Charvels. Help me understand.

[MrDowntown]

Speaking of the San Dimas model. HH, style 1 (?).

Trying to better understand what's available and the hierarchy of "quality". So starting with most expensive, understanding of course playability an quality can get a bit opinion based and subjective.
1. Made in USA custom shop
2. Made in USA production/mass produced
3a. MIJ
3b. MIM

Is this a general consensus? I don't care for urethane necks (hand oil/unfinished are my personal favorites). I believe the MIJ are urethane? So are there measurable luthier differences between the MIJ and MIM, if the urethane neck comment of mine is accurate.

I see some advertised as "Pro Mod", but I'm not familiar enough with the product spot the differences, if there are any.

Looking at new pricing for MIM and used pricing for MIM, MIJ, USA (production), the pricing is quite varied, which helps my confusion. I love the looks of the necks , frets etc, love the black hw but am looking to educate myself a bit. There was a MIM for sale, brass block upgrade, DSS pup "upgrade" (upgrade may be my opinion) for around 600+shipping. Seemed like a good deal, but I'd like to be a little more comfortable with the product line.

Worth mentioning, I am in small town usa, and no one has a charvel, not even a used one at the big box stores 1-1/2 hours away.

Thanks for any help, and Merry Christmas!

 

[Chris O]

All current Charvels are "hand-rubbed oil finish".

USA & MIJ are indicated on the headstock. Neck plate will also be a giveaway- USA is just numbers, Japan begins with "J", and Mexi starts with "M" (forgive me if I'm inaccurate here...I'm not at home to verify that...).

Tough to go wrong. I have a Custom Shop, had 5 USA Pro Mods, 2 Japanese, and one Mexi. They are all great guitars.

 

[Shask]

The Pro Mod USA, MIJ, and MIM are all basically the same guitar. They just kept changing the factory where they were made. There are small differences though. Like the MIJ had rolled edges, a more tinted neck, and came with a really nice hardshell case. The USA and MIM had a gigbag. Some had black hardware, and others had chrome. Some had Dimarzio pickups, and later switched to Duncan. The biggest difference of the newer MIM are that they have a recessed trem. The others did not.

They are all nice, and I would buy based on color, hardware color, recessed or not before I would worry about country of origin. Some people will argue that one or the other is better, but many times that comes down to individual guitar.

Custom shop is something different entirely.

I have a MIJ So-Cal. Came with black hardware, Dimarzio pickups, and a Hardshell case. I love that guitar, but kind of wish I had a MIM for the recessed trem.

 

[MrDowntown]

Great information guys. Thanks.

Do either of you fellows have any close up photos of one of your maple necks? I'm curios to see the color, graining, etc.

Thanks again.

 

[cardinal]

Are the custom shop guitars something truly special? Or are they just nice USA guitars like an Am. Std. Strat with humbuckers and an oil finished neck?

I also can't understand the pricing. I see some custom shop Charvels for sale new around $2200. Others that dont seem any fancier sometimes are being sold for $3k or more. Anyone know why that seems to happen?

 

[mooncobra]

I have owned some VERY BAD ASS Charvel Custom Shop models and they are great guitars!!

 

[MrDowntown]

I love the Strat type body, probably as much as the wolfgang bodies.
I love the candy blue with black hw....so sexy.
I love the l(ook of the) neck and jumbo frets. Will have take advice of reviews and guys in the know her on playability.

 

[Racerxrated]

To me, the order would be..
1. Custom shop
2. USA
2a. MiJ
4. MiM
The MiM that I've played have been distant from the feel of the more recent MiJ offerings. I think for 5-700 used the MiJ Charvels are the best bang for the buck guitars out there. IMO...

 

[rcm78]

Pro Mod stands for Production Model.

 

[the rossness]

I've had 1 CS Charvel Star, 5 of the USA pro mods, 2 of the MIJ Pro mods. Honestly, the MIJ guitars were the best. go figure, right?

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've had 1 CS Charvel Star, 5 of the USA pro mods, 2 of the MIJ Pro mods. Honestly, the MIJ guitars were the best. go figure, right?

I may get flamed for this, but a Charvel, IMHO, should be an easy guitar to slap together. Maple neck bolted onto an Alder body, isn't it kinda hard to fuck that up?

 

[zewango]

Have MIM Charvel that is great. Got from the Music Zoo during Halloween blow out sale. Put in some Dimarzio's for the 80's and ready to go.
No issues with it. Had them all Custom Shop, MIJ, ProMod.

 

[RJF]

Ok, I'll lay it all out for you, for the scoop on Charvels.

The good ones are the 90's Charvels like the model 6, 650xl, 750xl. Neck through and a POINTY headstock. Those...... are Charvels.

Fender can keep their CS/USA/MIJ/MIM stratocasters.

 

[Racerxrated]

Pretty sure the Custom shop Charvels have nothing to do with Fender.....just sayin..

 

[sytharnia1560]

Ok, I'll lay it all out for you, for the scoop on Charvels.

The good ones are the 90's Charvels like the model 6, 650xl, 750xl. Neck through and a POINTY headstock. Those...... are Charvels.

Fender can keep their CS/USA/MIJ/MIM stratocasters.

one born every day

 

[RJF]

Pretty sure the Custom shop Charvels have nothing to do with Fender.....just sayin..

I don't think you got it.

 

[Racerxrated]

nope...failed sarcasm in high school..

 

[gtr31]

Now how does this all relate to the Jacksons .Pro Models are those MIJ or MIM

 

[RJF]

Now how does this all relate to the Jacksons .Pro Models are those MIJ or MIM

As far as today's Charvels, I don't think they have anything to do with Jackson. They split off a long time ago.

 

[Chris O]

Jackson and Charvel are very different animals.