Racerxrated":3p5cq9xv said:
braintheory":3p5cq9xv said:
Racerxrated":3p5cq9xv said:
braintheory":3p5cq9xv said:
I tried a Balaguer last week and was by far the best SS I’ve tried in that price range, way better than any Charvel’s I’ve tried in that price range. I love the 2 Charvel’s I have (2016 Custom Shop San Dimas and 1986 San Dimas), but those in the $2k ballpark. With Balaguer it looks like you can also choose what specs you want (within reason) for a custom order and would probably still be under $1500 with the specs you mentioned
I just picked up a GREAT condition 2008 USA SD Charvel candy blue. It rivals my Plum 09 SoCal in every way. The Plum chased away 3 Charvel customs, all of which were great. I paid 1100 at GC. If you are patient you can find them for a reasonable price..not the custom shop prices guys seem to be asking.
I’m sure the Balauger stuff is good. But for 1500 or more I’d give Chubtone the order vs buying a Korean made axe for the same coin.
I haven’t admittedly played any Charvel’s from those years, but haven’t been impressed with the US line ones I have played or the recent Select Dinky I tried. I agree that the price seems very high for a Korean made guitar, but am actually considering bringing in my Charvel’s to compare with it because it honestly might be as good or better. I assumed it was a US made guitar when I tried it. I’m admittedly not as particular with playability as others (I really just judge guitars on sound), but I actually may like that Balaguer’s playability better than both my Charvel’s and acoustically it sounded very punchy and lively. In that regard, I don’t think any super Strat I’ve tried under 2k came close. I haven’t tried Charvel’s from 2008-2009, but would be surprised if the liveliness would be as good (playability very possible), but am open minded and always curious to try things
The recent Dean Gordon’s I tried were still probably better than both. They’re usually at least $2500, but he’s had a few more stripped down ones here and there under 2k that were every bit as good (some even better for my taste)
You aren't the only one to say that about the Balauger stuff from Korea. Sounds like they are the real deal. Not a fan of the body styles though; just give me a true strat or dinky body and call it a day. Lol
One thing about resonance; I've actually played some guitars that were incredibly loud acoustically and when I plugged them in, total duds. I used to believe that how they sounded unplugged was a good 'tell' as to the tone plugged in...but in a few cases that hasn't been true.
I've also heard the newer 'selects' from Charvel aren't that great. I really believe that in some cases the 08-09 USA Charvels were partially worked on by custom shop guys...just because I've played a few with perfect playability, tone and feel that are every bit as good as the 3 customs I owned.
Believe me, I’m well aware that loud acoustically does not mean anything about it being good plugged in. I’ve had my share of boutique guitars that were very loud unplugged, but weren’t great plugged in. The Balaguer I tried actually wasn’t super loud, just very lively, punchy, nice warm and great acoustic sound overall. I don’t get impressed with the volume of guitars acoustically, just the actual quality of tone acoustically. My vintage Gibsons’s are that loud unplugged, but sound amazing still in their acoustic tone
I’m not crazy about their body shapes either, but if the sound is there then I don’t care how it looks. That was the only Balaguer I tried, but I bet the others are also good