What corners were cut on the production models

[Spivonious]

Can we just clear one thing up? It seems a lot of you are confusing MAP (minimum advertised price) with MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). MAP is the price that you can't advertise below.

[Flatpicker]

I'll make very sure that I enjoy my new San Dimas 1.

Alan

As well as you should.
Play that SD1 till your fingers bleed, then play some more. You got a fine guitar. All us nutty screw counters aside. Sometimes I think the internet is perfect for OCD. Let's you just beat the details into the ground.

[alanhindle]

To me, it's a business and marketing thing. Brand names are about buying in to an idea and the manufacturers will capitalise on a brand name but strive to maintain the quality if that's part of the idea/ethos. For me, buying my Charvel was about taking me back to the guitar heroes of the '80s but also getting good quality for my money for what I want to do with a guitar. The USA production fits that bill for me just fine, as would have a MIJ model. For a pro player or session musician, I've no doubt the custom shop is the way to go.

Maybe allowing in the wider guitar buying public (like me) is the way to keep the brand alive rather than a way to kill it off. Could Charvel survive the market long term on custom shop sales alone? They're a niche product, susceptible to changes in the market, unlike a Gibson or a Fender which will always be in fashion. The USA production guitars, to a large extent, keep the quality flag flying and still allow the brand name to flourish.

I'm glad these '80s guitars and all the old bands are back and I'll make very sure that I enjoy my new San Dimas 1.

Alan

[Flatpicker]

Sorry... what exactly are you "proving?" That you have some PRS's? Wow - you win.

Yup he won. Proved me wrong that he came into the thread to bitch about the pricing of the CS and production Charvels. Wasn't really on topic, but hey, that's never stopped a good bitch session.


I'm not an "expert" about shit other than how to spell my name.
Even that is only on a good day.


Long story short. Before PRS came out with the SE line, Way back in 89-90, a PRS was something out of the reach of many buyers, myself included. Their reputation as highend, high priced axes helped them get their niche in the market.

Gibson does the same thing now.

I just don't understand how people can say they want Charvel to come back, but, only if they are created exactly like back in 85, and for under $1500.00.
It's not reasonable nor would it be good business.

All I'm trying to say is, if it bothers you, buy something else. We don't need to beat that pricing horse over and over again.

[vondran]

To me PRS are over priced. Yes I have one, it's great. Honestly, I like my Charvels better (based on feel and sound) and got them for way cheaper. An No I didn't pay MAP for any of them.

[Grandturk]

Sounds like you're an 'expert'...let's see your stuff? Sometimes, I guess you have to put the proof (pictures) where your bitch-hole is.

Sorry... what exactly are you "proving?" That you have some PRS's? Wow - you win.

[Eddie_van_trailerpark]

If this is just going to turn into a bitchfest of "the new stuff is too expensive." You may as well just end the thread now.

You don't like the prices, don't buy them.
You don't like the quality, don't buy them.
You want to claim that it's ruining the Charvel name? Sit down and take a valium.
Charvel, as a name or an "mystic mojo manufacturer" never existed. Wayne left many years ago. Claiming that a resurrection of the brand is a bad thing is fairly wrong headed.

Shaddup and play yer guitars. Seems like you have a nice collection.

You wanted the brand treated with respect. Respect costs a premium, just look at PRS.

Yep...one way or another we got a bitch fest here. Take it for what it's worth, but when the pussyaching about " bitchin' " starts, the thread's about done is right.

Oh no...here we go. Another skewed conclusion that incorrectly cites a bizarro version of the transitive property.

I think your confused. People don't gush on PRS because of the price. They're top quality guitars. I like Charvel just fine, but they're not quite in the same manufacturing league as PRS. Wait a minute.....you're not paying MAP for a PRSs too? I'm not...who the hell pays MAP?

Sounds like you're an 'expert'...let's see your stuff? Sometimes, I guess you have to put the proof (pictures) where your bitch-hole is.

[Grandturk]

You wanted the brand treated with respect. Respect costs a premium, just look at PRS.

Does it? Even with the lower market bolt-ons and the SE line? Reminds me of Hamer, IMO.

Anyway - I agree with everything else you said.

[Flatpicker]

I don't know but I will say this;

Regarding the body and set up: There's a pretty significant difference in the feel between my custom shop charvels and my production series ones. I haven't taken them apart and made measurements and I probably won't. I feel much more comfortable with the CS bodies.

Regarding the necks: They're way too similar. Scary but I'm starting to think there's nothing special to the build methods or quality of CS one piece neck. The three piece necks are a different story; very solid, wide, flat feel.

Has anyone seen the line for a production guitar? My money says that the wood is lowest grade...why do you think they're all painted? Strip one, I bet you find more knots than a boy scout jamboroo. I'm sure they're using the same multi piece CNC cutters that they are using for the american Strats. "Hit program 2 instead on program 1 and press start"....BAM! 15 bodies in 5 minutes. Same story on the necks. Load the wood, press the button...no gluing...no setting. Drill a hole for a simple cheap trussrod and it's done. Warmoth makes the same neck (with a better trussrod and adjuster) for $150.

Personally, I don't think that pricing for the production guitars is very cheap at all, I think that CS pricing has gone a freakin' haywire. I mean let's face it $2500-$3500 for a CS San Dimas or Tele is just too much. The way I see it $750 is fair value for a production and $1400-$1900 is fair value for a CS guitar.

If this is just going to turn into a bitchfest of "the new stuff is too expensive." You may as well just end the thread now.

You don't like the prices, don't buy them.
You don't like the quality, don't buy them.
You want to claim that it's ruining the Charvel name? Sit down and take a valium.
Charvel, as a name or an "mystic mojo manufacturer" never existed. Wayne left many years ago. Claiming that a resurrection of the brand is a bad thing is fairly wrong headed.

Shaddup and play yer guitars. Seems like you have a nice collection.

You wanted the brand treated with respect. Respect costs a premium, just look at PRS.

[Grandturk]

So, uh, Trailerpark - thanks for the pics...


Anyway - the real question to me is - how are these things REALLY selling?

I was just up and Manny's on 48th St and they're choking on these things - they had every color from every batch up on the wall - except the Slime Green - and they had two SoCals over in Sam Ash across the street. I swear they're the same ones I've been seeing for months. They just don't seem like they're moving.

On the same note, Sam Ash has had the same 3 Dimartini's since they come out and the same PC1... am I getting that New York is just not a Charvel/Jackson town???

[Grandturk]

I'm guessing that I would have neverminded it anyway...

That's alright - I apply the same logic in return.

[orion451]

Ahhh the best Charvel in the world!

[Eddie_van_trailerpark]

I don't know but I will say this;

Regarding the body and set up: There's a pretty significant difference in the feel between my custom shop charvels and my production series ones. I haven't taken them apart and made measurements and I probably won't. I feel much more comfortable with the CS bodies.

Regarding the necks: They're way too similar. Scary but I'm starting to think there's nothing special to the build methods or quality of CS one piece neck. The three piece necks are a different story; very solid, wide, flat feel.

Has anyone seen the line for a production guitar? My money says that the wood is lowest grade...why do you think they're all painted? Strip one, I bet you find more knots than a boy scout jamboroo. I'm sure they're using the same multi piece CNC cutters that they are using for the american Strats. "Hit program 2 instead on program 1 and press start"....BAM! 15 bodies in 5 minutes. Same story on the necks. Load the wood, press the button...no gluing...no setting. Drill a hole for a simple cheap trussrod and it's done. Warmoth makes the same neck (with a better trussrod and adjuster) for $150.

Personally, I don't think that pricing for the production guitars is very cheap at all, I think that CS pricing has gone a freakin' haywire. I mean let's face it $2500-$3500 for a CS San Dimas or Tele is just too much. The way I see it $750 is fair value for a production and $1400-$1900 is fair value for a CS guitar.

[goodwood]

Edit: ah, nevermind.

I'm guessing that I would have neverminded it anyway...

[Grandturk]

I agree with that except the pot part...I don't know that it is crappy or not.
As for the bridge...when you put it side by side with an '80s OFR it looks, feels, just IS way different. I'd pay $500 Canadian for one after holding and playing 6 of them. No more.

I pretty much agree with 85 San Dimas' posts as well re the Charvel name and such.

Edit: ah, nevermind.