When I first unboxed this Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal HH FR 3TSB, the 3-tone sunburst finish combined with the sleek black pickguard instantly caught my eye. It’s an absolute stunner – a classic look with just the right amount of attitude.
But looks aren’t everything. How does it play and sound? In one word: incredible.
Playability & Feel
The neck immediately stood out to me. It’s not too thin, not too thick – sitting perfectly in that sweet spot that makes shredding effortless. It almost feels like the guitar wants you to play fast. Every run, every sweep, every bend feels natural, with zero fight from the instrument.
Tone & Pickups
The pickups deliver exactly what I was searching for: that slightly dirty 80s metal vibe. Every chord rings out with character, and lead lines cut through with clarity and bite. Honestly, every time I dig into a riff or a solo, I get goosebumps.
Hardware & Stability
The Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo system is rock solid. No tuning issues, no slipping – exactly what you want when you’re dive-bombing or adding subtle vibrato. I even took this guitar to a 4-hour rehearsal with my groove metal band, Xerador, and it stayed in tune the entire time. That tells me this guitar isn’t just a bedroom shredder – it’s roadworthy. The No-Load Tone Control is also a welcome addition, since I rarely use it anyways.
The Setup Experience
Now, it wasn’t perfect out of the box. The factory setup left room for improvement. The Floyd sat too high, the string windings were excessive (five winds on the low E string – way too many), and the strings weren’t stretched properly, which caused some tuning instability early on. After a proper setup and string stretch, though, everything fell into place. I generally do not expect a perfect setup right from the Factory anyways, since everyone has their own preferences.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this guitar looks, sounds, and feels amazing. If you’re after a classic Superstrat that can handle everything from screaming solos to heavy riffs, from Classic Rock to Death Metal, this one should be high on your list. Highly recommended!
You can find all the Specs and Info here (not sponsored): Charvel.com