Vintage Charvel HRF Parts Guitar

[Anonymous]

I recently scored this Hot Rod Flames Charvel parts guitar. It is all original 1981 Charvel parts (pickups are newer though). It has original Charvel plate #1866, which is non-original to the neck and body. This is a hand pinstriped re-finish on the body. I replaced the strap buttons with serialized looking ones from Frets On The Net. Also had Frets On The Net make me tremolo and control cavity covers for it since it didn't have any when I got this guitar. I know the brushed aluminum covers are not accurate, but the control cavity route for the cover is very shallow because it wasn't masked during paint and it would only fit a very thin cover like what GMW used in the 90s. I put new cream pickup rings on that match the pickups better and used all black screws on the pickups. I believe the pickups are a JB and a '59...

The main change I did to this guitar was to address the neck. It had lacquer finish on it that someone had tried to sand off, but gave up. The finish was dirty in places and it didn't look good. I sanded all the finish off with progressive sanding all the way to 2000 grit so it was nice and smooth. I then applied 2 coats of Watco Danish Oil (Dark Golden Oak). The neck looks and feels incredible now! The Charvel logo is original to the guitar. I just didn't sand all the finish off on the headstock so I wouldn't damage it, but it looks like bare wood with a silkscreen.

It's a great guitar and it is nice to have an original 1981 Charvel even if it is just assembled from real parts...

Pics!:

Steve

 

[Racerxrated]

Congrats! Looks great! I'm sure it plays as good as it looks...

 

[Anonymous]

Congrats! Looks great! I'm sure it plays as good as it looks...

Thanks man! Neck is SMOOTH now. This thing sounds really warm and heavy with the JB. Not too bright at all...

Steve

 

[jcmlespaul]

Always liked the look of 21 frets on the charvels

 

[thenine]

fantastic (again)!

 

[yngzaklynch]

I like it

 

[JackTripper]

That came out seriously nice. That graphic is one of my favorite on these old school guitars. That neck looks pretty sweet too.

 

[Anonymous]

Always liked the look of 21 frets on the charvels

Yeah, I have several Charvels and only my Pointy has a 22 fret neck. Love the 21 fretters!

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

fantastic (again)!

I like it

That came out seriously nice. That graphic is one of my favorite on these old school guitars. That neck looks pretty sweet too.

Thanks guys!

Steve

 

[psychodave]

Looks 100% badass.

 

[Anonymous]

Looks 100% badass.

Steve

 

[rupe]

Perfect...awesome build!!!

 

[Rock Bodom]

I keep coming back to look at this one, such a classic look, absolutely killer! Minor question, is the neck pickup flipped? I'm not anal retentive, I was just wondering if there was a functional reason/preference.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Aw shit! Total flashback! Dime had one of these he won in a guitar competition. It was always sitting out in the foyer by the front door. Played like a dream. Was the first charvel I had ever seen.

Super nice, man. Congrats for bringing another one to life.

 

[cecilbag]

That is pure sexy. That neck has some nice grain to it. Awesome guitar and glad another was brought back to life

 

[Anonymous]

Perfect...awesome build!!!

Thanks man - you would know!

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I keep coming back to look at this one, such a classic look, absolutely killer! Minor question, is the neck pickup flipped? I'm not anal retentive, I was just wondering if there was a functional reason/preference.

Looks like it! I didn't even notice. It sounds really good, so I'm just gonna leave it.

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Aw shit! Total flashback! Dime had one of these he won in a guitar competition. It was always sitting out in the foyer by the front door. Played like a dream. Was the first charvel I had ever seen.

Super nice, man. Congrats for bringing another one to life.

Yeah Dime's was a similar design in a different color scheme. Way cool guitar.

Got one more old one coming. I have an '81 Charvel neck with a black painted headstock and plate #1016 (VERY early serialized!) that goes with it. Got an '81 Charvel made Dimarzio body that I'm putting it together with. They just finished the paint for it. Check this one out:

Here is the mask:

Here is peeling off the mask:

Here it was when they were ready to shoot the black:

Here it is waiting for final buffing:

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

That is pure sexy. That neck has some nice grain to it. Awesome guitar and glad another was brought back to life

Thanks man - it is a killer playing neck!

Steve

 

[Chubtone]

Dang Steve. Lots of awesome happening in your house these days! That carpet of your has seen more 80's style hotness than the stage rug at the 7th Veil on the Sunset Strip