San Dimas I, II, III comparison

[quiksilver]

What is the difference between a San Dimas reissue I, II or III?
Also, how would any of these compare to a Model A (I know the Model A is MIJ, but it looks awfully similar + has an ebony fretboard), in terms of overall quality, and especially neck feel? I love thin, wide necks, and I'm thinking of adding one of these (2H, Floyded version) to the stable. Thanks!

[neilli]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

OK, here's a quick summary of the main points:

SD1 - 24 fret, birdseye maple, OFR, Gold hardware, 2 custom DiMarzio humbuckers, body either mahogany, lacewood or koa
SD2 - as above, but with a wilkinson trem and black hardware
SD3 - as SD1 but h/s/s, mahogany body with quilt top veneer
SD4 - as SD3, but bound curly maple flat top and gold hardware

Some of the above had Schaller Floyd bridges instead of the OFR and Jackson neck plates. The were also some SD3Ws (wilkinson trem), and some traditionals (strats and teles).

As you say, the Model A was MIJ but also they had Duncans and a crap(IMO) bridge.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

Here's some Catalog scans:




& a link to my Koa SDII:

http://www.chuckscharvels.com/sandimas.htm

[toejam]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

I've always loved those!! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] The SD3 & SD4 also had DiMarzios from what I remember... a Tone Zone in the bridge with a Fast Track 1 in the middle and The Chopper in the neck.

[quiksilver]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

Thanks guys! Those scans are what got me going in the first place - but I was so awestruck by their looks that I didn't notice the I, II, III & IV designations next to them. Looks like I'm gonna have to start lookin' for an SDI (since I'm not much for middle pickups or non-Floyded axes) - or a Model A - whichever has the thinnest, widest neck.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

Grab an SDI if you can bro,you won't be dissapointed!!

& sorry about the Catalog scan torment!!LOL!!

[Genebaby]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

SD1's definitely ROCK!!!!

[neilli]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

Yep, I have 25 guitars including custom shop Jacksons, GMWs etc and if I had to pick a favourite, it would be my Koa SD1 (with the GMWs close behind!)

[joe web]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

i own a SD1 and a SD3.
i like the SD3 more. it has more bottomend and the neck is thinner. the koa SD1 is also a very good guitar.
here is a pix of both mine:

[Deneb]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

Green quilt tops are wonderful! The koa has two hums tho!

This is from chucks site,

Specs
are: Hawaiian Koa body, twenty four fret Birdseye Maple neck with an ugly
headstock & rosewood fretboard, Sperzel locking tuners, Wilkinsen
trem, Dimarzio Super III & Evolution pickups, black strap buttons & knob!!


My favorite part is

"ugly ass headstock"

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

[img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]!!

[neilli]

Re: San Dimas I, II, III comparison

I'd agree that the headstocks aren't the high-point of the design, but IMO they're still better than the current PC1 head!