Desolation Revealed

[VitaminG]

Guess everyone wants to see charvel not try to make money in other markets, go down again and become a dinosaur of yesteryear

yep, that must be it.

[Devotee]

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[Nightbat]

The superstrat may be a 'niche' market, but the competition in it is killer

Guess everyone wants to see charvel not try to make money in other markets, go down again and become a dinosaur of yesteryear
(Which for the collectors would be good, since the return of stratheads on pro-mods threw a wrench in the pointy h/s charvels' collectability)

[Tekky]

Here is what Charvel oughta do! Go back to the USA's first off! Make batches with combinations of pointy & strat heads, German Floyd's, Schaller tuners & all different kinds of finishes & pick up configs as well as a mix of different board woods & changing hardware colors. No Imports! Just batch after batch of super high quality USA made greatness, charge $1500 per & let word of mouth re-build the reputation Charvel would then deserve............Fucking Chinese imports!! Unfucking believable! SHAME ON YOU CHARVEL!!

Cost effectiveness and market viability is the name of the game here.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The superstrats are a niche market. If you look at the moves that Charvel have been making since their return, it seems that Charvel is looking for the right combination of USA and import models that people will buy to keep the division solvent.

The Desolation line seems to be a "gateway guitar", the hook to bring in the typical beginning, Schecter, ESP, B.C. Rich, etc. buyer. This is all about offering a cost-effective variety to boost sales. If you don't like them, well, chances are they weren't made for you. But guess what! There has NOT been any announcement that they're discontinuing making the Japanese-made models, or Custom Shop guitars. So if the Desolation Models weren't made for you, you still have an option that involves Charvel.

[Nightbat]

Here is what Charvel oughta do! Go back to the USA's first off! Make batches with combinations of pointy & strat heads, German Floyd's, Schaller tuners & all different kinds of finishes & pick up configs as well as a mix of different board woods & changing hardware colors. No Imports! Just batch after batch of super high quality USA made greatness, charge $1500 per & let word of mouth re-build the reputation Charvel would then deserve..:eek

"Super high quality USA made greatness"

for $1500?

[Ultramagnus]

Here is what Charvel oughta do! Go back to the USA's first off! Make batches with combinations of pointy & strat heads, German Floyd's, Schaller tuners & all different kinds of finishes & pick up configs as well as a mix of different board woods & changing hardware colors. No Imports! Just batch after batch of super high quality USA made greatness, charge $1500 per & let word of mouth re-build the reputation Charvel would then deserve............Fucking Chinese imports!! Unfucking believable! SHAME ON YOU CHARVEL!!

[vondran]

so instead of going more ESP/Schecter ish modern style go old school and rip on Gibson?

I agree if they can make a single cut, go after the Gibson market like PRS and Carvin. But start with a USA model and then roll out imports. And differentiation with Floyds, neck shape, and nice finishes.

[markD]

I like them overall, but sellling them to ESP-worshipping Euro-metal people with actives and abalone isn't the way to handle Charvel IMO. They should have gone old-school class with them and done Bigsby bridges and nickel-covered humbuckers and more classic finishes (even though the trans red and blue are nice as well as the classic white).

ESP has a line that describes what you want - the bigsby trem, covered pickups with classic finishes....

http://espguitars.com/guitars/ltd-xtone/pc-series.html

really, charvel is in a pickle here. they are doomed no matter what. personally, i think they are cool guitars and will probably pick one up. i am not a big fan of all the abalone and other guadiness, but i don't have a single cut guitar that is flashy. i have a les paul jr, but i use floyds so the single cut is right up my alley. i was thinking skatecaster, but i am considering a CS surfcaster....

[Sephiroth]

so instead of going more ESP/Schecter ish modern style go old school and rip on Gibson?

Yep. Those customers are a more reliable long-term base, and ESP worshippers are like many Fender worshippers and just don't even have even a remote interest in trying something else.

[Rich#6]

I like them overall, but sellling them to ESP-worshipping Euro-metal people with actives and abalone isn't the way to handle Charvel IMO. They should have gone old-school class with them and done Bigsby bridges and nickel-covered humbuckers and more classic finishes (even though the trans red and blue are nice as well as the classic white

so instead of going more ESP/Schecter ish modern style go old school and rip on Gibson?

[Sephiroth]

i don't get it either. it's like, God forbid that charvel design something that might appeal to a player that isn't an 80's guy.

I like them overall, but sellling them to ESP-worshipping Euro-metal people with actives and abalone isn't the way to handle Charvel IMO. They should have gone old-school class with them and done Bigsby bridges and nickel-covered humbuckers and more classic finishes (even though the trans red and blue are nice as well as the classic white).

[markD]

i don't get it either. it's like, God forbid that charvel design something that might appeal to a player that isn't an 80's guy.

[Rich#6]

These all look like charvel models from the 80's. I don't know why everyone is whining.

[Predator1]

FMIC should have branded these with Squire and left well enough alone. These things do not even remotely resemble a Charvel and for the first time in five years I find myself not looking forward to anything Charvel?

[VitaminG]

Made in China
FAIL!!!

how so?