It is nice that a "normal" Charvel Pro-Mod guitar exists

All the "speedy" stuff in a classy package.

Previously I've mentioned the Charvel Pro-Mod DK24, which is the ultimate "24 fret Stratocaster". It looks nice but doesn't really have a color option that's not in-your-face.

Then there is the Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR M, seen above. I have no idea why Charvel uses such long and confusing names, but whatever, that's what it's called.

If you like "fast" (i.e. shredding) guitars using the Stratocaster shape with a more traditional look to it, that's this guitar.

This Pro-Mod just looks good. Simple gloss black with tortoiseshell guard, a satin urethane finished neck for super-smooth play with 12"-16" compound radius fingerboard outfitted with jumbo frets, "loud" Seymour Duncan Distortion pickups, Floyd-Rose 1000 double-locking tremolo system, heel-mounted truss rod adjustment, and the control knobs are flat-top with knurled sides.

In addition, it has a 5-way pickup selector with push-pull coil split on the volume control, meaning yes, you can get those Strat "quack" clean tones out of it whenever you want.

The guitar pretty much needs nothing. It is a plug-in-and-go "fast" guitar.

I applaud Charvel for making this type of Pro-Mod. Some guys want all the fast stuff without the look-at-me appearance. Charvel certainly delivered here. They made a classy shredder axe. I approve.

Published 2022 Feb 22