Charvels vs GMW's

[Toby]

There are some posts in this forum, saying better buy a GMW and putting a Charvel decal onto the headstock than buying a new USA Charvel. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Probably, Lee builds great guitars, maybe for a lower price and shorter wait than Jackson/Charvel Mfg. Probably, the GMW's are very close to the original San Dimas Charvel. Nevertheless, these GMW's are no Charvels, they are only copies. I think, they are a good alternative, if the originals are not available. As far as I understand, GMW is no longer able to offer Stratheads. Anyway, real Charvels are available, more than ever, built by the same company and to the same specs as the originals made in San Dimas, and some of the craftsmen who built the originals still work for Jackson/Charvel Mfg. I consider these new Charvels real originals as well. This is a Charvel forum, and we are Charvel enthusiasts. As long as Jackson/Charvel offers these real Charvels, I see no plausible alternative for the Charvel enthusiasts.

Why tell some people here the Charvel enthusiasts to prefer a GMW to a real Charvel? And if they recommend GMW instead of Charvel, why they tell to put a Charvel logo on it? If one wants a Charvel logo, buy a Charvel. Why to have a Charvel logo on a non-Charvel? Why to not commit that's not a Charvel?

[Chuckracer]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

Until very very recently, ther was NO alternative but to put a logo on a GMW. Now there is.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

[ QUOTE ]
Probably, Lee builds great guitars, maybe for a lower price and shorter wait than Jackson/Charvel Mfg. Probably, the GMW's are very close to the original San Dimas Charvel. Nevertheless, these GMW's are no Charvels, they are only copies.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lee builds great guitars and not only Charvel copies.
Have you ever been to his shop and check his stuff besides what you see around here?
A lot of people appreciate his work not just about his guitars.
He (and Dan) does a lot of restore and refinish jobs to rescue the originals too.
He did on 2 of my old Stratheads and they were perfect.
I bet almost everyone who collects or owns older Charvel or Jackson have done business with him for sure.
I personally think it is so ridiculous to put fake Charvel logos on GMW guitars. I would never do it as Lee would not be happy about it either.
I am not interested in copying the looks of Charvel but the quality.
If it was just for the looks, he would have never sold that many guitars in the past.

When Charvel was not available like just happened recently(still not everyone is able to buy these as you have to order them and no strat headstock as option),GMW was one of the best ways to order something to your specs at reasonable price comparing to the custom shop price.
GMW has basically the same idea of what Charvel used to be back in early 80's.
Build to your specs thing.
Also to add, one of the reasons I do recommend GMW is you get to talk with the person who builds your guitar and he will be answering your questions quick instead of waiting for a week to get a simple answer.
If this is a custom shop Charvel or Jackson, you will end up dealing with one of dealers who deals with his reps at custom shop then to builders.

I am not talking about who has better quality and who has bad.
It is just GMW is a great custom build guitar shop and is considered as one of the best.

If people want Charvel, there you go, it's available now.
I will wait and see what people will think on these Charvel standards/customs when they receive, lets' say by end of the year?
Yes,I would like to order one with pointy headstock when the right time comes.
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[bobbtoz]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

Actually there are some that would argue that GMW builds a more acurate San Dimas than the current (25th Anniversary) being produced by Charvel. I haven't heard much feedback on the new stuff, I guess its eary yet.
Somebody posted here about a month ago and they provided alot of info re: GMW. I would take a crack at repeating what he said, but I'm sure someone here will be able to provide you the low done more accurate than I can.

The bottom line is creating a guitar with the mojo of a San Dimas. From what I've heard, and I've invested some time on this, is that Lee/GMW does incredible work. I have not heard one negative thing. Hence I took the plunge and purchased one. Can't wait for it. Of course now that Charvel has rediscovered its balls I'll check out some of their new line.
I have no interest in putting a Charvel logo on a GMW. I just want the best playing guitar w/ out spending a crap load of $$ on the old San Dimas guitars. For what its worth I hope the new Charvels kick ass and have the same vibe as the old San Dimas guitars.

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

If GMW can no longer offer strat headstocks, I wonder if that is going to take a huge cut out of GMW custom orders? [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] And will that translate into higher resell values on already made GMW stratheads that appear for sale on the market? Its a crying shame that GMW is banned from doing great strathead stuff. [img]/images/graemlins/refuse.gif[/img] Pay the @*&$#^*9~!! Fender license fee! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I know, probably not going to happen - but we can wish.

[speed monkey]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

[ QUOTE ]
If GMW can no longer offer strat headstocks, I wonder if that is going to take a huge cut out of GMW custom orders? [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] And will that translate into higher resell values on already made GMW stratheads that appear for sale on the market? Its a crying shame that GMW is banned from doing great strathead stuff. [img]/images/graemlins/refuse.gif[/img] Pay the @*&$#^*9~!! Fender license fee! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I know, probably not going to happen - but we can wish.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not simply a matter of paying the license fee....the license fee only grants you the permission to build the parts - NOT finished assembled guitars...

As far as value of GMW's - who knows....I know mine play awesome, and that Lee Garver is one of the most righteous people I've dealt with in the music business - having played 25+ years and worked in it for 15+ in one capacity or another. I won't be selling any of mine anytime soon [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

That said - GMW will be fine...those that want a Charvel logo on the headstock can now have one...anybody that wants a far more personal experience when spending $1000 + on a custom guitar that will blow away most everything else can have that with GMW...FWIW - I've seen the future, and will continue to send any and all available bucks to GMW for more guitars...and yeah, I'll probably sneak in a Charvel for yucks too.

Steve E

[RR05xx]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

Hey Toby, just out of curiocity, have you ever played an old San Dimas Charvel or one of the newer GMWs?

[paddok]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

I was making the charvel v. GMW decision a few months ago. I went with a GMW. I have no regrets and my GMW star will be finished in a few weeks.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

STAR!!??
man, I would love to see it...
[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

I'll just do the next best thing to ordering a GMW Strathead COMPLETE guitar - order a GMW version of a Charvel SD Strat with a reverse pointy! Or is Fender going to get anal about the pointy headstocks being propiertary to Fender since they own Jackson now? [img]/images/graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img] Like I said earlier, its goofy for Fender to be control freaks about designs that have been copied by dozens of guitar companies over the years. I'd also like a Charvel Flying V - but thats a "Gibson" body style.....

[RacerX]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

Just one corner inside GMW (taken January 2003)

[LUVGUN]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

[img]/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[paddok]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

[ QUOTE ]
Just one corner inside GMW (taken January 2003)




[/ QUOTE ]

That's the standing corner! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Everytime I go in there, I always find myself standing right there because the rest of the place is so packed full of stuff.

[tmdiamond]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

Here's my philosophy on the Charvel vs GMW debate....I think there are several things to consider...1. The original Charvel stratheads took a common body/neck style and mated it with the hums and attitude of a Les Paul. What emerged was arguably the ultimate rock-n-roll guitar with a stable trem bridge, the thick, meaty tone of humbuckers, Custom Shop/made-to-order, motivated luthiers putting out ultra high-quality instruments. The limited # of those original stratheads and their legendary history sent the market prices through the roof. To own one now, you have to worry about fakes, non-originality, and obviously wear and tear. Still great guitars though. Then we have GMW...who has built what are, for all intents and purposes, original Charvel stratheads. The same shapes, routs, woods, finishes, necks, profiles, and I would add...equal or better quality and attention to detail. A Gmw strathead IS, IMO, an original Charvel strathead in every way except when it was made and where it was made. GMW filled a market niche incredibly well. It is a shame that Fender has put an end to the GMW strathead.
But, I'm looking at it like this....for years, we've been able to order custom made stratheads from GMW just like we could from Charvel back in the old days. The thing is, most of these GMWs were not logo'd which basically meant that Lee was basically making these guitars for the Charvel crowd, with perhaps some Schecter and Dimarzio players thrown in for good measure. It seems as if there was no identifying a GMW strathead as groundbreaking, legendary, or any other adjective that could be used in describing the early Charvels. The present situation is a huge opportunity, not to make GMW a bunch of money, but to gain an identity for their instruments. Those of us who own or played a GMW strathead know how great these guitars are. They always could stand on their own merits but they've always resided in the shadows of Charvel. Perhaps a new headstock design, used with some classic finishes, cool graphics, and even the common Charvel graphics, will put GMWs into the hands of more players. Not just the Charvel lovers. I have some GMWs and these guitars are the exact reason why my main stage guitars are now GMWs. About a year ago, maybe a little less, I used soloists primarily with an occasional Rhoads. Since buying my crossed swords GMW and felling how well it played, how well it is made, and the tone, my strat-bodied GMWs are what I use most. For tunes that work better on a 24 fret guitar or songs that need a single coil sound or clean tones, I'll use one of my soloists, but for balls out rock-n-roll, the GMW strathead is what gives me wood.
I would encourage the GMW strathead fans to try and keep an open mind when it comes to the new GMW direction. All of the things that we really like will always be present, I am sure; the bodies, routs, incredible paint jobs, attention to detail, great playing necks, etc. I'm confident that Lee and his design team wil come up with a great headstock design. After all, when Charvel started out, they were trying something new, what with the pointy headstock on the Jacksons, the single hum setup, etc. I really hope that a lot of us will keep buying whatever Lee comes up with. The heart and soul of the guitars will still be there. Now, they will be plated and logo'd, which will hopefully establish an identity for these guitars. I know for a fact that I will be ordering and buying many more GMWs.

As far as the original debate....true, you can get Charvels as stratheads now, and they will cost you major green. I'm confident that the quality is there. But with a GMW, I KNOW that the quality is/was there and the prices are much more reasonable. I honestly feel like I'm playing a vintage Charvy when I play my GMWs. I'll leave you with this; I had been searching for a crossed swords for a while. Ultimately, I had 3 choices. 1) I could get the new Charvel pointy version with a black Floyd, one hum and one single coil. I don't recall the price but it was somewhere around 2k. 2) I could get a Wayne Charvel version, which had the Wayne hs. And 3) I could get a GMW, single hum, single volume, chrome OFR, maple strathead. I could have afforded any one of the 3 but I chose the GMW primarily because it was the closest approximation of the original. Oh, there was a 4th option too....find an original and make an offer. I tried but I couldn't find anyone who had one and even if I did, I would think that the price would have been incredibly high...maybe 3k+???

Go with a GMW

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Charvels vs GMW\'s

[img]/images/graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]