Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

[Souldigger]

Hi all, I've recently come across, what the owner describes as an early pre-serialized Charvel with graphic. A friend of mine saw it at a recent guitar show and gave the details. I received some picture from the owner and I am hope some of the Charvel experts can help out, as I don't know much of the pre-pro stuff. The pictures I have received are attached and I am trying to get a shot of the neck pocket and the back of the neck. Here is what I know from my friend: Overall the guitar is in pretty good shape, it has some chips around the neck pocket to indicate the neck has been off quite a bit. There seems to be gray primer under the color coat. Someone scratched a name into the headstock, but it is not very deep. My friend said the graphic seemed to look very shiny and almost too new compared to the aged look of the neck. Frets are in good shape and according to my buddy it played and sound great. I know what the owner is asking for it and was curious if it's right what a fair offer to make is. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

-Jason

[Hossman]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Looks good - Graphic is very very clean for a Pre Production.
Not un-heard of but would make me look closer. Othe rdetail shots would help.

[Hossman]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Jim Shine may have pics he saw it at show and posted about it maybe a few months ago. Tuners??

Regardless it is a nice looking, uh whatever it is Legit or not?? it is cool looking.

But neck heel and neck pocket pics would do well in IDing it plus control cavity and pot details wouldhelp.

[Badseed]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

tuners look wrong for a prepro, shouldnt they be crownheads with the tang at the 45degree angle?
Anyways, looks killer, love the graphic.

[Zerberus]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

I also think the tuners look wrong, but otherwise everything seems "possibly ok" to me (from here)...Then again, on a prepro some discrepancies ARE possible (like the rather uncommon 21 fret neck)....do you have more and better pics? Neck Pocket / Neck heel? Detail shots of the tuners and headstock? What does the side of the neck look like, is there putty over the fret ends or are the tangs "full length"?...

[Hossman]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Pre Production Charvels were 21 fret necks, with very few if any exceptions. You must alway keep in mind that Charvel Mfg. was a Custom Shop, if you wanted these tuners then that is what you get, or if they bought some parts to get the guitars out the door they used whatever they could get. So as long as the tuners were made in the period the guitar was made - they may be original to the guiatr. Pre Pros are always interesting to review - something never seen might just show up.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

IIRC,that's been re-finned & the tone & mini-switch were added too!!

Twenty one frets is expected,here's my Pre-pro for comparison: http://www.chuckscharvels.com/flame.htm

Also,the pickup looks like a black/white zebra which would be a modern replacement(can't tell if it's logoed or not!!),could just be the pic though!!

[kmanick]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

I like it whatever it is, that's a cool graphic.
I hope it's all legit and works out for you

[Souldigger]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

I'm working on getting some more detailed pictures of the headstock and markings in the neck pocket and neck. I was curious if it might me a refin as well. Shouldn't it have brass knobs and string trees as well? Aside from seeing some more detailed shots, what do you guys think one should pay for it?

-Jason

[Hossman]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Yes the knobs would be brass - the string trees are correct for a pre-pro also used the round ones.
You should pay what you think is fair. If it is a refin (sounds like it is) less money - unless you really like the graphic. Price is your call - but do your research. Is it really what you want - might be hardor take a lot of time to sell later if you don't like it..
They sell from $800 on up..and up.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Mike Hickey may be able to tell you more about it than I can. Eric Ernest has looked at it too. If I remember correctly the finish was suspect.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

PS- I also seem to remember this having chrome Schaller M6 tuners on it, but I could be thinking of a parts "Boogie Bodies" guitar that was next to it. The scratched in name was deep enough to possibly be a problem removing. Looked like it was done with a dry ball point pen or nail.

[Souldigger]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

Thanks for the info Jim. Wow, I was waiting on some more photos from the seller and a price. $3350 seems a bit out there with all the suspect stuff. We'll see if he send the neck pocket and other pics.

-Jason

[j2379]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

it doesnt look right to me. the neck looks too hard lined on the back around the heal. the finish looks too new & not a period style graphic. the tuners, string trees, strap buttons, bridge screws & knobs not correct. It looks way too clean. ide get specs on how wide the neck heal is. it could be a really nice repro.

[MHGOLDTOP]

Re: Need experts help on early pre-pro Charvel

i would not entertain that guitar for free...