Author Topic: New guitar day! Charvel content (pics) (Read 4209 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** January 20, 2007, 09:57:58 AM »

I won this on ebay about 2 weeks ago, had to wait for cheque to clear etc so it took longer than I'd hoped. Its a Charvel Model 1C, only made in '88 (so its the same age as me :P) and I got it for £211 including shipping!

So anyway, I havent got to plug it in yet but it looks great for its age, only a few nicks here and there. I just need to put a new set of strings in it (the ones now are way too thin!) and maybe need to replace one of the action adjustment screws as the head is stripped and rusty :( The neck feels perfect though, just like my mates 80s Jackson, which I was hoping for it to be like :D

Overall, really pleased and I'll get some clips when I get the action and strings sorted :) Heres some pics

:twisted:

gingataff · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2007, 12:19:13 PM »

There's something very sensual about the picture on the bed, quite '80s in fact!
Very nice axe, welcome to the Charvel club.

PS, VHII that badboy, NOW!

BloodMountain · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2007, 12:37:55 PM »

wow! charvels are amazing. can you tell me how it sounds through your GH50L pleeease? can you get a heavy distortion from your amp now?

Davey · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2007, 01:50:30 PM »

maple ... goooood

HSS .... baaaaad

_tom_ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2007, 04:58:02 PM »

Quote from: BLOODMOUNTAIN

wow! charvels are amazing. can you tell me how it sounds through your GH50L pleeease? can you get a heavy distortion from your amp now?

Still havent had a chance to play it through my amp yet as I've been helping my dad do chores all day :( I may not decide to change the pickups if the stock Jacksons are any good (apparently the bridge pickup is good). If I dont like it I'll get a VHII or holy diver for it probably :twisted:

I was really looking for a H/S guitar but couldnt find any, but HSS has more tone options anyway, just doesnt look as good.

Davey · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:06:49 PM »

options scmoptions ...

the middle pickup is always in the way, looks like cr@p when you take it out and it costs an aditional pickup if you want to have a set.

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:26:48 PM »

Well this pickup isnt really high so it doesnt get in the way much if at all, it does on my other strat though so I might turn that into a H/S with a new pickguard :)

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:50:23 PM »

Nice buy, 3 years ago a friend offered me his Model 4 for £200 and I was broke :( I REALLY regret letting that one go.
I always find HS strat style guitars just look wrong. Too much dead space.

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2007, 06:09:11 PM »

I never had any problems with middle pickups, but then I guess I'm used to them.

Is it USA, or MIJ? or something else?

nice guitar by the way, is that a fixed bridge on it?

_tom_ · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2007, 06:18:21 PM »

Its MIJ, I found it on the site with loads of catalog scans which Davey posted in another Charvel thread I think, its an '88 Model 1C.

Its a vintage trem but I'll probably block it off and put 5 springs on so it stays stable, I dont really use a trem much so its probably more hassle than its worth. Does anyone know where I can either get a replacement black saddle or screw for the E saddle so I can adjust it properly?

I just strung it up with 10s and it feels and sounds much nicer now. Heres some really sloppy clips -

http://download.yousendit.com/9D2094CA09F4AD90

http://download.yousendit.com/F6EAED0952B41F23

edit - been playing it just now, I bloody love this neck! The string spacing is perfect - better than any Ibanez or other 'shred' guitar I've played. The singles seem a bit shrill under gain so I may replace em with some BK of some kind eventually, the bridge humbucker aint bad though 8)

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2007, 09:38:35 PM »

cool!

I'm not sure if those clips will work for me. I seem to remember yousendit causing my computer to crash on many an unhappy occasion. :lol:

38thBeatle · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2007, 10:25:20 PM »

Looks like a good buy Tom.Gues what, I have got those CD's back now so I shall sort out the copies for you.

_tom_ · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2007, 10:31:30 PM »

Thanks Mr 38th, I've been looking forward to em for a while ;)

I've got myself a really basic recording setup now (well, I will have when my cable supplies arrive) so I'd be able to post up a clip of me jamming along to em on my Mule'd LP through a real amp for a change :)

gingataff · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:54:29 AM »

The pickup might be a J-90C, a high output ceramic type. I had one in my Charvel and found it quite powerful with a lot of bass and gritty midrange but not at all articulate. The high end was quite dead sounding (maybe the guitar though) I changed this to a DiMarzio Evolution to try and match my Jem but it still sounded a bit dead although a lot smoother in the mids.
I replaced that with a Nailbomb and BINGO! my guitar suddenly had tone :D

I'd suggest playing it side by side you Epi with Mules and see what kind of difference you notice.

chrisola · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2007, 02:16:18 AM »

very nice Tom, i like the maple necked Charvels!

8)