Charvel SanDimas Versus SoCal @ Fazio's Frets and Friends

[sunnyjim98]

i prefer the So Cal, the San Dimas looks really bare to me, and i prefer strat style top mounted jacks! i always destroy cables whn i play on the couch, they dig into the couch and wreck themselves xD

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@sunnyjim98 I also prefer the So-Cal, they sound so much richer to me. i think the San Dimas looks great as is. i just don't agree with the pickup choice in them. I do prefer the output jack on the bottom though. Two weeks till i pick up one of the So-Cal badboys. peace.

[sunnyjim98]

@SpookeyEyeGhost yeah i would lke the san dimas a whole lot more if they used like a SD Invader or something a bit more high gain, i also prefer the chop and clarity of Dimarzios!

im going to try out one of the newer pro mods next saturday, what color are you gonna get?

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@sunnyjim98 You'll love it!!! They should put an SD Screamin Demon and Invader in the San Dimas. I've been annoying the hell out of the guys at Sweetwater music by "Demoing" a So-Cal evfery weekend for the last 3 to 4 months. HEHEHEHE. Taz time is coming, so that will be my next purchase. I think they realize i'm serious about one, so they are cool enough to let me try one with different amps. Nice guys. Peace.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@sunnyjim98 OOOPPPSSS> Ment Tax time. As for color, either the snow white or ferrari red. They only have the candy red and candy blue in stock now, but they said they were waitng for more FR and SW to come in. just have to try both out to see wich one feels bettrer. They are both sweet looking. i just  don't like the way the candy colors look. Peace.

[sunnyjim98]

@SpookeyEyeGhost i dunno i think the candy colors are nicer lol! especially candy red

i would love if they made the pro mods with the USA models colors! i want a Candy Green or Pagan Gold So Cal!!! lol!

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@sunnyjim98 LOL!! I agree about the USA colors. They def. need a bit more varitey in the Japanese models. These are some really sweet guitars though. If i colud afford it, i would love to get one of each model. Oh well, one can dream . Peace.

[sunnyjim98]

@SpookeyEyeGhost yeah the only thing is, the USA models only come with a gig bag xD the pro mods come with molded SKB Hardcases LOL!!!

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@sunnyjim98 No doubt. And the Pro Mods are 100 bucks cheaper. Go figure.

[deadenear]

San dimas for me smoother tone in my opinion

[coolmega33]

i tried a socal and it was one of the best guitars I ever tried so comfortable amazing sounding, but I'm just not a huge fan of that pickguard hmmm

[micmoable]

san dimas=cooler sound to me

[plexilespaull]

san dimas all the way

[Mikerockgod3]

so cal sounds a lttle better to me

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@mrsoundwave The ones in this video are made in USA. They don't have a review for the Japanese made ones yet. The Japanese made are still really great guitars. Find a store and demo one, you will get a guitar chubby for them.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@MultiScoffer I think you're talking about blocks from Floyd Rose Upgrades. There's a video somewhere on here about just that, with a So-Cal. You are right, it does increase the sustain. Look for the video.Worth checking out.

[MultiScoffer]

@SpookeyEyeGhost Thank you. I will.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@MultiScoffer You're welcome....found it!!! Type Floyd Rose Upgrades into the search bar.... you get a lot of hits. Hope this helps, looks and sounds worth it. or go to their website, their prices are really good, unless you want titanium.

[MultiScoffer]

@SpookeyEyeGhost This store is great! I can even get a big block for my strat.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@MultiScoffer Glad i could be of help. Their also have great prices.

[MultiScoffer]

@SpookeyEyeGhost Bought the 37mm big brass block and the Mojo Hand Analog Filter 442 this weekend. Can't wait to Rock. Will advise my youtube clones later about both. Titanium bridges and blocks. Wow! Upgrades have certainly come along way from the days when I was playing back in the early 70's. Peace!

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@MultiScoffer LOL No doubt Bro. I started playing around 81, and everything seems to have gotten better. even low cost "begginer guitars are way better than back then. Can't wait to hear how you like the B.Block and filter. I have yet to get one, but am thinking seriously about it.

[MultiScoffer]

@SpookeyEyeGhost Yea. FRU even sell big brass blocks for Strats! For sure I will let you know about both. If I were you, I would go on and buy it just for the upgrade in sustain. Treat yourself. We only live once!

[MultiScoffer]

@MultiScoffer Would you believe I sent my San Dimas back for a So Cal? I really like the bite in the So Cal and the snappiness of it. I still stuck with the black color. My Orange TH30 will arrive tomorrow. These two babies should make lethal combination.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@MultiScoffer No doubt! I know what you mean about the So-Cal. I'm counting down the months( 4 more) till tax time to get one. I fell in love when i tried it out at the store. I blew my cash on an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra 2 and an carvin X100B amp head this year. Not blown, love them both, but come on...a CHARVEL!!! How can you go wrong? I wouldn't mind getting a San Dimas also, but then again, Charvel does have the new Desolation models, and they look sweet!

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

I really love the way he switchs from the sandimas and socal during the demo. The others play one only, then the other one and you have to guess what the difference is. Not this one. Great job.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

Any one know if the quality is still good since they are now being made in Japan? Still a killer guitar i hope.

[commercialking]

@SpookeyEyeGhost I have 4 usa pro mods and 2 jap pro mods. While there is a difference, It is barley noticeable and the guitars feel and play the same. I'd say, the build quality improved, with the move to japan. The only differences that I've found are: PU selector switch and volume knob have a different feel, the neck has a darker tint to it. The fretboard has an even more extreme roll to the outside edges.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

@commercialking Thanks for the response and the info.Great to hear from someone who actually has both the US and Japanese models. I recently compared both models too a few other brands that cost 800-1250 street. The charvels smoked them in sound,feel,build quality, and playabilty. I will be getting a So-Cal( loved the one i tried) just have to pick between F.red and Snow white(Brad gillis or Jake E. Lee). Thanks again. Greatly appreciate the response.Keep rocking.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

WoWintosh... Good point. The So-Cal seems to have a bit more harmonic overtones than the Sandimas. If anyone doesn't like the pickups, they can always change them. But, for a guitar as nice as these, you should like one of the two just the way it is.

[WoWintosh]

First of all, I tried both guitars side by side, although I wanted a pickguard, the San Dimas just sounded bigger, fatter, just a thicker sound, which I crave, so I bought it. Second, do these have 3 piece bodies? I swear I can see 2 seams in the body of my guitar. Third, in the middle position, with the two inner coils, the pickups are not out of phase, I would guess they are in parallel like a Tele, maybe series but my money is on parallel.

[SpookeyEyeGhost]

this is one of the best videos demoing these. GREAT JOB!!!

[goemonronin]

You almost have a Marty Friedman picking style

[kagfermaster]

san dimas are much better you dont need the pickup to gain sustain...learn to play guitar to gain it!!!! san dimas are much better

[joeldification]

which one is better?

[mrwizeass247]

The So Cal sounds muddy in comparison to the San Dimas, when playing clean, there is a little less noticeable when they're played dirty, but still the San Dimas sounds better. I had both USA models, and thought the San Dimas was better sounding, I ended up selling the San Dimas, but just recently purchased a new MIJ San Dimas, and for my money the MIJ Pro Mod's feel better along the fret edges than any USA's... I've since put Duncan's in the So Cal, Jazz/Custom, sounds much better (subjective)

[Anitrop]

@mrwizeass247 That would change if you eqed the amp for that guitar. I personally don't like SD 59s because they sound like they are all treble and bass, no midrange to speak of.

[mrwizeass247]

@Anitrop I've eq'ed my amp every which way, and never liked the sound of the DiMarzio's just a very compressed sound, which is what they are shooting for, I get that, just not for me.

[charvelstrat81]

the duncan loaded san dimas is the better sounding of the two

[DylanBStringer91]

I Want The San Dimas!!!

[Slagnr]

What is name of the song at 1:23 and the one at 2:23? Thank you!

[TheBedroomDwiddler]

@Slagnr  ` It's Only Love` by Bryan Adams

[jpzao]

I´ve got a flame up limited edition. and i´m so in love for my guitar... Simply amazing...

[zombielolocaust]

Interesting that the middle position splits the coils. The MIJ models are not wired this way, although of course you could do it quickly with a soldering iron.

[northlander30]

That question has plagued me also of which one to buy lol. I have played both I like both very much but I went with the San Dimas ONLY because I couldn't get the colour I wanted in the So Cal

[VelezBiH]

@northlander30 what color did you pick i have hard time deciding between Ferrari red, black and ivory so cal models.

[northlander30]

@VelezBiH Well I picked the new Charvel Pro Mod the Japan made model. Only because for one it is 300 dollars cheaper but is the same guitar made with all of the same woods,pickups,neck, trem, and it comes with an SKB hardshell molded case not to mention the Pro Mods has direct mount pickups. I went with the colour I wanted since I seen them in the US series which was white. The white ones for some reason sold out before any other colour.

[steveprs]

@northlander30 Is the quality of the Japan ones any good?

[Irongypsy69]

@northlander30

The white one sold out because all the Iron Maiden fans want one...it looks just like Adrian Smiths'

Jackson but $1,000 cheaper

[northlander30]

@Irongypsy69 Thanks I decided on the Pro Mod series made in Japan and I got the white San Dimas. Great great guitar!