General
While T-style models don't exactly play a traditional part in the metal legend, in recent years, they've been making in an appearance in the darker side of the guitar game. Here, Joe Duplantier, the guitarist from France-based death metal band Gojira has selected a single-cut T-style classic: the Charvel San Dimas Style 2. The solid body has been hewn from a chunk of mahogany for maximised resonance before being loaded with pair of Custom MFB humbuckers that spit the richness, fullness and focus demanded by metal. In place of a fixed bridge, Joe has opted for a Tune-O-Matic and Stop tailpiece set-up to support quick and accurate tuning and superb stability. In short, the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature San Dimas Style 2 electric guitar is a fully honed metal-focussed machine.
The Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature San Dimas Style 2: It's All in the Details
With a good twenty years of experience backing him up, Joe has a pretty solid idea of what he wants from his guitar. So, the volume pot has been pushed back slightly compared to a standard San Dimas Style 2 model, so there's no chance of hitting it with your playing hand mid-set and messing up the setting. In terms of aesthetics, the hand-picked satin black paint job and grey body and neck binding match the colour-way of the humbucker covers, polishing off the satisfying, no-nonsense, gig-ready look.
The Ultimate in Playing Comfort
The playing comfort of this model is definitely the most stand-out feature. The back of the neck has been hand-rubbed with oil to result in a super-fast feel that's virtually impervious to sticky sweat - especially when compared to a high-gloss polyester finish - so fast riff work under hot stage lights is fully supported. The ebony fretboard has also been given a compound radius, so you're getting the more the round feel and snug grip of a 12 inch radius closer to the headstock, and the flat and agile feel of a 16 inch radius closer to the body. Add it all up and you might be looking at the ultimate in playing comfort.
