Ryan H Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I've been in the market for a guitar more suitable for "heavier" styles. The '64 Melody Maker's great for Country/Rock/Blues but anything heavier and it just gets lost. Saw this beauty at my local guitar shop...played it for a bit, then looked at the price tag and immediately put it on layaway. The money I get for Christmas will help to pay it off. The owner was nice enough to do a photo shoot with it. Thanks Brent (from The Guitar Shop). Should have it by January. Without further ado, the pics! Charvel Pro Mod SoCal in Ferrari Red! Snatched her up for $500 tax-in! I swear this thing feels better than any American Strat I've ever played... -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Congrats, that guitar looks very well made. What pickups? super distortion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 Congrats, that guitar looks very well made. What pickups? super distortion? Tonezone in the bridge and Evolution in the neck. And yeah, lots of people say they're on par with the USA Charvels, and those only came with a gig bag! This comes with a really nice hardshell with TSA certified latches. 3 piece alder body, one-piece maple neck with compound radius fretboard (I think it's 10"-16" or 12"-16"), full jumbo frets, Original Floyd, Grover tuners. Oh, and comes with Strap Locks. MIJ, the factory's unfortunately closed now. These things are works of art. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I bet those jumbo frets on a 25.5" scale with a compound radius is going to be sweet to play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 I bet those jumbo frets on a 25.5" scale with a compound radius is going to be sweet to play Oh it is. 10's feel like 9's with that much metal under the string... -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Many congrats, Ryan.....from one production Charvel owner to another. You won't regret it! The USA and Japan runs of these San Dimas and Socal models were only made in limited numbers making these guitars very desirable, IMO. It's a real shame that Charvel have since tried to move in to the same market as LTD and Schecter with their MIC Desolation series because these USA and Jap production models were exceptionally well made reissues of Charvel's famed '80s hot rodded strats. As you say, by all accounts, the MIJ ones are just as sweet as the USA productions. Here's a shot of mine (just the one) if you don't mind me hijacking a bit while you wait until the new year: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Here's a shot of mine (just the one) if you don't mind me hijacking a bit while you wait until the new year: Of course I don't mind. It's Charvel, so it's on-topic :) That's a USA Charvel right? A San Dimas I'm guessing. The MIJ Charvels either had pickups mounted to the pickguard (So Cal) or screwed into the body (San Dimas), so the pickup rings are throwing me a bit. I wanted the So Cal over the San Dimas for 2 reasons; Firstly, it was the only one available. Secondly, they're swimming pool routed under the pickguard, so if I ever get bored with it, I can swap out the pickups to my heart's content. The control cavity is big enough to fit full Strat wiring too. Might go HSS, HSH or possibly even HHH...Mmm....so many possibilities. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Of course I don't mind. It's Charvel, so it's on-topic :) That's a USA Charvel right? A San Dimas I'm guessing. The MIJ Charvels either had pickups mounted to the pickguard (So Cal) or screwed into the body (San Dimas), so the pickup rings are throwing me a bit. I wanted the So Cal over the San Dimas for 2 reasons; Firstly, it was the only one available. Secondly, they're swimming pool routed under the pickguard, so if I ever get bored with it, I can swap out the pickups to my heart's content. The control cavity is big enough to fit full Strat wiring too. Might go HSS, HSH or possibly even HHH...Mmm....so many possibilities. -Ryan Yes, mine's a USA Production San Dimas Style 1 2H, Ryan. I nearly went for the Socal but didn't like the colour that was available to me at that time. The Japanese ones are nice in red, black, blue or white. As you say, I believe it's routed for everything under that pick guard so you could wire yourself up the only guitar you'll ever need if you wanted to. If it were me I'd go for HSH with two coil taps and a volume and tone control... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I've got a black So cal. It's a great guitar. I'm going to get a tortoise shell pick guard made for it in the new year. I find the black one a bit bland. It's untouchable for the money. I got mine in 'as new' condition for £400. Mind you, I got my Les Paul 'lite' for only £470. Got them both last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I've got a black So cal. It's a great guitar. I'm going to get a tortoise shell pick guard made for it in the new year. I find the black one a bit bland. It's untouchable for the money. I got mine in 'as new' condition for £400. Mind you, I got my Les Paul 'lite' for only £470. Got them both last year. Would very much like to see how it looks when you've finished it. BTW, my USA one was just over £700 new from GuitarGuitar. The prices went up to around £800 shortly afterwards. I think you've had a very good deal on yours, especially if it's a USA version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 This is mine with my Les Paul lite. Is a Japanese one. The quality's great though. This is a friend's one. Sam Coulson. He's a great player. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3H_2QBka8U This shows how good they can sound. Sam with Walter Trout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Glad to see all the Charvel love around here. In my opinion the best Superstrats out there. I don't care for all these pointy basswood EMG-loaded death machines. Just give me a good Strat with a Floyd, a couple buckers and a comfortable neck (not one of those paper-thin Wizard necks). The satin finish on the neck is so smooth and natural feeling. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 That black tortoiseshell PG would go nicely on a black body too, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Oh it is. 10's feel like 9's with that much metal under the string... -Ryan I think they're supplied new with 9's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Nice stuff, everybody - all of it! lashurst, I love the SuperSonic, too! Nice clip, BTW. And as Riffster says, Ryan, that looks to be a very well made guitar. P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I think they're supplied new with 9's. It's been sitting in the shop for over a year. They've restrung it, with 10's. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Nice stuff, everybody - all of it! lashurst, I love the SuperSonic, too! Nice clip, BTW. And as Riffster says, Ryan, that looks to be a very well made guitar. P. Sam said it's the best amp he's ever played through. It sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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