crwnedblasphemy
Well-known member
A guy by me is selling his American Virtuoso Sea Foam for $1500. I think they are $1999 new. Looks kinda cool, and I dig the unfinished neck. Is the 1500 series any good?
napalmdeath
Well-known member
Yeah, I just picked up a new San Dimas in the Chameleon finish and Full Shred/APII for $599 with a hardshell case. I didn't realize it, but this model was made in Korea? https://www.charvel.com/gear/series/pro-mod/pro-mod-san-dimas-style-1-hh-fr-m/2975031500Honestly after owning a recent American SL3 (Jackson), a handful of MJs (Jackson), and a handful of MIM (Charvel). I would promote MIM over both. Not just for the money saving, but would go as far to say they're all on par fit and finish wise. Though the MJs have better Ebony and Bridge than the SL3 (and probably better than MIM unless you like streaks). Many MIM Charvels pop up new for $500-700. Would recommend the savings on either a stainless FR kit or a Gotoh 1996 and a set of your fav pickups.
B
bigviolin
Member
Glad I picked up a MJ used. Soloists without neck binding just look wrong to me.
Fiesta Red
Well-known member
Duncan 59s
G
Gitfiddler
Well-known member
Is the Duncan full shred hate justified?
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Well-known member
Actually wasn't aware that one was made in Korea. Makes sense if you think about what FMIC is doing with their Jackson Pro Series models where they seem to have more expensive finishes than the X series, so they have them made in China to offset those costs, perhaps? Thanks for sharing that. Have to say that I've been pretty happy with WMI more often than not. So, I don't feel that's automatically bad, but it is unexpected. Have noticed models coming from there seem to be a bit less thick on the clear than Cort builds of the same model, imo is a good thing for poly. Will be interested in your take on it when it arrives to you.
napalmdeath
Well-known member
Yeah, I'm guessing the paint job had it made in Korea. Both Jackson and Charvel had all ash body guitars made in Korea as well last couple years.
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Well-known member
The 1500 series is a Korean Made version of the OFR with added stainless parts. It's the same as the FR1000, otherwise. Definitely better than a special. I personally have no problem with it, but have heard/read reports of people having cross threaded issues on some of the Korean FR as well as loose trems. Have not experienced that myself.
That said, those guitars weren't a hit (the used market flooded pretty quick after their release, imo) and iirc were often cheaper than $1500 new. Would probably attribute that a lot to the Korean trem vs what is expected out of an American guitar (at least at the time when they were launched). Not sure why other than FR heritage that they don't just go with a gotoh on so many of these models. They're less expensive and well... better, so would imagine a large contract would be an even better deal. Guess FR name just is more household.
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Well-known member
I noticed that, too. What's interesting is I was looking at the HSS https://reverb.com/item/85913980-ch...le-1-hss-fr-m-maple-fingerboard-aqua-flake-rp And it seems to be MIM. I believe that @rsm owns one of these? Perhaps he can confirm. Edit: Also my San Dimas V bass has a sparkling black paint job and is MIM. Maybe it was a production limitation vs cost savings for them at the time? I mean Korea is well to do these days, and may cost as much as manufacturing in Mexico.