Comparing USA, Japanese & Mexican models
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2017
- There is no doubt that all of these models meet the needs of any hard rock guitar player. But I thought it would interest you guys if I told you the subtle differences that make these models stand out. It might just make the big difference to your choice ;)
Charvel should give you an endorsement deal !!!
SuperNick090 It would be nice but I'm sure they never will
Colton Jon We have tried that many times but they never respond to my emails or open my messages.
Colton Jon That's so kind of you man cheers so much. It would be amazing to be acknowledged by Charvel :)
Colton Jon I really appreciate what you did man! Share it around and see how many people sign it. It would be wrong if I shared it aha
Well done for starting the petition Colton. I just sign onto it just now... I'm looking forward to the future release of the Charvel "Cameron Cooper" signature model in the near future... ; )
I bought my Mex Charvel San Dimas (Rocket Red) because of you. Best choice I've made in a guitar purchase in since I bought my JPX and JP 6 PDN. I'd put my Charvel up against both. 6 pack of sound is an amazing feature. Thanks for the recommendation mate!
You have officially convinced me to buy a Charvel. As a VH fanboy, I was already turned onto them because his Frankenstrat, but after watching this video, let alone your channel, I'm hooked. I think superstrats are my favorite style of electric and these Charvel seems to deliver these in spades.
You have a great channel, dude! Cheers from LA!
ZombifyYourself That's really kind of you man cheers so much for letting me know. It doesn't really matter which Charvel you want to buy, you will get great results either way. I actually recommend purchasing one of the current Mexican models. They combine the best of the USA and Japanese models plus you get the sixpack of sound :)
Always been interested to hear about the difference between the models from someone with actual experience. Great video and well done.
I've waited such a long time to see this comparison. Just a brilliant review. Love your playing style. (I'm a huge EVH fan) I just subscribed.
Great video on this guitars history, a nice playing!....thx for posting!
Great quality reviews mate. I've watched a bunch of your vids with the plan of buying a Charvel; they help immensely. On a side note you are a great player and I enjoy your style. Keep up the great work!
Great vid Cameron, I love my Japanese and USA Charvel as much as any in my collection. Fantastic players.
Really helpful and insightful, I’ve just agreed a deal to buy one of these, rare as hens teeth now so delighted to have gotten one, like everyone else here you have helped me with my purchase 😀 charvel give this man his dues
I know this is an old video, but it was still very helpful to me. You seem to know Charvels as well as anyone I could find on YT, so I took your advice and bought a MIM San Dimas Pro Mod in Trans Green Burst.
I was also looking at a used Blue 2008 Made in USA San Dimas, but It cost twice as much used as the MIM was new.
I wanted a florescent colour, but they are impossible to find new or NOS in Canada. I don't really like quilt bursts on 'shredder guitars' but man this thing looks nice. Making me think twice about what I 'think' I know, which is always a good thing in my world.
Just wanted to say thank you for helping me sort through it all Cam. Made my decision pretty easy actually.
Cheers.
holy jesus, this video does really exist.
thank you sooooooooooooo much.
When you talk about the early Japanese models, which years exactly are you referring to.
Great and very informative video, thanks. I know the last guitar you have is a 2016 and a MiM but is it a San Dimas? I did not catch which model it is. Also, can you get those with a roasted neck? I have heard that roasting the wood makes it stronger and helps with keeping the guitar in tune, but have no first-hand experience to say yes or no.
Very helpfull video, thanx! Have come i acute need ( ;) )of a Floyd Rose loaded guitar, and your vid has helped decide to go for a japanese made So Cal! Cheers!
I have a San Dimas Pro Mod MIM , seafoam green.......I absolutely love it ! It has lush clear clean tones and can scream when the overdrive or distortion is kicked on .If you are thinking about getting one .......just do it you won't regret it !
Charvel/Fender should employ you buddy. You really do know soooooooo much about the Charvel range. You would be awesome as a rep on their stands at trade shows. Hell Yeah👍🎸
That'd be amazing! Perhaps one day I could be at Musik Messe or NAMM on the Charvel booth ;)
Another great video, Cameron. I've been a Charvel guy since the eighties and I've never played a bad one.
I love my MIM ash style 2, but nothing beats my MIJ style 1. The necks were simply amazing
I’m deciding between the San Dimas Style 1 2H FR and DK24 HSH 2PT. The former is a double humbucker, which I prefer the simplicity of, but is equipped with a Floyd which I’m not the biggest fan of. The latter has a Hum-Sing-Hum layout which as a Les Paul/Singlecut guy isn’t my choice, but the ease of use of the Gotoh 510 two-point trem and locking tuners is a big plus for me, as well is the roasted maple neck & fretboard.
Either way, every review I’ve read or watched raves on the build quality, and either will fit as a mod project basis for a wannabe Phil Collen PC-1 Signature Model at less than half the price even with a legit Manic Music Sustainiac driver/pickup. 👍🏼
I have the SunBurst and Specific Green mim...love them both!!
I understand the Eddie Van Halen thinking on the pickups being screwed directly onto the body giving way to more resonant properties of pickup into wood. What comes to mind as a case-in-point is that of the Gibson Les Paul Junior from the '50s and '60s with the one P90 dog-eared pickup, with its hot output, being screwed straight onto the mahogany body. Off topic of Charvels, still... Just thought it was worth mentioning. Killer playing by the way.
As a charvel expert, what can you tell on the new line USA Select San Dimas. What makes the price jump? Seriously got interested thanks to you ;-) ..
I have a Jackson SL-1 USA Soloist, & a Charvel Satchel Signature. Both are great guitars, but the Charvel is my favorite one. The Fishman Fluence Classic pickups are by far my favorite pickups now. I’ve always been a Seymour Duncan JB guy, but those Fishmans are incredible. If you get a chance, check out that Satchel model.
I think my next guitar will be a MIM San Dimas! Any thoughts on Style 1 vs 2?
what cab are you using and what speakers in it? BTW, I have a rare all original 1988 MIJ model 5A( that was 1 of about 300 that was sent back to the factory to add a neck pickup, and a tone knob. Its all original and is in amazing condition for a 30 year old guitar. Ive had it for 29 years. Love your playing
This video really explains a lot about Charvel! I have always been a Fender Strat guy for about 30 years and things keep breaking or falling off over the years, so I started looking into Charvel and always wondered why each Charvel felt/played different from one to the next at the guitar store I often go to, they have about a two dozen used. The variances over the year's explained here is amazing. Currently I am looking a a used one I found on-line, it is Mexican serial number MC191021, but I can't seem to date it on-line or gat a exact value. The seller wants $675.... I am really interested in it. How do you date it and is that the correct value? If anyone can help, thanks!!!
Thanks Cam! My head was spinning with what the hell the differences were with these beasts. I agree the Floyd 1000 is the shit. No need to fret if its not German. Great info vid!
Hey Cameron, I just played a charvel for the first time in my entire life, a 2015 So Cal and it was the best guitar I've ever played, but I did not like the color at all. I'm considering purchasing a brand new white one with a black pick guard, but I want to know if there will be any differences in specs. You seem to be super knowledgable on them so I want to ask you if that's cool
Such a cool & informative Charvel tutorial. I’m so glad I scored mine a couple of years back at a small music store in So Cal, $599, new old stock. MIJ, & a very nice neck. What a score!
After buying mexican So-cal 2013, I decided to buy 80"s charvel model_1af for 250$ few months ago. I was shocked it sounds and plays so cool!!!They made them from basswood.....you should try.
Thanks for the info !
Well done Cameron!!!!!
Thanks Cam I bought a So Cal 6 months ago added a brass black and heavy duty springs still can't put it down.
Custom shop costs 2x USA mode-> USA costs 2x Mexican so it is all about COST
I remember being on the Jackson/Charvel forums a lot when they stopped production in Japan. What I read about it at the time really put me off and I haven't bought a Charvel or Jackson since. Fender strongly implied that it had something to do with the tsunami. However, that was essentially a lie. The way they'd been dealing with the factory (chushin gakki) was nigh abusive. Because the Yen was so strong, Fender continuously pressured them to lower their prices. They complied because they would lose the contract if they didn't. Eventually they were making guitars at lower rates than Korean factories and this culminated in them having to close down. I loved those Japanese charvels and I've wanted a dreamsicle for years now.
Peachy Well, I didn't know that. I'm not doubting you at all but it is still plausible that the tsunami took its toll on the factory.
When talking of the Japan import Charvels...You should look at the Model series...Model 2 is my fav...As to the USA All of the guitars you speak of are the more current issues....Look at the 1980's guitars...There is a world of difference between that era and the current guitars....I have a REAL San Dimas (They closed that factory in 1986) Jackson King V with tiger stripe graphics....This has tremendous quality (better) then the modern "San Dimas" named guitars.....Truly night and day...They were handmade back then ....
My God... How many of those Charvels do you own? Great videos!
Charvel should give you every new models for Free .what an excellent review
Hey Cameron,I am about to buy a guitar..I either want a Charvel Pro Mod,or the EVH Circles guitar....which one, in your opinion, do you like the best?If somebody held a gun to your head and told you to pick between the 2,which would it be?I really like your videos by the way...you are an awesome player..
Thanks a lot Scott! I'd pick the Charvel without a moments hesitation. You wouldn't need to point a gun at me aha. The Charvel is better value for money, you get 2 humbuckers as opposed to one on the EVH and you also get the sixpack of sound where you can split the coils. That feature is on the 2016 San Dimas guitars. You get more sounds for the money. :)
Cameron Cooper are they comparable as far as playability?I assume the necks are very similar on both...Thanks so much!!
Scott Peters They're literally identical. :)
Cameron Cooper c
Hey Cameron, if you could buy a USA or new Mex for the same price, which would you choose? Cheers. Great vids. :)
Frank Destroso I'd go for the new Mexican guitar, more Charvel for the money. You get coil taps, a thumbwheel truss rod adjuster and cooler paint jobs. Although the USA isn't really worth it, it would be worth more money in the years to come. Just because it says Made in the USA on the headstock, it's not any better than a Mexican.
Quick question Cam -- how would you compare the difference in sound between the SoCals with the Dimarzios and the SoCals with the Seymour Duncans?
Thanks, awesome video!
Ronin 77 dimarzio sound loads better in the so cal... love seymours but the distortions were a backward step in the so cal... it's just far more lively and expressive with the dimarzio in so cal... hope this helps
Thanks for the response. I always wondered why they went back to the Duncan JB and '59 (not really complaining bc I love those too). Probably a money-saving tactic
Ronin 77 hi... on the basic Mexico charvel so cal they are Duncan distortions not jb and 59... only the silver super stock had jb and 59.... jb and 59 are standard in the San dimas
Hey Cameron, great playing! quick question ... what amp are you using on this video ..
i like the sound and want to get that jake e lee / eddie tone and low volume... cheers
A Yamaha THR10X
What setting are you on? I’ve got the amp and love it.
love your videos.. i cant wait for charvel to come out with a 24 fret tele shape with the small headstock that is not flipped upside down
Thank you! That would be really cool! But I have doubts they'll do anything like that. They haven't released anything that new since 2016.
I have a MIJ SoCal, absolutely love it.
I'd love the Tele shaped Charvel. But I need to have a single coil in the middle for my solos in that sound.. guess I could rout one in...
great breakdown
Have you ever played the fixed bridge charvel pro mods... I'm wondering if the neck is any different.. You've pretty much have me sold
Qtech Naste The necks haven't changed really at all, the hard tails are fantastic! :)
Amazing!
Hey man. Great vid. I just picked up a New Mexican Charvel. It needed some setup and fret work but now it’s a serious beast! Would you happen to do Skype or FaceTime lessons? I’m in The USA. Thanks again for the great video.
Nice video amigo.
super great review of these killer guitars. I own a 2009 candy tangerine usa san diams. I just love this guitar.
I've been wanting to get my first "Strat" style guitar for over 10 years, and I am leaning towards the Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 (the pink one), but I'm afraid of QC issues on account of the lower price point. Can anyone tell me if my worries are founded? There is a lot of junk out there, but Cameron seems to calm my nerves with this video!
The people who talk badly of Mexican Charvels are usually snobs that believe everything's better if it's made in America. I own Charvels made in Japan, Korea, Mexico and master built ones made in the USA and the difference is negligible to be honest. My favourite Charvel I own is Mexican made
@@CameronCooper Oh wow, thanks for the reply, Cameron! I had just got through the entirety of this video after writing my comment, so its awesome to hear you'd double down on this! I love that you play a ton of them when many guys seem not to anymore!
can anyone tell me how the neck compares to an ibanez wizard neck? I love my rg 550, but I really want a charvel. there are no authorized dealers that sell them near me so I can't try one. so I'm curious about the neck size and nut width.
I’ve owned the original RG 550 and many Ibanezes through out the years. I put the Charvel neck between Ibanez & Fender. It’s a great neck for medium sized hands. The Wizard necks are very thin, but wide. The Charvel neck is a little thinker, but not as wide. I honestly play my Charvel San Dimas HT more than my Ibanez, Gibson, & Fender guitars since I picked one up last year. The build quality it excellent, but not is precise as what Ibanezes are known for. I’m going to sell my 2018 American Fender Elite because I like my Charvel MIM much better and never really play the Fender. I’m definitely a Charvel fan... again 🙂
please help..., are these charvel pro mod san dimas mim single or dual action truss rods?
Bill Your probably better off consulting a guitar technician for that information :)
What’s the color of the San Dimas at the end?
Do the charvels have same neck pocket dementions of the fender strat!? Could you put a charvel body with a fender strat neck?
That I am not sure of but I wouldn't be surpised if they are since they're made by Fender
good review.
I wish you lived in Australia, I'd love to play with you :P
Damn dude! How many guitars do you own? I gotta get my hands on a San Dimas. White hard tail with maple fretboard to be exact.
ben ben They're not all mine. :)
Cameron Cooper all awesome nonetheless!
Yea my 2 USA just never had a great tone no matter what I did with it. I bought a MIJ and the fret and board are worked like a custom shop (rolled edges) and it plays easier and the sound is much fuller. I just bought a MIM charvel from last year before they changed the switching. That guitar has a slightly thinner neck and fantastic tone also... So that first few runs of USA I would not go running around to find one.
Yeah, my MIJ has the same roll! So funny, it’s like my other beautiful guitars all have their own personalities, but this rolled up neck, Seymour sporting assault weapon is like the weight lifting MAXO of the bunch! A brutal, wild, beast of tone 🎸
10:14 End of the beggining
Awesome Man...........
hello Cameron, please Record a video where you tune your CHARVEL guitar, such things as floyd, hight of a strings, and very intresting your opinion about hight position of the pickups on the japanese chARVEL SAN DIMAS, BADDAS PLAYING MAN
Thanks a lot for the comment. A lot of people seem to ask me to do a video on how I set up my Charvels. The simple answer I give is that I just leave my guitars as they are when I bought them. The action I'd say is a medium action. It isn't a really low action by any means. When it comes to setting up my guitars, there are no tricks of any kind I just leave it. Why try fixing something that isn't broken. Thanks again :)
What gauge to you use?? And yes I vote for Charvel endorsement, and you should challenge Satchel
Elixir optiweb 9-42
I wonder if the MIJ models used lacquer or a material that yellowed. EPA in California prohibits the use of certain materials.
I’m pretty sure urethane clear coat.
🖕🏾 Commiefornia
I know you like the charvels n so do i, also have nothing against floydrose but what ever happen to the giant tremelo company kaayler who was so badass before floydrose ?
7:53 HEY! that's drop in the bucket by jason becker...
Charvel endorsement for sure! But don't forget, Cam is selling Yamaha THRX10 amps big time!
You know more about them than they do...lol
with charvel it doesent seem to matter where it was made they are all KICK ASS I am getting addict-iced to these guitars & for the price.
what do you think the charvel mexican vs Charvel USA?
Well, I don't own a USA made one.
Its pretty hard to compare American vs Japanese when building essentially the same guitar. They each have their own little twists, but it's all the same design. It's like asking if America or Japan builds a better Toyota.
YES, WE ARE ALL WAITING FOR CHARVEL'S REPLY ON IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE CAMERON(AND HIS DAD) THE DREAM CHARVEL THEY WANT. THEY BOTH DESERVE THEM, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL CAM HAS DONE FOR CHARVEL WITH ALL HIS VIDEOS WHICH HAVE HELPED SELL MANY CHARVELS . I PURCHASED 2, AND HAVE READ COMMENTS ON MANY OF CAM'S VIDEOS OF SEVERAL OF OTHER SUBSCRIBERS TO HIS CHANNEL THAT HAVE ALSO PURCHASED CHARVELS BECAUSE OF CAM. C'MOM CHARVEL!! CAM IS DUE HIS DREAM GUITAR
Why'd you get rid of your dreamsicle and primer scream?
tambor76 I do not recall the reason why. Those guitars belonged to my Dad. I'm not 100% sure why we did it. I don't think my Dad really bonded with them
tambor76 the dreamsicle had an issue with the ebony fingerboard having a fault which raised some frets... Even though it went in for surgery the guitar was never right so got rid if it.... Loved it but too many faults... Also the grover machines for a tremless guitar did not hold tuning very well and the neck pickup volume was not well matched to the bridge... Beautiful looking guitar but had issues so had to go... We would buy another if saw one for sale at sensible price
Aftershock... Nice
“Feeling” Not Aftershock....
I know for a fact that the the japanese san dimas model that i used to have came with a fatter neck than an american so cal model that i used to have also.. the japanese model came with a moulded skb charvel case and the more expensive charvel made in the usa just came with a gig bag..go figure..
The made in the usa was overpriced and no better in quality than the MIJ was and people who claim that the usa models are better are just kidding themselves.
i currently have a made in mexico model and guess what..it's my favourite out of all 3 that i have had..no gig bag or hardcase comes with it though
aris l Finally someone knows what they're talking about. You're absolutely right! Thanks a lot for your comment. :)
aris the USA models were $800 new, hardly overpriced. Plus it's a fact that they came with a real Floyd, not pot metal crap that the licensed ones are made out of.
They (Japanese/usa/Mexican) are all awesome, I don't think one is better than the other. I own quite a few usa charvels and they are what I prefer. Real floyds on the USA, so not really the same spec. Plus it's seems popular to bash USA guitars, just because they are from America.
mikeashimself701 But they both do the job just as well so who cares really... It came with an Original Floyd made in Korea just like the rest. 😂
I had the American made one myself and I felt the neck was too small also. The mim san dimas has the perfect size neck for me.
I'm feelin that feelin solo
If you don't want expend so much money get one Mexican Charvel they are almost the same for fraction of the price
I know that's why I use them more than anything else
You’re pretty smart
GOGO
Someday they are going to Beg you ,you'll see
How can you afford all those guitars, at such a young age?
Michael Nielsen I am NOT Rich. The collection has evolved over years and years, buying second hand bargains at stupidly low prices at the right time. All of the guitars we have are under £500, some were acquired for under £300. Anyone can do it if you're patient enough. Most of the guitars you see in these videos are not mine either. My Dad is quite the collector.
The difference between frt 01000 and frt 02000 is the color.
Kenneth Bennedsen Thanks man, I had a load of people tell me before :)
Lol, i figured. Anyway great videos, looking to pick up a charvel. Gonna go for the new Mex SD1 or the DK24 which looks pretty cool as well.
Fucking hate the recessed Floyds on the Mexican models. Wish they would go back to the non-recessed models, that's the classic Charvel style.
James Fielding You do have many other choices available to you. You can buy Japanese Charvels second hand which have non-recessed Floyd Roses. You can buy one of the current hardtail models or instead buy a backrouted model and block the tremolo system off. :)
It’s a Jackson with a fender headstock
HOW THE FUCK DO YOU ALL HAVE SO MUCH MONEY FOR GEAR?!
Why do you own a million Charvel guitars? And the more important question, will you be sending me one?
Just got rid of a Mexican San Dimas Pro Mod and it was dog shit. The neck could not even be adjusted. Don't waste you money on that shit.
You had one of the old ones without the thumbwheel truss rod adjuster. The current ones are so much better! To call them dog shit is a bit harsh though.
@@CameronCooper It was "current" and for sale at all the big guitar houses at the time. It was by far the worst axe I have owned since 1964:) I will never take a chance on them again. HOWEVER, having said that, I finally realized my FAV axes of all time are 1990 +or- Charvel and Jackson Fusion axes and I have a battery of them now:) It took a long time for me to realize I just like short scale axes, the best being a 1990 Carvin DC400:) My FAV today is a 1990 Jackson Fusion Standard that I just bought and it is like brand new:) I really think it is time for Jackson and or Charvel to reintroduce the Fusion series, preferably neck thru with alder bodies... oh and those ultra thin 90s necks:)
@@batmandeltaforce It might have been current then but every Charvel made now comes with the thumbwheel and therefore can be adjusted. They've got a really cool thing going on at the moment so I doubt short scales are gonna come back too soon but who knows.
@@CameronCooper I may have not been clear... I could turn the truss rod, but it made no difference at all. That would indicate to me that the rod was not even placed properly in the neck. It did not have the thumb wheel. Even worse however are the shitty pups they put on them. There is absolutely no way to make them sound good, not even close and I use the Headrush with every kind of pre and post EQ possible:) Seymour Duncan just sucks. I have NEVER seen a SD pup that I have any respect for at all. First thing I usually do is change out that shit, even on my USA SL1. I almost changed the pups, but considering every other fucked up aspect of it, I just dumped it... traded it for a MIJ Fusion Deluxe actually, and I KNOW I got a bargain:)
@@batmandeltaforce If it didn't have the thumbwheel it's not one of the current models. And as for the pickups, they're just fine. You can't really go wrong with a JB and 59. We also got bargains too! 😊