Help rebuilding a Model 4 (1989)

[Canukmod4guy]

Hey All,
I am pretty excited to be part of the community! A little background on why I am here. Back in 1989 I bought my first real guitar, a black cherry Charvel model 4, brand new with the matching case with the leather handle. I worked my ass off all summer to pay for it and it was my prized possession! In 91 my band and I went on tour for 3 or so years and during that time I ended up having the guitar stolen in some little hick town in Ontario,Canada needless to say I was devastated to say the least. Flash forward to today while looking through the classified ads I found an original Model 4 body for sale, now I own several guitars but that one was special, I even had it tattooed on my arm when I got it. Anyway, I thought it would be awesome to have one again and I bought the body with the intentions of getting it up and running and once again have a model 4 in my collection! At first I thought I would restore it to spec and once i started looking for the parts I need I almost fell over they are too expensive and beat to hell. So now I guess I will mod it into a shredding machine! My question is, the trem stud holes on this guitar are huge, I have no issue buying a new floyd rose for it but I don't want to dowel and drill to accommodate, does anyone know what model would drop into the existing post holes and work. I will have several questions moving forward and maybe I can get some parts off some people off of this site. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks All and I can't wait to get my new project up and running!
Canukmod4guy

[DonP]

I needed those posts once. It was easier to find another body with them then to find them for sale. Things may be different now.

The reason for the large holes is because the body is soft basswood. The load and stress of the trem needs to be spread out.

If I were you I'd try to do this correctly and find the right bushings.

[pianoguyy]

doesn't Frets on the net make a Jt-6?

[Razor]

I know Dave at Frets on the Net is still selling guitar parts. He made me a Kahler trem arm for my old Peavey Destiny Custom last month.

OP am I understanding you right in that the original JT6 trem post holes are wallowed out or is it just a problem with the trem studs that screw into the body inserts?

[1337storm]

I changed out the JT-6 posts on my old Soloist for OFR ones,
The originals are huge and beware, because the are knurled on the outside and will rip the wood if you are not careful when removing them.
I made kind of an extractor tool to get them out, they sat in here hard as F**k.
I plugged the holes and re drilled for OFR posts.

[ed]

I believe the JT-6 inserts are the same size as they put into the 89-90 charvels and jacksons. Some of them had the tighter threaded JT-590 posts and ive seen several with the looser threaded JT-6 posts. But the insert hole is the same size. You might find one of the bigger schaller/JT-590 inserts on a donor body or maybe even separately. The JT-590/schaller inserts are better too because they fit the current OFR posts. The current schaller and OFR inserts are the smaller 10mm size. Also some call them studs i tend to call them inserts.

And about taking the inserts off the guitar body there is a way to do it pretty safely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk3DbasW7bI

[Canukmod4guy]

I know Dave at Frets on the Net is still selling guitar parts. He made me a Kahler trem arm for my old Peavey Destiny Custom last month.

OP am I understanding you right in that the original JT6 trem post holes are wallowed out or is it just a problem with the trem studs that screw into the body inserts?

All hardware is missing from this body, the inserts as well, I will need to replace it all, so I was wondering if there is another Floyd rose style trem that would have the proper size inserts to pop into the body or am I in search for the original and the posts and inserts? So far I can find the trems but they do not come with the inserts and posts?

Thoughts?

If anyone can help me track down the following I would be very grateful!

Model 4 Neck w/the string lock and nut intact
Tremolo with the inserts and posts
Backplate and screws for the neck

Checked Ebay but wow!!

Thanks all!

[Razor]

I've swapped two JT-6's on my Model 2's for OFR's and I kept the JT-6 posts. Never had an issue with mine. If you find JT-6 inserts and studs they will work just fine with an OFR or other Floyd Rose.

[ed]

Reverb has a neck for sale atm:

https://reverb.com/item/35254653-1988-charvel-model-4-neck-1988-japan-sharkfin

[Canukmod4guy]

Thank for the heads up on the neck, I have reached out.

I did manage to find an old Jackson trem the same as the original but it came with a bar that attaches to the body with screws and has posts that go into the holes, they are smaller than the existing holes and I could use an insert or something to bridge the gap but would like to keep it stock. I am on the hunt for the original inserts and posts. Supply and demand on the necks I guess that's why the high price. I may just pull the trigger to get this thing up and running.

[Razor]

If it's any consolation I have a Model 4 project one the way. Hopefully it's not a huge basket case though. We'll see how it goes. It's not nearly as gutted as the OP's sounds though.

I am looking for a phenolic string nut for the neck though. I doubt I'll find an original and will end up having to fit one. Anyone know the dimensions on a Model series string nut?