Two different styles of HSS from Charvel's ever-expanding Pro-Mod series.

There is no doubt that Charvel offers plenty of choices for modern rock guitarists, and this serious duo includes the two newest members of the brand's Mexican-made Pro-Mod series. Although the model names may be confusing at first, they are not difficult to decode; HSS HT E Sassafras is a satin black hard tail, while HSS FR M is equipped with Freud roses and shiny platinum pearls.

Sassafras is not a kind of timbre wood we often encounter, but it has a pedigree, because its use in Fender's early days was very limited. Recently, the company has been considering it as an alternative to the increasingly scarce supply of marsh ash, which has been plagued by climate change and the emerald gray borer beetle.

Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS HT E Sassafras

The aesthetic similarity between Sassafras and swamp gray is obvious. In the Charvel family, the satin black finish of HTE accentuates its deep lines. This example is also very light, with a total weight of just over 7 pounds. The 12-16 inch compound radius ebony fingerboard is suitable for the needs of modern string stretchers, and the black hardware completes the hidden appearance.

Back to the saddle: Sassafras model uses Charvel's HT6 body and hard tail bridge

The FR M has the same compound radius fingerboard geometry and slim C neck profile as the hardtail model, with hand-rubbed satin polyurethane finishes and rolled plate edges, but this time the fingerboard is maple. The embedded Floyd Rose 1000 series double lock tremolo bridge is equipped with a brass block and of course a matching lock nut. The hardware is chrome-plated, and it is combined with the platinum pearl finish to give this instrument a fresher and less obvious metallic beauty than its siblings. However, the additional hardware and alder body add an extra half kilogram of weight.

Lock and load: HTE locks the tuner after it has Charvel

Seymour Duncan is the designated pickup supplier. Both models use the ubiquitous JB TB-4 in the bridge, the Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 single coil in the middle position, and the rewind and reverse pole in the neck. Sexual version. Therefore, it is not surprising that we went straight to the Diezel VH4 preset on Axe-Fx III.

Insert HTE, and the tonal characteristics of sassafras are immediately revealed. It is a kind of middle ground between alder and marsh ash, but with extra low-end weight. This depth becomes more pronounced on the neck pickup, and with the slight spikes in the upper middle part, we find ourselves firmly in the realm of Nuno Bettencourt-style percussion rock rhythms. Switching to the bridge, we accepted full-throat rock, which once again helped the midrange. But this sense of depth is lingering, the lead vocals only need to sing without any additional enhancements.

It is foreseeable that the Floyd Rose model has a little less sustain than the colluding HTE, while the FR M's alder body and maple board produce a lively high pitch, which requires a little tame. With similar amplifier settings, HTE provides a harsher rock sound, but once we dial in more gain, FR M proves that it can get the same average. At the same time, in a cleaner setting, it provides some very realistic Hendrix-style tones in the neck position. And, if you want to further expand the palette, positions two (in-bridge coil and mid pickup), three (outer bridge and neck pickup), and fourth (viola and neck pickup) have enough percussion Voice.

Nut operation: FR M is equipped with Floyd Rose 1000 series lock nuts

Both instruments have the currently popular no-load tone control. When fully opened, it will be completely out of the circuit, which undoubtedly contributes to the unfettered sound provided by any instrument. In contrast, the friction of the volume control is much lower, and it is easy to accidentally reduce the gain quite a bit before you get used to the position of the control.

Raising the bar: Nothing can say "rock and roll" better than Freud Rose

Leaving aside this little quirk, these two HSS instruments seem to be popular additions to the Pro-Mod series, especially the sassafras model that brings real new things. Ultimately, these guitars need to be heard no matter in recording or live environment.

1 of 3 Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS HT E Sassafras Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR M Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR M

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