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2013 Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR M Electric Guitar Maple Fingerboard Quarter Sawn Maple Neck Candy Apple Red Floyd Rose Seymour Duncan MIM Mexico Superstrat Super Low First Year Serial Number (CM000501) San Dimas
I have priced this for it’s condition and rarity.
Note:There is a ridge near the middle of the skunk stripe neck.
There are 2 small screws missing in the backplate.
The following information was found on the web about this guitar.
The "CM" prefix represents the first production run of Mexican-made Pro-Mods. According to Charvel enthusiasts and forum discussions, these specific instruments were built using leftover, squared-off-fretboard necks sourced directly from Japanese (MIJ) production lines before they transitioned to the "MC" serial prefix later that year.
Key Specifications & Features
- Production Rarity: The "CM" sequential format was exclusively used during the initial launch phase when Charvel first shifted Pro-Mod production to Mexico in early 2013. Later in 2013, the prefix format permanently changed to "MC". Because your sequential number ends in 0501, this is an exceptionally early, low-number production run from the very first months of Mexican manufacturing.
- Seymour Duncan Pickup Set:
- Bridge (TB-6): High-output ceramic magnet design that delivers biting midrange harmonics, focused lows, and cutting leads without muddiness.
- Neck (SH-6N): Aggressive yet fat and warm, keeping fluid articulation for fast solos or clean passages.
- High-Speed Playability: Built with a comfort-sculpted alder body paired with a bolt-on Quarter Sawn maple neck.
- Reliable Hardware: Typically paired with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking recessed tremolo system for squeals, dives, and reliable tuning stability.
- Hardware Dependability: The combination of the Floyd Rose locking nut and tuners ensures it holds pitch beautifully even after heavy whammy bar abuse.
The Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 is a high-performance "Superstrat" guitar explicitly built for high-speed shredding, heavy rock, and metal. This specific configuration highlights the pairing of a Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 trembucker/humbucker at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6N humbucker at the neck. Together, they yield aggressive, high-output passive tones with excellent harmonic clarity.
Your guitar's serial number indicates it is an early 2013 Charvel Pro-Mod Series model ( So-Cal ) manufactured in Mexico (MIM).
The 2013 Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal marked a massive milestone for the brand as the year Charvel officially moved its production to the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico (MIM). Reintroduced at the 2013 Winter NAMM show after a brief hiatus from the market, this specific model year is highly regarded by guitarists for delivering premium, "hot-rodded" US-engineered performance at a much more accessible price point.
Key Specifications & Features
The 2013 So-Cal was built explicitly for high-speed, high-performance playing. It came configured with a minimalistic, no-nonsense "pedal-to-the-metal" control layout:
- Body Material: Solid Alder styled in the classic, comfortable Fender Stratocaster silhouette.
- Neck: One-piece quartersawn maple with a slim, fast "San Dimas" profile and hand-rubbed finish.
- Fingerboard: 12"–16" compound radius maple with 22 jumbo frets and rolled edges for an instantly broken-in feel.
- Pickups: High-output Seymour Duncan Distortion humbuckers (TB-6 at the bridge and SH-6N at the neck) mounted on a 1-ply black pickguard.
- Bridge: Recessed Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system for extreme dive bombs while maintaining rock-solid tuning stability.
- Controls: A single knurled master volume control knob and a 3-way toggle pickup switch.
The 2013 Sonic Profile
The combination of the heavy-ceramic Seymour Duncan Distortion pickups and the resonant alder body gave the 2013 So-Cal a blistering, aggressive voice. While it excels at heavy metal and hard rock, rolling back the single volume knob allows the guitar to clean up beautifully, making it surprisingly versatile.
Market Availability & Pricing
Because the 2013 models are durable workhorses, they frequently pop up on the used market through platforms like Reverb.
- Used Price Range: Typically ranges between $950 USD and $1,100 USD depending on the condition and original colorway (notable 2013 factory colors included Gloss Black, Snow White, Candy Apple Blue, and Candy Apple Red).
- Modifications: Because of the pickguard routing, many players buy the 2013 So-Cal as a modification platform to swap in HSS/SSH single-coil configurations, custom pickguards, or push-pull pots.
Based on your details, your guitar is a 2013 Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR finished in Candy Apple Red.
The technical breakdown of your exact specifications highlights several key details:
🎸 Model Identification & Specs
- Model: Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR. The presence of a pickguard coupled with a Floyd Rose (FR) tremolo and a dual-humbucker (HH) configuration specifically defines the So-Cal line (as opposed to the San Dimas, which features direct-mounted pickups without a pickguard).
- Finish: Candy Apple Red.
- Origin: Made in Mexico (MIM).
🔍 Decoding the Serial Number (CM000501)
- CM Prefix: This stands for Charvel Mexico. This specific prefix format was only used during the first 6 to 12 months of production when manufacturing shifted to the Ensenada, Mexico factory in late 2012/early 2013. Later in 2013, Fender/Charvel standardly swapped the prefix format to MC (followed by a 2-digit year).
- 000501 Sequence: This is a highly collectible, early sequential production number indicating this was the 501st guitar stamped in that initial factory run.
- The "Leftover" Lore: Many community enthusiasts on Charvel Forums note that these very early CM series guitars frequently utilized leftover premium quartersawn maple neck blanks originally slated for the Japanese factory right before it closed down.
Summary Profile
Component
Factory Spec
Year
Early 2013
Body Shape
So-Cal Style 1 (Stratocaster shape with pickguard)
Bridge
Floyd Rose Double-Locking Tremolo
Based on your serial number and specifications, your guitar is a 2013 Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HH FR M finished in Candy Apple Red.
Guitar Identification Breakdown
- Model: So-Cal Style 1. While the San Dimas model shares a similar body shape, the So-Cal is uniquely identifiable by its pickguard.
- Serial Number Origin (CM000501): The "CM" prefix stands for Charvel Mexico (built at the Fender facility in Ensenada, Mexico).
- Production Rarity: The "CM" sequential format was exclusively used during the initial launch phase when Charvel first shifted Pro-Mod production to Mexico in early 2013. Later in 2013, the prefix format permanently changed to "MC". Because your sequential number ends in 0501, this is an exceptionally early, low-number production run from the very first months of Mexican manufacturing.
- Specs Suffix (HH FR M): Represents Humbucker-Humbucker pickup configuration, Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system, and a Maple fingerboard.
Factory Technical Specifications
- Body Material: Lightweight, resonant Alder.
- Neck Profile: Bolt-on quartersawn maple with a fast, slim profile and a hand-rubbed urethane finish.
- Fretboard: 12"–16" compound radius maple fingerboard featuring 22 jumbo frets.
- Stock Pickups: Typically equipped with a Seymour Duncan TB-6 Distortion in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan SH-6N Distortion in the neck.
- Controls: Black master volume knob, 3-way pickup selector blade.
- Bridge: Recessed Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system.
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| Listed | 21 days ago |
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| Condition | Good (Used) Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.Learn more |
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