Quick review of my new San Dimas

[Bionic]

Mike, Jackson & Charvel are two different entities now? If So are you pretty much on the Charvel side only?
Maybe the admin can answer this: If we have Jackson rumors McD will be the one to clear that up?

Thanks for clearing that up Mike

That is correct... I am the Charvel Guy. McD, is Jackson. Hope that helps...

[Bionic]

Thanks Mike,

I too have no problem with the Korean Floyds - nor the knob for that matter.
The only thing I would suggest is that they spend a few extra minutes on the setup before they leave the factory. To someone who knows how to tweak a setup it's not a big deal, but I have seen these range from very nice setups to very poor and for someone who is not familiar with the ease of tweaking a setup it could very well result in lost sales.

Overall, I'm a big fan of these guitars - excellent bang for the buck.

Thanks for the information/suggestion. We are always interested in ways to improve the setups. The truth is, when they leave the line they should be ready to go... the problem comes into the environmental conditions during shipping and ultimately personal preference. We set them up first for shipping, then the Dealer adjusts them prior to delivery.

The criteria is in place that puts the setup at about the "middle of the road". What I mean is, there are people that like higher action and there are people that want it as low as it can go "with out buzzing"... we ask our builders to find a happy medium... it's up to the player to "adjust the seat" so to speak.

We are working on a few things... this instrument will undergo continuous improvement.. I'm even looking for a SHARPER knob so that you REALLY bleed for your music!

[ulijdavid]

Thanks for the reply Bionic - its nice to know that you guys check in. People have to realize that the first time these guitar necks get any kind of real tension on them is at the assembly. The factory set-up is only going to be good for a couple of days. With the strings now on, the neck will start to settle in. Depending on where the guitar is being shipped, there will almost always need truss rod and neck adjustment. I believe Bionic is correct in that the DEALER is the guy responsible for the final set-up.
With that said, I have been extremely happy with the setup on every Jackson guitar I have recieved - thanks Scott at VWall / Copperhead Music.

[SEEGERMANY]

I love the knob.

So does my lady friend. She says it makes her giggle!

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Bionic, any plans on incorporating the new GOTOH locking trem as a custom shop option? i think it stands worlds above any locking trem i've ever used.

[Bionic]

Bionic, any plans on incorporating the new GOTOH locking trem as a custom shop option? i think it stands worlds above any locking trem i've ever used.

It's an option. If you specify the part, we'll take it from there.

Thanks,

Mike

[UFORocks]

Now you guys all have me itching for one of these guitars. At this rate I'll never get my mustang mods done, or my kitchen refinished.

I'm glad I have a very understanding wife.

-Steve

[joelayres]

I'm glad I have a very understanding wife.

-Steve

Believe me Steve, if you buy enough guitars she'll stop being so understanding.
Once I passed the 10 mark it went downhill.

[phill_up]

Believe me Steve, if you buy enough guitars she'll stop being so understanding.
Once I passed the 10 mark it went downhill.

Very True! The only other option is to be single then you spend all your time and money chasing women so you still cant win

[AndyK]

I think it's awesome that some of the original San Dimas guys still have their hand in the building and design of the new Charvels! The fact that Fender owns Jackson/Charvel takes nothing away from the building of the guitars (except maybe the idea of not including a hard case to save $$?), and adds the cool Fender headstock missing for all these years!

Mike - Do you still work with Tim, or is he in the Jackson building miles away!? How much is saved going with the Korean Floyd vs. the German version? I've always been a fan of German steel!

[terrax]

Hi all, let me jump in here.
Secondly, we feel strongly that this bridge is a good fit for for this instrument. Some of our own builders prefer these over the OFR's. I have always expected some people to change them out for OFR's if that is there desire.

Third, the Knob... This has been widely debated. It comes down to personal preference...I can tell you this, it's not a cheap knob! Many people think we went with it as a cost cutting measure... it's actually more expensive than the typical Charvel knob. The purpose for the knob fits into the fact that the pot is tighter and the knob has "grip". It's a feature. NO "accidental" volume adjustments... ? This happens to me at shows ALL the time!

As I said, some like it and some don't... that's totally cool... Mod away! It's part of the Charvel vibe...

Mike

I just dont think the floyd will stand up over time. new OFR = $180, this one $89. the hundred bux went somewhere, trust me, just compare the bolts. I gave it a shot, and it just didnt cut it for me. I had an OFR laying around so on it went. I also replaced the locknut bolts (top 3) with real ones. I'm not sure about the nut just yet.. will have to see.

I understand about the pot tightness, but i like to do some volume swells from time to time and that kills that. I guess if the knob wasnt flat black it would look better, to me it looked like somehting off a korean ibanez.

I liked the guitar then, love it now. The metal backplates were a nice touch as well as the shielding paint. Overall great job on it... for the money it's hard to beat, and with a few tweaks it's a monster. I might pick up a green one as well sometime.

thanks,
Dave

[AndyK]

I think a lot depends on whether this line of guitars is meant to be a reissue/replica of the 80's guitars, or, a new guitar line that looks similar, but is very different.

My hopes would be the Charvel SD line would be the same guitar you would have bought in the 80's, using today's modern carving machines to keep the prices relatively low.

I clearly remember buying my '86 Charvel pointy Strat from Sam Ash in October of '86 (there was a sign on it saying 'last of the San Dimas Charvels') for $990 with case. Fast forward 22 years to now - the guitars are priced the same! Which means that either they are way cheaper to make thanks to technology, or, they are made with cheaper wood/parts to keep the price low.

I'd like to think they are the same price due to mass production and industry efficiency. I guess only Mike could answer this one!?

[Mr.Shreddy]

I would hope that the same price would be because of the new CNC machines and/or technology. I would also hope that they are being built as the same way back then. Having read Bionic's posts, I'm re-assured that Charvel knows what they are doing and has their heads on straight for the future!

[Mr.Shreddy]

Yeah, I just got a Tangerine So-Cal tonight for Christmas Eve (got to open it early) and the thing just kicks ass. -BUT, out of the box, the string block was loose and the screw at an angle so I have no low E string and will take to my friend who is tech on friday and fix it. He said it was no big deal. Honestly I was a little disappointed until I thought about it. The guitar is BEAUTIFUL, no dings, scratches, chips, or swirls anywhere. The setup is perfect and is sounds incredible. -and the loose block isn't a major concern, very little in the scheme of thinks. I love the knob, and the "Non-OFR" is just fine with me. It returns to pitch every time! - so even though the block scared the shit out of me for a sec. , I am VERY happy with my Tangerine So-Cal and see no modding in the future because it is PERFECT!!! thankyou to every one at Charvel and Bionic for all your insight!

[phill_up]

This question goes out to Bionic: On the CS charvels I see a lot of them with the TB14 pickup in the bridge. Is there any real reason why that particular pickup was chosen?