Understanding Charvel Guitars! | Buyer's Guide

[@iduncanw]

This was brilliant, every manufacturer needs a video like this. Rarely do you find an explanation on their websites.

[@ahind1234]

I was expecting 80s metal as a starting theme for Charvel, this caught me by surprise

[@kcdriscoll2489]

RIght? I thought I clicked on the wrong link LOL but the video was great

[@WiseLittleOwl]

This was probably one of the most informative videos on guitars other than Fender/Gibson out there! Thank you!

[@SeanAsheOfficial]

I saw Thom open for my uncle David’s band back in 2006 and it’s been so sick to watch his playing and career grow. He sounds great on the charvels.

[@ThomPankhurst]

Thanks Sean. If I remember correctly was this in a giant inflatable bounce house? The one in the middle of that mini golf course? Lots of free whelks from what I remember. Good times

[@jacksonphreak]

I've been playing Charvel (and Jackson) Guitars since my first Japanese Model 3DR back in 1989 I've never looked back having owned just over 50 of them over the years. I wish I could have kept them all!

[@mr.magicaltouch]

Just ordered my first Charvel guitar. Pro-Mod DK Signature Satchel in Satin White. Super stoked and can’t wait till it arrives! Super excited!

[@RancidAmputation123]

How is it?!

[@rodneyjohn6637]

I bought three Charvels in the last year, and I love them. they are my go to guitars now. the 12" -16" compound radius necks are the most comfortable necks I have ever played. I am going to trade in a strat and tele that I no longer play and buy a Charvel type 2. I highly recommend Charvel guitars

[@lomoholga]

The necks are sublime and a shocking experience of one is used to playing Les Pauls

[@Lovell93]

I am interested in buying a DK24, how is the neck, exactly? Is it thin? I am used to PRS and Fender Strats, so I'm looking for a more "shreddy" guitar with a thinner neck and flatter board. Is this what I'm looking for? The radius sounds like it will be awesome for sure.

[@rodneyjohn6637]

@@Lovell93 in my opinion, it is thinner and flatter than a strat. Closer to an ibanez

[@michael1]

@@lomoholga But if they don't offer a guitar I can pay £6000 for and snap the headstock off of it's not really giving me the Gibson experience is it?

[@BJ-fj6jw]

​@@lomoholgaHow do you mean, as LP player.

[@Hiro.the.God.]

I just found out about these guitars. I am DEFINITELY getting one tomorrow! It’s the sound I’ve been looking for.

[@nicksmith8557]

I had a reverse headstock Predator in metalic red back in the day. Fantastic guitar for hardly any money.

[@egopower]

I’ve got a DK24 in matte blue, roasted neck. It’s absolutely the best playing guitar I’ve ever had my hands on. The neck is phenomenal. Had it 3 years now and am now looking to get another DK24, but this time with a Floyd Rose.

[@AnnWahlquist]

im about to buy the dk24 fr dark amber....😊

[@egopower]

@ that’s the one I bought! I changed all of the gold over to chrome, including a German Floyd original. It’s incredible. The guitar is perfect.

[@fritzherrmann762]

They are mighty guitars. Killer jazz Rock fusion beasts. I like the Tele type of Charvels prowess.

[@arodgoogle6327]

I bought my first Charvel in 1987 in Orange County California during my senior year of high school. I loved that guitar! Fast forward to today and I just bought my second Charvel - a DK24 HH in what I call Sky Blue. I like this new model even better. I am already planning on buying a DK24 HSH Mahogany and a So Cal Style 2 Hardtail. Thanks for the video the information is great.

[@ctsaustin]

My first Charvel was the same shell pink dk24 you have, and it's an insanely inspiring and incredibly well built instrument. It covers every sound I could ask for. Ended up getting the MJ Rick Graham signature this year, one of my favorite brands as of late!

[@ryanmaxson9968]

How does the dk stack up against the Graham? Is the price jump of the Graham justified?

[@ctsaustin]

@@ryanmaxson9968 I feel that the pro-mod DK does something phenomenally well and that's giving a great all around instrument at a very reasonable cost. What the RG sig offers is a bit of an upgrade to that package w/ SS frets, model-only pickups and a few aesthetic choices. It's not a huge difference and to most not justified. But it's hard to beat the value of the pro-mod considering how amazing of an instrument that already is. Not many other brands carry such an instrument at that price.

[@gordondemuynck6579]

I just bought mine today! Love the smell of the neck.

[@christopherbarrie7375]

The Charvel factories where never in San Dimas. There P.O. Box was in San Dimas. Check out the video ...The Original Charvel Gang.

[@Acostrings]

Excellent video and well explained everything in detail, thank you very much! A couple of days ago I bought Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 HSH CKB and I am very happy with this guitar, its sound is brutal!

[@kcdriscoll2489]

This was really a pleasure to watch. Thanks and happy holidays

[@purplelusture]

Simply awesome. Now i know what these terms mean and no more confused. Thank you!!!

[@JasonGuitarHand]

I'm a proud owner of a Charvel Desolation Soloist. It was my graduation present and after 10 years i still love it. Looking into a new axe to add to my collection, perhaps another Charvel like the Jim Root signature guitar.

[@1truechamp46]

I've had a 3dr, model 4, fusion, 475, So Cal and now a type 2. Can't go wrong, they are just awesome

[@charthers8903]

They should’ve continued the neon color San Dimas and SoCal

[@docshaddymd]

I was fortunate to get the neon yellow one second hand. One of my favorite guitars. I wanted something that just screamed 80s glam and this has it in spades.

[@coltonmuri3672]

Yeah, it's such a shame that most modern guitars are boring, vintage styled. I just want something that stands out with bold designs and colors. Closest thing to that are a couple Ibanez models and the Kramer Barettas and Pacers

[@Disembodied_Voice]

If they'd do the metallic purple from a couple years ago WITH A FRICKIN MAPLE NECK... I'd be all over it.

[@guyincognito320]

Somehow I never ever see neon Charvels on the market. You wonder where all the guitars go. It seems like they all make more than necessary and yet the aftermarket is always thin.

[@cole4700]

You should contact Charvel and tell them you want neon colours back like I did. They replied right away and say they would send the request to marketing! Lol

[@chocolatecookie8571]

You really have a great guitar player, guys 👌🏻

[@GakCoUk]

We're very lucky to have him! :D

[@ThomPankhurst]

Thank you!

[@oscarenfotos]

Wow, thank you a million times for sharing all this incredible info about Charvels! 🌟 It seriously helped me out big time in understanding them better! Keep spreading the knowledge, you're awesome! 🚀

[@jimwarner2387]

I first heard about these back in the late eighties, local guitar shop sold them, and I worked with a guy who had one. All he talked about was his Charvel. I being a telecaster man shrugged it off. Last summer I scored a Charvel case at a garage sale for 5 bucks so all I needed was a charvel that fit. Ironically a week ago I saw a Mij Charvel listed about 10 miles away. Purchased by dome light In a pickup truck, took me two days to get it set up, and after playing it I am thoroughly impressed. I like it a lot. I ended up with a wood carved front and back 375 deluxe. I would probably buy another.

[@Leolikesguitar]

I love the guitar playing in this video!

[@roymartin500]

The 2006+ish 3 USA model relaunch of Charvel consisting of the San Dimas 1(strat) & 2(tele) as well as the SoCal 1 all for $999.00 were the GOAT. They'd keep it interesting by keeping the colors limited and changing every 3 months or so. Seymour Duncan(59n/JBb) in the San Dimas & DiMarzio(PAF-Pro/Super Distortion)in the SoCal. I dig the expansion and growth but those USA models in similarity are now $2,500.00 roughly.EDIT: I am a sucker for the new Pro Mod SoCal teles with the reverse headstock, Fishman open core fluence all hot rodded in alder & ash made in Baja California, Mexico.

[@noahsferra7866]

Helpful. I would like to suggest you do a part 2 where you explain the pickup switching capabilities. I'd wish they made one with a coil splitting toggle but apparently that only do that for series/parallel switching. Actually it would be nice to have both onboard 1 axe.

[@rovleculina8237]

Great video, very well put together and clearly articulated, thank you so much. I just got interested in getting a Charvel and this video helped a lot with understanding the brand and models.

[@dylfps]

Bought a Charvel Dk24 Pro Mod and its easily the nicest guitar I've ever owned. Highly recommend.

[@AnnWahlquist]

im about to buy the charvel dk24 dark amber very soon.... can't wait 😊😊

[@MyLifEcademy-sr4hy]

I went quite some time...3 decades...without a Jackson or Charvel. Quite content with my ESP I recently got lucky and scored a Warren D. Snakeskin and a DK24 in the same week. A quiet word with the landlady on the rent payment was a must have...but I am extremely pleased.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

I have a 2010 MIJ. My favorite guitar I own. Top mount Floyd Rose, single volume,and 3 way toggle. The craftsmanship is amazing. Never played a MIM one. Snag a MIJ if you can find one. Took me 2 weeks of zero sleep on every forum and used gear place on the web.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

Also, before some KZbin warrior corrects me, I know USA have top mounted Floyd and what not. MIJ has body mount humbuckers vs trad humbuckers with rings.

[@fender4brad]

It’s amazing how many people still think charvel guitars are a one trick ponies. The selling point for me is not the versatility, but rather how fun they are to play. Possibly the best bang for the buck!

[@throughthefog-go]

That mahogany 😍😍, I bought a charvel Jackson as my first guitar second hand, floyd rose locking, love it

[@MadHatterND]

I already have two Charvels. Watching this may be bad for me, but I’ll try! Seriously, Charvel is certainly one of my favorite guitar brands.

[@mightyhammerhead]

great video! nice format and well put together👍

[@TheFreshmaker02]

Excellent video guys. Charvel literally makes exactly what I want. Minus putting on stainless steel frets on any model. Which shouldn't be so over priced just for the nickel alternative.. This is a problem with the industry, not Charvel. Anyway keep on rockin in the free world /m/

[@tattoofred]

Espero algún día tener la Joe Duplantier, la probé y me encantó ;)

[@navarre238]

great vid. very informative; learned a lot. thanks and cheers!

[@PendelSteven]

4:53 Erm, I know this about the guitars, but that solotone definately needs some kind of midboost. A tubescreamer, klon, SD-1... Any mid boost. 15:49 If I put +6 db @ 1000 Hz on my mixer, this tone sounds fantastic! That's what I mean with a midboost! And come on, the guitar is midrange instrument, so it needs mid frequencies! Never forget! Oh, personally I'd love to have a San Dimas HH with that classic JB / '59 in dark blue.

[@LunatiqueRob]

I have the MIJ Guthrie Govan, and I love everything about it except for the neck heel joint area and the lower horn thickness. The neck's profile becomes very sharp near the joint and is very uncomfortable on the hand when playing at the higher frets, and the lower horn is so thick that it dramatically decreases the distance from the horn to the neck, which means if you're a bit more loose with your movements, your hand will hit the horn easily. But other than those two issues, I love the feel of the neck, the radius, the rolled edges, and the simulated single-coil mode that sounds so good but without the associated noise or dropped volume, since it's still technically humbuckers but voiced to sound like single-coils. I wish all guitars with split-coil modes uses that approach instead.

[@howardthrust]

I think your vid is going to be of use to the uninitiated. About a year ago I took a self-guided "crash course" in Charvel nomenclature, since some amazing models were available then, but going FAST! It all worked out, and I snagged a MIM Pro Mod San Dimas HH FR E in Ash with thin Charcoal finish...for under $1000 (US)!! It's my go-to, do-it-all tool...including octaved-down "proxy bass" tones for my "loop sctick" performances. It's truly unflappable!

[@apidyahex9213]

Fantastic video , what a guy and so helpful and full of great info thank you.

[@johnnyanderson8901]

Great video. Answered a lot of questions!!!

[@gonefishing5214]

great video. thanks

[@bosco_bosco]

I desperately, achingly want a Rick Graham signature. Dream guitar.

[@TheGuitarDorkShow]

So good I got three of them. Still want more.

[@taotepokopoko]

Great video! Very clear and usefull

[@S-T-E-V-E]

The perfect description of a Charvel is 'a Fender that's been modded in all he right ways'!

[@guyincognito320]

They're kind of heavy with Floyd weight added, many pushing 8.5 to 9 lbs. They need to switch to basswood to offset the Floyd Rose weight.

[@ananias8382]

Great job guys!!

[@anthonyangelis1094]

Awesome educational video thank you so much for this thorough explanation/ history of Charvel guitars. I’ve been very excited about this brand and after waiting months I finally got one. I originally wanted the one you have, but instead I got A DK 24HH… 2pt cm …From a reputable company. But when I got it - it arrived with the tremolo system all in pieces. Springs loose in the box and pieces rattling around inside the guitar. I sent it back… I was very upset. I’m getting a Schecter c-1 Hell raiser instead. I don’t know what happened -it came apart somehow during shipping. I’m sure it could’ve been fixed but I was pretty upset that it arrived like that…. But I still want to Charvel after watching your video… But at 1200 it’s not in the budget this year

[@RaisingTiger777]

I just got a pharaoh gold HT so cal pro mod and loving it. It sustains like a super strat from the 80s! The neck is smooth,rolled edges on the frets,first ebony neck but its smooth. I went with HT because i have three trem guitars already and want to explore with HT. Fender did good buying charvel and jackson Edit almost forgot it has seymore duncan distortions!

[@CB-st6wm]

What about MIM? Most Charvel's production models are made in Mexico at the Fender plant.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I wish they’d re-release the Surfcaster. Trying to get one used has been a nightmare.

[@GakCoUk]

Me too! They were so cool.

[@skwissgaar_skwigelf_kdz3251]

i have a skatecaster and i fukn love it.

[@davem62290]

Thanks I love Charvel you did a great job on the video and the playing was really nice too!! Pretty in Pink Charvel way cool too!!

[@lucarav]

Nice work! Thanks!

[@jojojojojojojojojojojojob]

socal style 2 hh ht and 2pt is one of the best guitars ever made in history of guitars and i am fuckin glad not a lot of people knows this.. i have 3 of them already in diff tunings and will get my 4th one in 4 months..

[@nsp477]

I have been looking for a strat guitar to play Hendrix and SRV stuff, but I want a hardtail with locking tuners... which led me to consider the San Dimas HSS. Any owner out there who could give an opinion on how adequate is that guitar for that job?

[@clicheguevara9917]

fookin a mate

[@sweatervestviking]

I just recently got the Platinum Pearl model. What I've found so far in moving from Fender to Charvel: The neck is definitely reminiscent of Ibanez, not my usual cup of tea but I've adjusted so far. The other big hang-up for me was adapting my picking to the pickups sticking out more and where the harmonics were compared to my old Fender stratocaster. Otherwise, worth every penny. The pickups are definitely hotter than a usual strat so you're going to have to pull the volume back to get more vintage-esque tones, but I absolutely love having that sweet neck tone, in-betweens, and being able to kick ass on the JB (I do a lot of grunge, punk, etc). The tuning stays rock solid if you're doing mostly chords, etc and even on bends, it usually stays fairly well. I've had no complaints so far! The neck can definitely nail those two, and if you end up wanting more vintage you can always put some SSL-1s in there! Hope this helps!

[@nsp477]

@@sweatervestviking That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for, thanks!

[@erydev5647]

For anyone Charvel user out there, need your insight Does Charvel's stock pick-ups sounds better than EMG 81/85? I have no idea since I never tried one, since it's quite difficult to find Charvel in my country. But I planned to buy one. Thank you for you attention

[@kalinkuzmanov6747]

I just bought one Charvel pro-mod 22 sss from Gak😎

[@marysini1391]

Thanks a lot for your explanations!

[@russd3029]

Great video, well done!

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

the Charvel tag disappeared . Jackson production moved overseas and when Fender brought back the tag they got to poke Grover and faithful Jackson players by making Charvels in Mexico. But the new Charvels are nice guitars. Fun fact: Charvel/Jackson entered the beginner level market with a line called Charvette.

[@yunnybae7556]

Ha I own a MIJ Charvel in its very first generation. it is my favorite guitar I own.

[@-DILLIGAF]

Excellent nomenclature distillation.

[@BatchMark]

‘Uh’ 🕺🏻

[@GakCoUk]

I'll be honest here Mark, I have no idea what this means

[@evilmonkey63]

I just acquired a 87 series 3. Pretty and shiny. Missing parts. Has the Jackson Floyd Rose bridge, tuning machines, and it's nearly perfect except missing parts and two pickups. I am a amateur luthier, and can solder and wire. Need advice on sourcing vintage components and so on

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

The solo at 7:48 was wicked! Better than most of the post Marty Friedman Megadeth solos imo! Super tasty! 🤘

[@nigelvonshredman]

I think the MJ guitar that was sold just prior to shooting the video was an MJ DK 24 Mahogony / Walnut..... Guilty your honor,

[@GakCoUk]

It was! Lucky you, I hope it’s treating you well!

[@nigelvonshredman]

@@GakCoUk yep, it's great thank you

[@stephenhall1187]

Thanks for the Info

[@williamallen7386]

I have a USA Charvel. I'm guessing early to mid eighties? It's champagne finish, I picked it up for peanuts, love to know what it's worth.

[@MSNGR415]

The black charvel pro mod so cal 2 shown in the video has become my all time favorite guitar. I picked up a dinky 24 pro mod but not a big fan of the full shred pickup. I actually really like the stock fishmans in the so cal 2. Thinking about selling my dinky and getting a second so cal 2, maybe the Joe signature

[@janolesen8938]

Trying The pink one yesterday. Felt like bare wood on the neck…does that change after playing it for a while? It was like a handbrake, and not fast at all. My gloss neck guitar got fast after a few weeks… probably from hand grease..🤔 Couldn’t play the pink one with sweating hands 🤷‍♂️

[@Garrett-In-Canada]

Green with White pickguard in Left handed Please Charvel/Fender I love my Charvels

[@sergiofigueroa9705]

Hey bud have a question on the Floyd rose trem do they have a hard time staying in tune

[@donvape336]

My black pro mod dk24 HH is very versatile. It goes from blues to Van Halen.

[@hakankillberg6043]

Great video. As a beginner i dont own a hsh guitar. Whats the pros/cons with that configuration comparing the hss. Not the bridge but for the middle and neck configuration? What kind of player, style etc leans into hsh over hss? I dont really get this. Hope you can answer it. Thanks

[@ThomPankhurst]

The HSH guitars (somewhat obviously) have a humbucker in the neck which is going to give you tones that most humbucker's give you in that position. In general, think thicker tone, more pronounced low/mid and less hum in comparison to a single coil which, depending on the pickup will generally be thinner and more in line with something in a strat/tele than a Les Paul for instance. It should also be noted that the humbucker in the neck can be split to give you single coil tones/blended in with another pickup to provide some different solutions to finding tones. For instance, the Guthrie Charvel has a HSH configuration and approximates some more Stratlike tones with ease, whereas getting a single coil to sound like a humbucker can be an uphill struggle. One of the core reasons people don't opt for HSH over HSS (aside from pickup preference) is actually to do with the placement of the pickup. A single coil is easier to fit into that 'sweet spot' people describe towards the neck, in comparison to a chunky humbucker that will be harder to get in that spot due to its size/if the guitar has 24 frets etc. Hope this helps you somewhat!

[@uelude]

@@ThomPankhurst Excellent reply. To your latter point regarding the sweet spot, would it make sense to go for a 22 fret HSH or a 24 with slightly longer scale to put the humbucker in the sweet spot? Or, why didn't they simply increase scale length on HSH by 10mm for that reason?

[@kevinp_25]

Good lord, what is he playing through with that Joe Duplantier sig?? Monster tone.

[@Greg-cp7tr]

Presollally I believe that the Jackson js Series is one of the best Choices for Guitar players of all skill levels

[@nicksailer16]

Any opinions from anyone for the strat San Dimas 24 fret with a Gotoh push pull term?

[@loureynolds]

That song for the Intro tho! NOICE! Is that just a jam?

[@PantanoHD]

i actually picked a skatecaster for 250$ as my second guitar and theres something magical about that guitar

[@therealraceisms7696]

We can't all be wild stallions🎠

[@allendestine3406]

Whats the song at 5:00

[@ce152capt100]

Where are the Pro-Mods built?

[@MaTTheWish]

I want a charvel. Did you guys do a similar video with schecter?

[@michael1]

Understanding Charvel guitars : they don't use stainless steel frets on the cheaper Mexico made stuff. The stuff made in the USA is vastly overpriced. They had an opportunity to correct both of these with their MIJ stuff but didn't. Conclusion : get another brand made in Indonesia with jumbo stainless steel frets - everything else will be pretty much the same between the 2.

[@RR-kk3zu]

I need that charvel

[@kuhboom22]

Charvel's neck carves are the best in the business

[@creepermode01]

I've read that the Pro Mod's were also MIJ guitars around 2010 / 2011, do you know if this is true? If I recall, you say the Pro Mods are not MJ or USA (around the 19:40 mark). Side note: Thom rocks! Favorite playing section for both clean and dirty at 14:00 mark, but could listen to that intro section for days.

[@delsi3795]

Yea from the research I've done that's true. Took me forever to determine the model of charvel I have

[@alecr666x]

Yeah, they were made in Japan for a while when they first reintroduced them. I have one from 2011 and it is an incredible guitar. Far superior to the current Mexican made ones plus they came with an SKB hard case for around £600-£700. I heard that there was either a fire at the factory or it was something to do with the Fukushima disaster. Either way, track one down and you will not be disappointed.

[@Jesse_Johnson]

Yes, it’s very true. I own a 2010 MIJ. It is amazing. Top mount Floyd Rose, single volume, and a 3 way toggle. The main differences between the MIM San Dimas.

[@creepermode01]

@@delsi3795 do you have a So Cal or a San Dimas? Does the trem rest on body or float?

[@creepermode01]

@@Jesse_Johnson do you have a So Cal or a San Dimas? Does the trem rest on body or float? I have one of each, the trem on the So Cal rests on body, the San Dimas floats. I want the San Dimas to be on body too, but the height of the neck at the joint won’t allow it. It’s a bit frustrating. I’m going to have to take measurements to find out where the differences between the two axes are. Also, the pickup mounting in the San Dimas is very wobbly versus the So Cal.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

I have the Pro Mod DK24 Mahogany like in the video but mine has 2 string trees on the headstock. Is this what they're like now or is this an earlier model? I love them BTW as I have a Slime Green SoCal as well :)

[@elvan12581]

Do you recommend a DK or non Dk

[@Hector-GS]

What about the guitars made in Mexico?

[@QuickSticks8771]

Are the DK models noticeably smaller in reality compared to the pro mods?? Cheers

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Smoking intro. 👏

[@thomasgustavsson6577]

Thanks for the history. I have a DK24 red ash made in Korea, are they as god guitar builder like the Japanes or USA. And why are just RED ash DK24 built in Korea?

[@billygwalthney369]

I have a 88 charvel 3DR reversed headstock in near mint cond all original I bought new in 88

[@T.R.R.Jolkien]

I have the ‘86 model 4 I bought brand new as a junior in high school. I still own it. Kahler tremolo. Mine still has the price tag. $1200

[@deadsharkisart]

we've been over this 1000 times, but "dinky strats" were a charvel thing, wheras jackson was using his name for the flying v and concorde looking stuff. you can find very very early order forms for Charvel Dinky-strats, it was a thing. its a charvel shape but for some marketing reason fender is saying charvel is "borrowing it from jackson" which is nonsense obv on multiple levels, and ever since the guitar heads online have been repeating it like theyve always thought that. lol no offense your playing is very nice 😎👍👍 enjoyed the video!

[@benyamingh9786]

Are stainless frets a premium feature on charvels, or is it standard? Or perhaps nonexistent?

[@GakCoUk]

They appear on the MJ and the USA models! Just not on the standard range

[@vaenii5056]

I used to own 1990 Charvel 475 and it was brilliant for the price. I think I paid something like 450 euros.

[@dananthony6258]

I think the tele style are the coolest looking guitars.

[@karleaves]

What about Kahler tremelos?