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Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
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Playability
70
Sound
84
Build
72
Value
70
Score
75
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
75
Score
75
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Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM vs EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple

Reasons to Get
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM over EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple

Decorative Top
Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs Killswitch
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSS vs HH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.77'' (19.6mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.685'' (42.8mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple over Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM

Pickup Mods
Killswitch vs Coil Split
Cuts out the pickups instantly
Pickups
HH vs HSS
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.77'' (19.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.685'' (42.8mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
75 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM vs EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple

Bridge Pickup
EMG 89 vs Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG SA vs Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Basswood
Different Body Wood

Shared Features
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM vs EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
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
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 75 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple wins when it comes to playability, value for the money. On the other hand, the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM has the upper hand when it comes to sound, build quality.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple is the better choice.

The EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM meets only 4. 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.

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Overview

  • From Charvel's 2022 Artist Signature series
  • Marco Sfogli Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Alder body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 89 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Middle pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Charvel-Branded Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple Overview

  • From EVH's 2021 5150 Guitars series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Quartersawn Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Top-Mount EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna bridge
  • EVH Modified C Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded Gotoh tuners
  • Weight between 7.6lbs (3.4kgs) and 8.05lbs (3.7kgs)
  • 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

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM has an HSS configuration while the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple has HH pickups.

HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM's and use them on any guitar:

The Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM's pickups are Active while the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple's are Passive.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

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

The Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM gives you 5 switch options while the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple gives you 3. This means that the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM offers Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

On the other hand, the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple comes with the following: Killswitch.

A Killswitch lets you disengage the pickups instantly. It can be useful when playing live, and it allows you to create some cool sound effects by using the switch rapidly.

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM's switch options
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple'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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 84
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 82

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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM compares to the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple.

Country of Origin

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

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Both models come with a retainer bar, which is helpful when changing the strings on a double-locking tremolo. Without it, the strings would change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'd have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly

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.

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: Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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

Both come with regular tuners. The Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM's are Charvel-Branded Die-Cast while the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple's are EVH-Branded Gotoh

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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Killswitch Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
Quality of materials 50
Features 85
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 72
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
Quality of materials 51
Features 80
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 69

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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Nut Width
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Nut Width
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple Nut Width
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42.8mm (1.685''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0029999999999999'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM, 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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM and EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple'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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Neck Profile
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM's neck profile
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple Neck Profile
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple'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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM and the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple 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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM'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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM favors large hands more than the EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM and EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple 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 Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70
EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM vs EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
General Charvel Marco Sfogli Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSS FR CM QM EVH 5150 Series Standard Maple
Brand: Charvel EVH
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Mexico Mexico
Series: Artist Signature 5150 Guitars
Colors: Purple Burst Green
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Basswood
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) Top-Mount EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Charvel-Branded Die-Cast EVH-Branded Gotoh
Fretboard: Caramelized Maple Maple
Neck Material: Caramelized Maple Quartersawn Maple
Decoration: Cream Dot Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Charvel Speed EVH Modified C Backshape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.8mm (1.685'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: EMG 89 (Humbucker / Active) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil / Active)
Neck Pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil / Active) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Killswitch
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1