Need to make a decision...SoCal 1-2H USA or Japanese?

[rgx]

@slappyJ, if you're in the GTA, be sure to visit the Bloor L&M store, they usually have some us and japanese made production models and couple of pointy reissues, one was snakeskin with floyd, really cool one.

[guitarzan_josh]

Im interested as well to know others thoughts on the MIJ vs USA Charvels. I have never had the pleasure to play a USA Pro Mod because here in Roanoke they only got a few and they went QUICK!!! We do still have some MIJ models there but they seem to be all over the place. There were three that I played and the feel on all three felt different. I also know that I don't like the tint on the neck. I much rather prefer the natural on the USAs.. I'm thinking it would have that feel that my Gunslinger had!

I also don't know about direct mount pups... I had heard that they were tonally better.. then others say no way, no adjustment. All I know is that the case on a MIJ sure makes it more tempting with that price!

[slappyJ]

I got my Charvel a couple of days ago...here are some first impressions:

The neck on this MIJ Charvel SoCal is phenomenal...I have played a few guitars in my day and from the beautifully dressed and polished frets down to the smooth finish this guitar plays like butta and just feels right. I tried a couple of USA SoCals and the frets aren't nearly as nice as the frets on the MIJ model.

I have noticed some fret buzz on the Low E string on the low frets from the factory setup. The factory setup is perfect for me I wouldn't raise or lower the action (that is why I am concerned about the fret buzz.

One thing I would change on this guitar is the pick guard. I tend to rest my pinky, ring and middle finger on the pick guard to balance my picking hand. What this does is create a scratching sound when I play (only noticeable when I am not plugged in and there is no other ambient noise). No big deal but noticeable...I think it's because the pick guard has a very slight texture to it unlike my other main guitar which is a strat and the pick guard on it is very smooth and mirror-like.

Minor annoyances aside I am very happy with my new Charvel.