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Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
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Playability
70
Sound
81
Build
70
Value
64
Score
74
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Playability
73
Sound
88
Build
75
Value
64
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR vs Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain

Reasons to Get
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR over Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain

Release Year
2017 vs 2016
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Neck Profile
Charvel Speed vs Phil Collen PC1
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.77'' (19.6mm) vs 0.825'' (21mm)
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
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain over Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR

Decorative Top
1/8 Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile
Phil Collen PC1 vs Charvel Speed
Thick neck that gives you a better grip
Pickup Mods
Sustainer vs None
Infinite sustain when activated
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.825'' (21mm) 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
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR vs Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 vs DiMarzio Super 3 DP152
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 vs PC1 Sustainer Driver
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Flame Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Flame Maple
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR vs Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain

Middle Pickup
DiMarzio HS-2 DP116
Same Middle Pickup
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HSS
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
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 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
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • 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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR Prices

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Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's 74 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR is the better choice.

The Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain 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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR Overview

  • From Charvel's 2017 USA Select series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Quartersawn Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking 2-Point Tremolo bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Charvel-Branded Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain Overview

  • From Jackson's 2016 Artist Signature series
  • Phil Collen Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • 1/8 Quilt Maple top
  • Caramelized Mahogany body
  • Quartersawn Caramelized Flame Maple neck
  • Caramelized Flame Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Super 3 DP152 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PC1 Sustainer Driver (Single Coil/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Phil Collen PC1 Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast 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 the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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.

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 Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain

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

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

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: Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HSS. 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.

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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR 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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain's online:

The Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's pickups are Passive while the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain's are Active.

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: Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR.

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 Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain comes with some kind of pickup modification: Sustainer.

The pickups with Sustainer are able to recreate the 'feedback' you get when you hold your guitar near a speaker without muting the strings. This allows them to produce infinite sustain that you can use for as long as you want to create interest sounds and harmonics.

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's switch options
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain'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: Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
Pickups 85
Sustain 100
Versatility 80
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 88

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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR compares to the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain.

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.

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 USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's are Charvel-Branded Die-Cast while the Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain's are Jackson Sealed Die-Cast

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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
  • Made in United States
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Sustainer Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
Quality of materials 41
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 70
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
Quality of materials 45
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 75

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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR 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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR and Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain'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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR Neck Profile
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR's neck profile
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain Neck Profile
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR has a C type of 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.

The Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain, on the other hand, has a Vintage neck. This means that it's thicker than most modern necks, and makes it a better fit for playing chords and slow solos. Some people prefer this type of neck because it gives them a better grip thanks to the extra mass. Still, the vast majority prefer a thinner, faster, and more ''modern'' neck.

Fretboard Radius

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR'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 Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain favors large hands more than the Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR.

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR and Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain 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 San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70
Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR vs Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
General Charvel USA Select San Dimas Style 1 HSS FR Jackson USA Signature Phil Collen PC1 Satin Stain
Brand: Charvel Jackson
Year: 2017 2016
Configuration: HSS HSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: USA Select Artist Signature
Colors: Black, Red, White Satin, Purple Satin Black, Blue, Green, Red, Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Caramelized Mahogany
Bridge: Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking 2-Point Tremolo Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Maple Caramelized Flame Maple
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple Quartersawn Caramelized Flame Maple
Decoration: Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Charvel Speed Phil Collen PC1
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Super 3 DP152 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio HS-2 DP116 (Single Coil / Passive) PC1 Sustainer Driver (Single Coil / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Sustainer
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 0 1