Charvel San Dimas PJ

[Fernando Costa]

I have a blue one. This Charvel was the bass that impressed me the most lately, it offers much more than it costs. Amazing instrument.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

These basses look like they'd be fun to mod.

Lst year I purchased the San Dimas that @LowEndLobster modded. He added the dark glass tone capsule, shielded the frick out of everything, and soldered the electronics back together really well. It's such a little beast of a bass. Love it.
I actually have it up next on my bench. I'm going to swap the bridge for a HipShot KickAss and the tuners for HipShot ultralites. After that I don't suspect the bass will need anything else! It will be completely modded except for the pick ups and neck, both of which are awesome as stock.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

White with black pickup covers- I like that alot

 

[musicman556]

I've been holding off buying a blue 4 string 1st gen for two reasons: First, the one I got my hands on in-person was beat to death even though it was brand new. Looks like it might have fallen off the rack... maybe more than once! They would not come off the price at ALL, even given the missing paint chunk and at least three large dings around the rim and one on top by the bridge.

Second reason: yea the electronics were noisy. This is what kept me from just calling up MF or SW and ordering one.

I REALLY HOPE they still offer the updated model in that awesome blue with the cream pickups, but I have a feeling they won't. :-( I (im)patiently await the official announcement from Fender/Charvel.

In the mean-time, I have received a roasted maple Fender P bass neck that is going to be part of an amazing build that will cost me just a little more than this Charvel. If this turns out like I hope it will, I might not ever buy another new Fender and just make whatever I want from here on out.

 

[Fernando Costa]

@musicman556, this noise problem apparently only happens in a few San Dimas. QC obviously. Mine doesn't make any noise. I swapped the tuners for Hipshots HB7, that's just what the bass needed. This roasted P neck you bought is amazing and very cheap, I bought one for a P Frank project, it turned out great.

 

[groovaholic]

What color is that bass?

I played one (at the Guitar Center in Arlington Heights, IL ) last week, and it's a pearl white with black DiMarzios.
Action was playable, but like @Dr. Cheese experienced, the fret ends were sprouting due to the cold weather here.

I really, really liked the neck profile on this bass - aside from the sharp fret ends, it had a fantastic feel.

I've been craving a double reverse-P bass lately (essentially a Sklar) and the neck pickup confirmed the viability of that setup - and also confirmed that the PJ combination just isn't my thing.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

I've been holding off buying a blue 4 string 1st gen for two reasons: First, the one I got my hands on in-person was beat to death even though it was brand new. Looks like it might have fallen off the rack... maybe more than once! They would not come off the price at ALL, even given the missing paint chunk and at least three large dings around the rim and one on top by the bridge.

Second reason: yea the electronics were noisy. This is what kept me from just calling up MF or SW and ordering one.

I REALLY HOPE they still offer the updated model in that awesome blue with the cream pickups, but I have a feeling they won't. :-( I (im)patiently await the official announcement from Fender/Charvel.

In the mean-time, I have received a roasted maple Fender P bass neck that is going to be part of an amazing build that will cost me just a little more than this Charvel. If this turns out like I hope it will, I might not ever buy another new Fender and just make whatever I want from here on out.

Have you seen the YouTube videos of how @LowEndLobster modded the one he bought? Not only did he fix the issues but made it waaaayy better.

 

[bikeplate]

I did a similar mod job to mine. There is a thread here somewhere. Nordstrand pre and PJ set, fully shielded, USA hipshots and D-tuner, Dunlop Straploks, round string retainer. Looks and plays killer, 9lbs. Didnt change the bridge, frets and nut were fine.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

I did a similar mod job to mine. There is a thread here somewhere. Nordstrand pre and PJ set, fully shielded, USA hipshots and D-tuner, Dunlop Straploks, round string retainer. Looks and plays killer, 9lbs. Didnt change the bridge, frets and nut were fine.

Which hipshots did you use?

 

[bikeplate]

There are direct replacements. HB7? Not sure. Go one their site. You want the ones for MIM Fenders

 

[LAST_C]

I like the San Dimas basses but not a fan of the colors available. Now, if they release one in white like the video, I would seriously consider buying one.

 

[bikeplate]

My Charvel reissue overhaul

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I like the San Dimas basses but not a fan of the colors available. Now, if they release one in white like the video, I would seriously consider buying one.

Two of us have reported white ones at GC. I assume you saw my video. White apparently is an option now.

 

[fdbishop1]

I just played the white one at Guitar center, really enjoyed it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

My Charvel reissue overhaul

That is really nice!

 

[phillipkregg]

Two of us have reported white ones at GC. I assume you saw my video. White apparently is an option now.

This cool sparkle finish will also be available (as well as an extra string)

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This cool sparkle finish will also be available (as well as an extra string)

View attachment 4546991

Oh my! I want to play that bass!

 

[SirMjac28]

Great demo Doc and I love that neck

 

[musicman556]

Have you seen the YouTube videos of how @LowEndLobster modded the one he bought? Not only did he fix the issues but made it waaaayy better.

Yes, thank you! Definitely some cool mods.

Unfortunately I'm not too wild about the idea of dumping a few hundred more dollars into a $1k import. I'm finding that I can source my own parts and custom paint work by some very talented/professional shops along with premium parts for not too much more than buying a nicer import FSO, and end up with a REALLY COOL and very "me" bass. This really only applies to bolt-on P or J shaped stuff though. Sadly, my current build won't be done until maybe April as the paint guy has 2-3 month lead time, and then I'm taking the loaded (by me) body and Fender neck to one of a few top-tier Nashville luthiers (basically whoever has bench space open the soonest!) for final assembly and setup.

I'm holding off on any FSO purchases until this is done.

But I still love these San Dimas basses... in theory.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

A noiseless reverse PJ5 at less than $1,300 sounds like a dream come true to me. Charvel might clean up with this if it is well executed.