Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Guitars

Charvel's USA Production Model Series in pictures

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 20 July 2009

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Charvel's USA Production Model Series

Charvel's USA Production Model Series

It's fair to say that Charvel was the first company to popularise the idea of a wholly custom-made guitar for the rocking masses and, as was the prevailing wind in Southern California circa 1980, the more outrageous the design of your guitar the more likely your band was to be noticed.

Now, the original hotrods are back, in a range of eye-popping limited finishes with necks to die for. The best news of all is that the sub-£1000 price tag means that more players than ever before can afford a piece of the action...

Next page: Charvel San Dimas Style 1

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Charvel San Dimas Style 1

Charvel San Dimas Style 1

"The Seymour Duncan SH-1n gives the San Dimas an efficient string-separation, while the Trembucker-spaced JB in the bridge has long been the pickup of choice for many rock players. There's nothing here that suggests that'll change any time soon. It's full without being bloated, trebly without being overly zingy, and musical in the extreme."

Read Guitarist's review of the Charvel San Dimas Style 1 here

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
That headstock logo

That headstock logo

The Floyd Rose R3 locking nut featured on the USA Production Model Series guitars is the version that can be screwed into the neck without the need for bolts that run all the way through the wood.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Charvel San Dimas Style 2

Charvel San Dimas Style 2

"A Tele-type looks great when rocked-up in this manner, and it feels slightly lighter than the Strat-shaped San Dimas Style 1. This ticks all the boxes for rock and pop styles, especially all-out wang-bar madness. Go wail!"

Read the Guitarist review here, or see it in action on YouTube.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Charvel So-Cal Style 1

Charvel So-Cal Style 1

"The So-Cal has an aggressive voice. The two DiMarzios are each hotter than the Seymour Duncan counterparts used in Charvel's San Dimas models and, with a hefty DC resistance of 17.3k ohms, the bridge Tone Zone gives a wide, punchy and full-on rock rhythm tone."

Read the Guitarist review for more, or see it in action on YouTube.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Not for shrinking violets...

Not for shrinking violets...

For more on the Charvel USA Production Model Series and to check out the latest custom colours, visit www.charvel.com

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the internet's most popular website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers.

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.

TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.

STARS: We talk to artists and musicians about their creative processes, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music-making that no other music website can.

Latest in Guitars
The Ibanez Standard Series RGR431PB finished in Charcoal Gray Flat
Electric Guitars “Ibanez serves up another RG that’s built for stunt guitar, priced for virtuosos-in-training, and with enough sounds to please the fusion kid and headbanger alike”: Ibanez RGR431PB review
 
 
Fender Strobo-Sonic Tuner Pedal
Guitar Pedals "Where it truly triumphs is in its versatility and value proposition": Fender Strobo-Sonic Pro Tuner Pedal review
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 
Latest in News
Taylor Swift Randy Newman
Artists Taylor Swift thanks “the incomparable” Randy Newman as she releases her Toy Story 5 song
 
 
antonoff
Tech “It’s boring to know what you’re doing in the studio – once you know what you’re doing, the magic leaves”: Jack Antonoff on why music production "expertise" is overrated
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
Artists “They inspire me to be weirder and more myself”: Olivia Rodrigo names her current favourite band
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
American Pop Rock musician Christopher Cross plays electric guitar as he performs onstage at Greenwich Village's Bottom Line, New York, New York, May 28, 1980. His instrument is a Fender twin-neck, six & twelve string guitar.
Artists Christopher Cross admits that he "ripped off" Paul McCartney on Ride Like The Wind
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...