Guthrie Govan moves to Charvel!!! Pic inside!

[daver101]

I wish Charvel would do more American made San Dimas models......seems like all I can ever find online is that crap Desolation stuff....

 

[Suhr]

Matt (who run's Matt's Music Center) said this on the Jackson/Charvel forum:

"Nothing has been released publicly but I'm being told by a reliable source he's made a change, this picture seems to show where he's landed. I'm in the process of ordering these and getting the specs on whatever his new model is going to be. If true, this is a great move by Charvel because I've been selling the hell out of Suhr's GG model for years, he's got a big following and has designed some great guitars with Suhr. I'm sure he'll do the same with Charvel..."

Steve

Just for the sake of clarity
Guthrie says he does not currently have any guitar endorsement deal with anyone.
He still has his Suhr and is still using a Badger
He is free to check out whatever gear he feels works for him just as any artists who play our guitars are.
We have only decided not to have artist signatures on our standard instruments.

We don't hold any of our artists captive

 

[Glen Gilbert]

Guthrie Govan, in one YouTube video interview, said publicly, that he's at the point in his life when he says "Yes" to everything; meaning of course, that he's trying to make some money for a change. He rarely turns down a gig, whether that is a clinic or an electronics/guitar show. He'd be a fool, at this point in his life if he didn't cash in on his fame. Life is fleeting, and for a musician, it's pretty difficult for a non-pop star to make a decent living. Govan probably realizes like a lot of people in the public eye, you might be famous, but not wealthy or rich; as best quoted by Dee Snider of the band Twisted Sister, “Being rich and famous is hard, but being poor and famous is hell."

Additionally, John Suhr is a control freak and quit Fender to make things his own way. (Not a criticism), and I doubt that Mr. Suhr wants to be beholden to anyone at his advanced years. It's about the money and maybe the fact that Govan didn't have a contract with Suhr spells no guarantee of anything, which is not a good position to be in, if you are out there on video after video touting a guitar and getting nothing in return for it. I doubt seriously that Charvel will ever make a guitar as good as Suhr, as Charvel is corporate run; however, they will make a guitar cheaper than Suhr, and that for many, might make all the difference.

 

[Anonymous]

I doubt seriously that Charvel will ever make a guitar as good as Suhr, as Charvel is corporate run; however, they will make a guitar cheaper than Suhr, and that for many, might make all the difference.

You need a fact check here, my friend. I've been to the "corporate run" Custom Shop and Charvels are made the same way they were in Grover Jackson's day, on the same machines, by the same guys. Very custom, hands-on guitar making. When you say "cheaper than Suhr", I can only assume that you are referring to the Japanese and Chinese made Charvel production guitars, which are a whole different animal. Guthrie is playing a Custom Shop guitar and those are just as expensive and well-built as Suhr guitars... I have several of both and they are absolutely equivalent in quality...

Steve

 

[stratotone]

Interesting thread. Couple of things in no order...

Charvels are the way they are because that's how they were built back in the day. Non recessed trems, neck heel adjustments for the truss rod, etc. I prefer them like this because it reminds me of the original Charvels that my favorite guitarists back in the late 70s and 80s played. If they are going to do stuff like 24 frets, recessed floyds and change the truss rod access, I'd hope they put all these on one guitar and leave the 'old school' ones alone.

I love Charvels and Jacksons - great guitars. But do you really think that Guthrie is going to be given an off the shelf guitar with absolutely no extra QC/TLC? We're also talking custom shops, which are a different animal than the standard production stuff. Back before the Fender takeover Jackson USA guitars (and Charvels obviously) were all built by the same guys who built the custom shop stuff. Heck, when Jackson started out EVERYTHING was custom ordered. It's funny, I'm typing this while I'm in the middle of replacing the electronics on my '87 Jackson Archtop Soloist student. I'd put it against ANYTHING built today quality wise. It's friggin' awesome!

A company like Fender/Charvel is going to have a lot deeper pockets than Suhr and who knows what enticements are being dangled in front of Guthrie? The guy has to eat, he's a phenom but I really doubt he's making as much money as we think he should. Every bit counts.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Latest video featuring Guthrie in Spain and he explains that the Charvel is a prototype that he is trying and attempts to dispel the 'internet' rumours, ect.
Very interesting explanation of his rig as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTEOF84w-f8
The Custom Shop and Artist's model Charvel's are built to the highest standard.
Suhr's are as well.
Can't we all get along?
Recently Charvel management were helpful to me on a project of mine, (not building a guitar) and John Suhr was helpful to me as well (again not buying a guitar).
There is plenty of room for everyone in the guitar business.
It is still a great time for getting custom built guitars made, whether owned by huge corporations or not.
Atomic Playboy

 

[mooncobra]

Over the last few years I had to sell all my charvels due to medical bills, and I miss the hell out of them. I had a suhr modern and thought my charvel custom shops were much better for me personally. Charvels kick ass!! Now I only have one guitar left, its a custom shop.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Over the last few years I had to sell all my charvels due to medical bills, and I miss the hell out of them. I had a suhr modern and thought my charvel custom shops were much better for me personally. Charvels kick ass!! Now I only have one guitar left, its a custom shop.

Soory to hear mooncobra I am in that same position currently.
Haven't had to sell any Charvel's as I don't have any, but have had to sell 3 guitars that were very unique and special.
Your day will come around again never fear, I am hoping the same as well!
Atomic Playboy

 

[screamindemon]

You suhr guys are just butt hurt because you payed $4000.00 for a strat !

And my $1000.00 charvel smokes it !

 

[Tone Zone]

You suhr guys are just butt hurt because you payed $4000.00 for a strat !

And my $1000.00 charvel smokes it !

Wow, really? I'm not even sure who that was suppose to be directed at??? Whose got "butt hurt"? Seems to me, that some people simply prefer Suhrs, while others prefer Charvels. I personally think Charvel make fine guitars.....and their Custom Shops are probably excellent. I just prefer Suhrs overall. Never played a Charvel that I loved. And, for me....Suhr's designs just suit me better. To each their own, I say. But, your statement above just suffers from all kinds of FAIL. Hell, if I didn't know any better, you almost sound JEALOUS?

 

[screamindemon]

You suhr guys are just butt hurt because you payed $4000.00 for a strat !

And my $1000.00 charvel smokes it !

Wow, really? I'm not even sure who that was suppose to be directed at??? Whose got "butt hurt"? Seems to me, that some people simply prefer Suhrs, while others prefer Charvels. I personally think Charvel make fine guitars.....and their Custom Shops are probably excellent. I just prefer Suhrs overall. Never played a Charvel that I loved. And, for me....Suhr's designs just suit me better. To each their own, I say. But, your statement above just suffers from all kinds of FAIL. Hell, if I didn't know any better, you almost sound JEALOUS?

Not Jealous ! I am perfectly happy with my Charvels !

If I payed $ 4000.00 for a Strat I would have to justify it somehow !

 

[Tone Zone]

Not Jealous ! I am perfectly happy with my Charvels !

If I payed $ 4000.00 for a Strat I would have to justify it somehow !

Well, cool.......glad you're happy with your Charvels. But, I keep seeing this $4000 figure for a Suhr thrown around by you a hellvu lot. Just curious? Did, you just happen to pull that from your ASS, er? Maybe you've never priced Suhrs all that much, but most fall WAY under that figure....all depending on how extravagant you get with their options. The custom Suhr in my avatar for example, was $2300 shipped. And, I can guarantee you, that there have been members here who've paid a lot more than that for a custom shop Charvel. So, it's really just apples and oranges. As a matter of fact, the only Suhrs that I typically see reach the $4K mark on a regular basis, are the Limited Edition Set Neck models.

 

[screamindemon]

Not Jealous ! I am perfectly happy with my Charvels !

If I payed $ 4000.00 for a Strat I would have to justify it somehow !

Well, cool.......glad you're happy with your Charvels. But, I keep seeing this $4000 figure for a Suhr thrown around by you a hellvu lot. Just curious? Did, you just happen to pull that from your ASS, er? Maybe you've never priced Suhrs all that much, but most fall WAY under that figure....all depending on how extravagant you get with their options. The custom Suhr in my avatar for example, was $2300 shipped. And, I can guarantee you, that there have been members here who've paid a lot more than that for a custom shop Charvel. So, it's really just apples and oranges. As a matter of fact, the only Suhrs that I typically see reach the $4K mark on a regular basis, are the Limited Edition Set Neck models.

To be honest I don't know what they cost because I was never interested.
I really don't care either way, to each thier own !

I'm not saying they are bad guitars, I never played one. lucky For me that Charvel guitars feel the best in my hands and are Generaly much cheaper price wise.

I was just messin I really don't care who plays what ! I just find it funny that people tend to let it bother them that this guy plays brand A over brand B.

In the end it's all about what feels good to you and inspires you to create Music !

Rock on Brother !

 

[Tone Zone]

In the end it's all about what feels good to you and inspires you to create Music !

Rock on Brother !

 

[screamindemon]

This Charvel Custom Shop (Mahogony w/ maple cap) has been my main guitar since I purchased it from Steve about 6 months ago (thanks again ). Just can't put it down. The quality and asthetics can't get much better either, IMO. The ONLY thing I'm not 100% gel'ing with is the neck pick-up, doesn't seem to have much life and character. Don't mean to derail the thread but any suggestions for a replacement?

BTW, Dibs !

 

[dfrattaroli]

Seems to me the Govan/Charvel threads are started by the Charvel fan bois who hate on Suhrs. Also, the average Suhr costs well under 4k. You wouldn't know that from this thread because the "Charvel" guys are the ones throwing out that price tag. Seems the butt-hurt lives in the Charvel camp. Get back to practicing guys.

 

[Zap]

I'm amused by how this thread has turned into Suhr vs Charvel. Who cares what someone else thinks of your guitar. The two most important things are that YOU like your guitar and YOU can get music out of it. Now 'scuse me while I play my Fender into my shit box Champ.

 

[Anonymous]

Seems to me the Govan/Charvel threads are started by the Charvel fan bois who hate on Suhrs. Also, the average Suhr costs well under 4k. You wouldn't know that from this thread because the "Charvel" guys are the ones throwing out that price tag. Seems the butt-hurt lives in the Charvel camp. Get back to practicing guys.

You don't read very well do ya? I started this thread and I own and love both Suhrs and Charvels, so I'd say you're dead wrong...

Steve

 

[tylerisdumb]

This Charvel Custom Shop (Mahogony w/ maple cap) has been my main guitar since I purchased it from Steve about 6 months ago (thanks again ). Just can't put it down. The quality and asthetics can't get much better either, IMO. The ONLY thing I'm not 100% gel'ing with is the neck pick-up, doesn't seem to have much life and character. Don't mean to derail the thread but any suggestions for a replacement?

BTW, Dibs !

That is a sexy guitar! But I think it may exceed your $1000 limit.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Seems to me the Govan/Charvel threads are started by the Charvel fan bois who hate on Suhrs. Also, the average Suhr costs well under 4k. You wouldn't know that from this thread because the "Charvel" guys are the ones throwing out that price tag. Seems the butt-hurt lives in the Charvel camp. Get back to practicing guys.

You don't read very well do ya? I started this thread and I own and love both Suhrs and Charvels, so I'd say you're dead wrong...

Steve

I was referring to other threads I've seen on this topic as well. So I should have chosen my words more wisely here. Still, this one quickly became a Charvel/Suhr thing. It's just stupid. You would also think some would be a bit more respectful to a guy like John Suhr on this forum.