the new Charvels MIM vs MIJ

[kmanick]

I've played both and owned 2 (currently still own 1) of the MIJ Socals. It's one of my favorite guitars now that it's a H/S/S.
I thought the neck felt better on the MIJ and the fret work looked a little better.
I've also played some of the USA runs of late and I think the MIJ's are actually better.

[Matt_B]

Interesting perspective shreddermon. That makes sense to me.

Also, to be clear I think the Japanese Charvels, both old and new, are excellent, well built instrument. I sold tons of the Model series when I was in the music biz so I got to handle 100s of them.

[TKEblue]

Weren't they MIA like 5 years ago, new for 950? I've wanted one for a while as well, and would hold out for a good used american. I'm sure the MIM are great but I would have a hard time spending 9 hundy on it

[Nightbat]

There are some differences.

MIJ: DiMarzios, top mounted floyd, satin finished neck, more rolled fretboard edges, skb case.

in the specs for the MIJ Bridge: Recessed Floyd Rose® FRT-O2000 Double-Locking Tremolo
is this a typo says the trem is recessed

That's a typo.

Actually it isn't
Only the earlier MiJs had a non-recessed trem like the USA Pro Mods, later versions were recessed

Here's a top mounted MiJ

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=166033

here's recessed MIJ wildcard #5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/371321735571?item=371321735571&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&rmvSB=true

I tried hunting down earlier versions to get my top mount obsession fixed, to no avail. only a few recessed MiJs popped up

[Matt_B]

Actually it isn't
Only the earlier MiJs had a non-recessed trem like the USA Pro Mods, later versions were recessed

You're totally right. I forgot that. Thanks.

[Hayabusa hooligan]

The knowledge of the members on this forum just blows me away thank you for the education.
Rich

[d4rin]

The neck pocket for the MIJ San Dimas was pretty bad, It was a loose fit...

The truss-rod looked like a cheap 1 way rod too, I wasn't impressed.

The Luthier I purchased it from said he had a few more MIJ So-Cal's but sold them, He said they were some of the last ones produced in the plant before they went under.

He had no way of proving this, Thus I didn't give two shits!

[Nuithari]

It's darker because they used a tinted oil. When one refers to a "satin finish" I think of a poly or nitro based finish, not oil. I've seen a couple of MIJ Pro Mods in person and they had oil finished necks and they were darker in color than the US Production of the MIMs.

Here's an old thread on the subject: Pro Mod Neck Finish

I stand corrected! I guess the color confused me...

[84sups]

I have 2 MIJ Charvels and they are both oil finished. I have both USA and Japan made pro-mods and the MIJ have a better feel. They put more time into rolling the fretboards. The MiM I played felt very much like my USA in the neck department.

[AndyK]

I've had several USA Pro Mods, and my current MIJ Pro Mod is a better guitar all around! Nicer fret work, more comfy rolled edge neck, better neck to body joint. Plays great! I even like the direct mounted pickups.

The USA ones always felt like they were thrown together. The MIJ one feels more like an old Charvel (to me anyway).

[srommes]

I finally got a chance to play a MIJ San Dimas last weekend. The neck did feel really nice. I have to say I'm in the minority though with the recessed Floyd's as I prefer them to non recessed. It's easier for me to set-up the action nice and low and more evenly throughout the board with the recessed. I have four of the MIM's and I love them. I think the play great and look fantastic. With the exception of one of them, I paid less than $500 new for each of them. That is a lot of guitar for the money. Hard to beat especially at that price.

[darkshark]

I bought a lightly used MIJ San Dimas because of my preference for the top-mount Floyd (which I eventually swapped for a German OFR).

I played a number of new MIMs before buying, and they all felt great to me, but I cannot stress enough that the fretwork and attention to detail on the rounded fingerboard edges on my MIJ are about as good as I've seen on any guitar.

I made a few other small changes - installed a nice CTS pot and Switchcraft switch/jack from the parts box, brass knob and switch tip, and I am totally in love with this MIJ.

[jspeed]

I finally got a chance to play a MIJ San Dimas last weekend. The neck did feel really nice. I have to say I'm in the minority though with the recessed Floyd's as I prefer them to non recessed. It's easier for me to set-up the action nice and low and more evenly throughout the board with the recessed. I have four of the MIM's and I love them. I think the play great and look fantastic. With the exception of one of them, I paid less than $500 new for each of them. That is a lot of guitar for the money. Hard to beat especially at that price.

Good points!

[jspeed]

I cannot stress enough that the fretwork and attention to detail on the rounded fingerboard edges on my MIJ are about as good as I've seen on any guitar.

+1

[MeTheGuy]

I'm new here. First post and I admit I don't know a thing about USA or MIJ Charvels. BUT, I just ordered a MIM 2015 Charvel So Cal about 2 weeks ago which was on back order. My rep called me last Tuesday that they had one for me in Snow White and I snagged it. It arrived last Thursday and I have been playing the heck out of it! When I received it I did a set up on it. In this case it was only minimal (lowering the action) because it was very playable right out of the box. It's gorgeous and the workmanship seems top notch. Good weight, fit and finish are excellent. This one has the Seymour Duncan T6-6 and SH6n (Distortion set) and I am very happy with the tones I am getting. Neck feels great and already getting dirty from playing the heck out of it lol. The the bridge pickup has a full bodied tone, nothing piercing or buzzsaw about it. Meaty and thick but never mushy or boomy. The highs are noticeable but never piercing or overly bright. To me, it's a very well balanced pickup. It also has a punchy mid range growl that's so good. Harmonics are simple and jump out with little effort. It matches well with the neck pickup which is warm and smooth and doesn't overpower the volume of the bridge pickup when the selector switch is set to middle position. The guitar is well balanced and I love recessed Floyds. For me it's either full float or no trem at all. Everything seems to be a good quality hardware wise. EVen the Floyd arm sits tight without th nut coming loose constantly which I find to be a common problem on the lower grade Floyds. I don't know if this is a cheaper version Floyd but the specs say FLoyd Rose Original on the Charvel website. So I assume the trem is made in Germany??

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with either of your choices but I am extremely happy with my MIM 2015 So Cal. Absolutely love it.