Tell me what you don't like about the new SoCals

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

3-pickup LP?

[Grandturk]

Please excuse me for asking but why do you say this? I'm assuming there's something I'm missing about the 3-way blade switch you're referring to as far as pickup combinations go.

You're excused! Personal preference is all:

a - I don't use the notch positions that much (2 & 4)

b - Less likely to be nudged out of the 1 position into the 2 position

For versatility you can't beat a 5 way.

3-pickup LP?

That doesn't count because the selector only picks between two pickups and the third pickup is blended in with a volume control.

[ironworker221]

Any one worried about a blade switch should really consider a fender strat a charvel should be a one hum maple fretboard

[fullmetalguitar]

How about an option that is not a recessed Floyd or a non-recessed Floyd? That would be a vintage trem, or even better yet, a two point trem like a wilkinson. I know, I know, I'm the only guy that wants that so I don't ever expect to see it done. This is what would make me buy one: dinky body, 2 hums, and vintage or two point trem. I heard that option is coming in batch number 5,298.

In fact, here's one at the Music Zoo that's a dinky. Looks great imo. Now if it just had a standard or two point trem...

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/3667/Charvel-Custom-Shop-Dinky-Mahogany-Natural-2H-Floyd-Rose/

[Evol]

I actually like the idea, especially the Wilky with a roller nut. Either would be cool, they did the V-Trem on the Anniversary model I believe.

At least have a model of each, that would be freaking cool and open up the doors to the brand beyond those players who are more "traditional".

[85 San Dimas]

I actually liked the Magenta. It thought it was the most Charvel-like finsih they had done of these so far. Risky and different. What a boutique brand would do but they did it on a production line guitar.

As for the recessed/non recessed thing....the Fender guys building them don't know how to do that. They do 2 post bridges on "top".

Well, they finally made the single hum..of course they painted it "Fiesta Red" of all colors. You'd have sold twice as many in white especially if you installed a zebra, but Bionic already knows that. So Newc can buy this one and then buy the white one in the spring I guess. Works out for FMIC just fine.

Oh, yeah, one more thing. I like the non-beveled pickguard. During the early days of Shecter/ Charvel/ ISA, etc. around 1977 Schecter mounted some of their pickup sets on non-beveled fibrous pickguards. I actually have a couple of them stamped Jun 1977. When I see these "Charvel" pickguards I think it's a nice touch (although some people might think the flat/semi-gloss black says 80's Kramer). The toggle switch sucks. But these things should have an identity of their own (at least visually) which is why I'm down on using the Fender Palette.

[Matt_B]

So what you're saying is no one should have a choice to get something they prefer.

Not on a production model guitar. That's what the custom shop is for.

Seriously, I don't see what all the fuss is about with the trem not being recessed. If you like everything about the guitar except the lack of trem recess, buy one and get that done aftermarket. If it's done well, it won't depreciate the value and as it is, the strings are close to to the body. They're not high like a Les Paul with a tunamatic.

I came to the conclusion a long time ago that if I wanted to own certain styles of guitars, I was going to have to adapt my technique to work with them. In the end, it wasn't a big deal. I've got guitars with Strat style hard tails, OFRs, and tunamatics (Les Pauls to be exact) and a wide range of neck profiles ranging from super thin Ibanez Wizards to the chunks 50s Les Paul. I appreciate the differences and how they influence my playing.

[Evol]

If you don't see what all the fuss is about, then it's not for you, correct? A recessed route has been the standard route for Floyded guitars for over 20 years now, and it should be no surprise that many players prefer it. Sorry, paying 2-3 times the amount for a route that has been industry standard is not acceptable.

Neither is doing it aftermarket, even if you don't care about the warranty, it's alot more than simply carving out a pullback route.

Funny you brought up Les Pauls, as they even make a production model with a recessed Floyd. But we have to go to the custom shop to have a Charvel with the same thing?

Hopefully they come around with a model that is updated a bit for the more modern player as the vast multitudes of those players will not pay custom shop prices for a route they prefer.

[Zaneus]

Its all about who the guitar is marketed too. Charvel aren't exactly rolling in money as much as fender is. They cant afford to make two versions of the same guitar in a production run. Its feasible in one of the custom batches but that's it.

Put simply, charvel aren't looking to please every single rock playing guitar player out there as it simply can't be done. They're looking to bring back the original hot rodded guitar that they made back in the day without the long custom shop wait and hefty price tag. Unfortunately for you the original hot rod strat guitar did not come with a full floyd rose route.

[Evol]

Hmm, the same market that played Jacksons (most of this board) for the last 20 years don't count???

Sorry, I don't buy that, or any other of these arguments. Are there custom shop wait time and hefty price tags for the new pickup routes and configurations, fretboard wood, or the new graphic paint jobs?

Are these guitars simply hanging on the wall of shops not selling? I don't think so. How do you know they "can't afford" it? Do you work for Charvel? They are on their 7th batch of these and don't seem to have a problem adding things that people want so far.

You seem to think that only one single person would want this, but that's not the case.

C'mon Charvel give us a recessed model already!

[Zaneus]

Im sure charvel didn't sit down and say "Lets market our guitars at the jackson players." They simply released their hot rodded fender guitar in a production run. That's it. There's a market for hot rodded fenders and a market for jackson guitars. Its not one in the same.

Floyd routes in a custom batch run is fine. I said that. Do i think Charvel should make a trans-kandy gold HSS guitar in a full production run? No. It's simply not a smart business. My opinion is the same on a floyd route. Having them make two different versions of the same guitar with the only difference being one route is simply idiotic.

[Grandturk]

C'mon Charvel give us a recessed model already!

And 24 frets!

And a scalloped lower horn!

And active electronics.

And cut down the body so its... smaller... dinkier!

And a figured top!

[fullmetalguitar]

Now you're talking!

[Evol]

Im sure charvel didn't sit down and say "Lets market our guitars at the jackson players."

Really, now? Who do you think pushed for years for Charvel to return to the strat-head and body? Were you around this site back then? Tell you what alot of people who own these guitars own one or many Jacksons. Ask around here if you don't believe me. Who do you actually think purchases and plays the bulk of these guitars? Gibson or Fender players?

They simply released their hot rodded fender guitar in a production run. That's it. There's a market for hot rodded fenders and a market for jackson guitars. Its not one in the same.

See above. Oh, in case you didn't know, the only thing Fender about them is the body and headstock shape. But, uhhh, ok...

Unfortunately for you the original hot rod strat guitar did not come with a full floyd rose route.

The "original hot rod strat guitar" (geez you sound like either a broken record or a very dated advertisement), did not come with a Floyd Rose at all! When Charvel brought back the strat heads, with the Anniversary model, the only came with one pickup and a v-trem. And they have been adding things that players have wanted, and it's worked. I'm not sure why you want to hold back progress, it certainly doesn't affect you in anyway.

Having them make two different versions of the same guitar with the only difference being one route is simply idiotic.

The only thing idiotic is that statement.

Take the previous runs for example, the only difference between the SD and SC was the pickup route, oh and the route for the jack. Now we have 3 versions of yes the same "hot rodded Fender" with all 3 having different pickup routes! And quite a few other changes as well. But somehow having a modern trem route is a taboo, even though the custom runs sold out, and even though there are players on this very thread saying it's the only thing keeping them from buying one. As I said before to others, you don't have to buy one, there are plenty of others that will.

[85 San Dimas]

Evol,

I understand you point, and I know it's important to you (I think generally) everyone understands and sympathizes. If enough like-minded people get together and put their money where their posts are then FMIC will build it for you. But they need to be able to sell thousands to make that happen. If there were enough proven sales out there I'd help you all I could to push FMIC to do it. However, the last thing I want is a misstep by "Charvel" that causes FMIC to lessen it's dedication ($$$) to the brand because the dealer network got stuck with 2000 guitars it can't move and so won't buy anymore. Not saying a recessed would do that, but just an example like the conversations we've had about Star bodies.

Can they do it inexpensively? Sure. Is there enough demand? I dunno.
Will they do it? Sure. When? Unknown. Depends on how many it can be reliably counted on to sell. For that answer you'll need to ask the dealer network if they'll buy them. Unfortunately (IMHO) that's the bottom line.

Sorry man, wish there was better news. Perhaps soon. Good luck.