Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 Electric Guitar
The legendary San Dimas shred machine, now with MusicRadar's perfect 5/5 score and a street price under $900. This is the guitar Warren DeMartini made iconic, updated for modern players who still want to go fast.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- +No-load tone control with detent setting provides massive tone-shaping range from shrill-free bright to near-jazz warmth
- +Versatile enough to cover blues, jazz-like clean tones, and aggressive shred despite shredder-focused design
- +Seymour Duncan pickups with coil-split deliver powerful lead tones and usable clean sounds
- +Street price around $870 is exceptional value for a pro-level shred guitar with premium features
- +MusicRadar awarded perfect 5/5 stars, Guitar World gave 4.5/5, Guitar.com praised playability and tuning stability
Cons
- −Pau ferro fingerboard instead of rosewood or ebony at this price point feels like cost-cutting
- −Aged/relic finishes are divisive and won't appeal to players wanting pristine aesthetics
- −No-load tone control has slight resistance that requires adjustment period
- −Shredder-focused design and aesthetics may not suit players seeking versatile workhorse guitars
The Verdict
A 95 EJ Score from critic consensus makes the San Dimas one of the highest-rated guitars in this price bracket. MusicRadar’s perfect score and Premier Guitar’s glowing assessment both emphasize versatility beyond typical shred machines. That no-load tone control is genuinely innovative, offering more tonal range than most shred guitars bother with. The pau ferro board at $970 is the only real letdown. If you want a pro-level shred guitar that can also handle blues and cleaner work, this is near-perfect. Just make sure the aged finish suits your taste before buying.
