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UPS just dropped this off and I gave it a short workout.
2008 USA Charvel serial # 001235
The neck is thinner than the 83 pointyhead Star I used to have, and thinner than a DK2M neck. Thinner also than my NAMM SLS, but not as thin as my JacksonStars NASLs.
Body is nice and heavy, or rather, has a nice hefty weight to it. Less than a Les, more than a feeling
No gaps in the pocket or cracks on the edges.
Since it did just come off the truck, and it had to travel not only cross-country from CA to LA then to TN, it's gone through some whacky weather, so I won't review the condition of the neck today. Maybe next week when it's settled in.
I will say that RobRR was correct in the FLoyd being tilted forward, however, there are two things I don't think he considered:
First, note the spring block in relation to the surface of the guitar. It's straight.
With a non-recessed, angled-neck guitar, the trem is allowed to sit at a slight forward angle. This angle follows the ideal string-to-fretboard angle.
The tuning was slightly flat, however, and I tuned it up with the fine tuners. Had I thought to check the bridge angle first, I probably would have just tightened the claw instead. This would have flattened the bridge in the process.
Neither setup is incorrect - there's no rule that says a non-recessed Floyd cannot have a slight forward tilt when combined with an angled neck.
As well, a slight forward tilt also gives you more room for pullups.
The knob is different, but not bad. It might benefit from a smoother-turning pot, but that's a totally personal thought. IMO a "grippy" knob like this - one that's easy to grip with even the tip of the pinky - would be better suited to a smooth-turning knob so you get a good grip on the knob as well as smooth pot action. Smoother knurled knobs should be on stiff pots.
As I said, that's just my opinion.
I've never been a fan of DiMarzio pickups, but I like these. They do sound kinda Strattish compared to Duncans, but that's not a bad thing.
They're inconsequential to me anyhow as I plan on making it S-S-S.
The Floyd itself will most-likely be replaced with a Schaller-made. The biggest difference I'm seeing between this Floyd and the Schaller-made OFR on the Halford Warrior is the new Floyd's fine tuners are very stiff, much like the Schaller trem on my NASL-160 (basically the JT590 with the Schaller logo).
"Real" Floyd tuners are smooth, these are not. Maybe a drop of 3-in-1 Oil is all they need. I know a bit about manufacturing with steel, and from that I know how metal-on-metal needs a smidge of lube to be smooth. It's also in the plating tolerance. Maybe these get a thicker plating than my other OFRs, I dunno.
In all, I don't see any reason for anyone to complain about these. They're affordable, well-built, and they use components that are of good material and construction quality. Where's the problem?
In other people's heads, that's where.
2008 USA Charvel serial # 001235
The neck is thinner than the 83 pointyhead Star I used to have, and thinner than a DK2M neck. Thinner also than my NAMM SLS, but not as thin as my JacksonStars NASLs.
Body is nice and heavy, or rather, has a nice hefty weight to it. Less than a Les, more than a feeling
No gaps in the pocket or cracks on the edges.
Since it did just come off the truck, and it had to travel not only cross-country from CA to LA then to TN, it's gone through some whacky weather, so I won't review the condition of the neck today. Maybe next week when it's settled in.
I will say that RobRR was correct in the FLoyd being tilted forward, however, there are two things I don't think he considered:
First, note the spring block in relation to the surface of the guitar. It's straight.
With a non-recessed, angled-neck guitar, the trem is allowed to sit at a slight forward angle. This angle follows the ideal string-to-fretboard angle.
The tuning was slightly flat, however, and I tuned it up with the fine tuners. Had I thought to check the bridge angle first, I probably would have just tightened the claw instead. This would have flattened the bridge in the process.
Neither setup is incorrect - there's no rule that says a non-recessed Floyd cannot have a slight forward tilt when combined with an angled neck.
As well, a slight forward tilt also gives you more room for pullups.
The knob is different, but not bad. It might benefit from a smoother-turning pot, but that's a totally personal thought. IMO a "grippy" knob like this - one that's easy to grip with even the tip of the pinky - would be better suited to a smooth-turning knob so you get a good grip on the knob as well as smooth pot action. Smoother knurled knobs should be on stiff pots.
As I said, that's just my opinion.
I've never been a fan of DiMarzio pickups, but I like these. They do sound kinda Strattish compared to Duncans, but that's not a bad thing.
They're inconsequential to me anyhow as I plan on making it S-S-S.
The Floyd itself will most-likely be replaced with a Schaller-made. The biggest difference I'm seeing between this Floyd and the Schaller-made OFR on the Halford Warrior is the new Floyd's fine tuners are very stiff, much like the Schaller trem on my NASL-160 (basically the JT590 with the Schaller logo).
"Real" Floyd tuners are smooth, these are not. Maybe a drop of 3-in-1 Oil is all they need. I know a bit about manufacturing with steel, and from that I know how metal-on-metal needs a smidge of lube to be smooth. It's also in the plating tolerance. Maybe these get a thicker plating than my other OFRs, I dunno.
In all, I don't see any reason for anyone to complain about these. They're affordable, well-built, and they use components that are of good material and construction quality. Where's the problem?
In other people's heads, that's where.
My prediction is that you'll find it's thicker than your old one but you'll like it just fine. They are comfy.
:headbang:
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