Nearly Perfect! Charvel Pro Mod DK24 | A Player's Review
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Charvel Pro Mod DK24 2PT HH: amzn.to/3IueSBR
I've owned this guitar for about 6 months at this point and I can't say enough good things about it. Easily my new favorite!
Gear I used to record this video:
- Rode NT1A amzn.to/3KQ66Ou
- Sennheiser e835 amzn.to/3u3iFz5
- Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 amzn.to/3wqNaSv
- Two Notes Torpedo CAB M+ amzn.to/3XZaFMu
- Victory V4 The Sheriff Preamp amzn.to/3EySztN
I've always been the kind of player to usually play very conservative instruments. Vintage spec strats and jazzmasters. I picked up a pro mod so-cal charvel recently, and I instantly fell in love with how it feels. The neck is absolute work of art. For around a 1000 dollars you get a neck that could easily fit on instruments many times that price, and wouldn't be out of place on the most premium stuff. Great attention to detail, absolutely impeccable fretwork with perfectly rolled edges and perfect fret leveling/polish. Graphite reinforced, great truss rod access design. And that extremely thin satin finish almost feels like going over bear oiled wood. Super slick, no resistance. It's honestly clear that guitar was basically built around that neck, and that's how I believe it should be. It's your interface with the instrument.
A guitar doesn't get much better after $1000. Just requires more effort and labour for little performance.
Made at Fender plant, by Fender, with Fender parts, looks like Fender, it's THE Fender "Super Strat" that fender's afraid to put their name on :D
That is 100% correct. But man, they are so much better than a regular old Strat in my opinion. I came up on Strats, until I discovered the Super Strats. That changed my whole life lol.
When Fender purchased Jackson and decided to bring the Charvel lineup back to life they knew their main buyers were serious about these legendary guitars. Fender had to do it right or fail hard. I love every one of my EVH and Charvels.
How on earth did you come to that conclusion? Fender don't want their name on the headstock because it's a Charvel. You know that, right?
The necks are different than fenders. Not just the profiles or finish of the necks but there is something very different in the feel, they feel great.
@@Lovell93. That is 100% incorrect. Charvel started in the late 70s as a company modifying Stratocasters to put humbuckers and other equipment in them. They started building their own guitars and were much later purchased by Fender around year 2000. Now they just own Charvel as a component of FMIC.
Agree - Ive played mainly strats for 25 years, and the mexican built charvels blow away US strats. i never thought id say that, but the necks are INSANE. tone for days, and so comfortable.
weird... considering fender owns and builds charvels... hahahahahahaha.....
@@sethlover6498 Charvels have thinner necks and jumbo frets - it's not really a quality difference just a preference - but clearly if you prefer a thin neck and jumbo frets you're going to think the Charvels feel better. TBH it's pretty much the case now that you can get stainless steel frets on other brands at prices from £380 upwards which makes either Charvel or Fender not the greatest choice if the playability of the neck is something important to you - because they are only using SS on the most expensive guitars they sell, like the govan signature.
I bought this guitar 3 years ago and sold all my other guitar! My playing has improved immensely!
Every other guitar? The Charvel guitars are great but there are still other guitars that will fit certain situations better. No one singular guitar is perfect for everything! But hey, if you're happy, then whatever!
@@Lovell93 Nonsense. I even sold my house and live in my Charvel. It's that good!
Nice review. Been strongly considering one of these for a few months now
Great review!! It's refreshing to hear someone talk about a guitar while they play snippets of songs. It's SO much better than watching some dude (or dudette) just shred for 8 minutes and never tell you what they like or don't like about the instrument. Thanks for your time in putting this together. Good job!
Thank you for your review, Eric. I saw this video a few days ago and today I was finally able to try the guitar in my local guitar shop today. It is the most versatile guitar I've ever played in terms of tones. I am definitely getting one of these next.
I had a 60th anniversary Deluxe strat, played this guitar and immediately bought it and sold the strat. Genuinely unbeatable!
Just bought one from Sweetwater. Looking forward to it.
I own 3 Les Pauls which I love but I cannot deny how awesome my new “made in Mexico” Charvel dk 24 HSS. I haven’t been able to put it down and am ready to buy at least two more to modify. Great video, thanks✌️
I'm about to buy the Floyd Rose HSS version! I think import guitars in general have just gotten a lot better in recent years. I still love my Gibsons too though!
Just played this exact guitar yesterday. Ridiculous in the best way.
Thank you! nice, thorough yet simple, to the point!
Great review. I appreciate your attention to detail, taking us through everything about the guitar.
Great review. I can recommend the Pure Tone jack for replacing the output jack, they hold the cable much more securely in my experience. I have them on all my guitars and basses now.
That is exactly what I did a few days ago before reading your comment here!
The upwards angle of the output jack seems to put more stress on the jack then usual when using straight cable ends. Mine got loose after about 1 to 1 1/2 years. By that I mean the nut as well as the contacts inside, that widend and didn't hold the cable firm enough anymore.
Of course you can bend the contact back into shape, which I did for a short while. But that only postpones the problem and the material weakens with every succeeding bend, which makes the metal even weaker and bend out of shape faster.
So the pure tone jack with two contacts instead of one for hot and ground respectively, that almost clamp down on the cable, is perfect for this kind of output.
ive been eyeing this for a while.. i never liked super strats but here i am.. enamored by this dinky charvel
DK24 2PT beats out my Suhr Modern Terra on most things. I really enjoy these Charvels. Tremendous value.
They really are a great value! I think I'll be getting another one (possilby a San Dimas?) just to keep it in different tuning.
@@EricMakingWaves I've got a MIM San Dimas that smokes too!
I have a suhr too, and yea ots kinda underwhelming. Awesomely built, but somethings missing. If what you say is true i wanna check it out
@@obicross check one out for sure. I just sold my Suhr. What’s the point of a 3k guitar when I go for a Charvel? The fret work on the Suhr was perfect, but not 2k difference perfect. Plus the Moderns now use Korean Floyd’s. Booooo!
Wow, a Suhr?? Thats good endorsement considering a Suhr is probably $3k+
Have the exact same one, it really blends the classy looks of strat with modern specs and finishes. I have never had any issues, only set it up properly a couple of times in the one and a half years I've owned it. I generally mess with my guitars but I've never done anything to it and the tremolo is brilliant.
I agree. It's like a classy shredder!
I had a Charger years ago that simply wouldn’t stay in tune…but I loved the neck. I’m ordering this HH model because if it stays in tune along with the coil splitter they added…it will take the place of my ESP Horizon (which I love) as my got to guitar. It’s just that damn neck is unlike anything I’ve ever played. It feels nicer than my Strat. I actually have a Schecter that has a great neck but it has active EMG pickups. Anyway maybe I’ll come back and tell you guys if it stays in tune because I’m sure everyone reading this is curious…more likely I just bored people to death with my mini novel. Sorry it’s late and I’m excited to get a new guitar!!!! Charvel baby!!!
I was so surprised with my Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas that I just recently picked up a DK24. Charvel MIM has Really stepped up their game!
They absolute have! It's honestly become my favorite brand.
I've Jake E Lee'd my Charvels ...Diamarzio in the neck...Jb humbucker in the bridge...250 POT IN THE VOLUME....MAGIC BABY
Dude! You're speakin' my language. Subbed and liked. God is good.
I have the orange Pro Mod DK24, has a middle single pickup. I agree, not much to improve on with these guitars. The only thing that I can see to improve on it would be stainless steel frets. My input jack hasn't given me any issues in the couple years that I've had it and I love it's placement. The heel where the neck joins the body, is perfect!. The only thing I did with mine is stick a tremol-no in it, mostly for when we do drop D stuff live. I've since gotten a GG sig Charvel, and as awesome as it is (has the SS frets), there are still things about the Pro Mod that I prefer. The Gotoh trem on the ProMod is perfect! I can abuse like I would a floyd and it holds tune incredibly well. The neck joint on the DK I like better. These are just fantastic guitars. I got mine off the consignment rack at GC and I'm now a die hard Charvel fan boy. To be fair, I've wanted to try a Charvel for years, just never had the chance until recent years. Now
I just saw a killer deal on an ex-display Rick Graham sig which I've snapped up - I was looking at the DK24 PM but the lack SS frets put me off. The RG DK24 has the roasted maple, ss frets, gotoh trem and tuners, bareknuckle pick ups, the works... can't wait for it to arrive.
Nice review! I also currently play in the worship setting, but grew up playing rock and metal - almost 40 years. I really like the black 2 pt. HH, so I'm considering buying that one. I'm also really interested in the mini switch tones. You are correct about setting up your trem correctly. If you really stretch your strings a lot when you change strings, you'll stay in tune more consistently. I get why they put the high output pickups in these, but I'd prefer the JB bridge/Jazz neck setup like they use in other models.
Yes! I've since changed to the SD model '78. But it's still such a fun guitar to play.
Àm I just wrong for thinking the bubblegum pink is just🔥😂. The blue is cool too.
just ordered the burgundy mist version, im so excited
I'm pumped for you! I hope you love it :)
@@EricMakingWaves thanks so much man, i know i will
I'm no shredder, hell I'm barely a guitar player, but I have a Charvel with Fishman Fluence pickups and when playing lead, it's on of my favorites. I have Gibson, Fender, PRS, and I love them all but playing lead on the Charvel just adds something to it.
Hopefully I will get a charvel as my next guitar after the Ibanez prestige and AZ!
I have the HSS and he’s right, it’s nearly perfect.
Love my blue frost but wish they made this exact guitar with more bridge, neck, and color options. Ebony fretboard and some kind of quilt or flame finish would take my money instantly. I'd have 8 of these if I could have more options for colors and neck wood and then I'd probably experiment with pickups in a few of them too.
The finish selection for DK has always been atrocious.
Bought a DK24 used about 2 years ago.
I now have 3.
I had one charvel and change it for a pedalboard (really good analogue pedals) but I'm regreting it so hard that im thinking of selling my Gibson Les paul CM to buy another charvel
I just bought a tele style from my friend today and it so happens I’m on the schedule at my church to play this Sunday. I’ll be rippin with some slapback delay with long tails
Just discovered the brand 😮and I really think they are great in all ways, even the FR
Same, I hardly new they existed till about 2 years ago. I'm thinking I might buy one with the FR just to have something detuned.
those trems are fine with locking tuners, and I'm a Floyd guy.
Agreed! I haven't bought a FR guitar yet, but I'm almost definitely getting another Charvel... and possibly an EVH.
@@EricMakingWaves Floyd Rose is intimidating when you're new to them but once you know what you're doing, it's super easy and you can accomplish a string change in 20 minutes or so.
Output Jack! Sound doesn’t go into the guitar so how is it an input Jack? It’s input on the front end of amps!!!
I just ordered the chlorine burst. Gonna put in Seymour Duncan Blues Saraceno parallel axis pickups.
That's a great review. I've owned a few of these and love them. The QC is ok not great. A couple had issues. They are a perfect guitar for anything. I think the matte color and gorgeous neck make it work for just about any gig, look wise and sound wise.
It's definitely a good guitar for gigging and abusing! Not too expensive and comfortable to play for long sets.
Been deliberating this guitar for weeks now. Every review I've seen they say it's one of the most comfortable guitars they've played. Getting the Chlorine Burst version in 2 weeks time and I'm very excited.
It's hard to not love this guitar! I still play my others, but I always end up comparing them to the Charvel. Pumped for you!
One of these came into the guitar shop I buy stuff from...Music Mill, Manchester, NH. Great looking instrument. Unfortunately the fret job was absolutely horrific! Frets sticking out from the edge of neck on both sides practically cutting my hand. Not sure if they're all like that, but the one I played was positively awful.
@@Flametopology I also played one like that at a guitar center a few months back. Mine is like custom shop perfect. Sometimes I wonder if guitars that don’t pass QC just get shipped out anyway.
@@Flametopology Noted and unfortunate. First time I'm hearing something like that being the case, but I bought it with a 6 months money back guarantee so I'm returning it immediately if I get the same fret job as you. Thanks for the info.
@@MikaelLV Did you get the guitar? How is it? Going to order the same guitar in Chlorine Burst on Thursday! Hopefully it came perfect for you, because I will be very letdown if it didn't after all the hype I've heard from CZcamsrs!😲
Hello , I m between this one and gibson LP standard ...pretty different guitars ,tell me what is your opinion about this dilemma ,thanks 🤘🤘
Fun stuff man 🎸 Welcome back!
It's good to be home. Trying to make it stick this time!
@@EricMakingWaves Transitioning to music/audio?
@@chris_sparrows yeah, I think it just fits the best for me. I still have some scripts and stories in the works but feel like they need to live on another channel/venture.
@@EricMakingWaves I've always thought of starting a non filmmaking channel. I feel it would be easier to grow, but I don't have time for two, so I'm sticking with filmmaking and narrative work for now.
Great review, playing & tones!!! A++ & I like your style too! Peace! X-Mann 👊🏻❌🤘🏼
You're too kind my dude. Seriously thanks for saying that!
@@EricMakingWaves but I’m Not…..I’m just honest & appreciate what you do! Keep it up E…..👊🏻 A++
Man I’m itching for one of these hard. Just not sure to get the floyd or gotoh bridge
There is an old scool way to tune trems so that it will stay in tune ALL the time!! And, I never have a trem that isn't fitted with roller saddles, makes all the difference in the world. That combined with a sculptured nut, lubed with commercial graphite, (like machinists use), and yur tuning problems are OVER. Period!
Old School, it's the only school.
at 9:40 what effect are you using? sounds wonderful!
Thank you! It's a analogue delay with a small amount of modulation on the repeats. I'm also using a little bit of the tremolo bar to add some more warble to it.
Good choice, but I'd pick a different color. It reminds me a lot a Bel Air that it wouldn't pair the picture. Have you heard of the Umbrella Corporation yet?!
I'm just drawn to ridiculous and loud colors :) You mean Umbrella Corp from resident evil??
What's your opinion on the roasted neck? I worked in the Fender Corona factory for a while, and the roasted necks were extremely brittle. We would bend / straighten them with a clamp and lever mechanism prior to sanding and fretting, and the roasted ones would snap pretty frequently and with much less pressure than the regular necks.
That makes sense, dried wood is inherently harder and by extension less flexible. Like snapping a fresh tree branch vs an old dead one. But that's the whole idea with roasted necks; the hardness makes them more resistant to changing shape under humidity and temperature changes. It's only been one year, but I haven't had to adjust the truss rod on this guitar since the first time. Maybe they're more likely to break after getting dropped? I don't want to find out!
@@EricMakingWaves Thank you for the thoughtful response. The guitar sounds phenomenal, by the way.
Jack still down the bottom no good. And they should make 7.25 radius or 9.5. As when a kneck is flat. When u bend say the b string you are lifting against all the tension for other string's. But a round kneck u are bending up and over way more feel
I only hate one thing, the string tree!
Yeah I'm not thrilled either. Have you tried replacing it? I'm just now looking for a new tree.
Its the American version of the Ibanez AZ2402
And the Ibanez az series was born out of the online popularity of fusion players using Suhr guitars
Lmfao dude I have this and they misplaced the neck and bridge humbuckers. I don’t even know if I should get them swapped to their correct positions cause I know it’ll cost a good amount to do so
Sorry to hear that. Maybe you get the work done under warranty? If not, you should really try doing it yourself. It's surprisingly easy. All you need is a small screw driver and a soldering iron (under $20 on Amazon). I'm actually about to release a video on replacing pickups next weekend. It's a cool skill to learn!
Are the frets stainless steel?
Are the pickups able to be lowered? I just bought one and the pickups are super high but I'm not sure if they're adjustable as they're mounted to the body. Please help haha!
Update: The pickups are able to be lowered or raised, at least on this 2022 model DK24 HH!
I hate to tell you that no neck plate is not a modern thing. It's been done a very long time. I had a guitar using just bolts back in 1991. It was not as common, but its not modern.
This vs Schecter MV6.
Not a fan of the bridge pickup
Ive spent plenty of time with it. Its got pros and cons but theres one main dealbreaker and i unfortunately will need to sell it. The problem is the neck is a pencil. Its narrow and extremely thin. I would not compare it to an ibanez, jackson, suhr or any other comparable shred guitar. Its the thinnest neck ive felt on any guitar ive ever player, and its so narrow that playing chords is difficult. I wanted a thin neck but these are thin beyond good taste.
I realized i dont particularly like how the body is small either. It looks visually unbalanced when youre wearing the guitar. The lack of a middle pickup doesnt give any strat tones, and the series switch sounds more like a highpass than single coils. For a guitar that seemingly has a large diversity of tones, you end up not getting that many which are actually useful.
I wanted this guitar to play any genre thats thrown at me. I also enjoy playing a bit of fusion. After a few months of using it im not really sure what genre it would be useful for.
Im a little skeptical about the build process for these. I know theyre made in mexico but they feel so similar to harley bentons i suspect a good amount of the work on theses is automated and not very high quality no matter where theyre from, in a similar manner to cheaper imports. It feels very, very cheap. Not what i expected from charvel. Harley benton is the best comparison.
My recommendation to others is to avoid this completely. Avoid the harley bentons too. Its not even a money thing, these are just not worth owning.
its like my ibanez az prestige, for half the price, maybe its just as good i havent tried one
I took a hard look at some Ibanez's before I bought this one. I played the Charvel in a guitar shop and the neck was just perfect for me. Thanks for stopping by!
@@EricMakingWaves when i bought the AZ the charvel didnt exist, it came after, i may have bought one myself, can you split the front and real humbuckers and play them as single coils? i do like the body shape of the charvel more, but the stainless steel frets on the ibanez are definitely a plus
@@darkestfugue there’s a series/parallel switch next to the tone knobs. I couldn’t explain exactly how it works but I have a dk24 and can confirm basically when switched to parallel gives the humbuckers a single coil strat style timbre. So effectively, yes it can play them as single coils
@@alexjackson8841 very useful, i will definitely try one if i find one
@@EricMakingWaves How do you find the neck compared to the typical Ibanez?
Anyone wanna buy my USA Strat?
This thing can shred? What does that mean? Its the player that shreds, not the guitar. A shredder can shred on a Tele, a Les Paul, a Rickenbacker, a Strat, a 335 etc.
A "player" in the music industry, is the same as calling someone a "gamer" in the professional gaming industry, which would be someone who has mastered the craft to a degree that they could hold their own against most, in their chosen genre.
stain right in the brand.
Can It compare with Ibanez Tim Henson signature guitars?
I've not played that Ibanez (but it looks amazing). Ibanez makes a great axe, but these Charvels are def worth checking out.