USA Production Series Appreciation Thread

[Newc]

Ok, enough of these "don't buy these pieces of shit so-called-Charvel" threads: let's hear from the people who know a damn good guitar when they see one, specifically, the USA Production Series Charvels.

And let's roll the P0RN!

Candy Tangerine SoCal from the first run:




Black SoCal:




Candy Green SoCal from the 2nd run:




Pagan Gold SoCal from the 3rd run:


(note that's P-A-G-A-N, not P-E-G-A-N - Pegetarian? )


Slime Green Style1 from the 3rd run:




White Style1 and Candy Plum SoCal from the current (4th) run:





Kudos to Bionic and the rest of the Charvel USA gang for putting out a kickass line and resurrecting the brand that first gave Ibenhad, ESPee, and all those other dogs a new car to chase back in the 80s!

[darrellm]

Ok, enough of these "don't buy these pieces of shit so-called-Charvel" threads: let's hear from the people who know a damn good guitar when they see one, specifically, the USA Production Series Charvels.

Kudos to Bionic and the rest of the Charvel USA gang for putting out a kickass line and resurrecting the brand that first gave Ibenhad, ESPee, and all those other dogs a new car to chase back in the 80s!

Spot on Newc....well done Charvel.

To the doubters, spare a thought for those of us outside the US, not much chance of seeing a US Charvel until the Production series arrived.

I love my So Cal, so much that the expensive Gibsons are now spending rather a lot of time in their cases. The Charvel will be out again this evening, gigging in Bristol, a proper 'working' guitar.

[jet66]

Here's mine, a Pagan Gold SoCal.



I've never owned a San Dimas of any kind, so I can't really compare this to anything before it. I love Strats, though, and the SoCal is basically a hot rodded Strat. It's nothing real fancy, but that's how I like it. It's pretty much my ideal workhorse, and after getting it, my #1 Strat ('99 AmStd) went from more modern ssh pups back to sss with more vintage vibes. Judged simply by its own merits, regardless of the decal, it's a winner in my book.

[DonP]

But...

They are bolt-ons

If I got one I'd load it with super d's for a Maiden axe.

[jet66]

They are bolt-ons

I spend a lot of time at another brand's board, and the whole neck-thru vs. set vs. bolt-on debate can yield pretty funny fights. I'm assuming you have seen your share of these...

[Dogbone]

I only have one, but in my opinion it's a great guitar No complaints from me

[thetruthguy]

My red and black ZenKiDo guitars:

[Boz]

I hope to have this by next weekend!

[Grandturk]

Shazam! I love mine. I'm going up to 48th St now to see if they got a white one at Manny's. God help me if they do.

[beachjammer]

Here's my So-Cal and I LOVE it! One fantastic guitar at a fantastic price IMO. I always get confused as to what the color is though. Is it Pegan or Pagen gold?

[zakky_venom]

ewww a kahler

[Grandturk]

ewww a kahler

Them's fighten' words!

[beachjammer]

Them's fighten' words!

Amen brother! I love kahlers! I'd put my model 6 with the kahler up against any guitar!

[zakky_venom]

Them's fighten' words!

hah. they just arent my cup of tremolo tea

[Chubtone]

I think some of the negativity towards these guitars is by people with ulterior motives. I don't own a ton of original strat heads and worry that their value will be impacted by a glut of USA built strat heads on the market. I am not a Charvel Custom Shop dealer and worried that many potential cistomers won't stretch their budget for a CS now that they can grab these for less. I also don't build guitars that compete with these.

So, I just enjoy these things for what they are. A great feeling, great playing, great sounding, affordable, USA built Charvel with mainly the right features. And they cost me right around what it costs to build a Warmoth or Musikraft in the same spirit.

My production models can hold their own against my 1980 pre-pro and my 1984 pointy head.