Guitar Battle: Charvel San Dimas vs. Schecter Sun Valley

These 2 superstrats compete at the same price and aim the same audience: 80's style hard-rock / metal lovers. How do they compare? Let's find out...
Models presented:
- Charvel San Dimas Matte Frost Blue, with Seymour Duncan '59 and JB pickups
- Schecter Sun Valley Sea Foam Green, with EMG Retroactive pickups
Both guitars are played using the same sound chain :
- clean sounds: delay Boss DD3, into Marshall SL5
- distorsion / rhythm: Fender Full Moon + delay Boss DD3, into Marshall SL5
- distorsion / lead: Revv G3 + delay Boss DD3, into Marshall SL5

[@fredericadda]

Featured song extracts: - Bruce Dickinson: Tears of the Dragon - Metallica: Master of Puppets - Savatage: He Carves His Stone - Iron Maiden: The Wicker Man - White Lion: Hungry - Whitesnake: Bad Boys

[@brianpetch1338]

Great review. So often people don’t do a precise like-for-like, so you can hear a proper comparison. Great job !

[@fredericadda]

Thank you so much!

[@kitoyobeni1]

Charvel's pickups and switching options win out, plus I know how nice those Charvel necks are, rounded edges and all.

[@fredericadda]

I should have added that the Charvel necks have more of a "raw wood" feel, while the Schecter have more of a "satin" feel (like a Fender MIM Strat, as a matter of fact). And yes, the Charvel necks have more rounded edges.

[@ClifffSpeed]

I've played both of these in these exact colors. The super shredder is a lot of fun and sounds pretty good, but the lower quality of the Floyd Rose special is immediately apparent. I could barely turn the fine tuners. They're both great guitars, but the Charvel is better.

[@fredericadda]

Personally I can't get used to the 2 volume knobs. Each time I change pickup the volume drops because I didn't put the volume all the way up on the other pickup 😅

[@fredericadda]

Probably they had feedback that this was hurting their sales in comparison to the competition (e. g. Charvel)

[@richardjones2811]

@Mark Seymour Yes but that guitar only comes with a single coil in the neck 🙄.

[@richardjones2811]

I've also had Charvels which came with really stiff fine tuners.

[@MrDimesy77]

Great video. I own a SVSS. Sounds great and beautiful to play. Wasn't sure about the pickups at first but grew to like them a lot. Am thinking of modding it with a brass block and OFR

[@fredericadda]

Looks like a great mod!

[@tdunster2011]

I wanted to get a Charvel but after playing a dozen or so of them realised they weren't for me. I picked up a Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder and immediately knew it was the guitar for me. Both great guitars, it just comes down to a preference and I prefer the neck on the Schecter.

[@fredericadda]

The Schecter have a great neck. That's the thing I loved the most about mine: the satin feel of the neck finish. A bit like Fender Strats.

[@micemr76]

I thought the sun valley ss had the sustainiac in it. That's the part that's got me interested. Not an easy mod to do, prefer it done from the factory

[@fredericadda]

Depends on the model. Not all of them come equipped with the Sustainiac, so you really have to check before ordering.

[@patrickjosephlawlor]

Both are beauties! I used to own a Schecter as well!

[@fredericadda]

Thanks! I made this video because I just got this Schecter used, and I wondered if it served the exact same purpose as my favorite guitar, a Charvel San Dimas. Maybe a way to justify my gear acquisition syndrom with my wife 😅 Fun act: I completely botched the video where I show how I renovated the Schecter, so I hope this video makes justice to it 😉

[@patrickjosephlawlor]

@@fredericadda Which one do you personally like better?

[@fredericadda]

It's really close, but I think I still prefer the Charvel... In fact, if I could have the Charvel with the heel joint of the Schecter, it would just be perfect 😊

[@fredericadda]

By the way, you have a great channel, I love your choice of solos, and the production level of your videos is just incredible.

[@Scott__C]

Nice. Have the orange version of the Schecter. The Charvels I see listed are all on the heavy side, unfortunately. I upgraded the Floyd on the Schecter. It's a great guitar.

[@fredericadda]

That's interesting! Which Floyd did you put? Was it an easy replacement?

[@Scott__C]

@@fredericadda I actually just got a 1000 series base plate and saddle inserts. Later, I got a brass block. It works well now. So, it was a piece at a time.

[@fredericadda]

I didn't change mine because it works quite well, but I suppose it won't age so well because of the materials used.

[@Scott__C]

@@fredericadda If it's working for you, I'd say don't worry about it.

[@atozee7189]

In the end I went for an Ibanez RG550 Genesis. Much higher quality than either of these for just a little bit extra. I had the charvel, nice pick ups but it really did feel cheap. Strap button screwed in at an angle, badly set up, cheap rattling trem. Back it went and got the RG550, solid Japanese guitar first class workmanship, engineered to perfection and the edge trem is amazing.

[@shredwithmeg8080]

I am also planning of buying the rg550. How's the 24th fret access on the guitar? That's the only thing I am worried about. The pickups on it are pretty nice and so it the trem system and the body.

[@fredericadda]

Yeah, they look really nice too ... if they had a neon pink version I would buy one! I saw there is a pink Jem jr, I need to try one!

[@Ibanezguy2007]

I'm literally returning my RG565 now as that bolt on heel joint is so bad! Wish I'd known about it

[@fredericadda]

I'm sorry to hear that!

[@user-xt9yg6ei1w]

That Genesis neck joint is awful though. I almost got one but hate those blocky old style neck joints. I would go with a better Ibanez model.

[@tpap6827]

They both sound good but the EMG active pick ups sounded darker and hotter but I find EMGs as a general rule to be less dynamic. I play all kinds of music but rarely play much modern metal, although I love bands like Dream Theatre, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Sabbath, Early Van Halen, Mahogany Rush, and some guitar oriented music like Vai, Satriani, Kotzen, Moore and Abasi. I just get the impression that the San Dimas is far more versatile, is a fender brand so I know the quality with be there although I believe Schecter for the price never skimps on quality. I guess it really comes down to what you prefer when you compare dollar for dollar but I just don’t see the Schecter being the best choice for my style and need for versatility

[@fredericadda]

Thanks! Great feedback!

[@redrocker1055]

Schecter lost me at the EMG's and killed any chance of me giving it a 2nd thought with the FR special. The Charvel is worth the extra $250 every day of the week.

[@fredericadda]

I found the EMGs surprisingly good... the FR Special not so much 😅

[@fredericadda]

Just found a white Schecter Sun Valley at 350€, so around 410$. At that price, I can change the pickups and still use the battery to power either an active set of pickups or replace the second volume by a kill switch with a LED... great platform for modding. About the FR special, I haven't had any issue with it but the good news is that its measurements are compatible with other Floyd Rose systems, like a FR1000.

[@markd9410]

Heck I want both!

[@fredericadda]

😄

[@daveredfern8258]

Charvel all the way. I have played a few charvels, and not to say ones better than the other. But i own the same satin blue model as you. And its just a awesome guitar. Solid as and guitar I have played. I know fender make them. But i will never sell this one. Its special.

[@fredericadda]

Yeah this "frost matte blue" is just incredible! I love to watch it and touch it. You're right there is a mojo with this series!

[@sunnys3325]

The only issue with the Schecter for me is that it has a tiny 41mm nut. That's quite small. The Charvel has 43mm at the nut so it's wider. For reference Fender Strats have 42mm and 43mm at the nut. I owned the same SVSS but sold it and got a Charvel. I REALLY wanted to love the Schecter but it felt so different in my hands. Also QC sucked for Schecter. I had to send back 2 of them to Schecter because the high trem mount in the body under the pickguard collapsed. It's crazy to me it happened to 2 of them within a month of owning. Def a design flaw. The wood thickness between the high trem stud post and the pickup route is thin so that is why it collapsed

[@fredericadda]

Thanks for the feedback

[@Joop5000]

The Schecter sounds warmer or darker, thicker, better than the Charvel Imo, but i do not dislike one over the other. I want both LoL! I'm not a big fan of guitars with the scratch plate, but then again two out of the three i own have scratch plates, one being a Schecter Banshee model and i really like that one, it's thick sounding which is cool and i find scratch plate guitars have, but i really like the Charvel also! So, i won't pick one over the other, just get both when able, LoL!

[@jeffrocx8599]

Charnel made at the Fender plant in Mexico, Schecter made in Indonesia

[@fredericadda]

My Schecter is made in South Korea. They switched to Indonesia recently.

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

All I care about from this comparison is the neck profile which is not mentioned!!?!?!

[@fredericadda]

Both are D-shape, the Charvel being slightly slimmer than the Schecter.

[@bcj575]

Needs another video with a bit more volume

[@fredericadda]

Here you go: I made part 2 with better sound quality

[@grimora-dg3vq]

Schecter for me hands down!

[@tractordirt]

Good review! A more direct comp would be the DK24 with a Floyd.

[@fredericadda]

Yes, or simply a So-Cal

[@tractordirt]

@@fredericadda Not really, the body shape and 24 frets are the critical difference.

[@fredericadda]

True, but it has a pickguard although the DK24 is direct mount, and the DKs all have caramelized necks if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, Schecter was smart enough to compete with Charvel but not exactly on the same grounds.

[@debajitpalchoudhury1571]

Charvel San Dimas is priced 3 times higher than that shecter in my country(1645 usd vs 650 usd) . So , what would you suggest?

[@fredericadda]

Wow really? That's a huge difference! Usually a Charvel San Dimas goes for 850€ / 1000$ and a Schecter Sun Valley for 750€ / 900$. So the price is a bit similar. I personally like the Charvel a bit better, but if you have such a massive difference (the Schecter being cheaper than usual and the Charvel being much more expensive than usual), then yeah, go for the Schecter, it's a great value for the money.

[@debajitpalchoudhury1571]

Shecter , Ibanez, PRS, Fenders are common brands in India but charvel is very rare. That's why distributor don't stock them, they have to import for me .

[@fredericadda]

Yeah it makes sense. I live in Israel and some brands are not distributed here, they get crazy expensive.

[@fredericadda]

In Israel too? 🇮🇱

[@fredericadda]

Merhaba!

[@Robert-lh4um]

I like Alder bodies so I would lean towards the Schecter's mahogany body, but prefer Duncans instead because I prefer versatility and dynamics in my tone. Since the pups determine most of a guitars tone then I will have to lean towards the Charvel, but with Schecter as a very close second.

[@fredericadda]

Hey that's interesting because my choice was more led by the neck shape (D for the Charvel, more of a C for the Schecter). Thanks for your input!

[@Robert-lh4um]

@@fredericadda Neck shape is second up. I prefer the modern C's Fender makes so I guess Schecter SVSS neck I prefer, but Charvel makes a 24 fret shredder with thin C and ebony fretboard, so I would go with that one over both these, but that is besides the point.

[@fredericadda]

Interesting! Do you know on which model Charvel offers that neck?

[@jettschenker]

On the cleans the Schecter sounds very nasal whereas the Charvel sounds very open and full.

[@fredericadda]

Yeah the coil split allows for a greater variety of clean sounds on the San Dimas

[@ILLRICARDO]

i am a schecter guy, my c1 has lasted me over 10 years and hasnt given me any problems

[@fredericadda]

True they are built to last.

[@DamianS1893]

I would prefer Seymour Duncan PUPS and a stationary bridge in the Schecter.

[@ArticLight14]

I wish they did make a fixed bridge version of that guitar.

[@fredericadda]

They do actually. They have a new version called Exotic Hardtail Ziricote.

[@ArticLight14]

@@fredericadda interesting. Thanks for the info.

[@taxo]

The Schecter is a fun guitar, but imho those Emgs don't sound that great. Luckily the new Exotic version is loaded with Schecter USA pickups, which are quite badass.

[@fredericadda]

Honestly I was pleasantly surprised by the EMG retroactive. I'd like to try the new ones though. The Schecter USA are passive pickups, right?

[@taxo]

@@fredericadda yep, Pasadena neck and Sunset Strip Bridge. The Pasa is an hotrodded paf pickup, sort of Gibson Classic and Duncan custom 5 put to marriage, and the Sunset Strip is your classic ballsy articulate 80s ceramic humb

[@owengonzales53]

Not only that, it’s also got a better Floyd and stainless steel frets, both of which are huge factors imo

[@roosterj2599]

I love my Charvel So Cal and I love my Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder the same. The Floyd on my Schecter is actually very nice. Feels better than the Floyd 1000 in my opinion. The fine tuners are but free and work great. The term arm with the set screw tensioner is amazing. The set of EMGs in my Schecter sound great. Maybe I got a really good one because I've heard a lot of people say they dont like them and that they are muddy, etc. Mine sound like the Jim Root Hybrids to me. I wouldn't mind having a set of EMG Hot 70s in all my guitars. My EQ settings are easy to nail and my MXR Full Bore distortion box sounds great through it. Might just be my ears, but then again everybody that has heard or played my Schecter always compliment the Floyd and the pickups.

[@fredericadda]

I agree. The clean sounds are crystal-clear and with a distorsion, it seems like someone put an extra tube screamer in the guitar. IMO. Schecter had the good idea to make a super strat slightly differently than Charvel.

[@eddiesalazar5808]

Schecter all the way!

[@just_the_job]

I think your playing was better on the schecter, the charvel is great but to me it feels big and clunky.

[@jeffrocx8599]

Schecter

[@EricCPOP]

Floyd Rose Special Vs Floyd Rose 1000. I know which one I prefer based on that alone....

[@fredericadda]

Well 2 things to consider: - the Special on the Schecter was surprisingly good (I had other Specials that just didn't hold the strings). I guess they got a "special Special" from Floyd Rose. - replacing a Special by a 1000 is an easy mod (like replacing the pickups). The bridge is the only weak point of this guitar, and if you love the rest, then changing it is a worthwhile upgrade. That's what I tried to explain in this video.

[@mixdesire6437]

As i see,- schecter is clother to so-cal model... Here is first one beter.

[@cliffords2315]

Wow, i would call it a 50 50 Tie, not kidding and i know my Shreder guitars.

[@fredericadda]

Great, that's exactly what I wanted people to realize with this video. It's closer than they think.

[@danyeo]

I feel Indonesia and Mexico are making similar quality guitars but Korean made Schecters are a step above….in general.

[@fredericadda]

I think Mexico is ahead, especially the Charvel factory at Ensenada, which has a very good reputation. Then Korea, then Indonesia. At least that’s the hierarchy I have in mind.

[@danyeo]

@@fredericadda The Schecters I've played recently had stainless frets, ebony boards, neck the, just full of awesome specs with top notch fret work that rivals USA made guitars twice the price. I don't think any Mexican made Charvel is loaded with stainless frets and sooo many of them have fret sprout.

[@fredericadda]

The quality of the fretwork is indeed an indicator of the level of a plant. But top-notch specs are just a commercial decision. If Charvel suddenly decides to put stainless steel frets, will it make the level of its plant suddenly rise? Fret sprout is indeed an issue but I haven't heard Charvel guitars are plagued with it more than other brands.

[@fredericadda]

I agree. I have kind of a light "press" on the frets, and after 25 years my Jackson Kelly still has good frets. The other thing is: I polish the frets shiny every 2 or 3 string changes, and that makes a big difference. I guess with stainless steel frets you have this feeling all the time?

[@fredericadda]

@Mark Seymour that's a great test, thanks for the feedback!

[@jayschulz8060]

Schecter with a emg sounds better

[@Javier-qk7ms]

Godzilla ve Kong

[@79lpcustom]

Charvels win...no contest. They are completely different sounding and playing guitars.

[@FL-yg2il]

SPLIT output small

[@wrentcht]

EMG’s are an automatic deal breaker for me ! Never liked them , never will ! To each their own , no wrong or right , just preference.

[@fredericadda]

I respect your choice, however it's worth noting that these do not sound like the typical EMG.

[@biergartner4947]

"Jar well"! 🤘😂

[@fredericadda]

😅😅

[@chriswolf3042]

charvel sounded better

[@jayteesgear]

Charvel

[@guitarplayer1434]

I have a sun valley shredder, the nut was in the wrong place I could barely play the 1st string without pulling it off the neck, I knew if I sent it back they would sell it to someone that does not know better and in it's shape would have someone stop playing guitar due to frustration. Easy fix , played great until the 3 month mark and now even a quater step bend will thro it out of tune until a quick tremolo bump. The Floyd trademark tremolo sucks I have had cheaper licensed Floyd's with out the problems this junk has, the hot rod EMG's IMO suck.\So now I have a crappy sounding guitar that I can;t bend while i am playing it

[@fredericadda]

On mine, the potentiometers were inverted... the closest one controlled the volume of the bridge pickup and the farthest one the volume of the neck pickup. As I bought it second-hand, I soldered everything as it should be, but, yeah, it’s surprising this could slip past their quality control ...

[@taxo]

@@fredericadda it's made on purpose really. Not only on this model

[@fredericadda]

Oh, I didn't know that. Van Halen style maybe? Anyway, it didn't seem natural for me so I switched the wiring.

[@JohnSmith-ef2sx]

Schecter sounds way better. I have both and my schecter sounds better. My charvel feels more comfortable though.

[@fredericadda]

Thanks! It's always interesting to have a feedback from someone who owns both.

[@xtian9072]

Ibanez RG Genesis!

[@fredericadda]

Yeah they look awesome! If I ever buy one I'll make a comparison video! But I want one in pink 😂

[@tdunster2011]

Original or reissue ? The originals I love but the reissues have a completely different neck profile which is very square / flat and uncomfortable for long long playing sessions.

[@fredericadda]

Good to know, thanks!

[@thomasmaynard6125]

Schecter