Desolation Revealed

[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?

[Rich#6]

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

[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.

[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).

[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]

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.

[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....

[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.

[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!!

[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?

[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]

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)

[Devotee]

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

[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.

[Flatpicker]

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

That's basically the problem in a nutshell.

Charvel is in the unenviable position of being almost famous.

They are not a Fender, but look like it.
Not a Gibson with their history.
Not Boutique like a Tom Anderson (Schecter old school) or Suhr or others.

A lot of their key endorsers were either a) bought out by ESP (Lynch) or Ibanez (Vai).
or b)The ones who stayed were swept away in the 90's.

They lost their direction under Akai.
Lost their identity to competitors.

So, from a business standpoint, how do you recover? You have to forge a new identity.
Take some of the money from those who remember you from the past (Pro-Mods). Leverage what's left of your goodwill.
Create a new line to make some inroads into new markets (Desolation).

Bringing Charvel back to life from a business standpoint is an incredibly difficult project. You have worse than nothing to work with. You actually have some negative goodwill due to your history of Charvel = Hair.
FWIW FMIC has done some really good things here. I may not like or agree with them all, but they keep the brand viable as an entity.
Just look at how badly GMI has mishandled Kramer...

One of my concerns is that Charvel has taken away FMIC money from Jackson. But that's because I'm more a Jackson Fan than a Charvel one.