Charvel Am NC SD1 HH FR RRD
The Charvel Am NC SD1 HH FR RRD pairs a maple neck and stainless steel frets with Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo. Its specification is particularly compelling for players who value stable tremolo use and a versatile five-way pickup switch.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Charvel Am NC SD1 HH FR RRD: Technical Review
The Charvel Am NC SD1 HH FR RRD is a USA-made electric guitar with an alder body, a bolt-on maple neck, and two Seymour Duncan humbuckers. Its specification centers on a top-mounted, double-locking Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo, a 22-fret maple fingerboard, and a single volume control paired with a five-way switch. The listed color is Racing Red, and the gold-plated hardware gives the model a distinct visual finish.
This review is based only on the supplied product details. No customer reviews are available, so there is no user feedback to report about setup, reliability, comfort, or sound. The listed price is 2475; the supplied information does not identify a currency.
Body, Neck, and Fingerboard
The body is made from alder, with no separate top specified. The maple neck is attached with a bolt-on joint, and the fingerboard is also maple. Black dot inlays mark the fingerboard. These material and construction details establish the guitar's basic build, but they do not by themselves determine its weight, balance, or tonal character. No measurements for those properties are provided.
The neck has a compound fingerboard radius that changes from 304.8 mm (12 inches) to 406.4 mm (16 inches). That is a measurable design feature: the fingerboard becomes flatter along its length. The listed nut width is 42.86 mm (1.6875 inches), and the scale length is 648 mm. Together with 22 jumbo stainless steel frets, these dimensions give a clear outline of the playing surface without establishing how a particular player will find the neck in hand.
The stainless steel fret material is specified, as are the jumbo fret size and total fret count. The product data does not state fret dimensions, neck profile, or fretboard edge treatment, so those details should not be assumed.
Pickups and Controls
The pickup layout is HH, meaning two humbuckers. At the bridge, Charvel specifies a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4. The neck position carries a Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N. This pairing identifies the pickup models and their locations, but the supplied information does not include output measurements or switching diagrams. It would be premature to claim particular sounds or performance results from the names alone.
Control hardware is straightforward on paper: one volume control, using a 500K EVH Bourns low-friction potentiometer, and a five-way switch. The control list does not describe the switch positions or the coil configurations available in each position. Buyers who need exact switching behavior should verify it with Charvel or the seller rather than infer it from the five-way switch alone.
Floyd Rose Tremolo and Hardware
The guitar uses a top-mounted Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo, with a matching Floyd Rose 1000 Series locking nut. The locking components are explicitly part of the specification. The information does not include setup instructions, adjustment range, or details about the included tremolo arm, so those points remain unconfirmed.
Other listed hardware includes Charvel-branded die-cast tuning machines and gold-plated hardware. The factory string specification is nickel-plated steel in.009 to.042 gauges. The product data does not state whether a spare string set or adjustment tools are supplied.
Included Items and Buying Considerations
A Charvel Multi-Fit Foam Core case is included. The general listing also confirms that a case is included and a bag is not. The item number is 638039, and the sales unit is one piece. The finish is identified as Racing Red in the detailed specification and Red in the general color field.
- Construction: Alder body, bolt-on maple neck, and maple fingerboard.
- Playing surface: 22 jumbo stainless steel frets, compound 12-inch to 16-inch radius, and a 42.86 mm nut.
- Electronics: Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 bridge humbucker, '59 SH-1N neck humbucker, one volume control, and a five-way switch.
- Tremolo: Top-mounted, double-locking Floyd Rose 1000 Series system with locking nut.
- Included case: Charvel Multi-Fit Foam Core case, with no bag listed.
Assessment
The specification describes a USA-made Charvel with a defined set of higher-grade components, including stainless steel frets, named Seymour Duncan pickups, and a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo. Its controls are limited to one volume knob and a five-way switch, though the available data does not explain the switch wiring. The compound radius and 648 mm scale length provide useful sizing information for comparison, while the neck profile and overall weight remain unspecified.
For a purchase decision, confirm the precise five-way switching functions, current price and currency, and any setup details with the seller. Since no customer feedback is available, this assessment stays with documented specifications rather than making claims about feel, sound, or long-term performance.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Seymour Duncan JB bridge and '59 neck humbuckers offer a strong, familiar pickup pairing.
- The compound 12-inch to 16-inch fingerboard radius and 22 jumbo stainless steel frets support comfortable play across the neck.
- Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo, locking nut, and included fitted case are substantial practical features.
What bugged me
- The 22-fret layout may be limiting for players who need access to a 24th fret.
- No gig bag is included, though the guitar comes with a fitted case.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong fit for intermediate and advanced players seeking a double-locking tremolo, humbucker tones, and a compound-radius fingerboard. Also worth considering for players who want a fitted case included.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who require 24 frets or prefer a simpler fixed bridge. Buyers specifically seeking an included gig bag should note that the package contains a case instead.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Red
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Maple
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- Floyd Rose
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
Up close
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups are fitted to this guitar?
It has a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 humbucker at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N humbucker at the neck, controlled by a five-way switch.
Does it include a case?
Yes. A Charvel Multi-Fit Foam Core case is included. A separate gig bag is not.
What kind of tremolo system does it use?
It has a top-mounted Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo and a Floyd Rose 1000 Series locking nut.
Is the fingerboard suitable for both chord work and lead playing?
The compound radius changes from 12 inches to 16 inches, with the flatter upper section suited to bends and lead playing. Whether it feels comfortable for chords is a matter of personal preference.
How many frets does it have, and what are they made of?
It has 22 jumbo stainless steel frets, rather than a 24-fret layout.
The last word from the bench
This USA-made guitar has a focused, performance-oriented feature set, including an alder body, compound-radius maple fingerboard, and two Seymour Duncan humbuckers. The five-way switch adds more tonal options than a basic two-humbucker setup, while the locking tremolo is suited to players who make extensive use of the bar. Its 22 frets and lack of an included gig bag may not suit every buyer, but a fitted case is included. No customer reviews were provided, so buyer sentiment cannot be assessed.
Hanging next to it
Charvel Am NC SD1 HH FR RRD
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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