Thoughts on Charvel Guitars?

[antisinglecoil]

Hey guys,

So I've recently run into a few Charvel guitars lately and I absolutely love them! I've played the San Dimas models and they're just a near-perfect guitar for me with the unfinished maple neck, large frets, Strat style body, and Floyd rose. They play, sound, and feel great!

However, this is the only thing I know about them, aside from the fact Fender owns them now. I posed a little while ago asking if a Fender Strat with the aforementioned existed and Charvel's were suggested, and it really was what I've been looking for!

Can anyone maybe help me on what are some good options? I understand Fenders well enough to make recommendations, but I was hoping someone out there can do the same for Charvels and maybe break them down for me (like someone might for Squier, MIM, MIA, CS, etc.)? All I know thus far is that I want the San Dimas Strat-type body, and unfinished maple neck with the Fender style headstock. Any thoughts, explanations, or links would be much appreciated, thank you!!!

 

[Bluesman630]

When it comes to Charvels, and Jacksons for that matter. The only models worth looking at are the USA made models.
The Asian imports are made in the old Cort factory, and are junk.

A major point to be wary of with the imports is the Floyd Rose. Imports use a licensed version that is made of cheap metal, and they rarely stay in tune, and they literally fall apart.

That being said, there are a few exceptions, one being the mid 90s Japanese built Professional series guitars. They were so good, they were cutting into the USA guitar sales. Hence the reason they were discontinued. Or so I read.

Sure, the USA Jackson / Charvels are pricey, but they are worth it.

 

[Lonn]

Can't speak to the Charvels but I disagree with the above posts regarding Jackson. I'm not a shredder but I've owned a number or semi recent Jackson guitars and they've all been of good quality.

 

[smurph1]

Can't speak to Charles butt a friend at our local mom and pop says Schecters are really selling well.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

I have a non-s-type Charvel - DS1 Pro Stock, Cherry Sunburst - like a Les Paul with Duncan 59 humbuckers. Made in China. Better playing guitar than any real Gibson Les Paul I ever tried...it's flawless...so I disagree on them being not very good...

 

[antisinglecoil]

When it comes to Charvels, and Jacksons for that matter. The only models worth looking at are the USA made models.
The Asian imports are made in the old Cort factory, and are junk.

A major point to be wary of with the imports is the Floyd Rose. Imports use a licensed version that is made of cheap metal, and they rarely stay in tune, and they literally fall apart.

That being said, there are a few exceptions, one being the mid 90s Japanese built Professional series guitars. They were so good, they were cutting into the USA guitar sales. Hence the reason they were discontinued. Or so I read.

Sure, the USA Jackson / Charvels are pricey, but they are worth it.

Awesome information, thank you Bluesman. Some of the import models seem decent, but it's always the longevity I'm concerned about and the other factors you mentioned.

I'll keep an eye out for the Japanese ones as well, found one once but the frets were in terrible shape.

Schecters are not really my cup of tea, but certain can understand why certain people may like them. And Jacksons seem nice but also just not my cup of tea. The Charvels just really seem to be what I'm looking for.

Thanks again, any other comments/suggestions welcome! Also, can anyone make some suggestions on what the mid-90's Japanese and the USA versions should go for used?

 

[Bluesman630]

The San Dimas Charvels are fairly plentiful, and can be had from about $700 and up. I've actually seen them in Guitar Center for under $600. Like the Model 6 I grabbed from GC a few years ago for $599. Talk about a steal.

Quality control on them is very good. Im sure theres lemons out there, but in my experience, they are very well made, play like a dream and sound fantastic.

For the 80s Japanese models, this website has some info that should get you pointed in the right direction. I cant vouche for all the info on the site, but from what Ive read, it seems pretty accurate.

Japanese Charvel | The Resource for Charvel Japanese Serial Numbers

 

[antisinglecoil]

The San Dimas Charvels are fairly plentiful, and can be had from about $700 and up. I've actually seen them in Guitar Center for under $600. Like the Model 6 I grabbed from GC a few years ago for $599. Talk about a steal.

Quality control on them is very good. Im sure theres lemons out there, but in my experience, they are very well made, play like a dream and sound fantastic.

For the 80s Japanese models, this website has some info that should get you pointed in the right direction. I cant vouche for all the info on the site, but from what Ive read, it seems pretty accurate.

Japanese Charvel | The Resource for Charvel Japanese Serial Numbers

Oh ok, so they're not that expensive used? I was thinking like $1,500+, which there are some on CL for that area, but I guess its a different model or they're delusional, as many CL sellers are lol.

 

[Mouse]

I've had my San Dimas for 4 years now and love it. Jumbo frets (which I love) and a very comfortable neck. I've read mixed reviews on them but the stock Duncan JB and 69 pickups are fantastic. Hot but not too hot and clean up well. The frets were dressed perfectly and even the fretboard appears to be rolled.

I also have an early 90s model (toothpaste logo) which hasn't been used much over the past 10 years but it's another good player. It's more along the lines of the typical super strats with a flatter neck profile.

I've also got a Charvel Desolation sitting right next to me in my office at work which I bought for $99 on one of those Stupid Deal things. For what was meant to be a cheap beater I'll leave at the office, the quality is pretty good. I've never played it through anything but a little battery powered Blackstar Fly amp so I can't speak to much about how it sounds but feel-wise it's a nice guitar...particularly for what I paid for it. They're crafted in China and normally are around $300-400.

Lastly I've got an old Charvel acoustic that I never 100% bonded with. It's fine for what it is but it would make a nice guitar to take to the beach or outdoors and not care too much if your drunk buddy fell on it.

I never gave it much thought but Charvel seems to be my leading brand among all my guitars. That was completely unintentional but given my experience with them, I'd not hesitate to buy another of their products.

 

[antisinglecoil]

I've had my San Dimas for 4 years now and love it. Jumbo frets (which I love) and a very comfortable neck. I've read mixed reviews on them but the stock Duncan JB and 69 pickups are fantastic. Hot but not too hot and clean up well. The frets were dressed perfectly and even the fretboard appears to be rolled.

I also have an early 90s model (toothpaste logo) which hasn't been used much over the past 10 years but it's another good player. It's more along the lines of the typical super strats with a flatter neck profile.

I've also got a Charvel Desolation sitting right next to me in my office at work which I bought for $99 on one of those Stupid Deal things. For what was meant to be a cheap beater I'll leave at the office, the quality is pretty good. I've never played it through anything but a little battery powered Blackstar Fly amp so I can't speak to much about how it sounds but feel-wise it's a nice guitar...particularly for what I paid for it. They're crafted in China and normally are around $300-400.

Lastly I've got an old Charvel acoustic that I never 100% bonded with. It's fine for what it is but it would make a nice guitar to take to the beach or outdoors and not care too much if your drunk buddy fell on it.

I never gave it much thought but Charvel seems to be my leading brand among all my guitars. That was completely unintentional but given my experience with them, I'd not hesitate to buy another of their products.

Thanks Mouse! Yeah being a little bit of a "Fender snob" for a while, I hadn't considered many other brands, especially Strat copies of all things. But after realizing Fender doesn't make anything that would have exactly what I'd want without heavy mods (Compound unfinished maple neck with jumbo frets, Floyd rose, HH or HSH), I ventured to look around and stumbled upon them by a friend who works at GC.

I will always COLLECT Fenders, but I think my playing style has a couple other preferences. I just got an Ibanez Prestige as some of you may know, and it just doesn't sound the way I want and I think I like a thicker neck with a compound radius better. I definitely don't regret it, especially for $800 brand new, but I really just want to find the right guitar/brand.

 

[Luthier-Atlanta]

I love mine, I have it for a few years. Great playing, great sounding guitar.
DS-2

 

[ryunker]

I have a 2013 model soloist desolation model. It came with the emg's and a Floyd rose. The Floyd rose is not a "licensed by" but a real Floyd rose tremelo per the Floyd rose web.

The fit and finish are awesome. Plays wonderful. Mine is transparent red, purchased new from guitar center last June for $448 out the door.

I believe there are great guitar builders in all countries, to think people in the us are the only humans in the world that can build a guitar is nuts.

This thing I will never mod, seems like fender had all the hot ridding done in whatever country it was built in.

I had purchased the case separately.

 

[Ahnlaashock]

The import guitars can be hit or miss. Mine sounded good, but I could not stand it. The frets were so big and wide that it played like a shorter scale because of them. Wasn't just me either. One of the guys that tried it has had three Charvels, and liked them. He did not like it either.

 

[Bluesman630]

I believe there are great guitar builders in all countries, to think people in the us are the only humans in the world that can build a guitar is nuts.

I didnt say that, not at all.
Not all Asian guitars are junk, far from it.
The Schecter imports for one, are very good, as are the PRS Asian models.

But the fact is, the Asian import Jackson / Charvels (and many other brands) are built to meet a price point, and do so with sub-par materials and less than great quality control.
Also, I did mention there are exceptions.

The OP has stated he is looking for a quality guitar, with lasting value. In the Charvel / Jackson world, the imports are not a good choice for him.

Thats not a "Pro-USA" nor an "Anti Asian" rant, its just fact.

Also, your Desolation Soloist has the Floyd Rose FRTO2000 model trem. Thats a South Korean made FR, not an original FR.
Its made from a cheaper zinc alloy, and wont fit in to a guitar routed for an Original Floyd Rose.

Again, done to meet a price point. The OFR cost half as much as the Desolation did, so its no mystery, they had to cut costs to meet the price point.

 

[Virgman]

I bought one of the Charvel Skatecaster SK-3's and it is a terrific guitar for the money.

If all the Charvels are as good as the Skatecaster they are indeed very fine.

 

[mshivy]

When I was a teenager in the '80's, a friend had an early Charvel. The neck was to die for- fantastic. You might want to look into an early ' 80's one, I don't believe the prices are astronomical and it probably would be a good investment due to the relative rarity. Good luck either way you go-

 

[Guitarmageddon]

I bought one of the Charvel Skatecaster SK-3's and it is a terrific guitar for the money.

If all the Charvels are as good as the Skatecaster they are indeed very fine.

that's the SK3, so 3rd from top of the line - and even those are amazing - nice neck, same profile as mine...charvel pickups....

I have the top of the line DS body shape, DS1 (now discontinued), and it's neck through body with Seymour Duncan 59's. I almost got one just like yours on Black Friday as a 2nd Charvel but missed out before they were sold out at MF for $99.99....

I love it and it plays like butter...just did a setup, fret polish, and fretboard oiling etc...

 

[Mouse]

I have the exact guitar that Virgman posted. That's the one I got for $99. I called it a Desolation but I guess the full name is Desolation Skatecaster SK-3. Great guitar for the price.

 

[Mouse]

Here's a pic of the Charvel family. I don't play the acoustic much anymore after getting a new one a couple of years ago. I probably should sell it. Same goes for the one on the left. I feel bad as she's covered in a layer of dust after sitting behind the door of my guitar room. Such disrespect

No pics of the SK-3 as that's at work but here's a short clip played through a Blackstar Fly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAb_WDSKi0Q

 

[Robins]

I have the same exact Charvel San Dimas Japan made like Mouse (I have the white one though). I love it - amazing guitar. Can´t be better than that.
Here´s a link to the fretboard pic I took some years ago - they came from Japan when Charvel started the San Dimas new but didn´t have the chance to make them in Mexico (like today) at Fender - they even came with a hardcase with a big impressed Charvel logo.
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/str...097-rolled-fingerboard-edges.html#post1308921

All the best,
Robin