OLD Charvel neck on new KnE body = RULIN".

[jhale667]

Didn't know whether to put this in the Charvel USA section or not so started it here: WAY back in the 80s, as a kid firs starting to build guitars, I managed to snag two Charvel Strat 1 3/4" nut width replacement necks - from Veneman before they were Music Emporium IIRC...years and years ago. One ended up on a Dimarzio (I think, who was also making bodies for Charvel at the time)single-hum Strat body that I still use today. The other went on a no-name S/H body I didn't really like, was used on and off for about 5 years and then languished in a corner for YEARS - we're talking the 90s once I'd build other similar Warmoth parts mutts I liked better, since by this time you could no longer get Charvel replacement parts. Recently I decided to give the old neck (which I love, I mean, it's exactly like the other one that is still a fave) another chance on a KnE body...WOW.



Mitch does great work, seems near dead-on accuracy wise, routing tolerances are great, neck pocket was snug, nice stuff. Also decided to ditch the original chrome OFR in favor of a black one I've completely tricked out with Floyd Upgrades stainless steel hardware and a 37mm Titanium Big-Block. I also am direct-mounting the Seymour Duncan Trembucker Custom (which may morph into a Custom 8 soon) and Classic Stack. But even acoustically it already sounds great...LOUD, punchy, I dig it.

I'm sending it off to be painted soon, but dunno WHY I didn't do this sooner...holy crap this thing is (finally) going to kick ass...

[6string40]

That's killer bro! I have a KnE Warren body that's waiting for a custom neck...can't wait til it's ready to go.

[jhale667]

That's killer bro! I have a KnE Warren body that's waiting for a custom neck...can't wait til it's ready to go.

Thanks! I have another Ash Musikraft S/H body that's getting a "natural" finish awaiting a neck as well, then I think I want a customized (non-maple bodied) Kamikaze...

[straycat]

I have a KnE Star body drying as we speak and its getting a USACG strat head neck.And DiMarzio EVH pick up.

[gtrbuyer]

hell yeah that looks sweet....enjoy

[jhale667]

Thanks!

She's getting along really well with her Warmoth sister this time also...



I have a couple of traditional Strat builds, but I LOVE the S/H w/ a Floyd setup... will always need more of these

[jcm800x]

S/H is my fav as well, very nice

[shredmonster]

Charvel necks - one of the all time best necks ever made.

[jhale667]

Check it!

Totally agree, they're two of my favorite necks in my collection. Wish I could find more.

Just realized I never posted pics of the completed project, which turned out pretty bad ass if I do say so myself...LOL... decided once I'd gotten the finished body back from Jeff @ RCA guitars (who did an amazing job) to go with a black bridge pickup instead. Started off with the Custom 8, which absolutely ruled. Then I got asked to do a series of reviews and articles for Seymour Duncan, so it's being used as a test bed or sorts.



It's currently sporting a Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge slot and an STK-S7 in the neck.



This guitar was my first experiment with direct-mounting a bridge-pickup, and I have to say I think I prefer it overall...

[jhale667]

And here it is alongside the Warmoth that originally "replaced" it (currently testing a JB/STK-6 set in it). Not so anymore...now they're near equals.



And Oh, should probably mention, had a binding issue with the FU Big-Block in the KnE body at first as far as it having full-travel. I worked with Mitch at KnE to modify the rout so that doesn't, and won't happen to anybody that uses a Big-Block that orders a KnE in the future. Also fixed the face-gap on his all-purpose Floyd rout; just specify you want the OFR/Big-Block rout and you're good.


Totally stoked about the Charvel/KnE project (now known as "the Bomber", lol) being completed, though - because up until I started this overhaul it was pretty much a waste/museum piece of a perfectly good vintage Charvel Strat replacement neck...

[xenophobe]

Wow, sweet! I think both of those guitars are great! Thanks for sharing!

[jhale667]

Wow, sweet! I think both of those guitars are great! Thanks for sharing!

Glad you like! Here's the other Charvel parts monster that's still in faithful service - currently sportin' a Custom 8, a 42mm FU Brass Big-Block and an EVH D-Tuna.