USA Charvel sn 3839 sighting

[EVHwannabe]

Imagine my surprise when I walked in to the little, local guitar store in Plainfield, IN, and saw a case on the floor with "USA Charvel" on it. Dave, the owner, said he just got it in and hadn't really been able to look at it yet. I cracked it and found this (see below). Lots of "character" (ie. scratches and dings), funky neck plate with scrates and a strap button hole, and a GREAT neck. Not sure what he wants for her yet. Not an ad for him, but in case anyone is interested, the shop is called Six Strings Down and is in Plainfield, IN

[dg]

That's a very cool looking guitar! I love black with a maple board. The scratching at the serial # looks deliberate to me (even though it's a half-assed attempt), and that would make me think twice about it. Also, when I see a strap button hole on the plate of a strat shape, it makes me think parts. Not that it's definite or anything, but just a fair possibility.

[shreddermon]

+1

[tonemonster]

the only bad part about that guitar is its probably going to bring big $$$$. I mean its good that its worth money, but the age and mojo factor is going to make it command a premium I think.

[Jason1212]

Also, when I see a strap button hole on the plate of a strat shape, it makes me think parts. Not that it's definite or anything, but just a fair possibility.

Same here.

[RR05xx]

Hmm, they used to put those plates on "star" bodies and the scratched serial # definately suggests something funky.

It does all look like real parts though (with the exception of the strap locks) at a quick glance (though that could be a model series body as the first year came with kalhers and there is something about the rear bevel that I dont like, but I am not an expert on this), so the question is how many of them left the factory on the same guitar.

As for $$$, the only thing really desirable about that guitar IMHO is the maple neck (which I admit I would like for a project). After that, good luck getting more than $1100 (and that may be high ). It it were mint, did not have the plate issue, had a factory floyd, and/or a graphic, this would change the game alot.

[toejam]

the only bad part about that guitar is its probably going to bring big $$$$. I mean its good that its worth money, but the age and mojo factor is going to make it command a premium I think.

The bad thing about the guitar is it's got a Kahler!

[Jack Napalm]

It it were mint, did not have the plate issue, had a factory floyd, and/or a graphic, this would change the game alot.

So, what you are saying is that if it were another guitar all together it would be worth more.

[dannyr]

Cool guitar but I say parts or at least replaced neck plate.

[EVHwannabe]

I can tell you for sure, if it had a floyd, or *maybe* a vintage trem, I would most likely have already bought it (assuming he doesn't want stupid cash). I would have traded something or sold something or figured out some scheme. It's not that often a USA walks into the local fiddle shop in the little town of Plainfield, IN just down the street from my house. Damn you to hell Kahler!!!!!!!!! : )

Okay, that was a little too dramatic.....how about, "rats, it has a Kahler".

[Newc]

Belly cut goes back too far to be a Model 2 body.

Teh plate could have been pre-drilled for the strap pin and intended for a Star but used on that body instead. Maybe they ordered them pre-drilled? Or maybe it was drilled out later for a custom strap system (ZZ Top spinner?)

[tonemonster]

someone mentioned maybe $1100.....????

WTF?????

Man, the good ol days are gone. I bought my old san dimas jackson for $375 + tax about 12 yrs ago. found it in a local music store as a trade in. it has an OFR floyd (factory installed) and 1 hum. it had been converted to an EMG by the previous owner. but the guitar was in GREAT condition. not mint, but no damage, no major dings, but some belt scratches and some wear on the top area of the trem cover from a belt buckle rubbing into the finish. neck is awesome. still plays like a monster. if it was a main player, I would probably do a refret to it as its marginal in that sense, certainly still playable......but if it was my only guitar, I would want it perfect.
but damn.....the days of deals are gone....

[surfdork]

That guitar won't bring $1100...not these days anyway. And the hole in the plate...could have been a mod done by a previous owner to set it up for a strap button like Holdsworth did.

[fuel0707]

Does the hole for the neckplate strap hole go into the body? From the picture above, it doesn't look like the body has a hole underneath the strap hole. If that's the case, it would lend even more evidence to the neckplate not being original to the guitar.

[chimaira]

The guitar has seen so use, but very cool none the less. I have seen less and less as the years go by. Is anyone here going to snag it? Love the maple board.....