Anyone have experience of Charvel Desolation DS-2?

[TPReggie]

Hi All,

Thinking of picking one of these up as I need something beefier to complement my Fender lineup. I am not usually a great fan of active pickups - but these seem to have universally good reviews online and the price point is good enough to mean I could swap out for passive in a few months if need be. My only concern is that these may be put together so specifically for metal that they may not be able to do anything else.

Has anyone on here got one, or played one who could comment honestly on them?
Hopefully someone has, couldnt find anything on search though - please let me know if you are an owner/player and are happy/unhappy.

Many thanks.
Reg.

[samzadgan]

I tried a single cut one at shop not too long ago. The pickups sounded fine...as you would expect.

The guitar itself felt horrible to me...ver light, almost toy-like...and the neck felt rough as well.

I may have had a bad one...but it really put me off. Its a shame because i really like the look of their skatecasters too.

On the question if its built for metal. Id say that was their aim, but i dont think it stops you using it for other types of music, it all comes down to the tone you can get out of the pickups.

Also, wouldn't suggest putting passive pickups in these...i think as they have used actives they have skimped on their choice of woods.

[BucketheadRules]

Don't bother with those Charvels, they look like sub-par Schecter Hellraiser clones and are nothing special to play really, from my experience of them... the necks are good but you can't use all of it, because the fret access is hateful (the arch-top Soloist is quite nice though).

Do what I did and give your money to a different Fender subsidiary - get one of these for less money:



The pickups are EMG's cheapo passive units, which are not as bad as you might expect from the price point - although I still swapped them out for DiMarzios, and it now sounds several hundred times better. And it plays just about as well as anything I've tried for three times the price. Seriously.

Probably the best metal guitars you can get for under £500.

And, like Charvel, Jackson is owned by Fender so you'd be keeping it in the family

[TPReggie]

Hmmm, ok, not much love then for the Charvels.
What is that Jackson by the way? A Soloist?

[axisus]

I really like the look of the Charvel Desolation with trem. I recall reading some favourable reviews when they came out - actually some were here at MusicRadar. I just checked and there are a few Charvel Desolation DS-1 reviews, all 4 star by the look of it so not bad.

I want to try one myself, I think they look cool as a different take on the LP look. The Jackson pointy things do nothing for me (although obviously very good guitars!)

[monquixote]

I think the finish options on those Charvels are a bit odd. There seems to be a trend to chuck blingy tops and horrible pearl on everything. The Jackson BH posted looks far more metal and I could imagine using a skatecaster for some alt metal type stuff if they did it in a flat metalic with no binding or inlays.

[TPReggie]

Must say I am not wanting to use this only for metal - that is one of the reasons I posted, so I am not looking for an all metal only type. My main problem is that the closest place to me that has them in stock is Andertons which is about 1 1/2 hours drive around the M25 - something I am not keen to do to have a test play on one of these, so I was hoping I could tap into the experience of someone on here who may own one or have spent some time with one

Saying that, there are some lovely Ibanezes too - but I am definately after something with no floyd. . .

[monquixote]

I would seriously suggest try before you buy. Others will disagree, but I only like actives for squeely Zakk Wylde stuff so it wouldn't be my choice for something not focussed mainly on metal.

You will also take a huge beating if you sell it so you need to be very sure.

[guitarfishbay]

Check out PRS SEs. There are usually a few around and IMO they're a fantastic bargain used. The stock pickups are about as good as you'll find on a mid range instrument and they sound fine as they are. The necks are comfortable and the designs are good, being that they are based on the US counterparts. If you need 24 frets there are CU24 models, but if you'd prefer a single cut the SE singlecuts are worth a look. More ergonomic than a Les Paul and I personally find fret access no issue on PRS singlecut designs.

If you want a different choice of 24 fret singlecut some of the ESP EC models are Les Paul shaped and have 24 frets, might be worth looking at those too.

I'm with you on the look of these Charvels, and I arguably play metal! I like classic looking guitars, even conservative pointies like Jackson and Ibanez Strat shapes are a bit much for my tastes.

[TPReggie]

Check out PRS SEs. There are usually a few around and IMO they're a fantastic bargain used. The stock pickups are about as good as you'll find on a mid range instrument and they sound fine as they are. The necks are comfortable and the designs are good, being that they are based on the US counterparts. If you need 24 frets there are CU24 models, but if you'd prefer a single cut the SE singlecuts are worth a look. More ergonomic than a Les Paul and I personally find fret access no issue on PRS singlecut designs.

If you want a different choice of 24 fret singlecut some of the ESP EC models are Les Paul shaped and have 24 frets, might be worth looking at those too.

I'm with you on the look of these Charvels, and I arguably play metal! I like classic looking guitars, even conservative pointies like Jackson and Ibanez Strat shapes are a bit much for my tastes.

Yeah I have wanted an SE Singlecut or 245 for a while now. They are too costly for me new as they are in used Gibson price range now as used, and I have really struggled to find one at a decent price used in the newer models - i.e. with the birds on the neck.

Ibanez SZ was a favourite and the guitar I have always regretted moving on - but again these can be tough to find again now as they are discontinued.

Oh well, just keep on keeping my etes open I guess