Why are decent Charvels so hard to find?

[GraySlo]

Every time i'm in the market for one of these, they are almost impossible to find. Customs shops left and right for $1300-$1700, until it's time to actually purchase one....

Also, are the Custom Shops much better than the USAs?

 

[jkdsteve]

Get an MIA or MIJ Pro-Mod and rock that sumbitch!

 

[fek]

I am looking for a San Dimas or SoCal right now. I had 2 and had to sell them at stupid low prices after a spout extended job loss. The ones I am finding now are close to new prices.

 

[nigelpkay]

I just bought a brand new 2016 SoCal (metallic black, with black pickguard) and loving it so far.
I've had them all, MIA, MIJ, MIM, custom, even a Jackson Adrian Smith, and this SoCal is my favourite. Has all the features I want, neck that I can adjust without taking it off, volume knob in a better out of the way position, and a tone knob. Wasn't sure about the recessed Floyd but no issues so far. I'll provably swap out the Duncan Distortions because they are a little bright and harsh for this type of guitar. Neck and fretwork are great for this level of guitar.

I had a Music Zoo custom, and while it was easily the best built and most solid, I didn't get along with the neck profile and the whole guitar was very dry sounding. My Jackson was nice too but I got tired of the HSS setup and after many upgrades, German Floyd, brass block etc, I still wasn't happy with overall sound.

You never know what you're going to get, but I'm super happy with my 2016 MIM so far. Take a chance online or try out as many as you can till one speaks to you.

 

[Racerxrated]

Had at least 20 MIA, MIJ and now 4 custom shops over the last 4 years. Without a doubt Customs rank 1, USA 2, and not far behind MIJ 2a. But the custom shops are a notch above USAs IMO. I've only pulled a few MIMs of the wall, they're ok but well behind the others IMO. The best values IMO are the pointy RI from 05 - 06, built in the custom shop but go for under a grand usually, if you can deal with the headstock lol.

 

[DET1973]

I really want one too...But I only want a Hardtail one. I have been playing les pauls for the last 20 years & thought a decent charvel would be a nice change/addition to the family.

 

[GraySlo]

I really want one too...But I only want a Hardtail one. I have been playing les pauls for the last 20 years & thought a decent charvel would be a nice change/addition to the family.

Check out GC, they have a flat top lemon drop which I would be all over if it had a floyd. Priced pretty nicely....

 

[DET1973]

I really want one too...But I only want a Hardtail one. I have been playing les pauls for the last 20 years & thought a decent charvel would be a nice change/addition to the family.

Check out GC, they have a flat top lemon drop which I would be all over if it had a floyd. Priced pretty nicely....

Thanks!

 

[GraySlo]

Had at least 20 MIA, MIJ and now 4 custom shops over the last 4 years. Without a doubt Customs rank 1, USA 2, and not far behind MIJ 2a. But the custom shops are a notch above USAs IMO. I've only pulled a few MIMs of the wall, they're ok but well behind the others IMO. The best values IMO are the pointy RI from 05 - 06, built in the custom shop but go for under a grand usually, if you can deal with the headstock lol.

I'm kicking myself for missing out on a nitro relic a few weeks back for under $2K.

I think you're right about the gradation there. If the deal is right, customs can go for just a few more hundred than USA promods, and to me that makes it totally worth it.

Personally, though, I wasn't a huge fan of the MIJs. Last few that I bought just felt cheaper, although I did like fret-end treatment.

 

[GraySlo]

I really want one too...But I only want a Hardtail one. I have been playing les pauls for the last 20 years & thought a decent charvel would be a nice change/addition to the family.

Check out GC, they have a flat top lemon drop which I would be all over if it had a floyd. Priced pretty nicely....

Thanks!

For sure, good luck!

 

[lessthan12]

Ive got this one on hold at the moment. Just hesitant to finalize the deal today as I have to let one of my Anderson Angels go to bring it home

 

[chobley]

I wish you could get Style 1 in satin silver..

 

[thenine]

Ive got this one on hold at the moment. Just hesitant to finalize the deal today as I have to let one of my Anderson Angels go to bring it home

Holy Crap! What the? Where? Oh my!!!

 

[atrox]

I've been wanting a Tangerine SoCal for so long, yet they are never available when i can afford it. Then i got the Charvel endorsement thingy and they gave me this wonderful USA San Dimas, i lusted after the tangerine socal even more. So I was just looking again last month. Nothing. So i paid bills instead and of course, a tangerine SoCal shows up for sale a day later. I give up.

 

[lessthan12]

Ive got this one on hold at the moment. Just hesitant to finalize the deal today as I have to let one of my Anderson Angels go to bring it home

Holy Crap! What the? Where? Oh my!!!

Thats what I said when I first saw the picture of this one from the Namm show 2017. Ive been waiting a few months for this one to pop up for sale from whatever retailer got it. A few weeks ago Wild West got the sister guitar to this one in white, then this guy finally popped up the other day. Its a straight up Red Dave built custom shop and probably amazing, but like I said, I am giving up one of my Anderson to bring it home. Just a little nervous

 

[Racerxrated]

I've been wanting a Tangerine SoCal for so long, yet they are never available when i can afford it. Then i got the Charvel endorsement thingy and they gave me this wonderful USA San Dimas, i lusted after the tangerine socal even more. So I was just looking again last month. Nothing. So i paid bills instead and of course, a tangerine SoCal shows up for sale a day later. I give up.

Damn!

 

[Racerxrated]

Every time i'm in the market for one of these, they are almost impossible to find. Customs shops left and right for $1300-$1700, until it's time to actually purchase one....

Also, are the Custom Shops much better than the USAs?

You should also check out Chubtone guitars..Curt(Chubtone) is a longtime Charvel player and dealer, and is offering custom shop quality at around 1000-1700 new depending on options. You can have the original pre pro neck profile or the compound radius profile. Or whatever you want I'm sure.

 

[GraySlo]

I've been wanting a Tangerine SoCal for so long, yet they are never available when i can afford it. Then i got the Charvel endorsement thingy and they gave me this wonderful USA San Dimas, i lusted after the tangerine socal even more. So I was just looking again last month. Nothing. So i paid bills instead and of course, a tangerine SoCal shows up for sale a day later. I give up.

This, exactly this. It was easier finding a late 60s Les Paul than this process has been for me.

 

[GraySlo]

Every time i'm in the market for one of these, they are almost impossible to find. Customs shops left and right for $1300-$1700, until it's time to actually purchase one....

Also, are the Custom Shops much better than the USAs?

You should also check out Chubtone guitars..Curt(Chubtone) is a longtime Charvel player and dealer, and is offering custom shop quality at around 1000-1700 new depending on options. You can have the original pre pro neck profile or the compound radius profile. Or whatever you want I'm sure.

That is a good option, their stuff appears to be quality. But then again, for a bit more (or maybe the same price), and some patience/luck, I can run into a used Charvel Custom Shop...

At this point, I'm seriously considering a Fender YJM and just modding that to fit a bucker.

 

[Racerxrated]

Last I looked GC had 2-5 on their used site, 13-1900. Check em out.