Peavey HP Special's vs. Charvel

[bluesymetal]

I'm going to be buying a new "high end" guitar soon, all my other stuff is used. I want this to be the #1 that I never sell. I'm thinking either a Black San Dimas HS with a floyd and maple board, or a margerita flame/quilt top Peavey HP Special, which would be a floyd, HH setup with a coil tap, an optional carve top(though I'd probally stay flat), and a nice raw birdseye maple neck/ fret board. I love the feel of the neck on my model 375, but have never played a san dimas, though I'm sure they are sweet. The new peaveys are just like the wolgangs which I also love. I have a feeling build quality is the same, and I think the charvel might end up costing slightly more. Playabilty is my #1 concern, I like the action as low as possible, and I mean low. I'm sure I'll get a slight bias in my answers here but what do you guys think?

[Racerx2k]

I'd go with the San Dimas, hands down, but then again, I'm AM quite partial to Jackson/Charvels, and this IS the J/C forum.

[bluesymetal]

I'd go with the San Dimas, hands down, but then again, I'm AM quite partial to Jackson/Charvels, and this IS the J/C forum.

haha I know, I just thought there was a decent amount of peavey fans that hung around here to that might chime in on both.

[paige]

As much as I hate to say it, my best sounding and playing guitar is a moded peavey v-type. I have had 4 jackson imports that I love, but the p.v. is better imho. I have never played the top of the line versions of either brand so this is just an import perspective.

[straycat]

SD all the way. The Peavey stuff that I have seen didn't impress me at all.JMO

[kenneth]

Those Peavy's look pretty cool - I don't know if you've seen this link, but it's got a lot of good info on the new HP Specials:

http://www.rocknrollweekend.com/hp_specials.html


I know a lot of players swear by the Wolfie - I never had one, but I owned an EBMM Axis for a short time, which is similar, and didn't much care for the body shape. The HP Special is supposed to be an improvement on the Wolfie in terms of body style, headstock (straighter pull) and pickups (more versatile coil splits).

There's also a video demo of the HP Special floating around on youtube.com - I think I might have even seen it somewhere on this forum...

If you get one, let me know what you think!

[bluesymetal]

Those Peavy's look pretty cool - I don't know if you've seen this link, but it's got a lot of good info on the new HP Specials:

http://www.rocknrollweekend.com/hp_specials.html


I know a lot of players swear by the Wolfie - I never had one, but I owned an EBMM Axis for a short time, which is similar, and didn't much care for the body shape. The HP Special is supposed to be an improvement on the Wolfie in terms of body style, headstock (straighter pull) and pickups (more versatile coil splits).

There's also a video demo of the HP Special floating around on youtube.com - I think I might have even seen it somewhere on this forum...

If you get one, let me know what you think!

It's funny you sent me that link, I actually have been surfing that site a bit looking at his stuff. His prices are very good too, if anything I think that might sway me from the charvel. The peaveys seem to cost signifigantly less.

[Bengal65]

I'd say the Charvie. Why, because I play a lot sitting down. The Charvel is just more comfortable and I think you would get better money for it if you had to sell it for some reason down the road. I have a Wolfgang that's Mint because I don't play out anymore and it isn't fun to play sitting down. It's a very fine well balanced guitar when your standing up. I believe both would get you the low action you desire. I have several other Peavey's and they make that small horn on them and they don't sit right while playing seated.

[kenneth]

That's a really good point. I have to admit that I do a lot of my technique-oriented practicing - and just about all my recording - sitting down. That was one of the reasons I couldn't get along with the EBMM Axis - the short lower horn makes it awkward to play sitting down. I thought the HP Special was more strat-shaped, but you could be right - the lower horn might still be short like the Wolfie and Axis. Anyone played one yet?

[straycat]

Thats exactly what I thought. I played one in the store and put it up after about 5 min just because it felt odd sitting down.Strange how alike we think.

[bluesymetal]

I'd say the Charvie. Why, because I play a lot sitting down. The Charvel is just more comfortable and I think you would get better money for it if you had to sell it for some reason down the road. I have a Wolfgang that's Mint because I don't play out anymore and it isn't fun to play sitting down. It's a very fine well balanced guitar when your standing up. I believe both would get you the low action you desire. I have several other Peavey's and they make that small horn on them and they don't sit right while playing seated.

Those are all good points. And to be honest I like the looks of the charvels better as well. My biggest gripe is I can't play a charvel, the only ones my local stores have are the evh models. I also really don't have a good grasp of what it's gonna cost me. I haven't seen any online stores to compare prices.

[slayer]

I loved the Peavey Wolfgang USA Hardtail Special I played once. Yes, the body was wierd, but the neck and tone more than made up for the looks!! Jack.

[slayer]

I like the look of the Special HP USA model, it should sell alright for them even without EVH on it. They nead a Tunamatic String Thru or Tunamatic Stopbar model though to compliment the Floyd model. Jack.

[bluesymetal]

I like the look of the Special HP USA model, it should sell alright for them even without EVH on it. They nead a Tunamatic String Thru or Tunamatic Stopbar model though to compliment the Floyd model. Jack.

yeah that would help, but for now they have a cool little device in the trem cavity that sets the bridge from blocked(down only) and full floating. It's accesible from the back plate and only take a sec. I think it's a cool little idea!

[slash-ed]

Maybe now they should, since the EVH tag is gone. However in the days of the Wolfgang, I never understood why they needed a stoptail model - okay, it was to make more money, but why the hell would an EVH fan want a floydless guitar?? I see the stoptail Wolfies around here all the time, the normal asking price is less than half what would have been paid new, and no one buys them.