What would you do if you designed the Pro Mods?

[Grandturk]

I would definately drop the Grover mini tuners. They work, sure - but there's a lot of slop in there in comparison to Gotoh tuners. I can't imagine them being that much cheaper that Charvel would save money using them - but hey, maybe they got a container full of them and have to use them. They should send them down to the Fender plant in "Baja" California.

[j2379]

I wonder if a 3TITE hardtail would sell... probably not...

3TITE floyd

[Predator1]

Pickup rings are a must! (H/S layout, Single hum layout with a floyd),Brass strap pins and knobs Graphics would be nice ie: Bengal,Bullseye,Snakeskin

[The Rossness]

I would definately drop the Grover mini tuners. They work, sure - but there's a lot of slop in there in comparison to Gotoh tuners. I can't imagine them being that much cheaper that Charvel would save money using them - but hey, maybe they got a container full of them and have to use them. They should send them down to the Fender plant in "Baja" California.

+1

Doesn't fender make their own locking tuners? What about Sperzel or Planet Waves locking tuners? Is there that much of a price difference?

[Newc]

Star, San Dimas, and SoCal models.
Maple, rosewood, and ebony boards for all models.
Hardtail and v-trem options for all models.
H-S, H-H, 1H, H-S-S, and H-S-H for the ST/SD (You can already do the SoCal any way you want).

And I'd offer them in Sealed and Ready For Paint for those who want a custom paintjob (or that classic "no paint" look), as well as whatever additional pickup routing.
These models could have one direct-mounted hum in the bridge. If you want more pickups, dig out your router and get to work. If you want ring-mounted, get a ring and a drill, or just mount the ring to the pickup using the existing screws.


I'd say "no" on the pointyhead. Leave that for Jacksons only.

[toejam]

Doesn't fender make their own locking tuners?

The Fender-logoed locking tuners are made by Schaller.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

The Fender-logoed locking tuners are made by Schaller.

Yep.

Best thing about Gotohs is that you can put Schallers on without drilling.

Nah, they're good tuners.

[Hellbat]

I'd also try to get an endorser or 3 for the line. Someone current.

Such as???

[Nimitz]

[axmann]

I like the zebra's, definitly with rings.. I'd do a maple board with a reverse pointy maple face headstock. I would have a Kahler. ++++1 on the sealed and ready to paint as an option. Thats a damn good idea. Would that ever create and promote some unique stuff. I like that alot.

[MetalMedal II]

I'd have the truss rod adjustment at the nut, too.

Oh yeah, I know they're going for a vintage vibe, but keep everyone from needing to loosen the neck screws! Oh, and move the volume knob FURTHER OUTTA THE WAY!

[fullmetalguitar]

I'd make a Dinky with a vintange trem and two humbuckers.

[wanthairspray]

Everyone's gonna have opinions that others hate.

All I'd say is, from an aesthetic/design point of view is to pay close attention to integration of colours, e.g. for me no white rings on guitars they do not work on (the primary colours mainly), no zebras.

Because: from a design/product appearance image these new models are a bit of a jumble. The old US models were aesthetically tight. Black on primary colours, black rings or direct wood mounting keeps a clean and clinical appearance. A non charvel fan will recoil from them, for not having a unified "image".

Sure, mechanically and muscially they are awesome, but I kind of get the feeling that the design guys are not keeping a good vision together, rather they are saying "let's mix and match and see what happens, the dudes on jcf forum want white rings, so maybe we'll try white ones? this may work, and this is cool, let's run with it!".

Sure, white rings may work on a white guitar, but on something else they look a bit out of place.. The newly pictured bright blue promod with direct mount pups works well as an example of what's good.

Strong colour, clean look, clinical--> "a rock machine" No colour or aesthetic conflicts.This si what the first Promods excelled at looking and being.

That's my main point. Focus on keeping them looking good. Cause looks sell. Mom and dad with kid in store go by looks.

Charvels are meant to be sleek and sexy, they are the Ferarris or Porsches of the guitar world. Too many jumbled options gives more to offend everyone, whereas a middle road pleases more, and appeals to a casual buyer more easily.

But, I seriously applaud the guys at Charvel for the willingness to take risks, try out new things. Getting a product from concept to production is hard enough: keeping interest sustained in the product is tough, which is why the quarterly changes were so cool. Kudos to you guys.

Other points:

Necks are fine to me. Tuners work fine. Floyd's stable and fine.

Maybe some more single hums. Maybe different coloured pickguards for Socals. (White as an easy option)

More rosewood necks, if you can without too much upcharge/removing other options to keep the MRSP the same. Ebony's fine for those that rate it (I do not, as it is tonally a dead wood).

Can't see MIC offering these as kits/ready to paint, but it is a nice idea.

[Newc]

You make valid points, but for most "serious" musicians, pickup options are a must. Not everyone does the one-hum-wonder racket, and not everyone does the 3-singles scene. If I wanted a guitar that I could do my EVH shtick with at the local roadhouse, yeah I'd get a SoCal and do a VH1 job on it with some tape and Krylon.

However, if I wanted to use a Charvel at a more reputable gig (or even for more tonal versatility at the same roadhouse when they're through throwing bottles and want to slow dance with their chosen barfly) I'd want something with more than one pickup. H-S, H-S-S for those "position 4" tones, and maybe H-S-H with TripleShots on the hums for the pretty single-coil cleans and warm neck humbucker leads without having to tapdance all over a pedalboard or settle for whatever EQ my amp's set on.

And yeah, I know Fender and Gibson make more "traditional" layouts and tones. I don't want to wave a Gibson or Fender headstock on a stage. I want to wave a Jackson or Charvel headstock on a stage, but it better do more than just draw the attention of the other guitarists watching with their arms folded.


And please tell me that shot of that polesmoker holding a Charvel is a Photochop.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Oh yeah, I know they're going for a vintage vibe, but keep everyone from needing to loosen the neck screws! Oh, and move the volume knob FURTHER OUTTA THE WAY!

Screw the vintage vibe... If they can do a Floyd nut with a head adjust on the PC1, they can do it on these.

Hell just re-work the PC1 neck with dots (no 24th fret dots) and a thinner profile, move the bridge up a little, and do 24-fret non-Dinky Strat-heads. That would kill.