Charvel Custom Shop Celebrates 40 Years & Debuts Throwback Models

2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Charvel® Custom Shop, which holds the unique distinction of being the longest continually running guitar custom shop.
In this video, the Charvel Custom Shop team including Senior Master Builder Mike Shannon, Master Builder Red Dave Nichols, Custom Shop Builder Pat McGarry and Master Builder Joe Williams share their perspective on the uniqueness of Charvel.
“We can do anything with Charvel,” Nichols said. “Nothing is out of bounds. It is kind of sacrilegious to put a Floyd on a Strat, but that’s second nature on a Charvel. We take the guidelines and throw them out the window and do what we want. We glue funky woods together. We do awesome crazy graphics. The trends have changed over the years, of course, and we’re always changing with them. Lately we’re seeing a lot of cooked woods and natural finishes.”
To commemorate four decades of hard-earned glory, Charvel proudly recreated 11 stunning Custom Shop models from Charvel’s original 1979 catalog offering. See these throwback models for the first time here ...
www.charvel.com/

[@CameronCooper]

Really nice touch making all of the guitars from the original catalogue! Fantastic! 🎸🎶🎵🔥

[@briandietrich1373]

We owe EVH a huge debt of gratitude for re-writing the book on what a guitar should be, and how to play the guitar,. Thank you Ed!

[@mollyhatchet7075]

yep ... and he was so young too at the time . god's gift .

[@johnadams2063]

Yeah true..I think it was a collaboration kinda.. ed didnt invent a floyed rose for example..he needed it and when it was there he jumped on it.. know what I mean?? He didnt think of the locking nut either..

[@legatomisterioso7]

@@johnadams2063: It was his idea for the fine tuners though

[@briandietrich1373]

Yes, we do!

[@jturquoise]

Evh was just a guitar player Not a builder Lol

[@DeathMetalThrasher]

The star body is one of the coolest shapes ever to me, I'm glad to own one.

[@imdartson3679]

Its times like this I hate being poor. Awesome guitars.

[@tch8787]

Times like this you reroute one with two humbuckers for one and buy a single humbucker pickguard...also u get what u pay for charvel are sick guitars for the money only real downfall is no stainless frets but still slick necks decked electronics...u could nitpick and replace tuners but I think the fender/charvel brand is fine one sells blues shit one sells metal what’s the big deal

[@paulnicolosi4792]

Wayne was a friend of mine since 72, when he was working out of a shop in Covina. He did some work on my bass and was always happy to help everyone out. He had a great sense of humor…

[@cow6470]

I have the same trivium shirt as Joe Williams. Cool.

[@billycrist2654]

I had one 3 years ago. Painted by Bob Spina ,Was Pink Yellow *0,s green Splash,I was told it was One one the 1st ONes made Prototype- And the headstock was Tear drop Triangle.It was the real Deal--It came from California Vintage dealer , I didnt play it much But Ive got photos of It.It just sat , because I started playin Boogie Bodys and Strats , It was the Star Shape and the paint work was amazing.It was sold ,But I should have just donated back to you guys.I really wish I would have done that.

[@bloodofthetyrant]

Greatest guitar company in history is charvel/jackson. Wish they’d bring back the 80’s model series.

[@lookatmattscar]

Yes, Im with ya Brother. Bought a very early model2B bass in 86 and still own it to this day. Love that bass. 7 years ago i finally got a model 2 guitar little sister to my 2B. Serial numbers were very close. Love them both. That guitar is right there with my 60 Strat. Beautiful guitars. I wamt more. Now my dream guitar is a new Pro Mod.

[@Cole-ek7fh]

@@lookatmattscar i was able to pick up a model 1 recently for 400 usd from a sam ash. beat up, plays great.

[@bloodofthetyrant]

I have an 89 375 deluxe and an 87 3dR lava crackle. Two best guitars i own for sure.

[@Eddie-In-Las-Vegas]

What do you think this video is about? They are bringing back the 80s model series out of the Charvel USA made custom shop. They won't be sold for 80s prices so be prepared to put atleast $3-$4K down on one of these.

[@maidenthe80sla]

Happy 40th Anniversary! I was finish sanding at Charvel/Jackson for a very short time back in 1985 or 1986. Of course, with my dumb luck I ended up sick as a dog with the flu and lost my position. I can't imagine what guitars I would be cherishing to this day from that little shop in Glendora, CA. Why can life sometimes be sooooo cruel!!! 😭 Btw - I still have my check stub (stored away), a Charvel logo pin, catalog & the black satin jacket with my name on the front & Charvel/Jackson in Metallic Gold thread sewn on the back. That jacket was a regular part of my ensemble during those cool nights roaming the metal/rock clubs in the Hollywood/Orange County areas. My first Charvel I played was in the late 70's. It was a sunburst Strat that belonged to a friend of a friend. What a fine instrument and I was fortunate enough to baby sit that guitar for a week! I do own 2 late 80's Charvel (MIJ) and 3 Jackson (MIM, MIJ & a MIJ Bass) guitars, so I cannot complain too bad! Lol

[@mrhertzppl8759]

Maiden the 80's L.A. possible then then get your ‘eye’ to tell me which model I have from 84

[@maidenthe80sla]

@@mrhertzppl8759 Since I did not work their very long and with the amount of years that have gone by I am not sure how good I would be. I surely am not an expert. Please describe what you have and I can give it a go? To ID my Japanese Charvel's I used this link to help (though one is still a mystery): www.charvelusa.com/story.html This other site is from AudioZone.DK and covers Jackson & Charvel: audiozone.dk/

[@mrhertzppl8759]

Maiden the 80's L.A. cool try... ok its 84 is as close as I got so its like a gold red finish over tiger sripe like wood grain, brass (I guess)fixtures. with maple?neck thick as baseball bat, dark inlayed shell dots?...my last sorta puzzle is btwn 1b 2b 3b or r these different designation than I imagine... any word would b cool

[@mrhertzppl8759]

Maiden the 80's L.A. for all that Ive looked re made in dallas or japan the thing badges San Dimas, I’ll check link, other bass is x series Ibanez 82 made in Japan and is so opposite with thin neck-best evr. theres a chance Ive gotten years misassigned to you here/now but the charvel serial# lines up.. agin thanx

[@maidenthe80sla]

@@mrhertzppl8759 What threw me off was the neck being described as fat like a baseball bat. Unless the buyer preferred that type of neck and had it made to those specs. With the year you gave me it had to be made at the Glendora shop. Other than that I could not give you any further details. The guitars must look really nice in real life! Sorry, I was not much help. I have a mystery Made in Japan Charvel, too.

[@saigawesnovember]

I bought a a Charvel Avenger back in 1993 I think I at a little guitar shop in Rohnert Park,Ca. Played it,loved it, but I sold it to a a friend for $200 in 1999. I missed that guitar the moment I sold it. I got it back in 2020. It had been sitting in the original case for more than 20 years. Not played. I will also add that my friend would not take any amount of money for it and shipped it to me. I play it almost daily.

[@Ibaneddie76]

I dig watching these videos for the cool template and jig ideas, they may be old school but if you have a home shop and don't want to work with a CNC those old school methods still work the best!

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

Thanks to EVH for putting Charvel on the map in '78 and '79 !

[@cyb3r3vil30]

Yeah he played them better then he does his own brand

[@briandietrich1373]

EVH. The greatest!

[@quentin536]

@@nomadmusicbk2366 and guess who owns them, Fender. They own basically everything

[@drew5400]

Thanks to fender for bringing the back!!

[@Jeffsafe]

I walked into that San Dimas shop back in early 80s with my guitar player to pick up his Star. No one stopped us.

[@thewurm9177]

I really miss my 80/81 Charvel star. Black with a small pair of air brushed red lips, an explorer headstock, one DiMarzio pickup with one volume knob, and a Kahler tremelo. It was a killer looking and sounding axe! \,,/, ,\,,/

[@belfastgypsy1]

Such a blast!

[@evhwannabe6590]

Love seeing this, but I hate that the man who is the namesake of this brand isn’t mentioned at all. I know the history, but I also know the man. He should still be recognized for his contributions for the creation of this method of guitar design.

[@Peter_Stoops]

Awsome!!! Love old skool Charvels!!!

[@michaelkrutz5737]

Congrats on 40 years! Nice tribute guitars!

[@nickolaspapadopoulos9813]

Always love Charvel!!! 👍🤘🎶🎸💙

[@johnc1666]

That's my favorite charvel collection, pure classicness

[@timothycormier3494]

My adolescences has come back to life!! I have got to play one of these.

[@markschimmoller3402]

There is a awesome vibe about Charvel that I've always loved!

[@jimnicholas7666]

So nice to see old school graphics again! These guys are amazing.

[@jayb6217]

I want one of these musical gems.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

The old Charvels were awesome. Quality instrument’s. As a kid seeing them in the early 80’s was very inspiring.

[@troywilliams6849]

This is awesome🤘🔥🔥🤘

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The Strat bodies look great with the Strat headstock, but the far out bodies look great with the Jackson headstock with the Charvel logo.

[@bobbyberetta4206]

Thank you

[@bojuification]

So sweet. I have a charvel jackson acoustic electric 525 d and it has been my favorite to play since i bought it in the early 90s. I love this guitar and it has a very unique shape and tone. I have never seen another one. Would love to find another one or two.

[@ambracaddabrasaudioearcand4567]

Guess that Means the old Charvel 1 3/4" Nut Width? Awesome 👍!

[@AzenBerries]

I want that spiderweb star so bad. Charvel please bring the Star back

[@calebproductions5970]

Wow very cool original models

[@Nghilifa]

Love that Firebird shaped guitar!

[@jessetate9701]

Totally getting one of these guitars

[@blakjack3053]

Fast forward to 2022 did you ever get one?

[@pedrosalvador5285]

Happy Birthday To CHARVEL GUITARS , Best Guitars Ever! Salutations from Portugal

[@Skyview95]

Beautiful

[@anti-globalistpatriot9180]

You're making some excellent guitars.

[@elevenAD]

everytime i see these i just think Testament Over The Wall Solo! good times!

[@jk-76]

I love it. Not a bullshit idea trying to keep up. Do what made me love your guitars...

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

New to my collection the "Hendrik Danhage" limited edition Signature series. .. . soo Awesome!, can't put it down. neck P/U tone is amazing! Could not resist the limited run of these. Playing Charvels since 83!

[@TheRealReTox]

Hey Charvel. Just wanted to say thanks. I bought my first Charvel just recently and I am very happy. It plays so good, the satin neck is one of the nicest I've ever played. Seriously, you guys have increased my love of guitars significantly and I can't thank you enough! A Satisfied Customer. \m/

[@williamdon3442]

When I get a custom shop guitar its definitely going to be Jackson/charvel

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

Awesome!!! I have loved/played Charvel's since early 80's. I remember my teacher taking my 1983 Charvel catalog. I still play Charvels to this day (see my logo) and def want to pick up a 40th Anniversary. You were the S*it back in the day if you had a Charvel. Friend of mine has a Original pre-pro and another friend has a pre-pro neck. "DS" has a prototype "Guthrie Govan" . Best necks in the business period. Thank you to the original builders: "Cheers" ~ADR

[@teenixon]

I have 2 of the original boogie body Charvels from 78/79 and just love em to death, one has a ebony board on maple that I would love to have duplicated, it's the smallest and best neck I've ever played.

[@zAvAvAz]

AWESOME! yesh! i love those star guitars, mahogany neck, ebony board, swamp ash body, 24 frets, original floyd rose, single humbucker for me. 🎸

[@tommykicksass]

Masters.

[@jesusgonzales8843]

I have a 1986 Charvel model 3 love that guitar and it is possible that one of the guys in this video might have worked on or built my Charvel... Thank you for one God dang great guitar

[@pigjubby1]

In '86, I inlayed and fretted the guitars. Myself and two other guys. We were kids.

[@bucknasty69]

I wish Charvel would bring back basses as production models. The ones in this video were sick!

[@FloydUpgrades]

Well done!

[@sampacker6547]

Perfect for your next jazz gig

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

Charvel is probably the best air guitar I ever played !

[@RabihSaadguitars]

really cool...

[@hadleymanmusic]

I remember about 81 an ad in sound arts magazine. First I heard of charvel.

[@cortneyholt]

My favorite brand Charvel I own a mauve San dimas

[@vixenvendettaofficial]

Awesome!! =)

[@fuzzcous]

I hope there are import versions of those Star guitars. Good work

[@12x]

40 years of stripped down, pink and green strats with 1 humbucker.

[@DethMetalMercenary]

Own/found a Model 6 original, 24 fret, w/ a metallic blue kahlerUsa trem, japan version in pearl wht,, and one of the greatest guitars I own. Need a min toggle on-off switch (black)flat head if anyone could help in that direction,info. But also found one of your desolators in a "popular" music store some yrs ago. Two emgs, F.Rose, one vol knob and switch, neck through in red, not expensive too..again..best guitars I own..lucky find...make again \m/.. :) ty charvel..

[@neobes]

Those remakes of the old guitars look awesome, but good luck keeping them in tune if you touch that old-timey tremolo

[@jaggercontreras9270]

Cool soon this year ill go To San Dimas to buy my first Charvel guitar yeah...\,,,/

[@normanjohnson712]

I still have my first electric guitar a Charvel Model M4 and the case it came with

[@lizzietheheretic7831]

Nice 🌞

[@GreenMeanie101]

You guys should talk to Steve and do a true greenmeanie replica.

[@duncanh6045]

Yes, that was always my favourite guitar of his, that was the in the Yankee Rose film clip wasn't it ?

[@jeffreycollins7297]

why not just make your own. you'd learn and also be able to tell people you made your own guitar.

[@GreenMeanie101]

@@jeffreycollins7297 I already did but the charvel neck I bought from ebay seems screwed up in the frets buzzes in certain spots and the action seems to high even near the nut. So I am done building guitars now lol and no one wants to work on a 12-16 radius mutt guitar.

[@gab.lab.martins]

Green Meanie take it to a proper luthier. It can be a lot of things, from a warped neck (very hard to fix) to just uneven frets (a 2-hour job).

[@russellzauner]

Everyone is wearing PPE. APPROVE!

[@FloridaManMatty]

russell zauner I noticed that too. OSHA approved!

[@michaelbujanda8785]

If I had the big money to spend I would have a custom Charvel stratocaster guitar made with one pickup , one volume knob and it would be rear routed! Also it would have a hardtail bridge like the one on the Jake E. Lee guitar and it would have the Jackson pointy head stock shape like on the Randy Rhoads guitar!!! ☺☺☺ I would have hot rod flames painted on the guitar!!!!😄😃😊😁 🎸 🎸 🎸

[@aquilarossa5191]

I spent a fair chunk of change building a partscaster from an Allparts body and neck and what I thought were the best bits to go on it. I put a knock off Charvel sticker on it. It cost as much to do as the USA San Dimas was at the time. I thought the partscaster would be better because it had the specs I wanted. Not even. It was more than okay but not a great guitar. The Gotoh locking trem was the best thing about it. Very good. The builder that did the finishing really pissed me off though by spraying clear over the frets. He said that's just what you do. I doubt it tbh. It took me ages to get it off and make it playable. I pulled it apart and sold the parts separately to recoup most of my money. Now I want to clone an old Marshall amp. Hopefully it works out better this time, although maybe I should begin with cloning a fuzz pedal.

[@jmromero6381]

I went with Warmoth, and ended up with a guitar I can't put down. Cost $478.60. I have 2, 3k Ibanez, Jackson, ESP, and though they're great guitars, 99 times out of 100, I pick up my self assembled Warmoth guitar. Love it.

[@borrogove]

I bought my DK24 HSH made in mexico a month ago and really fell in love with it. Its just so different from my other guitars. The only complain is the frets ends are not properly filed they feel sharp.

[@hadleymanmusic]

I remember i put the sound arts magazine back cover ad on my bedroom wall i like the star

[@hadleymanmusic]

It is a good tool

[@toshi-vt4sm]

cool‼︎🎸👍✨

[@Crussman499]

Bring back the fusion line.

[@TheGoldcolor]

Nice I have a WRC Neptune Tiger Cowery Brown only one ever made --sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[@juliansuarez3849]

Charvel star is fucking cool guitar

[@benben-sl7hi]

Need to see checkerboard graphics!!!

[@centerspike6613]

Satchel at 8:56!!! Lmao

[@rik_rule]

Whoa

[@ydin9]

These are not for me, not for my taste or wallet but I have to say they are retro fantastic right down to the details and it's cool that a company would do such a product run for enthusiasts.

[@afterdark6822]

Wish Charvel produced more left handed options.

[@benben-sl7hi]

Charvel USA guitars are the best on the planet 🌏

[@nahnotsomuch2292]

Had to stop this video 3 times because I kept thinking there was a truck backing up to my house.

[@matthewpaluch777]

WHERE'S THE 'JACK BUTLER' SIGNATURE MODEL?!!!

[@matthewpaluch777]

I saw the "Flying Dutchman" Adrian Vandenburg play a lefty version of the strat! (@10:51)

[@davetbassbos]

That was a Jackson, but I believe the same people work on both brands, definitely cool guitar! www.mattsmusic.com/JAX9912-prod.html

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

I'd take one with the Jackson headstock and shark tooth inlays. Humbucker and 2 singles with three 2 position toggle switches. Dark blue.

[@jay4vice]

I love CHARVEL Guitars. EXCEPT: Most of mine are MIJ specifically 1993 models.

[@beatlejuice5951]

Please make these in import lines... Us young and poor kids wanna rock too....

[@jeffreycollins7297]

visit a pawn shop. you'll find plenty of the old charvels in there.

[@BenvanGeest]

This is fantastic! How much for those random stars? I'm definitely interested. Cheers!

[@darrenbraemer6213]

I had an original 4digit serial number flying star in white.

[@SelectCircle]

Kanami needs to add a Charvel to her arsenal. Send her one! 8 D

[@randygeren]

We must not forget whane charvel is the original builder of these guitars .

[@michaelzell5905]

Hey there @charvelusa... I have a 3/4 size Mini-star that was a display model in Dallas sometime in the distant past. There was supposedly a V and a Strat that were part of the same display that got divvied up with the music shop owners when they closed the shop. Any idea when these were made? I would love to know if any of the others survived. It plays great, by the way.

[@dougbish1728]

Bring back the avenger!!!!!!!

[@SwordAgainstChaos]

This is awesome! I need a Star! I play doom, but I don't care!

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Lightning bolt !

[@1978garfield]

I saw a Surfcaster in a couple of places but they are not listed on your web page. Is that a super secret, custom only model?

[@andyznuff]

I want the Chip Chiperson signature model, or somethin'. Tssss.

[@62SG]

FAWK YEAH

[@zepp3lin]

What does Wayne Charvel have to say about this? I dig the Charvel with Jackson headstock. And Jackson is doing the same thing for 2019, bringing back old colors.

[@gab.lab.martins]

Wayne Charvel never actually made a Charvel guitar. He would take bodies and necks from other builders, mod them and stick them together. Grover Jackson wanted to build guitars from scratch, Wayne disagreed, so he sold the company to Grover in 1978. He hasn't done anything with the brand since then.

[@jeffreycollins7297]

well they are taking a page out of Ibanez' book since they've been bringing back old models for years now.

[@dominicvega9267]

Wayne worked for fender and took the design of the San dimas to Lou Fender and Lou said it was shit. At least from what I've read. You can still buy his guitars there Wayne Charvels

[@jasonmdubose]

3:39 Nooooooo lol

[@Cole-ek7fh]

i want the boltstar.

[@maxmustardman298]

how about a star with handburned flames on an natural ash body and neck, I know this might not be original, but I've seen this with ESP and just looks rad

[@Adam-wz7pv]

WHEN will these be available for purchase?

[@luciansatanas5664]

i wonder if these guys would make neckthrough models with richlite fingerboards for dark martian. tilt back head stocks recessed floyds the whole fucking nine yards. i honestly want a guitar in black 3.0 finish

[@vmat1000]

Holdsworth and Akira from Loudness.