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Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
VS
Playability
72
Sound
67
Build
60
Value
71
Score
66
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Playability
68
Sound
74
Build
72
Value
61
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH vs Joe Duplantier USA Signature

Reasons to Get
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH over Joe Duplantier USA Signature

Release Year
2017 vs 2014
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Value Score
71 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature over Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Charvel Custom vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Plastic
Good tuning stability with rich tone

Other Key Differences
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH vs Joe Duplantier USA Signature

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Designed HB-103B vs Charvel Custom MF Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Designed HB-103N vs Charvel Custom MF Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Nut Material
Plastic vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH vs Joe Duplantier USA Signature

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
0
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.77'' (19.6mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Overview

  • From Charvel's 2017 Artist Signature series
  • Joe Duplantier Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Designed HB-103B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Designed HB-103N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Charvel Fully Adjustable Radius Compensated Bridge with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature Overview

  • From Charvel's 2014 Artist Signature series
  • Joe Duplantier Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fully Adjustable Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stop Tailpiece bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • 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 Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

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.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. 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

The Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature pickups from a more specialized brand than the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

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: Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature.

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.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH and Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH and Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature'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: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 52
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 67
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 52
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 74

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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH compares to the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH is built in Indonesia while the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature is made in United States.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature

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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

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: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
Quality of materials 41
Features 70
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
Quality of materials 51
Features 70
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 72

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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH and Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature'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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same 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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH and the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature 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 Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH's Compound Fretboard 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.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Frets Size
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH's Frets Size
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature Frets Size
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature's Frets Size

The Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 72
Charvel Joe Duplantier USA Signature
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 68

Specs Side-by-Side

Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH vs Joe Duplantier USA Signature
General Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Joe Duplantier USA Signature
Brand: Charvel Charvel
Year: 2017 2014
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Artist Signature Artist Signature
Colors: White Satin Black, Gray Satin
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Charvel Fully Adjustable Radius Compensated Bridge with Anchored Tailpiece Fully Adjustable Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stop Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Decoration: Gojira G Pearl
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Charvel Speed Charvel Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Designed HB-103B (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Designed HB-103N (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 0 0