Charvel has just added the new Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV and Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass JJ V to their lineup. Each one has some very sweet features, perfect for the modern bass player and they come in some very bright colour options, perfect for making a statement!
Charvel 4 and 5 strings
The classic sleek alder body shape is certainly a familiar one, coming straight from the original Charvel San Dimas basses of the late ’70s, with those deeper cutaway for effortless upper-register access.
The original ’70s models were all custom shop built, made one at a time and some of these player tweaks have now carried on over to these modern day versions.
Caramelised Maple Necks
The super-thin bolt-on maple Charvel speed neck is crafted in the original style, just now you have a caramelised treatment, along with graphite reinforcement, both of which should hope keep it rigid and true. Plus you have a handy heel-mount truss rod wheel for easy neck relief adjustment.
The modern 12″-16″ compound radius caramelised maple fingerboard should make playing a breeze, plus you have rolled fretboard edges for added comfort. The necks are fitted with 20 jumbo frets and stage friendly glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side dots. All models come with that familiar licensed Fender Precision Bass headstock shape.
DiMarzio Powered
These new Pro-Mod models all feature a set of DiMarzio pickups and have active electronics throughout.
The Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV has a Model J at the bridge for well-rounded punch and a Model P in the middle for warm and fat tone with a mid-range growl when pushed.
Whilst the Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass JJ V features an Area J DP551 pickup in the bridge and an Area J DP550 pickup in the middle that combine for well-balanced tone with warmth, sustain and clarity.
The electronics includes a master volume, pickup blend and of course, that three-band active EQ.
Hardware
Hardware consists of a rock solid Charvel HiMass bridge, a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut and open-gear tuners which combine to give you great tuning stability with improved note punch and plenty of sustain.
The 4-string, 34″ scale Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV is available in Lime Green Metallic and Mystic Blue finishes with chrome hardware and cream pickup covers.
Whereas the 5-string Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass JJ V with its 35″-scale, is offered in Lambo Green Metallic and Candy Apple Red finishes with gold hardware and cream pickup covers.
If you like bright colours, then these models could be for you. I think they are some great looking modern basses and the pricing is about right for all those features. You can check out all the new Charvel Pro-Mod bass models in action in the official demo video below.
RRP – Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV USD 899 and Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass JJ V USD 999
Video