Help identifying a Charvel!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dixie_Flatline
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Dixie_Flatline

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Hi all,

A friend of mine suggested someone here might be able to help me. I'm working on refurbishing a guitar I bought in 1999 when I was young(er) and dumb(er). I've tried to figure out exactly which model of Charvel it is, but I'm limited in my knowledge and I think I'm making the wrong assumptions.

It seems like a Model 4, but it doesn't have the usual fretboard (afaik). It has Jackson-labeled actives and a JT6 tremolo. The model number starts with 30. I believe, from my limited research, that it is post 1987 and is MIJ. I'd really like to know what it is, just for my own knowledge. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Charvel.jpg
 
Are you sure that they are active pickups? I had a model 2 and it had a Jackson pickup that was covered but it was passive.

Also gigged with a guy that had a champaign finish model 4 with the same pickups.
 
it's a model 4. Some had maple boards. The '86 model 4 had a kahler trem and a dotted rosewood fingerboard. the '87 model 4 had a trem similar to that in the photo. The '87 rosewood boards had shark teeth inlays. MIJ. the model 4's had a battery for the pickups
 
fek said:
Are you sure that they are active pickups? I had a model 2 and it had a Jackson pickup that was covered but it was passive.

Also gigged with a guy that had a champaign finish model 4 with the same pickups.
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Yeah, they're actives - I've had that battery run down on me too many times. 😁 I bet that champagne one looked killer, though!

Edit: Although I did just read they're passives with an active preamp, so that's probably the case and I'm just wrong.
 
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Gitfiddler said:
it's a model 4. Some had maple boards. The '86 model 4 had a kahler trem and a dotted rosewood fingerboard. the '87 model 4 had a trem similar to that in the photo. The '87 rosewood boards had shark teeth inlays. MIJ. the model 4's had a battery for the pickups
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Awesome, thank you so much! I was pretty sure I was missing some info like that. 🤘
 
bad-assery!
what will you be doing to it with the refurb?
 
It's in reasonable shape, honestly. "Refurb" was probably too strong a word; I just want to bring it back to itself. The paint has kind of dulled and I'd like to bring back the sparkle (I'm not entirely sure how I'll do this, if you have any tips that'd be great). The neck pickup doesn't work right now, so I'd like to figure that out. It might need some neck work, but we'll see how the truss rod adjustment develops. Finally maybe some fretwork as well, though they are still pretty solidly tall so maybe just a level. Thanks for asking!
 
Chris O said:
Model 4M to be exact. Nice guitar! I had a white one.
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Man, I've been puzzling over that off and on for like twenty years - come here and you guys answer it in, like, 12 hours.
 
I had the same exact color with the RW board. I traded a model 6 for it plus got a 4x12 and a Mosvalve power amp. 1989 I think; right after I got out of the Army.
 
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