Distributor: Fender Music Australia | RRP: $4,499 AUD
Introduced by Charve this month, the American Neo-Classic San Dimas series brings the guitar back to its 1980 specifications, built in Corona, California, where the San Dimas story originally began. Built with USA craftsmanship, the Neo-Classic returns to authentic ’80s specs that have already proven their worth across decades, rather than adding modern features that may not stand the test of time.
Catch up on all the latest reviews here.
The American Neo-Classic San Dimas Style 1 HH HT MPL is a striking instrument indeed, boasting a beautiful red finish in Racing Red. Comparisons to the classic red Jackson brandished by Steve Vai in the motion picture Crossroads quickly spring to mind; however, the licensed Fender Stratocaster headstock gives this San Dimas its own vibe. The series is also available in Gloss Black, Velvet Midnight and Ivory Blitz, offering players a range of finishes with the same performance-first specs. The gloss finish with gold hardware gives the guitar a clean appearance.
What I can confirm is that the San Dimas rings like a bell, boasting a traditional alder body and the familiar curves of the Fender Stratocaster. Not only is this a guitar that is built to stand decades of professional playing, but its aesthetic is also one that will age just as nicely.
As is standard with the American Neo-Classic line, the San Dimas features a bolt-on quartersawn maple neck with graphite reinforcement. This ensures that the guitar’s neck will remain stable and strong under even the most strenuous of playing conditions. The hand-rolled fingerboard edges feel exquisite in the hand. The fingerboard is comprised of quartersawn maple, running 22 jumbo stainless steel frets with Luminlay side-dots for position awareness in low light. The stainless steel frets offer exceptional durability, maintaining consistent feel and playability through years of heavy use.
Charvel’s signature compound 12–16″ fretboard radius results in the fretboard being slightly more concave down by the nut, as it gradually flattens out as you work your way up the neck. This makes for comfortable chording down by the nut, while the flatter radius in the high registers promotes an especially shreddy feel. Something that can greatly aid even the most strenuous of fretboard gymnastics, this guitar has essentially been built to play itself. Picking it up, the guitar felt balanced and comfortable in the arms, with the kind of weight that encourages extended playing.
The heel of the neck houses a contemporary-style heel-mount truss rod adjustment wheel. A welcome change to the more traditional heel-mounted truss rod that is featured on older Fender instruments, which requires one to remove the neck in order to adjust the truss rod itself. The bone nut is a quality component that contributes to sustained resonance and durability. The gold hardware finish throughout is clean. The die-cast tuners themselves provide a nice and easy tuning experience.
The star of the American Neo-Classic’s hardware package is the Charvel hardtail bridge. For players seeking maximum resonance, straightforward reliability and uncompromising tuning stability, this design delivers on all counts. During my time with it, the San Dimas would always hold pitch reliably through extended playing. I found that the bridge maintained tuning stability without any movement or slippage, giving me no reason to believe that it wouldn’t hold up to the rigours of live and studio work. The hardtail eliminates tremolo maintenance issues entirely.
When it comes to electronics, Charvel have left no holds barred. A single volume pot and a 5-way blade switch wired to a Seymour Duncan JB/’59 combination with parchment bobbins. The straightforward electronics mean fewer potential failure points. With the JB in the bridge position, players can expect the quintessential ’80s humbucker sound, sonically evoking the aura of the Sunset Strip and the tones of legends such as Mötley Crüe and Ratt. Equally sublime is the ’59 model in the neck position, delivering an authentic creamy PAF-style tone. This pickup serves as the perfect accompaniment to the mid-focused and rather spicy JB in the bridge.
The 5-way blade switch offers more versatility than a simple selector. Beyond the standard bridge and neck positions, the switching allows access to coil-split tones through the inner and outer coil combinations, providing a range of single-coil sounds. It’s a practical solution that doesn’t require additional controls to achieve sonic variety.
All in all, the Charvel American Neo-Classic San Dimas Style 1 HH HT MPL is definitely one to put on the list for any player looking for a professional-level instrument that will truly stand the test of time.
Check out the Charvel American Neo-Classic San Dimas Style 1 HH HT MPL here.
