Tweet
I was up near boston visiting a friend and decided to stop by Matt's Music. I really wanted to check out the import SD's and see if they were as good as I've been hearing. First I checked out a White Socal. Sound-wise, its the same as a USA socal. As far as feel goes, it's slightly different. You would have to have played an USA version pretty extensively to notice a difference. Luckily, I have a candy tangerine socal for comparison. The Jap model feels slightly lighter. I don't know if they're using 2 piece bodies now, but it did feel a bit lighter. The knob is still textured, but feels much softer. The PU selector switch is also softer. I'm not sure if its made out of metal. Besides that, it's pretty much the same guitar. The fretboard also has a darker tint.
The San Dimas model is pretty similar to the socal, but it felt the same weight-wise. To my ears it sounded sharper and seemed to be more focussed.
After that, I played a Slime green USA socal for comparison. One thing I immediately noticed was how noce the frets were...On the Japanese model. The frets on the new pro mods all felt great. Actually it feels like a custom shop job as far as the frets ar concerned.The fretboard is smooth and the neck shape is to die for.
During this time, I was talking with Matt, saying how I have four of the USA Pro Mods and how I'd post a review of the new one on JCF. We started talking Jackson/ Charvel stuff and he pulled out this awesome PC1/ It was green and had flames made out of abalone. It played like a champ and the sustainer was just cool to use.
Next he showed me something pretty cool. He brings me towards the back of the store and starts opening a large flight case that says "Randy Rhodes". Sure enough, He had one of the replica's in. It was relliced and came with duct tape covering the back. It was pretty cool to see. Matt especially liked the fact that the serial number was 666. It was a pretty neat guitar to see, but at $10,000. It was more than a bit out of my price range. And no, I wasn't able to play it
After that I had a quick go on aCS san dimas and played a japan pro mod again. I asked Matt if he had the red SD (he didn't), but he said he had the Wildcard model. It was still sealed inside the charvel shipping box. Matt Unboxed it and let me have a go with it.
It was in perfect tune straight out of the box. I played it for about 5 minutes and was sold. It has a 5 way PU selector and gives me some tonal variations versus my other Charvel's. It also has the two single coils and they give me a sound which I haven't had before, as I don't have any guitars with SC's. It also has a floating trem and an aqua charvel logo on the headstock- I like it
It has great tone and playability.The fit and finish are superb as well. Normally I wouldn't have gone for a rosewood fingerboard, but it just sounds and feels so great.
Anyway, its about 2:15 AM and I'm tired. I'll try to post a full review later on as well as some pictures. I'd also like to thank Matt at Matt's Music for his great service and friendly attitude
Peace-
The San Dimas model is pretty similar to the socal, but it felt the same weight-wise. To my ears it sounded sharper and seemed to be more focussed.
After that, I played a Slime green USA socal for comparison. One thing I immediately noticed was how noce the frets were...On the Japanese model. The frets on the new pro mods all felt great. Actually it feels like a custom shop job as far as the frets ar concerned.The fretboard is smooth and the neck shape is to die for.
During this time, I was talking with Matt, saying how I have four of the USA Pro Mods and how I'd post a review of the new one on JCF. We started talking Jackson/ Charvel stuff and he pulled out this awesome PC1/ It was green and had flames made out of abalone. It played like a champ and the sustainer was just cool to use.
Next he showed me something pretty cool. He brings me towards the back of the store and starts opening a large flight case that says "Randy Rhodes". Sure enough, He had one of the replica's in. It was relliced and came with duct tape covering the back. It was pretty cool to see. Matt especially liked the fact that the serial number was 666. It was a pretty neat guitar to see, but at $10,000. It was more than a bit out of my price range. And no, I wasn't able to play it
After that I had a quick go on aCS san dimas and played a japan pro mod again. I asked Matt if he had the red SD (he didn't), but he said he had the Wildcard model. It was still sealed inside the charvel shipping box. Matt Unboxed it and let me have a go with it.
It was in perfect tune straight out of the box. I played it for about 5 minutes and was sold. It has a 5 way PU selector and gives me some tonal variations versus my other Charvel's. It also has the two single coils and they give me a sound which I haven't had before, as I don't have any guitars with SC's. It also has a floating trem and an aqua charvel logo on the headstock- I like it
It has great tone and playability.The fit and finish are superb as well. Normally I wouldn't have gone for a rosewood fingerboard, but it just sounds and feels so great.
Anyway, its about 2:15 AM and I'm tired. I'll try to post a full review later on as well as some pictures. I'd also like to thank Matt at Matt's Music for his great service and friendly attitude
Peace-
Comment