Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E vs Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence
Reasons to Get
Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E over Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence
Reasons to Get
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence over Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E
Other Key Differences
Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E vs Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence
Shared Features
Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E vs Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence
Common Strengths
- Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
- High-Quality Nut
- High-Quality Frets
- Top Pickup Brand
- Expensive Wood
Common Weaknesses
- Weight Relief
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- From a High-Quality-Standards Country
- 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 the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E's 74 score, although not by a lot.
The Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E in every aspect.
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?
If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E is the better choice.
The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence meets only 3. 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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E- Comfortable shape
- Comfortable fretboard
- Tall frets
- Comfortable neck
- Narrow nut
- Short scale
- Locking tuners
- Easy-to-use bridge
New Player Friendliness
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence- Comfortable shape
- Tall frets
- Comfortable neck
- Comfortable fretboard
- Narrow nut
- 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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E Overview
- From Charvel's 2022 Artist Signature series
- Phil Sgrosso Signature
- Made in Mexico
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
- Mahogany body
- Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
- 1 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs
- Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
- Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
- 22 Jumbo frets
- Charvel-Branded Die-Cast tuners
- Weight between 7.95lbs (3.6kgs) and 8.45lbs (3.8kgs)
- Compare Specs >
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence Overview
- From Dean's 2021 Select series
- Made in Indonesia
- 6 strings
- 25.5"'' scale
- 12" Fretboard Radius
- Flame Maple top
- Eastern Mahogany body
- 3 Piece Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard
- Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
- Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
- 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
- 3-way Switch
- Evertune bridge
- Slim C Set neck
- 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
- Mini Grover 18:1 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
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.
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.
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: Tie.
Pickup Configuration
The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E has an H configuration while the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence has HH pickups.
A single H pickup gives you the advantage of having a little longer sustain (all other things being equal) because there will be less magnetic fields from other pickups affecting the strings' vibration. However, they also give you the least versatility because you won't have other pickups at different distances from the bridge to create different tones. A single humbucking pickup is used for noiseless high output, which is used mainly for Hard Rock genres.
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.
However, the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.
You can purchase similar pickups to the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E's and use them on any guitar:
We found the same or similar pickups to the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence's online:
Both use Active pickups. These pickups use an additional 9v battery to be able to increase their output for high gain tones. This is why they're popular among heavy metal guitarists. Their disadvantage is that you need batteries for the pickups, so you'll need to spend money on batteries and time swapping them. Also, the clean tones aren't as clean as other pickups because they'll have really hot output.
Winner: Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E.
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 Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence gives you 3 switch options while the Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E gives you 0. This means that the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve
Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Multi-Voicing.
Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.
The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E doesn't come with pickup switching 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: Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence.
Final Sound Quality Scores
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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E compares to the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence.
Country of Origin
The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E is built in Mexico while the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence is made in Indonesia.
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.
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.
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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E has a Locking nut. 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.
On the other hand, the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence comes with a NuBone nut. It's made by the same company that makes TUSQ nuts. It's slightly softer but hard enough to give you a brighter sound when playing open strings. It's also self-lubricating, so it's good for tuning stability.
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.
In this comparison, the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence is the only one that has 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: Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence.
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.
The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E's brige is a 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.
On the other hand, the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence's is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.
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: Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence.
Tuners
Both come with regular tuners. The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E's are Charvel-Branded Die-Cast while the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence's are Mini Grover 18:1
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.
The Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E has 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.
On the other hand, the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence comes with Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.
Winner: Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E.
Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:
Charvel Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Multi-Voicing Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Retainer Bar
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Mexico
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Expensive Wood
- NuBone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Multi-Voicing Pickups
- Stays in Tune (Evertune)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
Final Build Quality Scores
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
The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference
This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.
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
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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E and the Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence 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
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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E 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.
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 Phil Sgrosso Signature Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 H FR E:
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence:
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.
