
rstites
Well-known member
I'm not exactly sure but I think after Grover sold to IMC, Charvels were still made in Japan in the early 90s..Toothpaste logos etc. The Jackson line was still profitable so the custom shop US/production line still put out Soloists, RR, King Vs, DK1s etc. My guess is that in 94-96, USA shop managers decided to do a Charvel run, with the SD1-4s. The Japanese line did the same with their versions MIJ. That would explain the closer in similarity to Jacksons with 24 frets, recessed Floyds, etc vs a traditional Charvel USA with top mount Floyds, 22 frets etc. Easier to do a more Jackson-like Charvel reissue since they're already doing 24 frets etc. Just my guess anyway.
During the same time period, there was no real differentiation in the Japanese built professional series and the US built guitars too. That lasted several years in the 90s. It seems like the company struggled a bit in differentiating their product lines during the time. They made a decided shift later to differentiate US from import. I don't know if this was the same exactly for Charvel but maybe the same thinking drove it.