The Legendary San Dimas Returns: Charvel Launches the American-Made Neo-Classic San Dimas Series

Charvel has officially introduced its new American Neo-Classic San Dimas lineup, a collection consisting of two electric guitars inspired by the company’s classic San Dimas design. Both instruments are manufactured in Corona, California.

The San Dimas story dates back to 1979. Following Grover Jackson’s acquisition of Wayne Charvel’s guitar business in the late 1970s, the San Dimas model emerged and eventually became one of the defining guitars of the hard rock and heavy metal movement throughout the 1980s.

With the introduction of the new American Neo-Classic San Dimas series, Charvel pays tribute to one of the most enduring and recognizable guitars in metal history while incorporating a range of modern performance-oriented upgrades aimed at today’s players.

The lineup consists of two models:

• Charvel San Dimas SD1 HH FR MPL
• Charvel San Dimas SD1 HH HT MPL

Although the model names may appear complex, the differences between the two instruments are relatively limited.

Both guitars feature a versatile dual-humbucker configuration built around the renowned Seymour Duncan JB/’59 pickup set. This combination delivers warm and rich tones from the neck-position ’59 pickup, while the bridge-position JB provides higher output, enhanced attack, and strong overall presence.

The control layout remains intentionally simple and player-focused, consisting of a single volume control paired with a five-way blade selector switch.

To ensure a smooth and comfortable playing experience across the entire fretboard, both models are equipped with stainless-steel jumbo frets, offering durability and effortless playability.

The primary distinction between the two guitars lies in their bridge systems.

The San Dimas SD1 HH FR MPL comes equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, allowing players to perform extensive pitch manipulation techniques and expressive vibrato effects.

Meanwhile, the San Dimas SD1 HH HT MPL features a fixed Charvel Hardtail bridge, designed for tuning stability, reliability, and direct string response.

Each model is available in several finish options.

The SD1 HH FR is offered in:

• Robin’s Egg Blue
• Ivory Blitz
• Gloss Black
• Racing Red

The SD1 HH HT is available in:

• Gloss Black
• Racing Red
• Velvet Midnight
• Ivory Blitz

To celebrate the release, Charvel enlisted Dweezil Zappa, son of the legendary Frank Zappa, to put the new American Neo-Classic San Dimas guitars through their paces. The promotional presentation took place in a California skate park, showcasing the instruments in an environment closely associated with the brand’s heritage and attitude.

Speaking about the launch, Jon Romanowski, Vice President of Product at Charvel, emphasized the deep connection between the new series and the company’s roots.

According to Romanowski, both Charvel and the new guitar were born in California. He described the American Neo-Classic San Dimas as a direct continuation of the company’s origins, reflecting the workshop culture, craftsmanship, and dedication to building instruments that musicians genuinely want to play.

He further noted that manufacturing the guitars in Corona represents a meaningful return to the company’s heritage. He also highlighted the performance of the Seymour Duncan JB/’59 pickup combination, describing it as highly effective across a wide range of playing styles and musical situations. In addition, he praised the available finishes, suggesting that they are every bit as iconic as the San Dimas model itself.

Alongside the product launch, Charvel also provided a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing process, giving players and enthusiasts an opportunity to see how the new American Neo-Classic San Dimas guitars are built at the company’s California facility.