MIJ Charvel So-Cal

lexluthier · 04-08-2012, 07:47 PM

Since the MIJ ProMods have been discontinued, I figured I'd better get on the stick and get one while my favorite shred fiddle shack still had some to pick from. This one was far and away the best sounding of the ones he had, though I kind of wanted a blue one. Oh well, red works for me too if the tone is there. These are great guitars, a shame they were discontinued. I A/B'ed it with my 2 favorite USA So-Cals, and this thing is every bit as good.

Ledheadforlife · 04-08-2012, 08:31 PM

That's hot, you can't go wrong with Charvel

dave1234 · 04-08-2012, 08:32 PM

love it!

Pinkie · 04-08-2012, 10:25 PM

Slick hot rod guitar!!!

Thumpalumpacus · 04-08-2012, 10:30 PM

I'm not a fan of shredders, but that thing is hot.

lexluthier · 04-09-2012, 04:38 AM

Thanks guys. My brother picked up a white one when they first came out that the Charvel rep used as a demo, and that one is killer too. After playing his a few times I figured I'd better get one as well. Back in the early 80's this is exactly the Charvel I wanted - Strat head, 2 hb, pickguard, Floyd, etc...but there was no way I could afford one. Plus you had to buy a Floyd and send it to Charvel because they couldn't get them back in the day because Kramer distributed Floyd trems at that time.

snaredrum · 04-10-2012, 03:25 PM

i'm so tempted by these - the San Dimas in particular. i couldn't get away with a superstrat though - nowhere near shreddy enough

nutsauce · 04-13-2012, 07:46 AM

That's awesome man. I picked up one of the last USA made San Dimas models before my local shop sold out of them. They are just fantastic guitars. Why do the fingerboards on these get dirty so easy? Doesn't really bother me, just curious. My other maple fingerboards don't show/collect dirt like the Charvel does.

lexluthier · 04-13-2012, 08:40 AM

Probably because of the oil finish, the dirt seems to stick to it. I kind of dig that grungy look actually. Can't wait till the neck on this one gets really funky looking. LOL

moonweasel · 04-14-2012, 08:05 AM

LOVE that.

LPGuy · 06-08-2012, 12:56 PM

Great guitar I have the same in white. The neck alone on these is worth the price of admission. Good FR too. Just curious but does anyone know why Charvel would discontinue such a hot item?? Seems odd.

Morkolo · 06-08-2012, 09:53 PM

I think it's to make room for their lower priced Desolation line but myself, I'll take a super Strat any day. Happy new guitar day Lexluthier.

pedersenkirk · 06-09-2012, 01:38 AM

They're definitely nice guitars. Can't deal with the Floyd though, that's why I got my Wildcard, although it's time to sell that one.

lexluthier · 06-09-2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPGuy

Great guitar I have the same in white. The neck alone on these is worth the price of admission. Good FR too. Just curious but does anyone know why Charvel would discontinue such a hot item?? Seems odd.

I have heard there were issues with the factory since the tsunami, and the exchange rate. Oh well, at least they did make them. If Akai still owned the company these would have never been made.

deepblue · 06-12-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LPGuy

Great guitar I have the same in white. The neck alone on these is worth the price of admission. Good FR too. Just curious but does anyone know why Charvel would discontinue such a hot item?? Seems odd.

I bought the reissue when they were first released about 3-4 years ago.
They were made in the USA. Now I see they are made in Japan?

AccustomedtoStandards · 06-12-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morkolo

I think it's to make room for their lower priced Desolation line but myself, I'll take a super Strat any day. Happy new guitar day Lexluthier.

Chushin Gakki, who made all the Japanese Jacksons and Charvels are out of business. Between the tsunami and the horrible dollar to yen exchange rate, they were forced to close. So, no more Japanese models at all right now. Someone on another forum messaged Fender and asked why the models were still on Charvel.com if they are discontinued and they were told that the "spec was under review." I'm assuming that means that they will probably move production to China, or even possibly Fender's Mexico plant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepblue

I bought the reissue when they were first released about 3-4 years ago.
They were made in the USA. Now I see they are made in Japan?

Unfortunately, they aren't made anywhere right now. I'm hoping that will change and they'll get production going somewhere at a quality plant.

87Standard · 06-13-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexluthier

Back in the early 80's this is exactly the Charvel I wanted - Strat head, 2 hb, pickguard, Floyd, etc...but there was no way I could afford one. Plus you had to buy a Floyd and send it to Charvel because they couldn't get them back in the day because Kramer distributed Floyd trems at that time.

Do you by any chance remember how much they were back then?

toppsseller · 06-13-2012, 08:38 PM

Very cool guitar. I'm sad that Charvel has gone in the direction of building somewhat oddly shaped guitars now that are mostly in the budget segment.

lexluthier · 06-14-2012, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87Standard

Do you by any chance remember how much they were back then?

$1200 or so from what I can remember? Not cheap by any means, you could buy a new LP Std for around $500 at the time.

SGMM · 06-14-2012, 07:25 AM

"charvels" made in China....****ing Fender....

!!

AccustomedtoStandards · 06-14-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGMM

"charvels" made in China....****ing Fender....

!!

The Desolation series are already made in China. And word is that they are actually pretty good. Still, I'm with you. Not my first choice.

I'm hoping maybe they'll move them to Mexico. The Fender Pawn Shop series production moved there since the close of Chushin Gakki. Hey, Mexico is closer to So-Cal than either China or Japan.

Shawn Lutz · 06-14-2012, 10:42 AM

great guitars for the price....

SGMM · 06-14-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccustomedtoStandards

The Desolation series are already made in China

Right....hence my post: "charvels made in China....****ing Fender" ....having played/collected Charvels for decades I'm VERY disappointed w/what FMIC has done to the brand & these "charvels" are simply not Charvels to me....YMMV!!

Rhust · 06-14-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledheadforlife

That's hot, you can't go wrong with Charvel

word. I've had my CX290 for 20+ years (I don't remember exactly)... it's not the hottest charvel model but plays great!... swapped the pickups and it's just great, solid player!

2009LPGT · 06-15-2012, 08:55 PM

Congrats man, cool guitar! My local shop still has one or two and I keep trying to not bring it home!!

Bud Stoner · 06-17-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccustomedtoStandards

I'm hoping maybe they'll move them to Mexico. The Fender Pawn Shop series production moved there since the close of Chushin Gakki. Hey, Mexico is closer to So-Cal than either China or Japan.

Agreed! If it can't be American made, I'd gladly settle for North American made.

ALZ · 06-17-2012, 06:06 PM

they are fer sure cool , i have a old japanese pionty from the 80's its a reverse heastock pionty charvel, 1 hum w/ 1 slant single , modded to just the hum works, it also is a black n purple factory jigsaw grapghic, upgraded to gold shayller floyd , swapped out the jt6 trem , its a sweet jap player and looks near minty , plays awesome , orig case ! see ya ,alz

04-08-2012, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
lexluthier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: guitar dungeon Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	MIJ Charvel So-Cal Since the MIJ ProMods have been discontinued, I figured I'd better get on the stick and get one while my favorite shred fiddle shack still had some to pick from. This one was far and away the best sounding of the ones he had, though I kind of wanted a blue one. Oh well, red works for me too if the tone is there. These are great guitars, a shame they were discontinued. I A/B'ed it with my 2 favorite USA So-Cals, and this thing is every bit as good. Tenacious T, Ledheadforlife, 2009LPGT and 6 others like this. __________________

04-08-2012, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ledheadforlife Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 8,416 Thanks: 106 Thanked 76 Times in 23 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal That's hot, you can't go wrong with Charvel Rhust likes this. __________________ . . . . . . . . .My girlfriend said Led Zeppelin sucks. Now she's single. Just kidding, she's dead.

04-08-2012, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
dave1234 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 339 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal love it! __________________ "Keep on shreddin in the free world"

04-08-2012, 10:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pinkie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,013 Thanks: 129 Thanked 32 Times in 11 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Slick hot rod guitar!!!

04-08-2012, 10:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thumpalumpacus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hill Country Posts: 54,264 Thanks: 1,202 Thanked 687 Times in 79 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal I'm not a fan of shredders, but that thing is hot.

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04-09-2012, 04:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
lexluthier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: guitar dungeon Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Thanks guys. My brother picked up a white one when they first came out that the Charvel rep used as a demo, and that one is killer too. After playing his a few times I figured I'd better get one as well. Back in the early 80's this is exactly the Charvel I wanted - Strat head, 2 hb, pickguard, Floyd, etc...but there was no way I could afford one. Plus you had to buy a Floyd and send it to Charvel because they couldn't get them back in the day because Kramer distributed Floyd trems at that time. ALZ likes this. __________________

04-10-2012, 03:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
snaredrum V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 16,124 Thanks: 151 Thanked 141 Times in 50 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal i'm so tempted by these - the San Dimas in particular. i couldn't get away with a superstrat though - nowhere near shreddy enough __________________ www.facebook.com/themadelinerust

04-13-2012, 07:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
nutsauce Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NC Posts: 1,340 Thanks: 19 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal That's awesome man. I picked up one of the last USA made San Dimas models before my local shop sold out of them. They are just fantastic guitars. Why do the fingerboards on these get dirty so easy? Doesn't really bother me, just curious. My other maple fingerboards don't show/collect dirt like the Charvel does.

04-13-2012, 08:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
lexluthier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: guitar dungeon Posts: 1,196 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Probably because of the oil finish, the dirt seems to stick to it. I kind of dig that grungy look actually. Can't wait till the neck on this one gets really funky looking. LOL nutsauce likes this. __________________

04-14-2012, 08:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
moonweasel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 294 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal LOVE that.

06-08-2012, 12:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
LPGuy Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 41 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Great guitar I have the same in white. The neck alone on these is worth the price of admission. Good FR too. Just curious but does anyone know why Charvel would discontinue such a hot item?? Seems odd.

06-08-2012, 09:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
Morkolo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Newfoundland Posts: 245 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal I think it's to make room for their lower priced Desolation line but myself, I'll take a super Strat any day. Happy new guitar day Lexluthier.

06-09-2012, 01:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
pedersenkirk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 339 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal They're definitely nice guitars. Can't deal with the Floyd though, that's why I got my Wildcard, although it's time to sell that one. __________________ 2012 PRS Studio (Evergreen) 2012 G&L ASAT Special (Sunburst) 2009 Fender Telecaster - MIM - (Sunburst)

06-13-2012, 08:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
toppsseller Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 516 Thanks: 43 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Very cool guitar. I'm sad that Charvel has gone in the direction of building somewhat oddly shaped guitars now that are mostly in the budget segment.

06-14-2012, 07:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
SGMM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,444 Thanks: 2 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal "charvels" made in China....****ing Fender.... !!

06-14-2012, 10:42 AM	#22 (permalink)
Shawn Lutz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,723 Thanks: 11 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal great guitars for the price.... ALZ likes this. __________________ http://shawnlutz.com

06-15-2012, 08:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
2009LPGT Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2,330 Thanks: 37 Thanked 106 Times in 31 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal Congrats man, cool guitar! My local shop still has one or two and I keep trying to not bring it home!!

06-17-2012, 06:06 PM	#27 (permalink)
ALZ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 794 Thanks: 105 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: MIJ Charvel So-Cal they are fer sure cool , i have a old japanese pionty from the 80's its a reverse heastock pionty charvel, 1 hum w/ 1 slant single , modded to just the hum works, it also is a black n purple factory jigsaw grapghic, upgraded to gold shayller floyd , swapped out the jt6 trem , its a sweet jap player and looks near minty , plays awesome , orig case ! see ya ,alz

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