What corners were cut on the production models

[85 San Dimas]

A. I believe these guitars are absolutely worthy of the Charvel name, and you are incorrect to suggest otherwise.

B. Then they would be Fenders and I wouldn't have bought one.

A. Well, I 'believe" you can spend your money away any way you want. You can't compare that $999 guitar to the real thing. As for being incorrect to suggest otherwise........I say I'm dead on whether you approve or not.

"B" is irrelevent because you are drawing a distinction without a difference. You did buy a Fender. It just has orange or green or gold "sparkly" paint on it. Back in the day we called them "Contemporary Strats", so I am assuming that you are being sarcastic.

A lot of time. effort, and money went into ressurecting the brand and to have FMIC put out inferior product is just stupid.

[Joe_Steeler]

The case

[Rich#6]

Can someone clear the air? I have heard rumors that these guitars are assembled in the states but made in Baja, Mexico. There was a thread here that was removed months ago that contained a picture of the assembly line these guitars are built on, rumors have it that the person who posted that pic was fired and that production line is one of the Mexico production lines.

If this is true, then assembled here does not equate to Made in the USA and the $999.99 to $1099.99 for a mexi-charvel is insane.

I thought that was an issue of just having the sneak peak. I don't remember any signs that said "MEXICO FENDER FACTORY" in the pictures.
there are rumors that they are partially made on the usa production line.

[mudkicker]

Can someone clear the air? I have heard rumors that these guitars are assembled in the states but made in Baja, Mexico. There was a thread here that was removed months ago that contained a picture of the assembly line these guitars are built on, rumors have it that the person who posted that pic was fired and that production line is one of the Mexico production lines.

If this is true, then assembled here does not equate to Made in the USA and the $999.99 to $1099.99 for a mexi-charvel is insane.

[Matt_B]

The pots are crap.

I know the volume pot is a CTS. Does CTS make bad pots? I've always heard of them as being high quality.

[hippietim]

The bridge is crap. The pots are crap. The fretwork seems to be random - some are ok and some are horrible. The fit and finish overall is mediocre. The knob is dorky. The setups are mediocre.

[Grandturk]

IMO, there is no sense paying for the Charvel name if you aren't getting a Charvel.

Fender could have brought them out under the Fender name, but didn't. And so they've earned the criticism IMO.

A. I believe these guitars are absolutely worthy of the Charvel name, and you are incorrect to suggest otherwise.

B. Then they would be Fenders and I wouldn't have bought one.

[85 San Dimas]

Heck, some guys would prefer that it had remained dead all long. IMHO, that's just lame.

But - "bang for the buck"-wise - it is a better value than the custom shop Strat? Arguably, yes. ...Same thing with these USA Production Charvels. It's that simple. That's not "cutting corners". That's a different product approach and marketing altogether.

Most of the time I agree with your posts and positions. I think that you have the right motivation in that post but I believe it comes to the wrong conclusion. This is FMIC's issue. We have money, so we choose. They need to sell, so they need to build what is required.

A different product and marketing approach = lowering production costs to make them cheaper and more "affordable" to those not blessed with the funds to buy a "real" one. To achieve this "corners must be cut". Otherwise those $2999 Charvels over at the Zoo should cost $999.

If these "production" units MAP at 999, then FMIC must sell them at about 650-700, which means they have to be built (total loaded cost) for around 325-350. California also has the greatest number of employee protections, highest insurance, etc. so what is the actual cost of the components? Low. How much time spent building it (not much)?

IMO, there is no sense paying for the Charvel name if you aren't getting a Charvel. This doesn't move the brand forward, it only attempts to expand sales. This is going back to the (sometimes) dark past we thought the brand had been "rescued" from.

Shredder I'm not picking an argument with you, but saying that people are locked in the past or would prefer the brand be "dead" isn't accurate. We all applaud the return of true USA high quality Charvel. We do not applaud lesser quality instruments wearing the Charvel name. Cutting corners is cutting corners no matter what FMIC or anyone else wants to call it..like "new marketing strategy".

Fender could have brought them out under the Fender name, but didn't. And so they've earned the criticism IMO.

[ToneZone]

Carvin?!?

Call me crazy, but I'd say you're crazy.
A custom shop is better than a production model. They cut corners in the fretwork, finish, hardware and quality of wood.

I also don't feel these guitars are awesome for the money.
I'd take one of these over a production Charvel any day of the week.

https://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/index.php?model=tmac6c

It's cheaper, has more features I'd like and even comes with a proper case.

I'd also consider a US Masters:

http://www.usmasters.com/Performerguitars.htm

I think I'd even build a parts guitar to specs I want over settling for a production Charvel.
Buying everything new from warmoth gets you a body color not limited to what Charvel dicides is in this quarter, quartersawn maple neck, Real OFR Trem, 1 vol, 3 way, Gotoh tuners and 2 duncan pickups for a total of $961. Add SS Frets and it's an additional $20...

And I know I could build one considerably cheaper using other suppliers and sources for parts.

YMMV

Yes, a custom shop is better than a production model, but Carvin? For God's sake...
I've owned a Carvin DC400 made to my specs. It wasn't good enough. It simply doesn't sing like my Jackson's and Charvel's I've owned. And the pick-ups. They're terrible!! They are impossible to get a proper sound from. Compound radius neck and DiMarzio or Duncans anyday.
And another thing about the Carvin guitars: They are flat!! Even with the rounded corners option, they are nasty (unless your used to a tele). And they are hopeless to sell (at least here in Norway).

[Flatpicker]

Whatever.
Apples and oranges comparo you are suggesting now.

[MEX3]

Prove it.
Spec out a guitar using your parts. (new only, no used)
List them here with the prices.
Factor in your labor at whatever you feel is appropriate,

Let's see what you come out to.
I saw somebody say this on the gear page, but he couldn't make it affordable.
I doubt this will be any different.

Sorry for the delay in my reply. I was busy playing guitar.

I'm looking at this as buying myself a guitar, not as building them and selling them for a profit.

It's my build and I can use what ever I want. That's the beauty of it. If I find a deal on Ebay, I can snatch it up. NOS Schaller minis' for $20 shipped. OFR in VG shape for $120. You can always find some minty Duncans on the boards for $80 a pair. I can buy a neck with an ebony board if I want...Mahogany body...I'm not limited to what Charvel offers.

Why would I charge myself labor on a parts guitar? One expects to have to do some work when assembling a build. I enjoy doing that stuff anyway.
On the other hand, one does not expect to have to sink $ and labor into a new production Charvel. That isn't always the case though and if you frequent other forums, you know it.

If you think the production Charvels are the cat's meow, then they're great for you. I feel there are better options out there for me.

Oh yeah. I called a dealer and they quoted my the same discount that the previous dealer did. $50 off the list/map/what ever they call it. And prices just went up...

[Spivonious]

I think we're confusing MAP (Minimum Advertisable Price) and MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). If someone is selling these for below MAP, they're not making much money off of them but it would be a great deal.

[Grandturk]

He's getting $200+ just for the damn neck plate.

Looks like only one actually completed, and it was for $70 (still ridiculous).

http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/__so-cal-neck-plate_W0QQ_nkwZsoQ2dcalQ20neckQ20plateQQLHQ5fCompleteZ1QQ_dmptZGuitarQ5fAccessoriesQQ_flnZ1QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em283

And there's no saying the buyer actually followed through and paid for it...

[rjohnstone]

He's getting $200+ just for the damn neck plate.

[Grandturk]

From what I can tell, every one he has put up has sold.

Bodies, necks and parts? 450 for a body and 250 for a neck, whats that, 700 - is he going to make another 200 from the parts? That's just breaking even at MAP. If he's bought at wholesale prices, then he's already made 200 or so...