Intro + I'm looking for some advice on Charvels

[savatage]

One option would be to "mutt up" a newer Pro Mod style 2 tele body with a pointy headstock neck. That would give you a cool pointy tele with a Floyd, however you'd have to go in a different direction as far as color goes.

Sounds expensive.

[Axewielder]

Sounds expensive.

It would be in the same ballpark as scoring a Model 7, which are somewhat collectible. Great deals can be found on Predators though.

[savatage]

It would be in the same ballpark as scoring a Model 7, which are somewhat collectible. Great deals can be found on Predators though.

Yep, I'm going to keep my eye out for a predator, hopefully a blue or white one. I'm also going to look for a model 5 and maybe a "toothpaste logo" model 4.

[DonP]

What do you think of the single coils on the model 4? These guitars seem easier to find.

Never had a Model 4. Not sure which singles they come with.

I have a Charvel Fusion Deluxe with the J200R. Very nice. Great for Maiden solos.

I have J200 singles in a Jackson Fusion Professional. They are designed to be used with a powered amp only. With the onboard amp turned off, they are muddy. With it turned on, they can get very stratty. Fusion Professional comes with the JE-1500 "wah" boost, so it's not just an amp, it's a wah, so you can dial in your single coil tone by turning the tone control.

[savatage]

Never had a Model 4. Not sure which singles they come with.

I have a Charvel Fusion Deluxe with the J200R. Very nice. Great for Maiden solos.

I have J200 singles in a Jackson Fusion Professional. They are designed to be used with a powered amp only. With the onboard amp turned off, they are muddy. With it turned on, they can get very stratty. Fusion Professional comes with the JE-1500 "wah" boost, so it's not just an amp, it's a wah, so you can dial in your single coil tone by turning the tone control.

Ahh, so the fusions had onboard preamps? The wiring on these guitars seems to be interesting. The predator has some interesting wiring too. The model 4 and the 475 () have a 5 way switch and one humbucker + 2 singles. Are these wired like regular HSS strats or can you split the humbucker?

I wish I could go to a music store and try these things out but there aren't any where I live (in New Orleans). You'd think that New Orleans would have lots of music stores but we really only have 3 good guitar shops and none have Charvels or Jacksons. Thanks everybody for putting up with my stupid questions-- it means a lot.

[savatage]

What's the difference between the Model 4, ,the model 4m, and the 475?

[Robert Hendrix]

The single coils on my model 4 sound really good. I especially like the midboost. I really think the model 4 was the most versitile of the bolt on model series. I don't play mine much anymore because I'm just so spoiled to my San Dimas III. That and it's pink. lol

Here's a pic of mine for reference, but keep in mind the neck on this one is off of a 475. so it's got the pearl skarkies. I don't think the model 4 did.

[nhspike]

Early model 4's hat dot inlays, after the first year or so they had sharkies, but no binding.

You really can't go wrong with ANY of these imports... I have three predators, and just love them... probably my favorite of the imports, all things considered.

Enjoy your indecision! Like my Ma used to tell me, as long as the money is in your pocket, you own everything. Once you part with your money, you only own that one.



P.S. Robert, I love that one!!!

[Glave]

What's the difference between the Model 4, ,the model 4m, and the 475?

Model 4- H-S-S, 3 toggle switches. Old Charvel logo. 1986 had Kahler trem and dots. 1987-88 had non-recessed JT6 trem and sharkies. No neck binding.
Model 4M- Same but with maple fretboard and dots.
Model 475- 5-way switch, neck binding, sharkies, recessed trem.

The model series did have MOP sharkies or dots depending on the year.

[moku]

check out this reference. it's helpful on the specs. however, the specs on the wood is suspecious. i don't think a couple of them were basswood.

http://www.franx.at/Jackson/Charvel/Charvel.htm

[savatage]

I'm not looking for versatility- that's why I have my strat.

I'm looking for something for 80s hard rock and metal (some hair metal but lots of aggressive metal like Savatage played on Hall of the mountain king).

Are the single coils good for this style of music or are the "stratty." Can you play leads on them, or do you have to use the humbucker.

One last question- does anybody have high-res photos of a 475 deluxe exotic? I've found one for sale but I"m worried that it's too bright looking and doesn't scream metal.

[Robert Hendrix]

I'm not looking for versatility- that's why I have my strat.

I'm looking for something for 80s hard rock and metal (some hair metal but lots of aggressive metal like Savatage played on Hall of the mountain king).

Are the single coils good for this style of music or are the "stratty." Can you play leads on them, or do you have to use the humbucker.

No, There's nothing Stratty about singles in the model 4. They're not farty either which is really good since most single coils are a little too gassy when you run the gain up. When I was playing more metal, I was playing mine more. I just haven't played metal in awhile aside from the odd War Pigs cover now and then and my SD III covers that style quite well.

[Tekky]

Interesting that nobody mentioned that Criss was playing Kramer (HotMK video shows him with a Baretta) up until shortly around HotMK. His favorite guitar was actually an ESP that was re-badged as a Jackson.

When he got into Charvels, they were mostly custom shops. He used stock Jackson pickups as well as Bartolinis. While he did use Predators and an occasional Legend, the "Streets" guitar is a hybrid. It has the body of a Predator and the neck of a Legend, or even a Spectrum.

However Criss' tone wasn't particularly in the guitar he used. It was partially in his amp and generally the way he played. (stainless steel picks also affected his attack)

[savatage]

Interesting that nobody mentioned that Criss was playing Kramer (HotMK video shows him with a Baretta) up until shortly around HotMK. His favorite guitar was actually an ESP that was re-badged as a Jackson.

When he got into Charvels, they were mostly custom shops. He used stock Jackson pickups as well as Bartolinis. While he did use Predators and an occasional Legend, the "Streets" guitar is a hybrid. It has the body of a Predator and the neck of a Legend, or even a Spectrum.

However Criss' tone wasn't particularly in the guitar he used. It was partially in his amp and generally the way he played. (stainless steel picks also affected his attack)

I've actually looked around at esp's but I think a Charvel is the way to go at the moment. I use the same pick he used, a stainless steel pick made by starpiks (I'm way too much of a fan). I need another guitar to keep in drop d or drop c tunings because I use standard tuning to much on my primary instrument. I'm really torn right now between a 475 deluxe exotic or waiting for a predator. I'm not very patient.