Is there anything better than a Charvel?

[Rev]

Wow I really dig the fire artwork! Fantastic guitars!

 

[mixohoytian]

I really wish Charvel made a 24 fret model. I would be all over that!

Then it would not be a Charvel...

I'd also like a slanted heel joint

oh wait
I want an ESP

 

[dfrattaroli]

Anything?

What about

Yeah... I'd tongue punch her in the fart box...

Haha. Only after your done tongue punching Daniel Tosh's mom's fart box right?

 

[dfrattaroli]

I've got a Charvel SD Style 2 and 2 Suhr Moderns. I love, love, love my Charvel. But it doesn't touch my Suhrs.

For the $760 (including tax) that I paid for it though, I really can't think of anything that touches it. Shit, I bought a used Ibanez 7321 for $200 and it must have been sprinkled with asian fairy dust because it kicks the shit out of the Carvin 727 I had. Sometimes you just get a good one. Or not.

 

[Ayrton]

I really wish Charvel made a 24 fret model. I would be all over that!

Then it would not be a Charvel...

I'd also like a slanted heel joint

oh wait
I want an ESP

 

[Chubtone]

While the paint job is cool, that doesn't really qualify as the type of Charvel we are talking about. The 80's MIJ's were good guitars for the money, but for the most part we're talking USA Charvel stuff. We can't compare an old MIJ to a Suhr, Anderson, or even a Les Paul. That's like comparing an old Porsche 944 to a new Mercedes. Not fair to the 944 and not fair to Porsche's name to be represented by the 944 and not their highest level cars.

 

[rupe]

They're nice guitars for the dough but even the custom shop Charvels that I've played haven't been up to the Anderson/Suhr standard.

Now that this thread has taken on some life, I want to qualify my previous statement. My comment "nice guitars for the dough" was in reference for the US Production Models. They are great guitars but need some time spent (and $$$ IMO) to really dial them in. Aside from setup work, they benefit from a German Floyd and an electronics upgrade (although I've played a few that I wouldn't have bothered changing the trem).

My comment about the Anderson/Suhr standard is referring to fit and finish. Charvel seems to have gotten better over the last couple of years but they were having some serious issues early on in FMIC's tenure. Many of the originals pointies had issues with the finish lifting on the headstock (or was that just taking it too far in an attempt to be like the originals? ).
After that it wasn't uncommon to see blown work orders, crooked pickups, poor string alignment, crooked tuners, crooked logos, miswired switches...even a strap button hole on a Star that was drilled too large and filled with toothpicks. I'm confident that none of us will ever see anything like that with Tom or John's guitars.

Playability, comfort, tone, responsiveness...those are all personal preference so nobody can say whats better...completely subjective.

All that said, I am a big fan of Charvels having grown up when they ruled the world for 80's metal. I actually still own and play a prepro parts mutt...best Charvel I've ever laid hands on (and I've played a lot...including most of a certain Boston collector's pieces on two different occassions).

 

[rupe]

I've said it before and I will say it again. I'm especially flabbergasted at the comment above that Charvels don't have mojo but Anderson, Suhr and PRS do. Those three are amazing guitars. Gorgeous. But I have to say that Charvels have mojo, vibe and attitude and those others are extremely polite guitars for the well behaved. This is my anaolgy.

Here is your Les Paul Custom/PRS:

Here is your Anderson/Suhr:

Here is your Charvel:

Fixed

 

[Chubtone]

Sorry Rupe, I disagree with your car analogy. The muscle car is the Les Paul. Big, beefy and burly and pretty good at one thing only..... mowing people down with it's power. The Charvel is the Porsche factory built race car. Purpose built, possibly a bit rough around the edges and very little concession to comfort or civility.

 

[charveldan]

While the paint job is cool, that doesn't really qualify as the type of Charvel we are talking about. The 80's MIJ's were good guitars for the money, but for the most part we're talking USA Charvel stuff. We can't compare an old MIJ to a Suhr, Anderson, or even a Les Paul. That's like comparing an old Porsche 944 to a new Mercedes. Not fair to the 944 and not fair to Porsche's name to be represented by the 944 and not their highest level cars.

Just a guitar dude.

 

[rupe]

Sorry Rupe, I disagree with your car analogy. The muscle car is the Les Paul. Big, beefy and burly and pretty good at one thing only..... mowing people down with it's power. The Charvel is the Porsche factory built race car. Purpose built, possibly a bit rough around the edges and very little concession to comfort or civility. I can see an Anderson and a Suhr being equated to a Porsche 911 Turbo straight off of the dealers lot. Fast and extremely luxurious with satellite radio, GPS and any other luxury features available. But the Porsche diehards roll their eyes because they know that the 911 Turbo is the model that people who aren't really into Porsche's buy. For example, that dentist/orthodontist finally goes down to buy that dream car. And the one they drive off the lot is the 911 Turbo.

PS. I have nothing against orthodontists, dentists, Andersons, Suhr's or 911 Turbo owners.

Point/Counterpoint...Why I see Charvel as a muscle car:

Muscle cars - start with a familar model and add modifications, enhancements, and components to up the performance factor. Once it leaves the factory, it is frequently further customized to enhance performance even more to ultimately meet the driver's wants and needs.

Charvel - start with a familiar model and add modifications, enhancements, and components to up performance factor. Once it leaves the factory it is frequently further customized to enahnce perfromance even more to ultimately meet the player's wants and needs.

Conversely, most people who buy an exotic sports car (Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc) drive it "as-is"...only a very few have the balls (or talent) to modify a car of that caliber to even further up the performance (and scrap the warrenty). Even fewer yet have what it takes to take advantage of that performance once the mods are done.

I think Anderson/Suhr/etc fall more into that exotic category...most buyers leave them alone except for a few people who actually care more about the absolute highest level of performance than they do protecting their investment.

 

[rupe]

While the paint job is cool, that doesn't really qualify as the type of Charvel we are talking about. The 80's MIJ's were good guitars for the money, but for the most part we're talking USA Charvel stuff. We can't compare an old MIJ to a Suhr, Anderson, or even a Les Paul. That's like comparing an old Porsche 944 to a new Mercedes. Not fair to the 944 and not fair to Porsche's name to be represented by the 944 and not their highest level cars.

Just a guitar dude.

Don't stand up too fast...the point Curt was making might hit you

 

[thiswaythatway]

Anyone have a pick of the newer Charvel that came in h/s/s with a hardtail or vintage trem? It was a brownish color. That's the only one i think I'd grab if i could because it doesn't have the crappy floyd on it.

 

[Gitfiddler]

what kind of bird would charvel, anderson, prs, dentists, firemen, or surhr be?

 

[Chubtone]

what kind of bird would charvel, anderson, prs, dentists, firemen, or surhr be?

Freaking awesome!

 

[Chubtone]

Point/Counterpoint...Why I see Charvel as a muscle car:

Muscle cars - start with a familar model and add modifications, enhancements, and components to up the performance factor. Once it leaves the factory, it is frequently further customized to enhance performance even more to ultimately meet the driver's wants and needs.

Charvel - start with a familiar model and add modifications, enhancements, and components to up performance factor. Once it leaves the factory it is frequently further customized to enahnce perfromance even more to ultimately meet the player's wants and needs.

Conversely, most people who buy an exotic sports car (Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc) drive it "as-is"...only a very few have the balls (or talent) to modify a car of that caliber to even further up the performance (and scrap the warrenty). Even fewer yet have what it takes to take advantage of that performance once the mods are done.

I think Anderson/Suhr/etc fall more into that exotic category...most buyers leave them alone except for a few people who actually care more about the absolute highest level of performance than they do protecting their investment.

Extremely good points. I have no counter to that. I see your thinking and can't find a flaw with it. Damn it!

 

[Chubtone]

Just a guitar dude.

That I didn't feel a $300 Charvel should be used in an argument representing Charvel against $3000+ Anderson and Suhr guitars doesn't make me a cork-sniffer. I would be happy to rock that Charvel of yours. If anything, the Charvel side of this argument is the least aligned with the whole "cork-sniffer" movement than the other side. If I put up a pic of a Marshall Valvestate in a Marshall thread featuring amps like the one in your avatar, you might want to give me a little smack down too, right? And it would be warranted.

If any of this stuff was "just" guitars or "just" amps we'd be awfully bored.

 

[Scuba200ft]

I've got a Charvel SD Style 2 and 2 Suhr Moderns. I love, love, love my Charvel. But it doesn't touch my Suhrs.

For the $760 (including tax) that I paid for it though, I really can't think of anything that touches it. Shit, I bought a used Ibanez 7321 for $200 and it must have been sprinkled with asian fairy dust because it kicks the shit out of the Carvin 727 I had. Sometimes you just get a good one. Or not.

Thats a ridiculous comparison. Comparing a USA standard Charvel to a Suhr.

Thats like comparing a Mexi Strat to a masterbuilt Strat.

 

[Scuba200ft]

And BTW, Charvel is THE original superstrat. The Suhrs, Andersons, etc....all came into the market due to Charvels engineering in the 80's.

 

[Scuba200ft]

I could go on, but I wont...lol

I like this one. But it needs a neck pickup.

One pup worked just fine for a few so-so players....EVH, Demartini, Jake, etc....

But thats back when music had solos and such...Not just chugga-fugga-chugga.