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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 13, 2011 7:15:20 GMT -5
Well I finally pulled the trigger and let my Axis go and picked up a used Red USA Charvel So Cal. I couldn't pass up the deal as it came with a hardshell case, D-tuna and Floyd Rose Trem blocker. All those extras for a great price. The only thing I might want to change yet is the bridge pup.
I have a good friend that does set ups and fret work so if anything isn't quite right I am confident a little TLC from him can get it up to snuff.
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 13, 2011 22:47:28 GMT -5
Congrats!!! Photos?
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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 14, 2011 19:51:19 GMT -5
Will do when I get it. I really hope I can get comfortable with this thing and get it sounding good. I really like EBMM Axis guitars, but there are a few things that annoy me and although I had my most recent one sounding pretty good with the Splawn it was a bit noisey. The non contour of the body was tough when playing it out so I mostly played it at home. My hope for the Charvel is to finally have an 80s shred machine that I feel confident on. My main axes are LPs and not having a trem when I need it kinda sucks. After all, the band I am in is 75% 80s rock and I am the lead guitarist so whammy attacks are a must!  |
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 15, 2011 9:36:28 GMT -5
I tried several before settling on the one I have now. Not trying to scare you, since you picked up a US model you probably don't have to worry about this, but I found big differences in the finish work on the necks from one guitar to the next. Mostly on MIJ models, but I did play one US made San Dimas that was pretty rough around the edges on the neck. If you're considering a different bridge pup... may I suggest a Duncan Custom Custom? That's what I put in mine and I like it a lot. It's got a tighter low end than the JB but still has the mid bite and singing high end. They're specially voiced for hot rodded Strat type guitars with maple necks and fretboards.
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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 15, 2011 13:49:05 GMT -5
Yep, I did consider that. I find with most guitars its better to play a few of the same models and pick the best as there is almost always some differences in sound and feel. That is not always possible of course, but in this case at the price I got it I am not too worried about losing money if it doesn't work out. In this particular case I took note of some reports of rough fret edges on these guitars and since a good buddy of mine does that kind of work for me for next to nothing it is also not really a concern. Of course I am hoping to have a great feeling axe right out of the case though What I won't know is how it sounds compared to others, but good is good and I'll know that as soon as I fire it up with the Splawn. As far as pickups...I don't doubt the DCC is cool, but I tend to go with small shop winders. I have a bead on one for this guitar, but all options are open at this point...including sticking with the DiMarzio if it sounds good. |
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 15, 2011 20:48:03 GMT -5
Right on!
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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 16, 2011 12:39:02 GMT -5
Hey sasquatch...is the bridge pup normal or F-spaced? I am guessing F-spaced since these are floyd guitars.
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Post by Ayton(e) on Jun 16, 2011 15:55:35 GMT -5
Correct (on the San Dimas at least.)
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 17, 2011 9:46:11 GMT -5
^+1
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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 17, 2011 18:24:27 GMT -5
Got it today...wow these are awesome playing guitars. Only plugged it into my Guitarport, but pinch harmonics were popping off easily and it sounded good through that. Seemed a lot less noisey compared to what kind of noise the Axis picked up on the Guitarport. True test will be letting it rip through the Splawn, which won't happen for a bit. Perhaps I'll ask for a Father's Day house to myself for an hour to fire up the stack So far I am pleased! |
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 18, 2011 10:47:00 GMT -5
My band opened for Warrant last weekend at an outdoor venue and I got to run my San Dimas Pro Mod through my wide open QR. I had gear trouble, bad connection(s) somewhere in the f/x rack, so I had run straight into the amp with no f/x. Still couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Got loads of compliments on the sound from the sound guys and others. The Charvel into the QR is like peanut butter to jelly!  |
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Post by nitrous12 on Jun 20, 2011 17:13:12 GMT -5
That is a cool gig sasquatch. My band was trying to work out an opportunity to open for Queensryche, but the promoter wanted an original band and we are covers only. Oh well.
I played the Charvel through my Splawn a bit yesterday. Sounds pretty damn good. The DiMarzios aren't as bad as some stock pups I have used, but could have a bit more thickness to them. I found through the QR the pinch harmonics didn't come off quite as easy as I expected either. I ordered a set of MHD Mofee's to drop in it and see what more I can get out of it.
Fun guitar to play for sure. Going to be a great gigging axe for what we do!
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Post by cecilbag on Jul 7, 2011 11:22:35 GMT -5
This has been very informative. My next purchase is going to be a new wild card 6, I've been waiting for h/s, ebony, and a hardtail. Now that I know that shredmaster chub is in the US I'm going to order from squid. His video was one of 3 youtube videos that convinced me to check out Splawn, hopefully he has one in stock and can source me an nos brass bridge, jake e lee riffs here I come
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Post by sasquatch on Jul 8, 2011 11:49:55 GMT -5
That is a cool gig sasquatch. My band was trying to work out an opportunity to open for Queensryche, but the promoter wanted an original band and we are covers only. Oh well. I played the Charvel through my Splawn a bit yesterday. Sounds pretty damn good. The DiMarzios aren't as bad as some stock pups I have used, but could have a bit more thickness to them. I found through the QR the pinch harmonics didn't come off quite as easy as I expected either. I ordered a set of MHD Mofee's to drop in it and see what more I can get out of it. Fun guitar to play for sure. Going to be a great gigging axe for what we do! Not familiar with that particular brand and model of pup, but I replaced the Duncan JB in the bridge of my Pro Mod with a Duncan Custom Custom and to me it's the perfect match for the San Dimas Pro Mod / Splawn QR combo. Pinch harmonics and squeals are effortless. I ordered mine from Duncan before realizing Scott sells 'em in the on-line store. If the pup you ordered doesn't quite work out for you you might consider trying the Custom Custom. |
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Post by nitrous12 on Feb 16, 2012 16:32:06 GMT -5
Resurrecting this old thread. It was here I had made up my mind to go for the So Cal and I am so glad I did. I recently decided to sell the Jackson Soloist I had and I bought an '08 USA San Dimas in Candy Blue. It is a darker royal blue with sparkle in it as opposed to the latest blue that I think they also call Candy Blue that is a lighter blue.
Its another great Charvel and I can't say enough about these guitars...especially for the low cost of them. I like the stock JB much more than the stock DiMarzio that came in the So Cal, but that MHD pup I put in the So Cal is really great so I am getting another set for the San Dimas. I put a trem-stopper in it and will be swapping out the block for a longer brass block from floydupgrade when I have time.
The San Dimas was set up for 10s and I wasn't sure how I would handle them on the longer scale length....having come from Les Pauls w/10s for a few years. But I find it easy to play and bends are no problem...I actually like the feel of the the heavier strings on the high side and I am going to set up the So Cal w/10s now too.
You still rockin yours Sasquatch? I think a few others on the board have San Dimas or So Cals too.
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