Charvel used to have a tremendous reputation in the early eighties for producing high quality rock guitar models for the axe slingers of the day. Charvel’s reputation was well deserved but the price tag put many of these guitars out of the reach of most bedroom guitarists. On June 13 2008 however Charvel introduced the U.S.A. Production Model Series which blends quality with affordability.
The So-Cal Style 1 is part of this series and features an alder body and an outstanding bolt on Charvel San Dimas neck. The neck is quarter sawn which is similar to USA Jacksons and basically gives the neck more integral strength. The neck also has compound radius which is rounded down by the nut and progressively gets flatter (16-12 inch) as you go up the fretboard which makes it much faster for solo work.
The So-Cal Style 1 is fitted with Dimarzio pickups including a Tone Zone in the bridge and an Evolution in the neck. This differs significantly from the other two models which feature Seymour Duncan JB and 59 pickups instead.
These guitars sound great clean but really come into their own with higher gain settings where the attack of the pickups really shine through. You can hear Paul Riario of Guitar World Magazine getting some great high gain tones from this guitar in the video demo at the bottom of the page.
At around a thousand dollars these guitars represent the best opportunity to date to get your hands on an authentic USA made charvel and whilst it might not be everyones cup of tea, I can see the So Cal and San Dimas range proving amazingly popular.
Specifications: Charvel So Cal Style 1
- Series: U.S.A. Production Model
- Neck-thru or Bolt-on: Bolt-on
- Body Wood: Alder (no veneer)
- Body Binding: No
- Scallop Heel: No
- Scallop Horn: No
- Neck Description: Charvel USA San Dimas®
Reg./Reverse Headstock: Regular
Neck/Centerblock Wood:1 pc Maple – quarter sawn - Fingerboard Wood: n/a
- Inlay: Dots
- Nut Width: 42.86 mm [1 11/16 inch]
Butt Width: 57.15 mm [1/4 inch] - Scale Length: 25.5″
- 22 Jumbo Frets
- Neck Backshape: Charvel USA San Dimas – Compound Radius
- Bridge: Floyd Rose
- Black Grover Tuners
- Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio DP155 Tone Zone
- Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Evolution
- Pickup Selector: 3 Way Toggle Position 1 Bridge
- Neck Finish: Gunstock oil
- Headstock Colour: Natural – stain matte on front
- Case: Charvel padded gig bag
Prices: $1099 USD / £899 GBP
Video Review
