This is part one in a series I'm doing where I fix all the issues with my Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas and then upgrade all the things I wish were more to my liking. Stay tuned for more! FOLLOW ME: / lucas.f.89 SUPPORT ME: / lucasf89
Really amazing overview of this guitar, both this and the other videos. I just got this very same guitar, Snow White, two weeks ago. Plays and sounds just incredible. Absolutely in love with it, for me it is perfect and will keep it stock forever. But I love learning all these details and insights. Thank you!
I bought one of these used for $600 and I'm seeing more and more used on Ebay at that price which is a great deal. For my huge slow hands the jumbo frets are nice. It's my first Charvel and first FR and I've been playing for over 20+ years.
I'm interested to watch it either way . I still feel it's a shame that people who have saved up for one of these are going to be disappointed and have to save up some more dough to get it to sound ,tune up and play like a new guitar at this price point really should.
To be fair, it is entirely possible that my ridiculous attention to detail is making this sound worse than it is, AKA I'm being ultra nitpicky. I could have also gotten a trem unit that happened to be a lemon, that can happen with mass production. I'm definitely not hating on the guitar, I'm just obsessed with getting the most out of these things because I like to tinker :)
@@LucasFowler Ah right , it's ok to nitpick , not ridiculous at all Lucas ! It's a quality guitar I have never played but I saw a slime green , single HB advertised in the UK a few years ago that I couldn't stop looking at . 😉👍
Excellent video! I recently purchased the same guitar used in the white color for $550 mint condition. Your assessment of this guitar is spot on. I really really feel like the guitar has the capabilities of becoming a “next level” gigging guitar. (It’s got “good bones”.). I am currently swapping out the pickups to Thornbuckers as I’m also not a fan of the JB. I also plan on upgrading the trem and adding an FU Tone big brass block. I can’t wait for your next video! 🤘
Looking forward to this series. I've often thought about buying one of these guitars, so it will be good to see your modding journey. I'd like to see some detail in the wiring portion. It doesn't have to be all of it, in real time, but at least a complete wiring step by step for at least 1 pickup and 1 push-pull pot or some of the mini switches would be good. I've done a little home modding, but have never felt totally comfortable on pickup swaps, especially ones with push-pull/coil tapping, etc. Also, a real-time on one or two frets would be fine. Keep up the good work! God bless and rock on.
Another great video man and super helpful! I’m really interested to see the process in as much detail as you can afford. But I’m biased cause I have the So Cal and a San Dimas on the way so I’m invested 😆
Thank you for the explanation concerning tremolo tailpieces and double stops w/bends. So many will make the comment "Why use a Telecaster when you could use a Strat?", well for a lot of reasons, namely the Telecaster doesn't suffer from the pitch issues when ripping off double stops with lots of bending. The way you've articulated the issue was just great. I'm gonna save my breath from now on and just send the link to this video of yours. I also totally agree with your assessment of the SD JB pickups, for myself anything over 8K Ohm output is too much for my tastes. The PlanetTone pickups really are the most pickup you can get per Dollar these days, so glad you're working with them.
I'm surprised that Fender doesn't offer a fixed bridge on more of their Strat models. You can minimize that tuning issue by decking the trem (flat against the body) with some strong string tension, but if you aggressively bend it may still have that tuning issue.
i wanna see everything !!!! aahahahhah Congratulations Lucas,you're a very specialist and i noticed that. Keep going !! I have a question for you: Which guitar is better in terms of tuning and playability: Charvel pro San Dimas or EVH red stripes (the 700$ version)?
Great video Lucas, I just picked up a Charvel DK 24 HH for a good price with the intention of doing a few minor mods, pickup change, it’s not a floyd so maybe some locking saddles,, and possibly putting in some SS frets 😬, and not sure if I’ll stay with the current 5 way switch series/ parallel schematic, still waiting on the guitar so we’ll see, anyway I’m all for DIY videos, step by step , I learn a lot , so do what makes you happy 👍
You don’t have to show the whole process, but all of the important details, along with tips would be appreciated (what can go wrong at this step, what not to do, how to approach it for the best results, etc
Ive got the same guitar only i have the light blue model , i havnt had any issues with mine ,i take that back i have a fret problem on the 11th fret i did the hammer trick like you did problem solved but no problems with the Floyd at all i only 2 springs on mine but i use 9s so not an issue ,pickup wise yeah the pickups are hotter than any of my other guitars i have 3 wolfgang standards and strat of coarse the strat pickups are not hot at all but the charvel pickups beat the wolfgangs for sure, i really like my San dimas i hope i dont have problems in the future, great video stay safe and god bless
First of all, Thank You for your content, very much appreciated. For myself going in-depth isn't necessary. What is helpful is detailed before and after demonstrations. As well as maybe documenting any fitting or wiring issues you run into. There are plenty of other tutorials on RU-vid for doing the actual work, no need to reinvent the wheel here. Mostly I think just the before and after performance and then any problems you may have run into. I think those areas would be of interest to the average Player who's making the same kinds of changes to their own instruments. Hope this helps and good luck Sir.
I modded my switching with a Fender 5-way Super Switch. Much more suited to my playing style, as I get bridge humbucker, bridge in parallel, both humbuckers, neck in parallel, and neck humbucker. I left the push-pull pot, so I get bridge outer coil, both outer coils, and neck outer coil. No position 2 & 4 with the pot pulled out, but it works for me. Plus, the guitar appears stock, and I didn't have to add any holes! We guitarists are a finicky bunch!
I have fret issues with my Charvel Pro Mod DK24 as well even after I swapped out the first one for a new one, so I stopped there realizing all would probably be similar. Now I will also have to level and crown the frets on a $1000 guitar which is complete BS but I do love the guitar. I called and spoke to some nice people at Charvel but they wanted me to take it to an "authorized service center" for inspection and repair but I refused as the music store they tried sending me to has a horrible reputation for repairs and I wouldn't chance it. Now i will level and crown the frets myself so I know it gets done properly. Before Fender bought Charvel you would never see such a thing and these guitars were always known for being able to achieve a very low action with no buzz. Get it together Fender!
I am considering one of these...and I can 100% understand your concerns! Toss the JB/59...D-Tuna...makes sense! Add an Original Floyd...or look at Schaller/Gotoh options?
Looking forward to seeing the Floyd mods, I have an HSS strat from Kramer I might want to add a Floyd to. Finding a lefty Floyd will suck though 😑 Also, I bet the Southern Heritage pickups would pair really well with the maple board and light body!
You didn’t mention the stinking machine head tuners that come stock on these things. I’m really loving having to try and source a quality 18:1 ratio replacement so I can actually tune the thing. You get what you pay for. Why buy something like this in the first place when, like you, you’re gonna wind up changing almost everything on the damn thing before you’re satisfied! May as well just pay 3 or 4 times what you pay for this and save yourself the headaches!
Oh, also I just broke a string on my Charvel-FR. Can you do a video tutorial on replacing strings on guitars with Floyd Rose floating tremolos thank you!
One key tool for doing so....a trem-blocker (or something similar to keep the Floyd from dropping out of tune if the Floyd is set up to float - upwards and downwards travel) www.fu-tone.com/product/trem-blocker/
I got this same exact guitar (color and everything) and have noticed a few things: 1) Frets/Neck. I kept an eye out for fret issues expecting some rough edges that I had heard about from multiple people. However, I've had absolutely no issues with the fretwork. I was extremely surprised to not have any issues, so I really wonder if this was a smaller problem than many people think. 2) FR-1000 problems. After very little use (less than a week and a custom setup), I found the same flaking of the chrome plating on the knife edges, which kept the bridge from returning to the zero point especially when pulling back on the bridge (tightening the strings). This is nothing that can't be fixed with some sanding and lubricant like Lucas did, but it's still frustrating to have this problem on a guitar that's almost $1,000. 3) Switch blade problems/Pickups. I could just be not as picky as Lucas is, but I haven't noticed any problems with the switch hicupping and dropping the signal in between switching. I personally like the JB, so I'll keep it around for a while, and I have been pleasantly surprised at the overall quality of sound from both pickups, dirty and clear. Overall, for anyone getting this guitar, I think it is a great purchase. For playability alone, this guitar is already one of my favorites. Lucas may have just gotten a rougher example that's not exactly indicative of the typical quality of this model. (Luckily it doesn't matter since he was gonna mod it anyways!) Nice video! You've got a new subscriber here!
Personally I wouldn’t want to see the entire fret job, just enough to understand the whole process. And with the wiring, I’d want to see the circuit diagram, not see every drop of solder go on, enough to duplicate it, not enough to get bored with it.
Pop out 2 of the vibrato springs in the back and install a Hipshot Tremsetter. It will stay in tune better and string cross talk ( notes detuning when you bend a different string) will be virtually eliminated. It's a drop in install in your back spring cavity.
I would appreciate and in depth video specifically for the wiring, jsut to udnrdtand your thought process when wiring. It's my weak point and the the most interesting part of a guitar imo
I have the Satchel model (Steel Panther) it has those fishman pickups and are the best I’ve used in my 20 years of playing they have motherboard chips and magnets instead of copper wiring and is soooo good it’s like the I phone of pickups haha but really love that guitar. I met Satchel and he signed it for me, best day ever for myself but yeah gre8 pickups and is not a floating FR
For the trem I would suggest a Gotoh GE1996. I doubt that a Ibanez Edge the original or the pro would drop in, but they would be an upgrade. The Gotoh would be my choice. You should check out the Planet Tone Pasadena humbuckers.
I wouldn't mind seeing the end result. I've wired up the triple-shot style wiring in a Tele Deluxe last year, but in push-pull. That was fun. I wish I could have added an out of phase as well.
I keep trying the out of phase sound once or twice a year and I haven't liked it yet. I've tried it electronically with a switch and also physically by reversing one of the pickup magnets, which I'm told is the "best" way to do it...still don't find much use for it :P Of course, to be fair, I could totally get by on a single bridge pickup guitar just fine.
Hey Lucas, I would like to see all the nitty gritty details as I want to learn how to do this stuff for myself, instead of having to take to someone. Thanks so much.
Would like to see the detail. I have a So Cal & want to change the color scheme. Other than the Floyd Rose itself, which I know how to get. Where do you get all the other parts? I’m having trouble finding a new input jack & knobs n all that. Thanks. Sounded really good. 🤙🏻
I wonder if the extra tension of your string gauge and extra springs had anything to do with your issues with the Floyd Rose. I have myself a 2014 model, I am not a heavy bridge user but it has always worked fine for me with my "regular" dive bombs and Striani-like harmonics. I use 9-42 and lately 9-46.
Man I'm sure that is a great guitar, but I wish they had kept the Jackson style headstock from the early years. They left Jackson alone, they should have done the same for Charvel. but I'm being really nostalgic
10:30 FYI, guitar is new but that doesn't mean that the bridge wasn't adjusted under tension at the factory and then again at the retailer. I got a Jackson pro series with the same trem from sweetwater and the knife edge plating was gone and the metal corroding. I filed it away and lubed it and didn't have any issues, but yea, it's not the same as a german made trem.
I would probably rewire this too, to eliminate the dead spot between positions but also to have the HH middle position. Weird they didn't include that option on the switch no?
I have tried several of these over the years and they struggle with tuning. I'm not sure if its the FRT 1000, the small block, the neck moving or a combination of some or all of those I'm interested to see if you can fix the issue.
I'd be willing to bet that 80% of the time, tuning issues stem from the nut. I have a MIM pro series Jackson dinky Dk3QM that I replaced with a German nut, and upgraded all the bolts on the Floyd to titanium, including the posts. This definitely helps the Floyd 1000 stay in tune, plus knowing how to properly set up and maintain helps as well. I play in B standard too which is pretty low. I've upgraded to high tension springs as well.
Cool guitar. I agree on the JB. Sounds great for some but not for me. Anyway I just got my first FR guitar. The double stop thing is a big problem and not being able to get to dropped D. If you have ideas on how to solve those that would be a great video.
The easiest solution for the Drop D and double stop problem would be to install a trem stopper in the back so that tremolo can only go down. Then you can tighten the springs enough that the trem won't give when you bend a string and the stopper will stop the unit from pulling back when you put it in "D". You'd still need something like a "D-Tuna" if you want to keep the guitar locked though. FU-Tone has some great options for this. Trem Stoppers: www.fu-tone.com/product-category/trem-stoppers-and-stabilizers/ D-Tuna: www.fu-tone.com/product-category/evh-d-tuna/
@@LucasFowler thanks buddy I will check it out. I don't want to block the trem but the d-tuna looks good. I wonder if going to Dropped D with the d-tuna causes the rest of the strings to go out of tune??
@@jacobseal Yeah unfortunately unless you either block the trem to down only or use a heavy duty tremolo stabilizer, the D-Tuna will cause the rest of the strings to go sharp. I haven't tried it but FU-Tone says their trem stabilizers will allow you to have a floating trem with a D-Tuna as well. Might be worth checking out!
I think for the floyd you could try a evh d tuna for the drop D device. I have one and love it a lot. You could maybe try a TremoloNo too so you can switch floating and dive only for it.
Please go super in depth but, as you said, time lapse the repetitive stuff. I would really like seeing all the how-to of the fret job and wiring. I would also like to see how you set up and intonate your guitars.
If you don’t want to go for the german floyd you could try a Gotoh Floyd. It’s made in Japan by Gotoh who also makes the Ibanez Edge locking trem system.
Is the switch an import blade/box type? If so the reason for that cut out on sound is the bc the switch lug doesn’t span the entire gap between each pup. Think vintage 3 way strat switch that they used to jam in the “in between” setting. Because that lug could span that gap while still maintaining contact with each keeps it from “cutting out”.
It's actually an open style "super" switch rather than a box, but it is definitely the switch lug breaking contact with one connection before making contact with the next one. If I could find a switch that would do this same set up without that cutting out problem, I would probably keep the wiring the same.
Lucas Fowler Duh you right. With all that fancy switching it does it has to have a super switch.🤦♂️ Let me look around and see what I can dig up. Not too many options on super switches. I’ve got a couple in the parts box I’ll look at and let you know.
I've always had a preference for the Screamin' Demon, not as hot a pickup as it sounds lol. Strong mids and a bit of a growl and percussive, the original George Lynch model (he's moved on to other models in recent years).
Working on a 1982 Tokai with a Floyd right now. I hate Floyd’s, hate um! It won’t matter if you change they Floyd , they suck. Only luck I have had is to block it for down only with the penny trick.
It seems like you bought a guitar that's really designed for shreddy metal and may have been better off with something designed better for what you were looking for.
I actually get on better with the Dimebucker, even though that isn't exactly my thing either. It has a ceramic magnet and steel blades that make it mega punchy, so the output can work without being so muddy.
Do you still think the guitar is worth the price? The reason I'm asking is because I have thought about buying one myself. I came across your first video review of it where you said you thought it was a good guitar for the price. You mentioned the few issues you had with it, but I think you still give it 8.5 out of 10. Then I see this video where it seems like you're changing a lot of the important specs like pickups, trem, wiring, pots, etc. Unfortunately, I live in a fairly rural area so there isn't one nearby that I can try. I don't ever do much beyond a setup to most of my guitars so this video is making me second guess the purchase. Regardless, I have been enjoying your videos and I'm looking forward to see how it turns out for you.
I just bought a brand new Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas and the frets are terrible. #11 on the first string was filed down flat from the factory probably to fix a major problwm, and yet still high. My fret rocker finds it easily, and it is visible when sighting the neck. It buzzes on #10. This is unacceptable for over $1000.
I bought the guitar online from Sweetwater. I anticipated that I would change pickups, that's a pretty easy thing. I didn't know I would need to address the switch, frets and tremolo :P
@@LucasFowler I bought the pro mod DK 24 with roasted maple neck and the HSS configuration in primer grey and while it's a very good guitar it's not great. I wouldn't mind changing a few things on it as well. Anyway have fun with it!
@@LucasFowler Yeah, I tried out a S/H black one recently, not sure of the year, and the trem was sticking too. Plus it was way too heavy. But I love a JB! They're so expressive and vocal. Try lowering it maybe.
Um, yeah I don't need to watch you work. Say what you're about to do. Show a snippet of yourself doing it..and bam, onto the next part. P.S. Hardtails are underrated - I think they are the best bridges, imho. If I had my way, every guitar I own would be hardtail. I had an edge trem (Ibanez Floyd). It was fun - do some flutters etc. But I got rid of it. In the end, good solid rockin tone is far more important to me than the occasional circus trick.🤷♂️
C'mon you can't fault him for going into minute detail, that's what we are here for. :) You can just scrub ahead with the timeline button. I love having the FR, but definitely there is something to be said for the fat sound of a hardtail, I agree with you there.
The rest of my guitars are hardtails (or used as hardtails, as I rarely use the trem on my strats and use extra springs). I did just get a used EVH Wolfgang Special with a Floyd (upgraded to the original, brass block, trem stopper, etc) to play around with when I get that itch to get all 80's with it, lol.
I guess for me there is a point(at least with the amps I like) where even for metal, the pickup is too hot. It starts to compromise the preamp circuit in a way that I don't find pleasing to hear. Also the JB has this nasal midrange quality that I don't care for. I know I'm in the minority :P I can do metal just fine with a much lower output pickup and I'll just use an overdrive if I need more push.
