Short-Scale Super Strat Comparison

[kenneth]

I've gotten into short-scale superstrats recently for some reason. I didn't realize there were so many of them:

1. Charvel Fusion
2. Charvel 750xl
3. Jackson Fusion
4. Jackson Archtop Soloist
5. Fender HM Strat
6. Kramer Nightswan
7. Kramer ProAxe
8. Kramer Bluesbreaker(?) - not sure about this one
9. ESP Maverick
10. ESP RA-600
11. Peavey Vanderberg

Let me know if I missed any!

There are several models that have mahogany bodies - the Charvel 750xl, the two Jacksons, both Kramers and Peavey Vandenberg. Do some of you who own several of these guitars feel that the mahogany really makes a difference to the tone? I've always loved the tone of mahogany but I was just talking to someone who owns both the Charvel 750xl mahogany and basswood models, and he said there is very little if any difference in tone between the two.

As far as I know, all of them have the Gibson 24.75" scale - except for the Fender HM Strat, which I just recently discovered has a 25.1" scale. I was wondering if any of you who might own several of these guitars can tell in the scale lengths and if it makes a difference? (I realize I'm talking about fractions of inches here, but humor me - I'm anal that way).

Also, as far I know, all of the other guitars have a compound radius, whereas from what I understand, the HM Strat has a flat 17" radius all the way up the neck. How much of an advantage or detriment is this, in your opinion?

[CowboyFromHell]

"lil if any difference" in mahogany and basswood? Sounds like someone really didn't know what wood they had. In my experience there's drastic difference in the two. Which you would prefer would depend on the tone you're after, with mahogany having a "deeper" tone.

[tomanyjacksons]

Gain set too high and active pups would hide any differences in wood types. You know, just saying.

"lil if any difference" in mahogany and basswood? Sounds like someone really didn't know what wood they had. In my experience there's drastic difference in the two. Which you would prefer would depend on the tone you're after, with mahogany having a "deeper" tone.

[Axewielder]

I heard the early MIJ Warrior Pros are short scale.

[VitaminG]

fwiw, only one Jackson Fusion was made of mahogany. The Fusion HH. The rest of the imports were largely basswood, with the Fusion Plus available in ash in trans finishes and the US Fusion being alder AFAIK.

[Flatpicker]

Tom Anderson Cobra

[moku]

short-scale guitars are great.

you missed gibson les paul!

[Ward]

I heard the early MIJ Warrior Pros are short scale.

The early USA Warriors were too.

US Fusion being alder AFAIK.

I think the USAs were poplar. Pretty sure Jackson stopped making the fusion before they went to alder, but I have never been able to confirm when they made the switch from poplar to alder...

[j2379]

short scale super strats. funny BCRichs were all short scale except for the super strats.

short-scale guitars are great.

you missed gibson les paul!

[toejam]

Jackson's Mark Morton Dominion is short scale; though, it's not exactly strat-shaped. The specs says 24.75" scale, but it's actually 25" like a PRS or Carvin.

[Flatpicker]

Jackson's Mark Morton Dominion is short scale; though, it's not exactly strat-shaped. The specs says 24.75" scale, but it's actually 25" like a PRS or Carvin.

That depends from what I can remember.
If you go CS it's 24.75, production is 25."

Don't know why that is.

Also,
Fender has the Jaguarillo which is a super strat (kinda)...

[toejam]

That depends from what I can remember.
If you go CS it's 24.75, production is 25."

Don't know why that is.

Not sure why, either. Maybe because the original SweeTone models that it was based off of also had 25". I measured my Morton once, and when I told people here it was 25", they thought I was crazy.

[pro-fusion]

Add the Peavey Destiny, Schecter C1 Standard, and Schecter C1 Custom to that list.

It's kind of frustrating, because I'm also looking for a short-scale superstrat, and several of those models that I'd like are hard to find.

[The Rossness]

Buddy Blaze guitars are short scale. I find their necks are tiny (short scale, R2 nut, very thin necks) and I have trouble playing them.

[DonP]

I've gotten into short-scale superstrats recently for some reason. I didn't realize there were so many of them:

1. Charvel Fusion
2. Charvel 750xl
3. Jackson Fusion
4. Jackson Archtop Soloist
5. Fender HM Strat
6. Kramer Nightswan
7. Kramer ProAxe
8. Kramer Bluesbreaker(?) - not sure about this one
9. ESP Maverick
10. ESP RA-600
11. Peavey Vanderberg

Let me know if I missed any!

There are several models that have mahogany bodies - the Charvel 750xl, the two Jacksons, both Kramers and Peavey Vandenberg. Do some of you who own several of these guitars feel that the mahogany really makes a difference to the tone?

High quality mahogany like that used in my Gibsons always sounds great. Shit mahogany like that used on cheap imports sounds like crap. I only own a mahogany 750XL and have not tried the basswood version. Mine is a fixed bridge as well, and I don't think they made basswood 750XL's with a fixed bridge.

I've always loved the tone of mahogany but I was just talking to someone who owns both the Charvel 750xl mahogany and basswood models, and he said there is very little if any difference in tone between the two.

As far as I know, all of them have the Gibson 24.75" scale - except for the Fender HM Strat, which I just recently discovered has a 25.1" scale. I was wondering if any of you who might own several of these guitars can tell in the scale lengths and if it makes a difference? (I realize I'm talking about fractions of inches here, but humor me - I'm anal that way).

I own 3 HM Strats. These are basswood but all of them sound awesome. At first I bought one, and thought maybe it was a fluke because it sounded so good, but the others do too. I think it's just good wood.

Also, as far I know, all of the other guitars have a compound radius, whereas from what I understand, the HM Strat has a flat 17" radius all the way up the neck. How much of an advantage or detriment is this, in your opinion?

HM Strats feel and play awesome. I'm always looking to add to my collection. Would love to find a 1H or an HH version. I have an H-S version in camo fighter (afternarket paint job).