Author Topic: Anyone know much about Charvel Model 3A? (Read 6014 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** December 29, 2006, 09:26:31 PM »

I found this on ebay which looks like it'd go for a price I can afford, but I dont know much about em, cant seem to find loads. Any ideas what its made of, and if the chip on the headstock would affect anything (doubt it but I'm just checking). I'd just like to know the basics to see if it would be a good base for modding with new pickups or if its not worth the hassle. Bridge any good?

To be honest I cant get on with Ibanez wizard necks, but I loved the neck on my mates Jackson (soloist from the 80s apparently) which seems to be more like a Charvel than Ibanez hence my interest in this, any idea if the necks are the same kinda profile as my mates guitar?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jackson-Charvel-Guitar-MIJ-USA-80s-Model-and-Hardcase_W0QQitemZ300064209920QQihZ020QQcategoryZ33044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Btw anyone here bids on it, I'll track you down and steal it and any BK'd guitars I find :lol:

Cheers

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2006, 10:52:38 PM »

coughBUY MYNcough.

:lol:

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2006, 10:53:36 PM »

You know, I am tempted with your guitar actually as I think this is gonna go for more than I want to spend, the price just shot up..

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2006, 11:04:03 PM »

Buy myn and i can guarantee 2 BKP's by the end of January!

Simon D · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2006, 11:19:56 PM »

Personally I'd think very hard about it. If information about a guitar is tough to come by, I'd be inclined to pass. Plus it looks as if it could get quite pricey for what it is. (Bid is at £142 at time of posting)

chrisola · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2006, 11:57:42 PM »

i had a model 4a from the 80's...

was nice, it was hot pink (inside the control cavity at least) but had been refinished to a sort of sparkling plum colour... had active pickups.

Pickups = poo
Neck = Great!

I liked it, was sold along with the other Jacksons (RR5 and a 2002/3 Model A.. damn should have kept that!) to make way for my Gibson, then my Legra.

I've played a fair few Charvel\Jacksons like that (guitar shop in Shrewsbury near me is full of em, last time i checked he had 3 crackle finish ones..) and the necks are generally great.

The active Jackson pickups are all output and no tone, and the trems are sometimes a bit rough if the guitars and old one and its been played.. but some have great Khaler trems.

theres a few around if you look, the different model numbers seem to relate to the number\type of pickups etc.

I wouldnt touch one with the end cracked off the headstock though...they arent a weak point imo (not like pointy flying V fins) and it would have taken a hell of band to break it CLEAN off....

I love the old Jackson\Charvels and Kramers :D

edit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300064280345

Nicely does it!

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2006, 12:27:43 AM »

Quote from: Simon D

Personally I'd think very hard about it. If information about a guitar is tough to come by, I'd be inclined to pass. Plus it looks as if it could get quite pricey for what it is. (Bid is at £142 at time of posting)

hmm that is a very good point.. as is the point about the chipped off bit on the headstock, think I'll pass on this one.

Chrisola that Kramer looks pretty nice, but I remember reading somewhere a lot of them were made from plywood? Dont fancy a plywood guitar :lol: