Help me decide between these two guitars. UPDATE: New one might be going back.

[V-man]

Well, the deed is done. I ordered the green one just now (Lime Green Metallic). Images are one thing, but if you look at videos of the two colors, the differences are night and day and the green wins by a mile. The gold hardware on the blue one was also getting uglier every time I looked at it.

I went with new. There are good deals on used ones out there, but not a lot cheaper than new for the ones listed as "Excellent" condition.

I'll finally have my Focus 2000 back, but better!

I hope that was my little seed that germinated.

Gaudy finishes notwithstanding, there are rules about colors on a guitar.

Natural (HS) Black (pups, board), Blue (body) White (PG) Gold (HW) is a Goddamned anxiety attack. Everything is solid stark and too many absurdly-contrasting colors bedecked by gold to underline how unnecessarily busy the fucking thing is. Follow me for more recipes…


ETA: sorry about the bad run of luck on frets… good luck w the used.

 

[JJ119]

WoW!! That isn't good!

Thanks for the info!!
0 for 2 from Charvel is Bad News!

 

[PowerTube44]

WoW!! That isn't good!

Thanks for the info!!
0 for 2 from Charvel is Bad News!

Well... two weeks ago I bought another used So-Cal from them, and it's completely flawless. Some of the best fret work I've ever felt. So I have NO idea what's going on. I don't know if it's Guitar Center storing them in low-humidity warehouses, or if Charvel's QC has gone down the tubes. Or maybe the perfect one I got is an older model? I may look into that sometime.

Like I told the guy at GC today, I totally hated to return it. It was incredible in every other way, but that fret dressing, or lack thereof, was completely unacceptable. If the used one I ordered tonight is also lined with razor blades, I'll handle it myself.

EDIT: The perfect one I have is a 2019 model.

 

[Kinkless Tetrode]

The frets were probably fine when they left factory. But wood will shrink in a low humid warehouse after six months or so. Especially, if it wasn't aged for long time before it was crafted. I've had to run a file down the edges of the fret board after a couple years on a few guitars, because I live in very arid climate.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

1. I wouldn't want to be seen in public wearing a metallic green guitar.

2. That's not Miami Blue, this is Miami Blue:

3. The one with the white pickguard might be my choice but wholly moley those black pickups are vomit!


On guitar quality, I bought these:


WAIT! - Sorry, wrong picture. Hold on...



...Ok, so I bought these 2 or 3 years ago. The one on the left was slightly used. Then I bought its counterpart new in blue, to match. The used red one is a perfect guitar. The brand new blue one was a piece of crap, with a weird neck and a messed up bridge, and went back as soon as I realized it was a dud. Two identical models, two very different guitars:

 

[PowerTube44]

2. That's not Miami Blue, this is Miami Blue:

The one in the picture I posted is Miami Blue.

It's this one:

 

[PowerTube44]

The frets were probably fine when they left factory. But wood will shrink in a low humid warehouse after six months or so. Especially, if it wasn't aged for long time before it was crafted. I've had to run a file down the edges of the fret board after a couple years on a few guitars, because I live in very arid climate.

Yeah. I've done it a couple of times and it was no big deal. When this used one gets here, I'll do that if it has fret sprout. I just wasn't willing to do it on a new one with a warranty.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

The one in the picture I posted is Miami Blue.

It's this one:

Fender says there's is Miami Blue. How many Miami Blue's we got in Miami anyway?

Ok, I just looked it up. Looks like there are two shades of Miami Blue:

 

[PowerTube44]

Well, the new (used) Lime Green Metallic one arrived yesterday and it's not only like-new perfect, but has ZERO fret issues. It happens to be a 2021 model, so I'm wondering if the fret sprout issues on Charvels is a somewhat new development.

 

[Cal Nevari]

I always regretted getting rid of my Kramer Focus 2000 from the Eighties. Not because they've shot up in value, but because I've always missed it. But I won't be paying any $700.00+ for another one.

Lately, I've gotten a case of "Charvel fever" after getting the Pro Mod So-Cal. So, the way I see it, either of these two guitars would be the perfect replacement for the Kramer. Two hums, Floyd, 22 frets.

The Charvel has the following advantages over the old Kramer:

Newer (obviously).
Jumbo frets vs Medium
Ebony board vs Rosewood
Hotter pickups
Coil split
Strat headstock

But as far as color, which do you prefer and why between these two? I hate "stock" photos, so these are both taken from GC's Used Gear section.

View attachment 145897


I like the gold hardware on the blue one, but I slightly prefer the Lime Green Metallic color.

Unless the photos are not doing the guitars justice, the blue one on the right is nicer color to my visual apparatus...

 

[JJ119]

@PowerTube44

Is that you playing the Charvel?
That's some playin'!!!

 

[StrummerJoe]

Well, the new (used) Lime Green Metallic one arrived yesterday and it's not only like-new perfect, but has ZERO fret issues. It happens to be a 2021 model, so I'm wondering if the fret sprout issues on Charvels is a somewhat new development.

Congratulations! Glad you got the guitar you wanted and it is up to expectations this time.

Fret sprout isn't unusual on mass produced guitars from any brand. It's an easy fix too.

 

[PowerTube44]

@PowerTube44

Is that you playing the Charvel?
That's some playin'!!!

No, that's not me! I was just showing the color.