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I just wanted to add my two cents, I've owned high end and low end of just about everything shredable at one time or another..... E.S.P., Ibanez, Jackson etc. and I don't know what these people are talking about that have a problem with the prod models. These are some of the finest guitars I've ever owned, I would put these necks up against any other in the world and the only valid complaints are easy fixes......real floyd, different pickups(I guess but don't know why), different tuners etc. I guess I'm just partial to them but I don't see how anyone could play ANY Ibanez or realy anything else for that matter and prefer that neck over one of these.........If only they would release a prod model star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Last edited by Lemures; 11-04-2009, 02:23 AM. -
I agree completely! I "kinda" know old Charvels, you know?
I still have two old original Charvels, an '80 and an '84 and I have to tell you I love these new production model Charvels. A couple of hot rod type mods/upgrades to them and they are GREAT guitars.
and my new one:
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I disagree. There is plenty "wrong" with the Pro Mods that isn't an "easy fix" when compared to a fine quality instrument.
- They aren't properly grain filled before painting/cured properly after painting and as a result the paint jobs usually look like complete ass after about a year of settling into the wood grain.
- The quality control is a little spotty. Angled tremolo posts, poor buffing, poor fret work, mangled neck pockets
- It's a 3-piece body... Like you find on a "cheap" guitar like this
The Pro Mods are great guitars for the money. They typically WILL play very well, and feel great, and I do think that compared to anything else in the price range they will compare favorably, especially feel/playability wise.
I think it's a little bit ridiculous to say that the necks will stand up to a comparison to a USA Jackson or a Custom Shop Charvel. They don't.Comment
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Uh, oh...Originally posted by MakeAJazzNoiseHere View Post
I honestly can't say I played a better neck than that on my ProMod.
Finish is OK. I agree - I can see the seems where the joined the wood. I can also see this on my Dave Murray, my SG and saw it on my Les Paul when I had it. And of course: I've heard that on real old guitars, the finish actually wears off when you play it... So I'm not that concerned about finish - and if you saw my guitar's you'd understand - ding city.
QC? Yeah, we've heard QC problems. Not going to argue there. But... the first guitar I ever bought... no no, first two guitars I ever bought (Fender Strat & Gibson SG 91, 92ish) had frets that were just leveled and not crowned. As a stupid kid I didn't know the difference. So these days, if a new guitars got crowned frets on it, I'm happy.-------------------------
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Well, Tony, if you outbid me on my stolen Charvel Custom Shop neck, you will be able to honestly say you have played a better neck than what's on a Pro Mod.
Seriously, you don't think your AS Signature neck is a good deal better than the Pro Mod?
I mean, I felt that my Pro Mod necks were very good, but, aside from the one I leveled/crowned/polished I didn't think they compared to the "high $" stuff.Comment
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I wish I could get pics of the wood grain and stuff showing through on my black SD1 body.
I actually wetsanded it and it looked like a mirror 3 months ago... The finish settled some more, and there are 1/16" grain lines in weird patterns all over it, AGAIN.
But, the tremolo posts are straight!
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That would look so good on my Model 4...Originally posted by MakeAJazzNoiseHere View PostWell, Tony, if you outbid me on my stolen Charvel Custom Shop neck, you will be able to honestly say you have played a better neck than what's on a Pro Mod. .
From a fit and finish perspective? Yes, the AS neck is "better" than the ProMod neck - no question there. The frets on the AS are beautifully crowned and polished, like mirrors. The ebony board is great, the abalone. All very very sweet - its a great neck. That's not to say the ProMod's neck isn't well finished, but the frets are not (or were not since they are now significantly worn) mirror polished, and not beautifully rounded. Its got plain black dots. You can see some file/sanding marks on the the frets. But there's no sharp fret ends, not high frets, no uneven feelings. Its a great neck.Originally posted by MakeAJazzNoiseHere View Post
I just did this last night, so its fresh in my mind.
From a playability perspective? I switched over to my ProMod after playing the AS for the last week or so (as evidenced by video as well), and the ProMod neck really just felt right. Its comfortable. Its very playable. I like it more - that's what it comes down to. And that might have more to do with the overall shape and design of the neck than actually fit & finish - admittedly.
And I said this before - I don't have a lot of experience with Custom Shop Charvels. The one's I played last time I was at The Music Zoo (when I picked up my Dave Murray) were OK. They were not night/day "better" IMO than the neck on my ProMod. Again - they were finished much nicer - nicer fretwork, no file marks - they oozed quality. But quality does not always mean more playability. I'm sure they came from a "better" stash of wood as well, but I don't know jack about wood.-------------------------
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The neck profile on the Pro Mods IS really great. As far as "fitting in your hand" you can get that in a cheap OR expensive neck, I know what you mean.Comment
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IMO the Charvels are great guitars for the money. to me its about value. a basic soloist costs 2K where the Charvel can be bought for half that. I guess I expect a bit less in terms of fit and finish for the price point. hey, its a thousand dollar guitar in an age where a really good guitar costs 2K or more."clean sounds are for pussies" - AxewielderComment
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See - I would argue that point. i think there's a few good guitars you can get for around $1K. More like $1100, but you don't need to go to $2K:Originally posted by tonemonster View Post
- American Std Strat
- Gibson SG Std
- Charvel ProMods-------------------------
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OK first off I've owned and still own enough high end stuff to not be impressed with what something costs and be completely honest with myself about the guitar in my hands regardless of what name is on the headstock or wich cutom shop or country it was made in. To me the paint job is of little importance and the last of the things I look at in a guitar, don't get me wrong I like a guitar that looks great but feel is far more important IMO. When you forget about the guitar itself and just focus on your playing because of the comfort of the guitar, that to me is a sign of great craftmanship. Oh and nothing against Jackson, (well Jackson before 1988 that is) but I've owned several soloists and none of the necks have come close to these. In fact I found problems with all of them, if it wasn't the high E slipping over the edge of the frets do to shotty bridge work it was nut being miss aligned or just the fact that every almighty $2k ''USA select series'' Jackson Ive owned has sounded like someone was holding cardboard in front of my amp, but all haste aside yuor $2k select's sure do look cool nowadays and they have great paint jobs, I'll give you that...................................But the Jackson's of old, now that's a different story!Last edited by Lemures; 11-05-2009, 04:15 AM.Comment
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Me too.Originally posted by Lemures View Post
I like a comfortable guitar. I also like a good paint job. :dunno:To me the paint job is of little importance and the last of the things I look at in a guitar, don't get me wrong I like a guitar that looks great but feel is far more important IMO. When you forget about the guitar itself and just focus on your playing because of the comfort of the guitar, that to me is a sign of great craftmanship.
Oh and nothing against Jackson, (well Jackson before 1988 that is)
This is where you lose me...but I've owned several soloists and none of the necks have come close to these. In fact I found problems with all of them, if it wasn't the high E slipping over the edge of the frets do to shotty bridge work it was nut being miss aligned or just the fact that every almighty $2k ''USA select series'' Jackson Ive owned has sounded like someone was holding cardboard in front of my amp, but all haste aside yuor $2k select's sure do look cool nowadays and they have great paint jobs, I'll give you that...................................
A few seconds ago you were talking up your "high end" guitars and how you can feel the craftsmanship, and trying to convince everyone of what an "expert" you are on guitar construction.
Now you're admitting to buying several "cardboard" sounding Soloists with misaligned bridges, strings sliding off the edge of the neck, off-center locking nuts, etc. :think:
Not really. They still custom build fine quality custom guitars, through the Custom Shop.But the Jackson's of old, now that's a different story!Comment
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Love to see some pics of your San Dimas-era Jacksons... or your Ontario transitional era Jacksons... or just regular Ontario Jacksons...Originally posted by Lemures View Post-------------------------
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I showed pics of about 1/3rd of the original San Dimas Charvels that passed through my hands. Does that qualify me to love these promods and compare them to the real deal? I have picked out three killer sounding promods. Killer sounding. Easily up to the tone of any Charvel that has ever passed through my hands, EXCEPT for the black single hum strat head that Rowan Robertson used on the Dio "Lock Up The Wolves" album. That guitar sounded absolutely amazing.Originally posted by Grandturk View Post
As for paint quality, I think it's about right for the price and is really not one of the main things I look for. Tone first, playability second, then cosmetics.Comment
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No, it makes you over-qualified, and therefore, not qualified at all.Originally posted by Chubtone View Post
That first pic of those Charvels on the couch is sick... and that's only 1/3???-------------------------
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