Explain the Charvel models to me.

[Digital Jams]

buying a custom shop for thousands more is much better than sanding a MIJ neck and getting it re fretted and changing the chrome knob to a brass one

??

Not sure what you mean... The Custom Shops are much more than just better neck finish, frets and a brass knob...

Steve

No doubt, he forgot the CS sticker and Chubtone secret handshake of Men who like Charvels.

 

[mixohoytian]

That's what I'm sayin' they are worth thousands more

 

[Anonymous]

buying a custom shop for thousands more is much better than sanding a MIJ neck and getting it re fretted and changing the chrome knob to a brass one

??

Not sure what you mean... The Custom Shops are much more than just better neck finish, frets and a brass knob...

Steve

No doubt, he forgot the CS sticker and Chubtone secret handshake of Men who like Charvels.

The Pro Mods and MIJs are very good. The Custom Shops are better. It is up to the individual to determine if the increase in cost is worth it.

Also, the Pro Mods and MIJs are not ugly enough for me...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

That's what I'm sayin' they are worth thousands more

In fairness, you can now get a Charvel Custom Shop Legacy for $1499 from Music Zoo on eBay. That is $600 more, not thousands...

Steve

 

[guitarmike]

If I was in the market for another guitar I would buy a 1986-8 Charvel Model 6. Get the one with the JT-6 trem and change the pickups to taste and you have a killer neck through guitar. I don't own anything newer than 1990. The higher end mid to late 80's Kramers and Charvels are a steal right now. I have an old pic at my website below, I will update it tonight with my current roster.

http://guitarmike.no-ip.info

 

[lester]

Since all of my guitars are metal guitars, plus an Epiphone Les Paul Studio, and only two of them get any use, I was thinking about selling all of the ones I don't use and getting an all-in-one guitar, in another thread, someone mentioned Charvels or HSS strats being good for that, and I really like strats, my two main guitars being superstrats.

But.. I have no idea about Charvel's line of guitars since they all look pretty much the same, but there's a significant price difference..

I don't mind where a guitar is made as long as the quality is there. I like Fender's MIM HSS Fat Strat, great guitar, the Charvels seem similar.

There are the USA custom shop models, which are the high priced ones you see. They are expensive because they are made in the Corona, CA shop by many of the same guys using the same hand processes that built the original Charvel guitars in the early 80s. They also have better fit and finish than the MIJ and Pro Mods. You can also get custom paint, neck specs, pointy or strat headstock etc. IMO, they are worth the money. They do play better and look better than the other available new Charvels. YMMV...

Custom shop also did the Legacy Grover Jackson Series and a few other special runs. The Legacy's are a great value, IMO. Music Zoo has them on eBay now for $1499, and they are full on custom shop guitars. The only issue is you have to love the wide (1 3/4" nut width), thin neck, non-floyd trem and blood splatter paint on them. Great sounding guitars though.

Then there are the new Made in Japan models that are much cheaper. They still play very nicely and can sound really good. IMO they are pretty damn close to the Custom Shop models if you replace some of the cheaper hardware like Curt (Chubtone) does on the versions he mods and sells. I would say the necks are a bit tacky feeling and mine was much better after some steel wool and oil. Fret work is better than the USA Pro Mods IMO...

You may also be able to find the USA production models (Pro Mods) new, but they are rare new now since they are no longer made (production moved to Japan). LOTS on the used market if you are so inclined. Made in the USA on the regular Fender line. Lots of men love these. I've played them and once again, pretty damn close the USA Custom shop guitars with the exception of the cheaper hardware. Great value IMO. Sound good, play good... Once again some steel wool and oil is a necessity on the necks - fretwork can be just ok...

Honestly though, once you play a Custom Shop, it is hard to go back to the others. I own 5 custom shop Charvels and a new MIJ and I've played many USA Production models and I can tell you this is a fact... The Grover Legacy's are cheapest of the Custom Shop stuff and killer if you can deal with what I mentioned above.

That is what is available now. You can also find used pointy neck Charvels from 2005 on that retailed way higher than the Pro Mods and are built by the Custom Shop guys. They came out before the re-issued strat heads. Not common/traditional colors for Charvels sometimes - more Jacksony (Ghost Flames, etc.).

If you want to get into vintage USA and MIJ Charvels made in the 80s and 90s that is a whole different story and would require a few volumes to describe...

Hope that helps,

Steve

Great answer. awesome.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I think Steve should give us a video of his checkerd Charvel, It's one of the coolest looking guitars in existance.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

I think Steve should give us a video of his checkerd Charvel, It's one of the coolest looking guitars in existance

It's ugly... 'barzini said so.

Steve

 

[craftm1]

Great info.. Steve, I learned something

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Since all of my guitars are metal guitars, plus an Epiphone Les Paul Studio, and only two of them get any use, I was thinking about selling all of the ones I don't use and getting an all-in-one guitar, in another thread, someone mentioned Charvels or HSS strats being good for that, and I really like strats, my two main guitars being superstrats.

But.. I have no idea about Charvel's line of guitars since they all look pretty much the same, but there's a significant price difference..

I don't mind where a guitar is made as long as the quality is there. I like Fender's MIM HSS Fat Strat, great guitar, the Charvels seem similar.

There are the USA custom shop models, which are the high priced ones you see. They are expensive because they are made in the Corona, CA shop by many of the same guys using the same hand processes that built the original Charvel guitars in the early 80s. They also have better fit and finish than the MIJ and Pro Mods. You can also get custom paint, neck specs, pointy or strat headstock etc. IMO, they are worth the money. They do play better and look better than the other available new Charvels. YMMV...

Custom shop also did the Legacy Grover Jackson Series and a few other special runs. The Legacy's are a great value, IMO. Music Zoo has them on eBay now for $1499, and they are full on custom shop guitars. The only issue is you have to love the wide (1 3/4" nut width), thin neck, non-floyd trem and blood splatter paint on them. Great sounding guitars though.

Then there are the new Made in Japan models that are much cheaper. They still play very nicely and can sound really good. IMO they are pretty damn close to the Custom Shop models if you replace some of the cheaper hardware like Curt (Chubtone) does on the versions he mods and sells. I would say the necks are a bit tacky feeling and mine was much better after some steel wool and oil. Fret work is better than the USA Pro Mods IMO...

You may also be able to find the USA production models (Pro Mods) new, but they are rare new now since they are no longer made (production moved to Japan). LOTS on the used market if you are so inclined. Made in the USA on the regular Fender line. Lots of men love these. I've played them and once again, pretty damn close the USA Custom shop guitars with the exception of the cheaper hardware. Great value IMO. Sound good, play good... Once again some steel wool and oil is a necessity on the necks - fretwork can be just ok...

Honestly though, once you play a Custom Shop, it is hard to go back to the others. I own 5 custom shop Charvels and a new MIJ and I've played many USA Production models and I can tell you this is a fact... The Grover Legacy's are cheapest of the Custom Shop stuff and killer if you can deal with what I mentioned above.

That is what is available now. You can also find used pointy neck Charvels from 2005 on that retailed way higher than the Pro Mods and are built by the Custom Shop guys. They came out before the re-issued strat heads. Not common/traditional colors for Charvels sometimes - more Jacksony (Ghost Flames, etc.).

If you want to get into vintage USA and MIJ Charvels made in the 80s and 90s that is a whole different story and would require a few volumes to describe...

Hope that helps,

Steve

Great answer. awesome.

BTW - those Music Zoo Custom Shop Legacy guitars are now $1299 on eBay! I highly recommend then if you dig a wide thin neck...

Steve

 

[yngzaklynch]

I think Steve should give us a video of his checkerd Charvel, It's one of the coolest looking guitars in existance

It's ugly... 'barzini said so.

Steve

I missed the whole barzini drama. Been working a lot of doubles. Now go make that video

 

[mikehickey]

$1299 is a bargain for those guitars. I would grab one if I had spare change.

 

[Les Zombie]

That's what I'm sayin' they are worth thousands more

In fairness, you can now get a Charvel Custom Shop Legacy for $1499 from Music Zoo on eBay. That is $600 more, not thousands...

Steve

I agree with u and i dont mind spending a little xtra for a guitar that doesnt have a 3 and 4 piece body and cheaper floyd. Custom shop charvels are the way to go, i would rather have a music zoo custom for 1300 or even buy a used custom.

 

[Anonymous]

$1299 is a bargain for those guitars. I would grab one if I had spare change.

I've got the Legacy Spiral Checkerboard Star and I've still got an itchy "By It Now" finger at $1299 for those strat blood splatters!

Steve

 

[Digital Jams]

buying a custom shop for thousands more is much better than sanding a MIJ neck and getting it re fretted and changing the chrome knob to a brass one

??

Not sure what you mean... The Custom Shops are much more than just better neck finish, frets and a brass knob...

Steve

No doubt, he forgot the CS sticker and Chubtone secret handshake of Men who like Charvels.

The Pro Mods and MIJs are very good. The Custom Shops are better. It is up to the individual to determine if the increase in cost is worth it.

Also, the Pro Mods and MIJs are not ugly enough for me...

Steve

I have had to replace the switches on all three of my ProMods, they are not really top notch parts.

I want a CS Dinky and when I am ready will speak with the Charvel enabler around here, only thing not settled is the paint. Part of me wants a basic classic charvel finish but the 80s in me wants some sort of graphic.

It will not be as ugly as your stuff though.

 

[Anonymous]

buying a custom shop for thousands more is much better than sanding a MIJ neck and getting it re fretted and changing the chrome knob to a brass one

??

Not sure what you mean... The Custom Shops are much more than just better neck finish, frets and a brass knob...

Steve

No doubt, he forgot the CS sticker and Chubtone secret handshake of Men who like Charvels.

The Pro Mods and MIJs are very good. The Custom Shops are better. It is up to the individual to determine if the increase in cost is worth it.

Also, the Pro Mods and MIJs are not ugly enough for me...

Steve

I have had to replace the switches on all three of my ProMods, they are not really top notch parts.

I want a CS Dinky and when I am ready will speak with the Charvel enabler around here, only thing not settled is the paint. Part of me wants a basic classic charvel finish but the 80s in me wants some sort of graphic.

It will not be as ugly as your stuff though.

Well, that just goes without saying.

Steve

 

[Shask]

I have wanted a MIJ So-Cal for like a year now, lol. I thought they were excellent guitars, but I am not as picky as some around here with multiple thousand+ dollar guitars

Most of my guitars are LTD or Schecter, and I liked the Charvel quite a bit. I can't really play superstrats anymore because the super wide / thin neck kills my wrist. I like the newer Charvels because they are more round. Imagine a Fender Strat neck that has been sanded down to like 3/4 thickness. They are just a good feeling, simple guitar. I like the simplicity of them, but then again, if a guitar is black, has 2 humbuckers, and doesn't have a yard stick as a neck, I am pretty happy

I will eventually get one when I sell enough gear to buy one. I have just been in no hurry to sell since the used market right now sucks.

 

[dulrich1227]

buying a custom shop for thousands more is much better than sanding a MIJ neck and getting it re fretted and changing the chrome knob to a brass one

??

Not sure what you mean... The Custom Shops are much more than just better neck finish, frets and a brass knob...

Steve

No doubt, he forgot the CS sticker and Chubtone secret handshake of Men who like Charvels.

The Pro Mods and MIJs are very good. The Custom Shops are better. It is up to the individual to determine if the increase in cost is worth it.

Also, the Pro Mods and MIJs are not ugly enough for me...

Steve

I have had to replace the switches on all three of my ProMods, they are not really top notch parts.

I want a CS Dinky and when I am ready will speak with the Charvel enabler around here, only thing not settled is the paint. Part of me wants a basic classic charvel finish but the 80s in me wants some sort of graphic.

It will not be as ugly as your stuff though.

like this ..

just had to repo it back from someone who was suppose to but it from me .. 85 San Dimas Rising sun body .. the person took my orignal neck off (see my avatar) and sold it on me has a promod neck it on now..

nothing screams 80s more than that guitar is for sale ....

 

[Les Zombie]

Lately i been thinking about trying to get another demartini, i had one 3 yrs ago and i spammed it for a while and the most i could get was 1450 shipped for it. if i can find another one in the same condition as the one i sold i would glady buy it for 1450 today and if im patient i will find another one for that price, i saw one that sold for 1300 a few weeks ago on ebay. they are out there and if you look hard enough you will find some good deals on charvels.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Lately i been thinking about trying to get another demartini, i had one 3 yrs ago and i spammed it for a while and the most i could get was 1450 shipped for it. if i can find another one in the same condition as the one i sold i would glady buy it for 1450 today and if im patient i will find another one for that price, i saw one that sold for 1300 a few weeks ago on ebay. they are out there and if you look hard enough you will find some good deals on charvels.

Doesn't the snakeskin come with SS frets? Seems like a sweet guitar.


Jim