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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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
Charvel's Neo-Classic Series offers the San Dimas Style 1 with and without a Floyd Rose, with finishes including Robin's Egg Blue, Ivory Blitz, Gloss Black, Velvet Midnight and Racing Red
Guitars Dweezil Zappa shredding in a skate park? That must be Charvel’s all-new American Neo-Classic Series
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
A Charvel Standard Series San Dimas Style 2 SD2 HH HT electric guitar lying on a dark floor with a coiled guitar cable next to it
Electric Guitars “I wanted to write it off after seeing the fretboard and feeling the back of the neck, but it won me over,”: Charvel Standard Series San Dimas Style 2 SD2 HH HT review
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II: these humbucker-loaded T-styles are packed with features and are offered with myriad hardware, pickups and finish options
Guitars Harley Benton throws a big ol' T party and you are all invited, as it debuts the Fusion-T II series
 
 
A Charvel Type 2 Tele headstock with an inset of the company's founder, the late Wayne Charvel, who died on 12 July
Guitars Remembering Wayne Charvel, visionary luthier and Superstrat pioneer
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Ritchie Blackmore takes a solo on his Fender Stratocaster
Guitarists The guitar genius of Ritchie Blackmore in 5 classic tracks
 
 
Ritchie Blackmore performs with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
Guitarists Watch Ritchie Blackmore perform onstage with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
 
 
Joe Bonamassa with his two new signature Martin acoustics
Artists Martin unveils a pair of Joe Bonamassa signature acoustics based on his 1937 pre-War vintage unicorn
 
 
Fender American Vintage II 2026 refresh
Guitars Fender refreshes the American Vintage II lineup with classic finishes from the paint room
 
 
MXR M226 Flanger/Doubler
Guitars MXR unveils the Flanger/Doubler pedal – BBD-driven analogue mojo for ‘70s and ‘80s flavours or fatter metal tones
 
 
Anika Nilles (L) and Geddy Lee of Rush perform in concert during the Rush: Fifty Something
Drummers “I haven't really listened to Rush music”: Anika Nilles on her preparation for the 50 Something tour
 
 
Latest in News
mike d
Artists “I don’t want to say The Beatles cleared it, but somebody at EMI or Apple. So whoever you were that did it, thank you. Thank you, Sir Paul”: Mike D on how the Beastie Boys got away with sampling five Beatles songs on Paul's Boutique
 
 
Contra Ice logo
Singles And Albums “Passionately fighting against fascism”: Tom Morello, Kathleen Hanna and others team up for Anti-ICE benefit album
 
 
Ritchie Blackmore performs with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
Guitarists Watch Ritchie Blackmore perform onstage with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
 
 
Joe Bonamassa with his two new signature Martin acoustics
Artists Martin unveils a pair of Joe Bonamassa signature acoustics based on his 1937 pre-War vintage unicorn
 
 
AI-generated image of 5 people
Guitarists “So this is the kind of intelligence that will soon be ruling the world?” Brian May uses AI to recreate cover to The Game
 
 
Morrissey And Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Morrissey And Johnny Marr, 1985
Bands Reissue, Repackage, re-evaluate the songs: Morrissey And Marr have collaborated on Rough Trade archive release
 
 

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...