What corners were cut on the production models

[Matt_B]

Oh, and here is a pic of the pot that comes on the sd model. Id be more worried about the soldering, yuck.

Interesting... That's not the pot that came in my SD :think: Mine is a solid shaft, not split... It is a CTS though... Maybe different suppliers or what was in stock at the time.... I can't complain about my Charvel... Seems to be well made... No issues with fret overhang, or poorly dressed frets... Maybe I got lucky :think: Not a bad guitar for the price...

I just bought that very item on eBay (just for the switch tip mind you) and the pot is a solid shaft CTS version.

[85 San Dimas]

Well then Bionic if FMIC is going to stick to this position I guess everyone over at the CS should be looking for new jobs because I don't see how FMIC can keep that facility open. Either the So-Cals are cost-cutters or the CS-guys are good-for-nothing and lazy (which I don't believe). Against these new So-Cals the CS products cost too much. FMIC would make more money if they just let the new guys build them all. Spend 3 times as long building it and it'll still only cost 1500 bucks. They're high quality legit Charvels according to FMIC. What's not to like? if they're the only builders it'll still be "the best FMIC has to offer" and Charvel will be in a position to grab a larger market share.

How do I know? Because it's the case you just made. FMIC can sell USA production Charvels for $999 list and they deserve the name Charvel.
I hate Gibsons marketing strategy, but they aren't introducing '59 wannabes under their own name brand. The So-Cal is at the same price point as "Road Worn Mexi-Strats" and I can't believe FMIC makes less $$ on one than the other. Y'know, An OLP is not a MM EVH at a different price point. It's a lesser instrument, a look-alike. IMO the So-Cal is a akin to a modern Kramer Focus 3000. Looks like the real thing, built fairly well but ultimately a copy of a copy of a copy.

In closing I'll say this to drive my point home:

Guard the treasures man because we're getting older, and if FMIC loses the plot again it may get lost for good this time. Thanks for your efforts always, I wish you well all the way around. I just disagree with you on this particular issue.

[Dogbone]

And San Dimas is just 120 miles away from Baja, 25 miles from corona. If the plant was in San Diego would anyone question the USA-ness of it? I live in NY and if that plant was here Im sure it would be staffed with "Mexicans" too . Oh, and here is a pic of the pot that comes on the sd model. Id be more worried about the soldering, yuck.

Interesting... That's not the pot that came in my SD :think:
Mine is a solid shaft, not split...
It is a CTS though... Maybe different suppliers or what was in stock at the time....
I can't complain about my Charvel... Seems to be well made... No issues with fret overhang, or poorly dressed frets... Maybe I got lucky :think:
Not a bad guitar for the price...

[Carbuff]

Me too!

[Flatpicker]

I'd buy a Mexi-Charvel if it were at 5-600.00.

[Carbuff]

Actually, I'm not dogging it.
I just don't get the issue when both cities are so close.

Ah, I see, I didnt get your motive at first. Darn Internet! I guess its a matter of accountability. On one side of the border who knows what goes on as far as workers and pay, and on the other side there are laws to help workers and such. You can build a nice shiny plant in Mexico but if the worker is only being paid jack, he might not be as "into" what hes doing all day. but youre right about the whole misconception that the corona plant is full of white Anglo "craftsmen" while the baja plant is full of "mexicans" Im sure there isnt much difference in the demographic of the workers in each plant. If you can legally put Made in USA on something it will sell for more just for that reason alone it seems. I guess a "mexi-charvel" would sell for $500 for basically the same guitar.

[Grandturk]

FWIW with these, is it me, or have sales/talk slowed down since the initial "wow" factor has worn off? Also, I'm almost positive one of the cut corners are 3 piece bodies... though 3 pieces aren't awful, my MIM Straight Six has one and it is a VERY well built instrument, but a $1k instrument should use a two piece.

I can vouch though that these are not made in Baja. The comments of spotty QC intrigues me though, as MIA Strats are generally all extremely tight and well built guitars. "Shoved out the door syndrom" maybe? I've not been able to track one down to play, and have other expenses besides guitars.

I think, in general, all sales have slowed down. However, I'm running into people all the time that have just bought a SD or a Socal and are diggin' them.

Myself, I'm waiting for something in white... and dammit, if Bionic don't come through - it might just have to be that wank-caster with Adrien Smith's siggy scrawled on it.

[Flatpicker]

And San Dimas is just 120 miles away from Baja, 25 miles from corona. If the plant was in San Diego would anyone question the USA-ness of it? I live in NY and if that plant was here Im sure it would be staffed with "Mexicans" too . Oh, and here is a pic of the pot that comes on the sd model.

Actually, I'm not dogging it.
I just don't get the issue when both cities are so close.

[Carbuff]

Isn't Baja MX and Corona CA about 60 miles apart?
How does this really change anything?

And San Dimas is just 120 miles away from Baja, 25 miles from corona. If the plant was in San Diego would anyone question the USA-ness of it? I live in NY and if that plant was here Im sure it would be staffed with "Mexicans" too . Oh, and here is a pic of the pot that comes on the sd model. Id be more worried about the soldering, yuck.

[rjohnstone]

Isn't Baja MX and Corona CA about 60 miles apart?
How does this really change anything?

More like 110 miles just to the border.

[Flatpicker]

Isn't Baja MX and Corona CA about 60 miles apart?
How does this really change anything?

[CharvelRocker]

FWIW with these, is it me, or have sales/talk slowed down since the initial "wow" factor has worn off? Also, I'm almost positive one of the cut corners are 3 piece bodies... though 3 pieces aren't awful, my MIM Straight Six has one and it is a VERY well built instrument, but a $1k instrument should use a two piece.

I can vouch though that these are not made in Baja. The comments of spotty QC intrigues me though, as MIA Strats are generally all extremely tight and well built guitars. "Shoved out the door syndrom" maybe? I've not been able to track one down to play, and have other expenses besides guitars.

[hippietim]

Bionic, are you confirming that NOTHING about the USA Production Series is made overseas other than the Floyd?

"the same Floyd Rose Bridge used by other USA Manufactures of High End Instruments... "

Nicely worded But it's still the cheap Floyd.

My Pagan Gold Tele did not come with a typical CTS pot. This is what I think of when I think of CTS pots:

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/electrical_ctspots.htm

Mine came with some crappy mini pot.

[Bionic]

Greetings! This thread has many differing opinions... I think it's totally cool... However, there are some questions and some misinformation that needs to be addressed. Perhaps the following will help you!

What the USA Production Model Series Guitars ARE...

1. These guitars are made in a Production Environment in Corona CA. USA... Not in BAJA CA... I hope this air is cleared...

2. Charvel Specifications, Wood, Paints, Parts etc... CTS Pot's Btw... the same Floyd Rose Bridge used by other USA Manufactures of High End Instruments...

3. These guitars are high quality USA Made Charvel's from top to bottom offered at a pretty good price when set next to any other USA Made Guitars of similar specifications. The Value really jumps at you when you play an import offered by other Competing Manufactures at higher price points.

What they are not....

1. They are not Fender's. They have a Compound Radius, 1 Peace Neck, Different Woods and parts and a very different build specification. Not better... just different... we have a different Customer.

2. They are not Custom Shop instruments. Custom Shop instruments are more expensive and exclusive. You get the very finest that we offer. Built by Master Builders in a Custom Shop Environment. You can specify the parts, colors, woods etc... Much more time goes into a Custom Shop Instrument.

[hippietim]

I know the volume pot is a CTS. Does CTS make bad pots? I've always heard of them as being high quality.

Mine had one of those cheap pots like in a $79 Squire.