).

 

[dfrattaroli]

Love those. I've got the Pagan Gold San Dimas Style 2 and love it to death. I keep thinking of picking up another one.

 

[Chubtone]

The trans red ale really surprised me in person. It looks much better than the pics Charvel released.

 

[RockNRun]

I hear ya, luv it, my pics are WEAK, lol, they do no justice! I WILL update this thread when I get some great shots taken.

I would've gladly ordered one from you, chubtone, but I've got a long time friend who happens to manage the store, like buying from him, he always gives me a 'good customer discount', etc. He only got ONE each of this batch to start with and all three (he didn't get the flames) were gone the morning they showed!

 

[Fartknocker]

The color of the Trans Red Ale looks great, a deep red.
In some pics I've seen online it looks more orange. Like so:

So how does it look in person?

 

[jkdsteve]

I think the trans red looks pretty smoking...Alder or no...

 

[skoora]

I hear you on the white San Dimas with the Zebra pickups. It's the only one I;ve seen that says I'm yours, buy me already. I think it's also 'cause I like the chrome Floyd on it better than the black ones.