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Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Ibanez MM1
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
88
Value
71
Score
81
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
85
Value
71
Score
81
FIND IT ON:
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Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM vs Ibanez MM1

Reasons to Get
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM over Ibanez MM1

Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickups
HSH vs HH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.77'' (19.6mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Reasons to Get
Ibanez MM1 over Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Pickups
HH vs HSH
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.77'' (19.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes

Other Key Differences
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM vs Ibanez MM1

Bridge Pickup
Charvel Custom Humbucking vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Charvel Custom Humbucking vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM vs Ibanez MM1

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Ash vs Flamed Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 81 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Ibanez MM1 wins when it comes to playability. On the other hand, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM has the upper hand when it comes to build quality.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Ibanez MM1.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez MM1
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Overview

  • From Charvel's 2021 Artist Signature series
  • Guthrie Govan Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash top
  • Basswood body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez MM1 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2018 MM series
  • Martin Miller Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • African Mahogany body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
  • AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
  • Weight between 7.9lbs (3.6kgs) and 8.5lbs (3.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Ibanez MM1

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Ibanez MM1.

Pickup Configuration

The Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM has an HSH configuration while the Ibanez MM1 has HH pickups.

HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Coil Tap.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM's switch options
Ibanez MM1 pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez MM1's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 85
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 81
Ibanez MM1
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 82
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 81

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM compares to the Ibanez MM1.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Ibanez MM1 comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Both in this comparison come with stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

They both have locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez MM1
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Quality of materials 85
Features 85
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 88
Ibanez MM1
Quality of materials 85
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 85

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Nut Width
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Nut Width
Ibanez MM1 Nut Width
Ibanez MM1 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM and Ibanez MM1's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Neck Profile
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM's neck profile
Ibanez MM1 Neck Profile
Ibanez MM1's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM and the Ibanez MM1 have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez MM1 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez MM1's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM favors large hands more than the Ibanez MM1. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez MM1:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM and Ibanez MM1 Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Ibanez MM1
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM vs Ibanez MM1
General Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Ibanez MM1
Brand: Charvel Ibanez
Year: 2021 2018
Configuration: HSH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: Artist Signature MM
Colors: Sunburst Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood African Mahogany
Bridge: Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge Gotoh T1802 Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh Locking Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P.
Fretboard: Caramelized Maple Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Caramelized Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Crème Dots Abalone dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Charvel Speed AZ Oval C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hyperion (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hyperion (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Tap Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1