PO 1985

I believe these were released a couple of days ago. Jackson dug deep into their past glory & came out with these re-interpretations of their San Dimas models; the Pro Origins 1985. The FR bridge here is the 1000 model & the pickups are in-house J-90 / J-50 units which, according to them, re-visit the 1980s tone-wise. FYI, the off-white, maple 'board single humbucker version is already indicated as SOLD OUT on the manufacturer's home page. 

Reading between the lines, someone at Fender / Jackson finally realized re-releasing their back catalog is the right thing to do now because a close competitor had been doing so for a few years with positive outcomes. We know which other manufacturer this is, yes?

Pics: Jackson

San D Bass

Hot off the press - Charvel has released the new San Dimas bass. Seen here is the PJ IV model.

This is the JJ V. I expected a 'JJ' to feature a jazz body outline but that's not the case here. The pickups are Dimarzios & the rest of the appointments are very contemporary - caramelized neck / fretboard & jumbo frets, among others.

Pics: Charvel

 

Charvel 2021

This year, Charvel played it safe by giving the player 'what they wanted'. We note the popularity of the 2PT models last year so it's more of those this time round with natural, unfinished looks & gold hardware. Seen above: MJ DK24 HSH 2PT

The Pro-Mods are still here this year with an HSS version this time round. The HH version is still available at Swee Lee listing for slightly more than $1.3K so expect a similar listing for the HSS.

If you don't fancy A Floyd Rose bridge, this HT version is available & that's an ebony fretboard you see there.

Pics: Charvel

Stay home Sunday: Re-string (Part 2)

Another guitar gets a re-string; my Charvel San Dimas Style 2 HH. I have a set of Kery Kues .009s in there. I've been re-stringing Floyd Rose equipped guitars since last night...

You've heard of Kerly Kues, no? It's one of those guitar string manufacturers still subjecting their products to a cryogenic treatment. Some form of coating was also implemented unto them, it's comparable to what GHS is doing to their stuff.

Once you unseal the pack (yes, it's a moisture-proof, re-seal friendly pack) you'll see the products bound by i/d strips. These strings have this initial crisp to them, if you are familiar with Ernie Balls, it's along that likeness. Played my Charvel for about 30min & the strings still feel good, I reserve further comments pertaining to durability.

Charvel: Control cavity

Here's a shot of the Charvel San Dimas Style 2 HH control cavity. This was after Beez's push-pull switch installation. Charvel's finish is incredibly neat & tidy.

Charvel: Spring cavity

This is how the Charvel San Dimas Style 2 HH whammy spring cavity looks like; very tidy, well-finished. I compensated the springs tension before I played it today as the string action was lowered last night (while watching Spurs being defeated by QPR).

Beez, working

Beez working on my Charvel, took him 7min...

... to instal a push-pull coil split selector in there. He did it while talking to some friends who dropped by the store. I think he could have done it with his eyes closed.

Wish it was back: Charvel USA Std San Dimas

This pic was taken off an old Charvel catalogue, I've disposed the original copy, managed to snap a pic of it.

The USA Standard San Dimas was a simple guitar with non-locking hardware & a single humbucker. It would really entice the no-nonsense players who thrives on such limitations, Alan Holdsworth is one of them. I have a definite interest in single humbucking guitars; to a certain extent, it helps me focus on my ideas & playing more than the need to make sure the preferred pickup is employed to manifest the 'right' tone.

The current crop of Charvel guitars are mostly locking units & the range on offer isn't as expansive as they used to be.