San Dimas returns to its roots: Charvel introduces the made-in-California American Neo-Classic San Dimas series
Charvel has unveiled the American Neo-Classic San Dimas series, comprising two guitars based on the brand’s classic San Dimas blueprint, and built in Corona, California.
First introduced in 1979 after Jackson founder Grover Jackson bought out Wayne Charvel’s guitar business in the late ‘70s, the San Dimas later became a defining guitar of the ‘80s hard rock and heavy metal scenes.
Now, Charvel’s new American Neo-Classic San Dimas series pays homage to one of heavy metal’s most enduring guitars, while bringing a number of performance upgrades for the modern player.
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The American Neo-Classic San Dimas series features two guitars: San Dimas SD1 HH FR MPL, and the San Dimas SD1 HH HT MPL. The naming convention of electric guitars is notoriously difficult to follow, but there’s actually pretty little that separates the guitars in this case.
Credit: Charvel
Both models sport a classic versatile Seymour Duncan JB/59 double-humbucker pickup configuration – for a warm tone in the neck position with the ‘59 and a high-output in the bridge position courtesy of the JB. Controls are kept streamlined, with a singular volume control and a five-way blade switch.
They also feature stainless steel jumbo frets for a smooth playing experience across the length of the neck.
Crucially, what sets both guitars apart is the bridge; as the keen-eyed amongst you may have noticed, the SD1 HH FR MPL features a Floyd Rose bridge, while the SD1 HH HT MPL sports a Charvel Hardtail bridge.
Each guitar comes in four distinct colourways: the SD1 HH FR comes in Robin’s Egg Blue, Ivory Blitz, Gloss Black and Racing Red; while the SD1 HH HT comes in Gloss Black, Racing Red, Velvet Midnight and Ivory Blitz.
To celebrate the launch, Charvel has tapped Dweezil Zappa – son of the legendary Frank Zappa – to take the American Neo-Classic San Dimas for a spin in a California skate park. Check it out below:
“Charvel was born in California and so was this guitar,” says Jon Romanowski, VP of Product at Charvel. “The American Neo-Classic San Dimas is a direct line back to where it all started, the shop, the craft, the obsession with making instruments that players actually want to play.
“Building it in Corona feels like coming full circle. The JB/59 pickup pairing delivers on every level, and the finishes feel as iconic as the guitar itself.”
Go behind the scenes at the Charvel factory to see how the new American Neo-Classic San Dimas is built:
Price-wise, the American Neo-Classic San Dimas Style 1 SD1 HH FR MPL clocks in at $2,799.99 / £2,399, while the San Dimas SD1 HH HT MPL is priced at $2,749 / £2,249.
Learn more at Charvel.
Credit: Charvel
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
