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Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
88
Value
65
Score
80
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
89
Value
66
Score
81
FIND IT ON:
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Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM vs Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash

Reasons to Get
Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM over Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash

Decorative Top
Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2020 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Pickups
HSS vs HSH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility

Reasons to Get
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash over USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM

Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs None
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Pickups
HSH vs HSS
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Value Score
66 vs 65
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM vs Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Full Shred SH-10B vs Charvel Custom MF Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 vs Charvel Custom MF Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP vs Charvel Custom MF Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM vs Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash

Neck Wood
Flame Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Flame Maple
Same Fretboard Wood
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
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
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
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

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM Prices

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Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash is probably the better product overall with its final score of 81 compared to the Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM's 80 score, although not by a lot.

The Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM has the upper hand when it comes to.

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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
  • 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM Overview

  • From Charvel's 2020 USA Select series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Alder body
  • Caramelized Flame Maple neck
  • Caramelized Flame Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Full Shred SH-10B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo Bridge with Brass Block and Titanium Saddles bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Sperzel Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash Overview

  • From Charvel's 2017 Artist Signature series
  • Guthrie Govan Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Caramelized Ash body
  • Caramelized Flame Maple neck
  • Caramelized Flame Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Charvel Custom MF Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Charvel Custom MF 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
  • Sperzel 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

Flame Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Flame Maple

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Woods Used in the Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT 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 Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash.

Pickup Configuration

The Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM has an HSS configuration while the Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash has HSH 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, 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.

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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM's and use them on any guitar:

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.

Only the Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash comes with some kind of pickup modification: 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM's switch options
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash'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 USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 79
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 85
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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM compares to the Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash.

Country of Origin

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

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: 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM 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 Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
Quality of materials 85
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 88
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
Quality of materials 81
Features 85
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 89

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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM and Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash'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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM and the Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT 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.

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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM and Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash 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 USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Charvel Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM vs Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
General Charvel USA Select DK24 HSS 2PT CM QM Guthrie Govan USA Signature HSH Caramelized Ash
Brand: Charvel Charvel
Year: 2020 2017
Configuration: HSS HSH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: USA Select Artist Signature
Colors: Blue Burst, Orange Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Caramelized Ash
Bridge: Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo Bridge with Brass Block and Titanium Saddles Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Sperzel Die-Cast Locking Sperzel Locking
Fretboard: Caramelized Flame Maple Caramelized Flame Maple
Neck Material: Caramelized Flame Maple Caramelized Flame Maple
Decoration: 4mm Pearloid Dot Ebony Ring with Maple Dot Center
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: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Full Shred SH-10B (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 (Single Coil / Passive) Charvel Custom MF Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP (Single Coil / Passive) Charvel Custom MF Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1