Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod Bass | Guitar Interactive | Review

Charvel's bold entry into the bass category continues with the brand-new San Dimas Pro Mod. These sleek instruments combine throwback Charvel DNA from the company's earliest bass models with modern appointments for a high-performance bass built to do more. Designed for those who defy the status quo and want even more from their bass, these models come loaded with a deeper body cutaway for effortless upper register access and a super-thin bolt-on caramelized maple speed neck. Here's Rodney McG to tell us more.

[howardthrust]

Xlnt review! You covered just about ALL of the salient facts and figures! Was in a G/C store recently (haven't been for YEARS!) and messing around with Basses, when the saleskid unlocks one of these and hands it to me--telling me it's absolutely AMAZING. Well, he was absolutely RIGHT! I haven't been much of a fan of active p'ups, but I didn't find ANY drawbacks with the setup in the Pro-Mod...just ADVANTAGES!. Got one en route in "Lime Green Metallic"!

[RandomTstudios]

Great review. Your tone sounds great here. I own the same bass, I’ve had it over a year. I found a good deal on it used, but am very disappointed with the noisy preamp. I had to take the electronics out and apply copper shielding tape all inside the pickup cavity and electrical cavity. I play it basically passive now, because it sounds terrible with the preamp. I’ve debated replacing the pickups and preamp or just selling the bass. I love everything else about this bass, but electronically it needs help. I expect more from a “pro” mod. Also, the Dimarzio are weak, maybe I’m just an EMG guy.

[Dapno_]

Damn, I was already excited about Rodney being fit again :/ Hope he is alright

[TheMlvswoll]

I played one in store and it is super comfortable. One of the nicer feeling necks I’ve played. However, the preamp seems to overboost. Especially the bass knob. Seems to get muddy and even in this demo it appears to overload your amp and distort. Shame cuz it plays and feels awesome.

[jamesbridges]

Charvel missed the mark with this bass. They are sitting at stores.
Charvel made solid color Fender P Bass.
Charvel should have dipped into the past a bit.
They should have added
Grover Titan Tuners
Two Volume
Two Tone
Two mini on off switches
Black hardware
Badass bridge or Schaller 3D4 bridge.
It’s a shame. I’m assuming there is no one around from the 80’s era that makes any suggestions.

[johncandido]

I love the tone of this bass. What is the fret board made of?

[mindcave]

The QC on some of these was horrid. Mine went back to he store the very next day and a made in Japan Fender came home with me. That was a good decision.