Kramer Crusader vs Charvel So Cal

[jclogston]

Hi all -
Looking at these guitars:

http://www.charvel.com/production_models.html

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/CrusaderDeluxe.html

Seem very similar in specs but very different in price.
Any comments on them would be greatly appreciated....
thanks in advance,
jeff

[Sinistas]

I'm guessing the Crusader is an import.

[84sups]

I'm guessing the Crusader is an import.

For $499 it has to be, and who know about the pickups in it.

[Dogbone]

The Crusader is an Import... The pups are ok... Not quite in line with the Duncans or Dimarzio's... But it's not a bad guitar for the money. I know a few people that own them.
To get a US Crusader, you'd be looking at 2000 plus dependent on options...

[jclogston]

Thanks everyone so far.
I would probably swap out the pickups on both guitars anyways so that would not be an issue. How are the necks on them? I can't try out the crusader but might get a chance one of these days to try the charvel.

jeff

[Dogbone]

Necks aren't bad at all. Very similar to the Charvel neck... May need a little work on the frets though. kinda varies from guitar to guitar.

[jclogston]

Cool - hopefully i'll get a chance to try out the charvel soon and go from there....
thanks!!!

jeff

[BlackStrat_Fan]

I A/B'd the GK and Charvel. My impression from the GK was that the finish on the neck was thick and glossy. IMO the necks on the Charvels are the best.

[GinSonic]

Are you looking specifically for a maple fretboard and H/H configuration? If not, then look into the BC Rich Gunslinger Retros.

http://www.bcrich.com/gunslinger_retro.asp

http://www.bcrich.com/gunslinger_retroBlade.asp

ESP offer's maple fretboard super strat models as well.

ESP

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_wilton.html

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_m2.html

I saw some Nuno Bettencourt Washburns on eBay with Bill Lawrence pickups and maple fretboards too. I don't think they make import signature model Nuno's anymore with maple fretboards.

Of course, so does Fender.

[Bionic]

Hi all -
Looking at these guitars:

http://www.charvel.com/production_models.html

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/CrusaderDeluxe.html

Seem very similar in specs but very different in price.
Any comments on them would be greatly appreciated....
thanks in advance,
jeff

Hi Jeff,

The Charvel is a 1pc, Quartersawn, Maple Neck, Jumbo Frets, Compound Radius with rolled edges.

The GK is 10" radius, Maple Neck.

Hope that helps you differentiate the necks.

Mike

[Matt_B]

Necks aren't bad at all. Very similar to the Charvel neck...

??? The Kramer neck is 1 5/8" wide at the nut with a 10" radius. The Charvel is 1 11/16" at the nut with a 12"-16" radius. Even if the profiles are the same, the 1 5/8" alone would be a deal breaker for me.

[jclogston]

Thanks everyone -

Looks like the charvel is the way to go - going to take a ride down to my local charvel dealer within the week to check it out.
I'm thinking either the charvel or a peavey wolfgang or an ibanez satriani js1000...decisions decisions decisions.....


jeff

[alanhindle]

So what is the competition?

Are there any other hot rodded strat type production guitars which offer serious competition for the Charvel USA production series?

How do the Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR or the LTD M1000 measure up? I'm not so sure they do? Maybe some of the similarly priced Ibanez superstrats stack up?

Alan

[Grandturk]

Are there any other hot rodded strat type production guitars which offer serious competition for the Charvel USA production series?

How do the Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR or the LTD M1000 measure up? I'm not so sure they do? Maybe some of the similarly priced Ibanez superstrats stack up?

Alan

I think the Ibanez RG1550M would be a decent competitor. Its an RG body shape, HSH. Certainly better than that Gary Kramer abomination.

[savage]

Not to sound like a smart ass but this is the easiest question i ever answered CHARVEL all the way! Not much of a decison IF you want the SUPERIOR axe