San Dimas VS So Cal

[mantis]

Hello all,
I own a few San Dimas guitars and one So Cal. They sound very different due to the factory Pick ups. The 59 and JB is a fantastic combo that can play anything especially the 2016 models with the Split could feature now.
The So Cal as we all know come with Distortions, they have a sound all of their own and very different then the 59 and JB. With the 6 pack of sound ,you can get some different things going on.

So what model do you like better and why?

[Texas Crude]

I haven't seen the current Mexican guitars, but as for the past Jap SD and So Cal...yes the pups are different but easily changed if desired. I imagine they feel and play about the same, all other things being equal. The aesthetic is the main thing to me. Both are cool though.

The Jap SD I had sounded great with the JB. I never gave the neck pup any use. That said, my current favorite is the Duncan 59 bridge pup, in the bridge. The distortion pups do sound nice, but I think the 59 and other PAF style pups are worth a look.

[samiam]

I recently acquired my first SD (MIJ) which I love, but did have a LTD alder-bodied strat type guitar with a SD Distortion in it and to me it was a bit brighter/harsher than I was expecting. Previously I had the Distortion p/u in a Les Paul, student Rhoads (alder/maple), and a basswood super strat and it sounded terrific in all three of those but failed to impress in the strat. I ended up putting a JB in there and loved it.

All that to say I agree with Texas Crude above; I think pickups aside, the differences between the So Cal and SD are mainly aesthetics (i.e. do you prefer a pickguard or not?)

[mantis]

I'm not real into the Distortions especially compared to the JB / 59 combo. The 59 is much sweeter and fuller sounding to me vs the Distortion. The Bridge JB has a tighter lower bottom end and more crunch the fizz like the Distortion does. When you play one then the other the Distortion adds this fizzy sound that doesn't sound that good. I love the Pick guard look as it reminds me of my 1985 Charvel Model 3a I had brand new back in the day.
I might experiment with different pickups in this guitar and remove the 6 pack of sound. I prefer the wiring of the 2015 and older models which has the Middle position on the 3 position switch and now blade has both Humbuckers on. Currently the wiring only allows split coils with he volume up or down which to me sucks balls. I would be very cool with the 6 pack of sound if the down position had the Both hum buckers on in the middle. Then the 6 pack would make perfect sense to me. Up would be all single coil action.
Charvel are you reading this?

[samiam]

To me the whole split coil option on the So-Cal's and SD's makes no sense. Sure, it adds some versatility to them but that alone goes against what a 'superstrat' is supposed to be: a stripped down rock machine.

[Axewielder]

To me the whole split coil option on the So-Cal's and SD's makes no sense. Sure, it adds some versatility to them but that alone goes against what a 'superstrat' is supposed to be: a stripped down rock machine.

When you claim that a superstrat is supposed to be this or not supposed to be that, you are trying to establish a rule. Rock is also about breaking the rules.

[samiam]

When you claim that a superstrat is supposed to be this or not supposed to be that, you are trying to establish a rule. Rock is also about breaking the rules.

Well...I also prefaced that with "To me..." which means its just my little ol' opinion

[DRM]

So Cal for aesthetics plus the top mount input jack. Changing the pickguard completely changes the look and vibe of the guitar and gives a wide variety of pickup choices.

As for the pickups...they're a ~5 minute swap, even easier on the San Dimas'. My favorite Duncan is the Custom with a close second place being a JB wth an Alnico 8 magnet swapped in (effectively an SH-15/Alt 8 if you wanna get technical). I was never a fan of the Tone Zone that came in the So Cals.

[bombtek]

I liked the DiMarzio's in the US So-Cals. I wish they had carried those pickups thru into current production.

[mantis]

To me the whole split coil option on the So-Cal's and SD's makes no sense. Sure, it adds some versatility to them but that alone goes against what a 'superstrat' is supposed to be: a stripped down rock machine.

I can't argue your point here. I think Charvel over thought this option. Everything else they did to it this year is incredible.

[mantis]

So Cal for aesthetics plus the top mount input jack. Changing the pickguard completely changes the look and vibe of the guitar and gives a wide variety of pickup choices.

As for the pickups...they're a ~5 minute swap, even easier on the San Dimas'. My favorite Duncan is the Custom with a close second place being a JB wth an Alnico 8 magnet swapped in (effectively an SH-15/Alt 8 if you wanna get technical). I was never a fan of the Tone Zone that came in the So Cals.

When Charvel Put the Dimarizio pickups in the So Cal years ago, I really tried to like it as I wanted the guitar. But after 3 times playing one for at lease 30 mins each time and the last time for over an hour, My wallet stayed in my pocket.

[mantis]

I liked the DiMarzio's in the US So-Cals. I wish they had carried those pickups thru into current production.

I see your down in Maryland, Any good guitar shops to visit down there? I'd really like to plug into a Blackstar Series 1 1046L6 , combo and the El34 model. Also would love to find an Engl Dealer who actually carries Engl amps on the floor along with Randall.

[BenoA]

GASing terribly for a "Specific Ocean" San Dimas! Anyone got one?

[mantis]

GASing terribly for a "Specific Ocean" San Dimas! Anyone got one?

a buddy of mine just picked up a left over 2015 . It's very nice.

[StrmRidr]

GASing terribly for a "Specific Ocean" San Dimas! Anyone got one?

I have the So Cal and if the San Dimas is anything like it, you will absolutely not regret it.