Charvel DK22 - Feature Packed Machine! Review & Demo 

If you buy one of these be prepared to have it leveled and crowned, these have the worst fret jobs I've ever seen. Other than than that these are great but honestly the Schecter Nick Johnston is a winner.

@@Stratisfied22 really? Wow! I didn't have that experience at all. But to be fair I bought it used, so there's no way to confirm if it had any fretwork before. Keen to try out the Nick Johnston tho 😃👍

@@stevecassidyguitar I ended up doing the fretwork myself after seeing another at the store that was terrible. It's still a great guitar but the quality control isn't the best while my Nick Johnston is superior in every way.

@@Stratisfied22 Good on ya mate for rectifying it yourself 😎👍 Even more curious about the Schecter now - thanks! 🙈

@@Stratisfied22 total BS I have mail ordered 3, other than a bit of fret sprout and a little filing, they have all showed perfect.

Thank you so much mate! 😃🙏 Glad it was useful 👍

Nice one mate! Congrats and happy NGD! 🥳👍 What colour did you get? 😃

Nice one mate 😀👌 I love everthing about this guitar - except for the neck profile 🙈 It's just a bit too thin and flat for me and the kinda stuff I like to play. But everything else is near perfect - especially for gigging - incredibly versatile, comfortable, and nice and lightweight too 😎👌

Thank you mate! 😃 A Charvel in your future perhaps? 👹

You are a beast Steve. I love your playing.

Agreed! Possibly a little too beastly for me 🙈

@@slydogtom Aww mate! Thank ya so much! - You've totally made my day! 😀🙏

Aww Mate - Thank you so much! 🙏 But yeah, I totally love that wiring - It's inspired me to mod a couple of other Strats to have similar options 🤓👍 If you already like the neck on the DK24 - you can't go wrong with this 😀👌

Aww mate! Thank ya kindly 😀🙏 This was my first Charvel experience - I was decades late to the party too 🙈👍

That's a very classy looking Guitar 😎👌 Congrats mate! HNG! 😃👍

Thank ya very much mate! 😃🙏 Tis a remarkably great guitar! 🎸😎👌

Thanks mate - for your comment and the Sub! 😃🙏 Welcome to the channel 👍 That's a tough choice mate - I'd strongly recommend you try out both (if possible). Spec-wise the Charvel Smokes the Fender easy. Locking Tuners, Roasted maple, Seymour Duncans (I would probably prefer the Fender pickups), heel access, truss rod access, luminlays, Gotoh 510 Trem... The Fender will win on resale value, pickups (imo), and personally I prefer the neck feel on the Fender - the Charvel is too thin, flat and shreddy for me. Or... You can scrap all of that and have the best of both... Check out my recent vid on the "Fender Killer" a modded Jet JS400 - It has the best of both (imo) but you could mod it to your taste, have a better Guitar to your specs for around £300 - £500 depending on how you do it. Good luck! 😃

Thank you mate! 😃🙏

Aww mate! Thank you for this comment - you've made my day 😀🙏 Thank ya for the Sub too! 😎👍 They're excellent guitars tho 👌 I don't play this one too much as, like you, it's a bit too shreddy for me too. But I can't seem to let it go. It's my go to shreddy guitar - but I never shred 🙈 I'm guessing you may be follically challenged like myself - Hence the hat choice? 😜 All the best mate - welcome to the channel 🙏

Cool, sooo many guitars and so little time! I couldn't shred even if I wanted to, but it's fun to dream 🙂 and yes, quite follically challenged. Played my first gig about 4 years ago without a hat and my wife told me my head was shining bright under the stage lights lol. Been rockin' the head-ware ever since @@stevecassidyguitar

Thank you! and thanks for watching mate! 😃🙏

You know it mate! Agreed 👍 It's THE best location, location, location (soz, think I had the delay pedal on there 😜) Nice one though - I have a Fusion T too 😎👌

Thank you mate! 😃👍 It is a great guitar 👌 Luckily these models were launched a few years ago, so you might get lucky finding a used one 🤞

Cheers mate! 😃🙏

Thanks mate! 🙏 I totally get you 👍Sometimes even the 12" is too flat for me 🙈 Which one are you selling? (Just out of curiosity 👹)

@@stevecassidyguitar The Sawtooth SM-24. Satin black thing with 24 frets. Nice looking and very light, but just doesn't fit me.

@@calbrockocat8728 Had never heard of these (just did a McGoogle). I can totally see the appeal of this - looks great - love the inlays and the knobs. 😎👍 But, yeah that would be too shreddy for me too.

Thanks mate 😀👍 It's a truly brilliant guitar 👌I don't play it too often, but was having a go on it again last night - loadsa fun 😀

@@stevecassidyguitar Mine should be here within a few days, can't wait 😂

@@NeonBlazeMusic Exciting times! Which colour did you go for?

Good shout - of all the features this one is packing - forgot to mention that 🙈 Not a big fan of the hot rails in it tho 😬

@@stevecassidyguitar I'm not sure the blade aperture in those sc-sized humbuckers is wide enough to give an authentic sounding sc tone when they're split. Having said that, I've a Little '59 in my mahogany EVH-style with the pole screws, and it sounds reasonably good. As for the bridge pickup in the Charvel, if a reversed position was good enough for Hendrix, who are we to argue?🤣

@@EddieG1888 Totally - I think that was their inspiration 👍 Only heard good things about the lil 59. 😎👍

Totally agree! It's "almost" perfect (for me) 😎👌

Esp and ltd have guitars that come with hot rails.

Thank you mate! 😃👍 Much appreciated 🙏

Thank you mate! Glad you liked it 😃👍

Nice one! "HB" you taking about the Harley Benton yeah? Fusion?

@@stevecassidyguitar yes, fusion iii

@@elmarg7966 Very Nice 😃 - I know the very one, I'll bet it's awesome 😎 👍

Mate! That's the best way to go imo! The Fazley's (the ones i've tried anyway) bare bones are legit😎👌

That Sounds like a very fair assessment sir. I'm yet to try out a Suhr. Always been very curious. I'll check one out one day. Ibanez AZ does seem quite close 😃👍

Nice one mate 😎👍 I was way late to the party with the Charvels - this was my first. So close to being perfect. Unfortunately there's nothing I can do about the neck (other than replacing it 🙈). For you... You can get both your issues remedied 😃 Replace the pot and have your nut recut or replaced. 👍 Tusq nuts are brilliant as long as they're cut well. Could also be the string tree? Maybe it's not perfectly straight? 🤷 Anyway.... thanks for dropping by 😃🙏

@@stevecassidyguitar Very true... And you're probably right about the string tree. I know it's kind of an obvious choice but the Ibanez AZ have thicker necks and SS frets. I've just never played an Ibanez that I could get along with

@@cbsaulren You're the 2nd person to recommend the an AZ - I'm starting to see one in my future 🔮 Cheers! I practically learned on an Ibanez RG470 in the 90's. I think that had a thin Wizard ii neck - loved it at the time, but my tastes have changed a bit since then. AZ is a great shout 😎👌

Nice one mate - The Pharaoh's gold looks super classy 😎👌. I love almost everything about this guitar, but I do prefer a Fender modern C neck profile

I could compare it to the HB Fusion ii (although I've modded it 🙈) - I've got one here. No stainless steel frets on the Charvel unfortunately - If it had em, it would be very hard to beat this.

I have a modded Fusion ii - Just changed the Humbuckers to a Seymour Duncan and an Iron Gear. It really depends what features are most important to you. They kinda look similar but they both offer different specs. The stand out feature on the Fusion (for me) is the Stainless Steel frets - but the stock Roswell pickups are lacking - "apparently" the newer Tesla's are better 🤷‍♂️ The Charvel's stand out features are too many to mention, but maybe not as valuable as the SS frets? 🤷‍♂️ Like I say, you just really have to weigh it up for you. Good luck mate! 😀👍

@@stevecassidyguitar thanks for replying man! love your content ! keep up the good work for us viewers out there !

@@panosv7258 Thank you mate!🙏 BTW.. I "think" I remember reading somewhere, the Gotoh is an easy-ish swap on the Fusion form the Wilkinson 50iiK 👍 Can't guarantee it tho

Fanks luv! 😘 Yeah, although I don't love the neck - I can't seem to face parting with it... yet 😜 But yeah - Modded fusions all the way! 🤘

Nice one mate 😎👌 - this is pretty much my sentiments exactly 👍 I would have liked stainless steel frets at this price too - but I suppose for a big name brand like Charvel, the price is to be expected. There's always plenty of great more affordable younger brands offering similar specs (with stainless steel frets!) for way less, like Eart, Soloking and Harley Benton etc... I find the neck on this Charvel still a wee bit thin for my tastes - but it's all subjective innit 😀👍

Great shout mate - thank you! I have seen these, but not yet in the flesh - really like the look of the blue one 😎. Have seen used ones on eBay go for very reasonable prices - will keep an eye out. Thanks again mate! 😃👍

oooft! The Walnut is super classy! 😎👌 Nice one mate 😀👍

Thanks mate! Good question 👍 The neck shape is thinner, it's not as thin as an Ibanez wizard, but it's thin, a bit like the Fender flat oval. The compound radius is a premium feature but at 12" - 16" is a bit too flat (for me). The rounded edges feel really great though 👍 But... As I'm a Fender guy, I still much prefer the Jet/Fazley necks which are identical to the Fender C/modern C and I also prefer the 9.5" radius on the Jet/ Fazley's. I've just chucked about £300(ish) of mods at the Jet JS400 😁 Should get it back next week then will make a vid 👍👍👍

@@stevecassidyguitar good to know jet is identical to fender modern C. I played a jet in a local music store. Felt great. But couldn’t justify another guitar the moment. Got to get rid of some stuff first 😢 Mods sound great and reminds me of Lee from studio rats channel. I love his perspective on gear, good value and gig worthy

@@hollywoodactress oh yeah! The stuff is definitely gig worthy, I've been gigging the Jets and Fazley's for a few months now - almost completely un-modded(except for the Tuners). Henning Pauly has just uploaded a review of the Jet JS400. Great vid 👍 (but he got the string gauge wrong - they come with 10's 😁) I prefer 9's on a strat, made a massive improvement to the feel for me. But yeah... No rush to get one mate - I'm sure Jet are gonna be around for a very long time 😃👍

I've for had any problems with these tuners - so far... (it will probabl;y happen tomorrow after saying that 🙈). So what would be your first choice of locking tuners? 😀

Not sure because there are a lot I have tried but a lot I have not. @stevecassidyguitar As far as the tuner styles, my first choice is Vintage Tuners. I think they got it right the first time. I feel each time it was improved, it loses something. I like Vintage tuners first, then Grover style tuners second, then locking tuners third, and guitars with a locking nut 4th. I am not changing them, and sorry to any guitar tuners that did not come in 1st.

@@metalsoso5460 Ah I see! Apologies I misunderstood you the first time - I thought you meant it was Charvel locking tuners specifically you didn't trust. Got ya now tho 👍 I can't argue Re vintage tuners tho - no problems there. I do prefer lockers tho - mainly for the quicker string changes. Saves about 2 seconds per string! 🙈 I

Absolute killer Guitar! HNGD mate! 😀👌 I've still got mines - even though I don't love the neck - I can't let it go 😂

Oooohhh... interesting! Ok.. we're gonna need to get to the bottom of this one 😀👍 Has anyone got Columbo's number? 🕵️‍♀️ Seriously though - I'll see what I can find out. but i'm putting a 3min research cap on it 😁

Ok 3mins up. Guthrie Model released Jan 2014. Pro Mod series released 2016. You might need to double check that for longer than 3mins tho 😂👍

It's weird... different strokes for different folks n all that. I'd never used one before this but I like it a lot. Have been thinking about getting the same pot on my other guitars too 🙈 I've not knocked this one out of place yet, maybe I'm just too tame and feeble with my right hand technique 😆🤷‍♂️

@@stevecassidyguitar maybe it needs a “fully on” detent like the Tone pot has one for full bypass? 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@nigelsmith721 Weirdly, as I was replying to your last comment I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't think I've ever heard of that option tho. If it doesn't exist - Me & You ➡Dragons Den - Let's go! 😜

Yeah mate thin D sounds about right. 👍 It's not as quite as thin/flat as an Ibanez wizard, but quite thinner than a Fender modern C. It's actually very close to the Fender flat Oval if that helps? 😬🤷‍♂️ Neck profiles are a bit tricky to describe in words 🙈

It's the latest mod no-one is talking about 😆👍

@@stevecassidyguitar Hahaha

Agreed mate - "Versatile" sums it up nicely👌. I actually love the jack socket placement, it's one of my favourite features on this guitar. The neck is the only thing that's not perfect for me - juts a wee bit too flat and thin. Other than that - Love it! 😀👌

It is actually made with gigging in mind, and it works like a charm. No need to run your cable through your strap.

@@cheenu711 I still run my cable through my strap too 🙈 Just out of habit tho😂

Man! That's a classic shredder axe! 😎👌 I cut my teeth on an Ibanez RG470 with lic Floyd rose - loadsa fun when they're dialled in perfect, but yeah generally a total PITA 😆👍

Yeah it's totally a Jet Ripp off 😆 Sneaky sneaky Charvel 😜

@@stevecassidyguitarnever underestimate the sneakiness 😉I had 2 Charvels in the past. 2 Japs from about 10 years ago. A So Cal & Pro Mod. Well spec’d machines. The pickups were too hot for me also. Game changer. The Pro Mod had Di Marzio’s I think and the So Cal had Seymour’s. Just didn’t do it for me

Ha! More LIES! they're all at it 😆 Actually been looking at the old ML1 Hybrids recently 👹

@@stevecassidyguitar Chapmans go dirt cheap and honestly this one was perfect qc wise. Only downside for you would be that flat 14" radius (turns out I really like it)😁

@@pudss Yeah that's the only thing that puts me off the moderns, but apparently the Hybrid is 9.5". I keep having a peek on EvilBay every now and again

@@stevecassidyguitar ooh TIL, there's hope yet!

Can't argue with any of that mate spot on 👍 Although, I'd say it's maybe closer to the HB HSS Fusions. They're a bit more "Super Stratty", have the contouring, neck heel carve and roasted maple boards. I can still see a SC 25th in my future one day though - brilliant specs! 🤓👍

@@stevecassidyguitar well, funny you should mention that. We may be seeing one of those fusions popping up in the near future. Keep it on the down low though 😉😉

@@BudgetPedalChap Yeaaahs!! Nice one mate! Looking forward to that😃👍 I can't believe I survived that sale 🙈

@@stevecassidyguitar I just cannae resist a bargain mate 😂😂😂

😆👌

Man! That's a great shout! Lots of similarities. I really like the California blue finish and love the sound of the pickups from the demos I've heard 😎👍 I think it would look a lot better with a roasted maple neck though and wish it had a 9.5" radius. The stain they use on the maple makes it look really yellow. But definitely closer in neck profile spec to what I like - cheers mate 😃👌

I'll keep an eye out for a used one - Cheers 🍻😀

Awww mate!! 😃 Thank you so much for this! 👍 I'll definitely go investigate this Ibanez further - this sounds super close on paper 😎👌 And thank you for the sub 🙏

Ah it's sooo close! Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of rosewood boards. Goldilocks syndrome strikes again! 🙈 Still.... Thanks again for the suggestion 👌

They make an ibanez az with a roasted maple neck aswell.. its got stainless steel frets aswell.. more rounded neck profile, same bridge. But it's like 1800usd I played one the other day and it sounds like what you described... I personally liked the rick graham signature more though... also I think the ibanez was hss not sss.

@@Hubblereach0 Cheers for the recommendation mate! 😃👍 Technically this Charvel is HSS too (and that's my preference anyway 😃👍). I probably should have also stipulated a price point too - $1800 is a bit steep for me. But.... This guitar you've mentioned does sound great! Any idea what the model is? 😬 I could keep an eye out for a used one 😃👍 Thanks again mate 🙏

@@stevecassidyguitar I believe it's the az242.. it looks like used they're going for around 1000$ usd. Or az2204

Awww mate that IS a shame ☹️👎 Sorry to hear this. What's up with the trem specifically? Is it still the stock strings on? You have just got unlucky with a poorly cut nut. Hopefully that's all it is and is an easy fix for a tech. Also (sorry to assume... you probably already know this but...) after using the trem if it goes out of tune sharp or flat, do you know the wee reset trick? Just give it a quick pull (or push) in the opposite direction to reset it - for me this puts it back in tune instantly 😃👍 Hope you can get it sorted - very impressive guitars to me 🤞

Agreed! 😀👍 But it's a tricky one! They're both great in their own ways imo.

@@stevecassidyguitar that's totally right, the Harley Benton is more a general guitar for beginners or players that want to step up from their first guitars and Charvel is a more target focused guitar, both are killers and I want to test a Charvel against my main guitar, a Parker Nitelfy, best guitar ever made hahahahaha

@@frankifran5335 you're a lucky man to have a Parker 😎👌 Getting increasingly rare 👍👍

@@stevecassidyguitar got lucky, my guitar teacher has a big collection and is starting to sell some, I'm saving for his black '98 Parker Fly (Deluxe I think, I get lost with the models a lot hahahahaha)

@@frankifran5335 oooft!! Nice one mate - hope you get a good price 🙏

Well spotted mate 😁👍 It's a bit of a running joke, that i've been trying to make a "thing" on the channel🤪 I like to pretend there are ridiculous signature models for celebrities (who don't even play the guitar). Then I use the wrong pictures and sometimes even spell there names wrong (for fun 🙈). In this one I took Tom Selleck's head and put it on Joe Satriani's body and called him Burt Reynold's because they look a bit similar 🤡👍 This one is even more stupid 😜 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ihd-k_8NLX0.html Apologies in advance 🙈

Woohoo!!! Thanks for the feedback mate! 😃🙏

I hear ya mate - it seems like the prices across the board have skyrocketed recently. I think for the specs on this Charvel it's "almost" justified tho - with the SD pickup set, Gotoh 510 trem, it's really top notch parts in this. I reckon a Harley Benton Fusion iii HSS is a great priced alternative, although it's still got a few differences. Which Jackson models would you say are similar to this? I had a Jackson for about a week when I was 16, (it was a black performer series dk or something) there was nothing wrong with it - I just didn't like the pointy headstock 🙈 But yeah I'd maybe have a look at Jacksons again now - cheers mate! 😀👍

Ya lucky laddie! Gold one looks awesome - never seen one in the flesh. But yeah gold always sounds better 😎👌

Wise words mate 👍 I love the Gotoh trem on this Charvel - never tried the Schaller you mentioned tho. I'm not a big fan of the JB either. Modding can always get you close to your perfect guitar. But the annoying thing is... As soon as you get close - Boom! Your tastes change 🙈 It's all about the chase 😁

Awesome! Thanks bro! I totally love these Charvels - name is a bit too long though 😜

@stevecassidyguitar hahah, every Charvel has a long a$$ name. Agreed!!!

@@SteveRicardo777 Hot on the heels of the Ibanez model names 🙈

@@stevecassidyguitar ohh hell yeah.

I'd buy em! 😎👌

had to come back, realized the DK22 is the Stratson, and the DK24 is the Jackcaster.

😂 Nice one mate! 👌

Ha! Nailed it now 😂👍

Nice! Have ya got one? 😀

It's not often I'd spend that much. I try to use the excuse of "It's my Job" but it doesn't always fly 🙈

these are mid priced MIM guitars, im sure you could find one used under a grand.

@@elevenAD I was really lucky to score this one for £600 delivered. For my circumstances - that still counts as a lot of money to spend on (another 🙈) guitar 😜👍

@@stevecassidyguitar At least you like the guitar, i paid full price when they first came out i think it was $1100 and i never really bonded with the guitar. I love the way it plays but i dont love the way it sounds, especially the bridge pup. some players make this pick up sound great but im not one of them.

@@elevenAD I'd have to agree. All 3 of the pickups are a bit too hot for my taste, and the neck profile a bit too shreddy for me. I'm keeping it stock as it may not stay with me forever 😬 Nut it's so close to being one of the best ever imo 😀