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
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Rick Graham is photographed in a dark setting with a warm stagelight in the background; he holds his new signature electric guitar, a shell-pink S-style with a reverse headstock
Artists Charvel and Rick Graham team up for Pro-Mod signature model with relic'd nitro cult colour finish
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
Artists By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Jackson Pro Series Cory Beaulieu King V: refreshed with quilt maple top, signature Seymour Duncany pickups and offered in six and seven-string versions – both with a Floyd Rose vibrato.
Artists Jackson and Corey Beaulieu ante up with the Trivium guitarist's new Seymour Duncan-loaded next-gen King V
Jackson Pro Series Limited Edition Phil Demmel KV King V: the V-style electric is finished in black-and-white polka dots, and looks good in all settings, against a white background or barroom scene alike.
Artists Jackson and Phil Demmel salute Randy Rhoads with limited run Pro Series King V in polka dot finish
Jackson American Series Rhoads: the Rhoads is now officially being made in the USA again, and is offered with a choice of a hardtail or Floyd Rose, with the hardtail finished in Satin Black and Snow White, and the Floyd in Satin Black, Matte Army Drab and Snow White. Note the reverse headstock.
Guitars All Rhoads lead to California as Jackson brings one of its most-iconic metal guitars home for a high-end upgrade
Herman Li of DragonForce sits with his new PRS SE signature model, Chleo, in a purple-lit room filled with arcade machines.
Artists PRS refreshes SE range and takes a top-tier shredder to the masses with Herman Li's Chleo
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Guitars Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
PRS Guitars' new limited edition Custom 24 Satin photographed at the brand's Maryland factory with wood blanks in the background.
Guitars PRS swaps maple for mango to give its “flagship” Custom 24 a 40th anniversary satin nitro makeover
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Artists Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
Craig 'Goonzi' Gowans and Steven Jones from Scottish metalcore heavyweights Bleed From Within pose with their weapons of choice: Goonzi [left] has an ESP LTD M1000, while Jones has a Caparison TAT Special
Artists Bleed From Within’s Craig ‘Goonzi’ Gowans and Steven Jones on the high-performance shred machines behind their heavyweight metalcore sound 
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
A still from KHDK's Instagram reel with the logo emblazoned over one of the stompbox company's new and as-yet-unannounced and unreleased electric guitar designs.
Guitars KHDK Electronics makes pedals for metal's biggest stars; now it's going to make electric guitars too
Fender Vintera II Road Worn 60s Telecaster
Guitars Fender’s Vintera II Road Worn series has Golden Era vibe, tone and feel with era-correct pickups and aged nitro finishes
More
  • Pete Townshend on smashing - and fixing - his guitars
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • AI slop hits #1
  • The pain that birthed Don't Speak
  • Europe vs AI
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2016: Charvel unveils new Pro Mod and Custom Select Series guitars

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 29 January 2016

Slick new shredders for '16

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

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2016: Charvel has announced a range of new Pro Mod series guitars as well as unveiling three new Custom Select instruments, with high-end finishes.

The switching is the major feature on the Pro Mods, with a push/pull volume pot mod offering the ability to coil-split the bridge humbucker on each model. The Pro Mod San Dimas is available with or without a Floyd Rose vibrato.

Elsewhere the Custom Selects immediately catch the eye with their gorgeous finishes, particular on the DK HH FR Black Red Crackle.

We took a quick look at some of these in our NAMM 2016 Charvel Stand gallery, but here we have more information on each of the firm's new models.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 2H FR

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 2H FR

PRESS RELEASE: The Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 2H FR is a slick performer with features and sound every guitarist will appreciate.

Born from a love of high-speed playing and smooth style, this fun-in-the-sun guitar is packed with the classic playability and innovative design elements that have made Charvel a legendary name in high performance axes.

Features include Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups—a TB-6 Distortion™ bridge pickup and SH-6N Distortion neck pickup—with push/pull volume control to split the coils of
the humbucking bridge pickup to add single-coil tone to a guitarist’s sonic toolbox, three-way blade switch to select between different pickup combinations (bridge only, both pickups, and neck only), two-piece maple neck with graphite reinforcement rods and speed neck profile, 12-16” compound radius maple fingerboard, Floyd Rose FRT-O2000 double-locking recessed tremolo and Charvel tuning machines.

Featuring a black pickguard, the So-CAL Style 1 2H FR is available in ‘80s-esque colors including Neon Pink, Rocket Red, Neon Yellow and Slime Green). Other classic shades include Snow White, Metallic Black and Specific Ocean.

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 2H FR

Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 2H FR

PRESS RELEASE: An ideal instrument for dazzling high speed playing, the Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 2H FR offers scorching tone, astonishing style and grin-inducing playing feel and performance.

Features include dual direct mount Seymour Duncan® JB™ (bridge) and Seymour Duncan ’59 (neck) with push/pull coil split, No-Load tone control, three-way blade switch, two-piece maple neck with graphite reinforcement rods and speed neck profile, 12”-16” compound radius maple fingerboard, Floyd Rose® FRT-O1000 double- locking recessed tremolo and Charvel tuning machines.

The San Dimas Style 1 2H FR is available in the same finishes as the So-Cal, in addition to trans finishes including Black Burst, Trans Red Burst, Tobacco Burst and Purple Burst.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT

Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT

PRESS RELEASE: Combining versatile tone and eye-catching style with breakneck performance and ultra-slick playability, the tricked-out Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT was born to rock under the spotlights with head-banging, first-pumping Sunset Strip style.

Features include direct mount Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups—a JB™ Bridge pickup and ’59 neck pickup—with push/pull coil split, No-Load tone control, two-piece maple neck with graphite reinforcement rods and speed neck profile, 12”-16” compound radius fingerboard in maple or rosewood, Charvel locking tuning machines and comfortable hardtail bridge.

The San Dimas hardtail guitars are available in Satin Cobalt Blue, Satin Orange Blaze, Snow White, Metallic Burst and Trans Blue Burst.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Custom Select San Dimas® DK HT Natural

Custom Select San Dimas® DK HT Natural

Featuring basswood body with flame maple top, quartersawn maple neck, ebony fingerboard and EMG 81/85 pickups.

PRESS RELEASE: Tradition reborn. Custom Select Series instruments are Charvel's top-line best, recalling the time-honored traditions of the ’80s-era Charvel Custom Shop. Nowhere else will you find U.S.-built production-model shred machines of such stellar design, peerless performance and superior craftsmanship, brought to life by the best builders in the business.

They are created and customized to your own specific needs as vehicles of your self-expression, and no two models are ever alike. New options and finishes are always being added, and of all Charvel's most acclaimed instrument families, the Custom Select Series gives you the best of Charvel's best.

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Custom Select SD HSS FR Transparent Purple

Custom Select SD HSS FR Transparent Purple

Featuring alder body with quilt maple top, quartersawn maple neck and direct mount DiMarzio DP100F humbucker (bridge) and DiMarzio DP117 HS3 single-coils (middle and neck) pickup combination.

PRESS RELEASE: Tradition reborn. Custom Select Series instruments are Charvel's top-line best, recalling the time-honored traditions of the ’80s-era Charvel Custom Shop. Nowhere else will you find U.S.-built production-model shred machines of such stellar design, peerless performance and superior craftsmanship, brought to life by the best builders in the business.

They are created and customized to your own specific needs as vehicles of your self-expression, and no two models are ever alike. New options and finishes are always being added, and of all Charvel's most acclaimed instrument families, the Custom Select Series gives you the best of Charvel's best.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Custom Select DK HH FR Black Red Crackle

Custom Select DK HH FR Black Red Crackle

Featuring basswood body with flame maple top, quartersawn maple neck, ebony fingerboard and EMG 81/85 pickups.

PRESS RELEASE: Tradition reborn. Custom Select Series instruments are Charvel's top-line best, recalling the time-honored traditions of the ’80s-era Charvel Custom Shop. Nowhere else will you find U.S.-built production-model shred machines of such stellar design, peerless performance and superior craftsmanship, brought to life by the best builders in the business.

They are created and customized to your own specific needs as vehicles of your self-expression, and no two models are ever alike. New options and finishes are always being added, and of all Charvel's most acclaimed instrument families, the Custom Select Series gives you the best of Charvel's best.

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
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.

Read more
Rick Graham is photographed in a dark setting with a warm stagelight in the background; he holds his new signature electric guitar, a shell-pink S-style with a reverse headstock
Charvel and Rick Graham team up for Pro-Mod signature model with relic'd nitro cult colour finish
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Jackson Pro Series Cory Beaulieu King V: refreshed with quilt maple top, signature Seymour Duncany pickups and offered in six and seven-string versions – both with a Floyd Rose vibrato.
Jackson and Corey Beaulieu ante up with the Trivium guitarist's new Seymour Duncan-loaded next-gen King V
 
 
Jackson Pro Series Limited Edition Phil Demmel KV King V: the V-style electric is finished in black-and-white polka dots, and looks good in all settings, against a white background or barroom scene alike.
Jackson and Phil Demmel salute Randy Rhoads with limited run Pro Series King V in polka dot finish
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Black Friday has officially kicked off, with the likes of Sweetwater and Guitar Center dropping massive sales
 
 
Alex Skolnick of Testament shows off his signature ESP singlecut as he performs at Belgium's Alcatraz Festival in 2024. On the right, Kiko Loureiro and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth photographed in the corridors backstage at Wembley Arena in 2015.
Alex Skolnick on the time he was on standby for Megadeth – and what to do when you can’t match a player lick for lick
 
 
An Alesis Strata Core electronic drum set on a yellow background
I’ve seen a lot of Black Friday sales, but this one’s next level - Sweetwater just dropped thousands of discounts of up to 80% off guitars, drums, keys, and more
 
 
Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster: the new glitch/synth mini-pedal from the storied NYC pedal brand
EHX expands its Pico series with the Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer – a mini-pedal that sounds so wrong its right
 
 
Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20: the compact 1/8" modelling combo is finished in black and photographed in close-up and against a slate floor
“For a budget amp, it offers an impressive feature set without costing the earth”: Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20 review
 
 
 (L-R): Fher Olvera (Mana), Cesar Gueikian (Gibson CEO) playing the Gibson Flying V Custom CEO#8, and Sergio Vallin (Mana), performing onstage with Mana at Bridgestone Arena.
Cesar Gueikian on building the SG Kirk Hammett played to honour Black Sabbath and how his designs might shape future Gibson releases
 
 
Latest in News
Rick Rubin and Anthony Kiedis during Lost in Translation DVD Launch Party - Inside at Koi Restaurant in Los Angeles, California, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
"Anthony sounds old": Rick Rubin's unusual mix feedback on 2006's Stadium Arcadium
 
 
Disclosure
“One of the greatest electronic music songs of all time”: Disclosure officially release their edit of a ‘90s club classic
 
 
Artificial intelligence music and sound concept. Represented with digital circuits and advanced algorithms in a high-tech setting, showcasing modern technological advancements and innovation
It’s now nearly impossible to detect whether a track is human or AI-made, new survey reveals
 
 
Pete Townshend of The Who Performs At Acrisure Arena at Acrisure Arena on October 01, 2025 in Palm Springs, California
“There might be hits”: Why Pete Townshend is interested in using AI
 
 
Pete Townshend tosses his electric guitar in mid-air as he performs onstage at Atwood Stadium on August 23, 1967 in Flint Michigan. This is the same night that Keith had his 21st (actually his 20th) birthday party and was arrested and banned for life from the Holiday Inn chain of hotels
“I was just making sure I left my mark”: Pete Townshend smashed a guitar at every show of The Who’s first US tour
 
 
David Bowie and Damon Albarn sing together
“I nearly made a record with Ray Davies and David Bowie”: Damon Albarn on the dream collab that never happened
 
 

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
  • 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...