Steve Vai's Charvel in Crossroads......

[WAR IN D]

I've posted this in the San Dimas Charvel section as well, for maximum exposure to the experts here!! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]


I know this is probably a long shot..... a REALLY long shot.... but does anyone happen know the serial number of the red Charvel that Steve Vai used in the movie Crossroads??? Just curious as I got the work order info on that stripped San Dimas Charvel that I got off Ebay and for all intents and purposes... it matches!!

Strat body, Metallic red, 2 hums, Chrome hardware, Floyd Rose... the only thing that doesn't come back as a total match for his guitar in Crossroads is that this one had a Maple/Rosewood neck on it... his was a Maple/Maple but without a headstock logo so it makes me wonder if they didn't put a "dummy" neck on it just to shoot the movie.... Maybe some copywrite crap or no agreement with Charvel to use the name.. Who knows.

I realize that this is probably a REALLY BIG IF , but it would almost be like winning the lottery to me if it turned out to be THE ONE!!! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Any info would be greatly appreciated or even an clue on how I could go about finding out if it is would be terrific.. Thanks in advance and [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[JimmyApollo]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

Does it have some dents on the bottom where he threw it down after he lost to Ralph? That might be some extra evidence, who knows...

[charvel750]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

I'm no Charvel expert, but I believe Vai's guitar in that film was actually a Jackson. Due to the "devil/occult" vibe in the flick, Michael Jackson was reputedly upset with the fact that his name appeared on the guitar. So they covered it up with tape. Also, I doubt you have that one, as it was severely abused and is probably rotting in a land fill somewhere...

[Tekky]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

I've heard that story too.

[777SteveVai777]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

I also remember hearing that the story of Michael Jackson was BS as well. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I don't think anyone really and truly knows.. until Steve Vai says something about it, we'll all be basically lost. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[skidd]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

Try his web site www.vai.com there may be somehing there

[Flatpicker]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

I thought the story goes that it went to Robert Johnson after Vai, and received a new pickguard and pup config. Then it was parted out and sold individually.
The body now has a new neck and the neckplate is floating around somewhere with the original neck.

I could be talking out my azz though.

[Chuckracer]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

That was the backup guitar Justin has.

[WAR IN D]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

Thanks for all the info!!

Good point on the possible damage from the drop... I did look for it and I'm sure there would have been some, it took a pretty good wallop!!

Actually after getting the work order info faxed to me today, I don't think it's the one... Everything basically matches except the fretboard (mine is rosewood, his was maple) and mine came out from the factory with EMG's in it, his definately did not have EMG's in it (in the movie at least!). When I got the call from the Custom Shop yesterday evening stating the color, it just got my wheels turning a little bit.. Saying what if.. I really wasn't holding my breath over it, but I wanted to see if anyone here might have known the serial number of that particular guitar.. If if WAS a Jackson, then it wouldn't have mattered anyway [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] .... Thanks again for all the info... I'll post pic's when the refin is done [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .....

[markb]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

how did you get a work order faxed to you? can you still get info on old charvels & jacksons? for some reason i thought you couldn't anymore since fender took over. i thought it would be neat to get a work order or whatever for my old charvel just for the sake of having it.

[WAR IN D]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

Hey markpb, you got mail bro....

[peabuddy]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

robert johnson is dead

[777SteveVai777]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

..and has been for quite a while. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[toejam]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

Originally posted by Flatpicker:
I thought the story goes that it went to Robert Johnson after Vai, and received a new pickguard and pup config. Then it was parted out and sold individually.
The body now has a new neck and the neckplate is floating around somewhere with the original neck.

I could be talking out my azz though.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You mean Eric Johnson. It is believed to be Eric's before Steve got it. http://www.jcguitars.com/zvai8.JPG
http://www.jcguitars.com/starvai.htm

[Metalcop]

Re: Steve Vai\'s Charvel in Crossroads......

I cannot read this again and again and just let it go! Here are the FACTS regarding Steve's red pointy hs guitar:
1. It is a CHARVEL, not a Jackson. I have done the frame-by-frame check and even posted pictures of the CHARVEL neckplate on the old JCF.
2. There were no Jackson bolt-ons manufactured at the time this movie was made, only CHARVELS.
3. Yes, the logo was covered up. Why, I don't know. My *guess* is that Charvel/Jackson did not want their product associated with the devil?

Even more probable, Charvel/Jackson wouldn't pay for their product to be featured in the movie. Realize that every time you see a brand name in a movie, that company has paid for the exposure. Grover Jackson wouldn't even give out endorsements at this time, Only a couple of free guitars to high profile players. This is supported by numerous interviews with guitar heroes of the day, like Vivian Campbell, Warren DeMartini, etc.

There may have been an article where Steve made comments that the logo was covered up in deference to Michael Jackson. I have never seen this article, many people claim to have read it, but where is the proof? Surely someone out there has the old Guitar mag that Steve was quoted in. Personally, I have 100's of old Guitar mags, and it aint in any of them! Even if Steve made these comments, they were most definitely 'tongue in cheek' and not serious.
Sorry for the rant, but discussions like this just perpetuate this ridiculous urban myth. [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img]