Model 5 ?

[1MSGFan]

What's up, fellow Jackson/Charvel fans,

I found this forum because i was wanting to get some information on my Charvel Model 5.

I bought it used in '97 from a local music shop because it reminded me of one my ex made me sell years before (and always regretted) and it came with the OEM JC tweed case.

So with the help of this forum and other online resources, i have identified it as being a Model 5 from either '86 or '87.

It is a Pearl White neck thru with an "HH" pup config, dot inlays and a Kahler 2300 trem and the "TM" marking next to "Charvel" on the headstock. So this (apparently) dates it as an '86.

My confusion lies in the knob/switch orientation.

In the resource catalogs, the '86s had the knobs running "parallel" to the neck, whereas mine has them running in an angle to the neck, which appears to be from the '87 Model 5 line.

So i ask the experts.....can anyone help a new member with any info on my piece?

Thanks in advance,

Rich aka 1MSGFan

[Grandturk]

Kahler was definately 86 only. The knob locations may be the difference between catalog prototype and actual production. Typical placement should have been on an angle.

Edit. - found the catalog photo your talking about

http://www.charvelusa.com/images/charvel_model_05.jpg

early Proto shot - notice no pickup covers as well

[msaint65]

The blue one's an 86, the red one's an 87.

Full front.jpgFront Full.jpg

[1MSGFan]

Kahler was definately 86 only. The knob locations may be the difference between catalog prototype and actual production. Typical placement should have been on an angle.

Thanks, Grandturk, that's kind of what I was thinking but wasn't sure.

I have since found a resource page that spoke about the serial number(s) on the Model 5's and 6's

"The Charvel Model 5 and 6 have a neck-through design and unlike the Model 1 - 4, their serial number directly reveal the build year. The serial syntax is CXXXXXX. For example, C800210 is built in the year of 1988. C701212 would be 1987."

So since my serial number is C6XXXXX, that would seem to verify that it is, indeed, a 1986 Model 5.

Gotta love the interweb and helpful forums/folks like this and yourself.

Thanks again

Rich aka 1MSGFan

[1MSGFan]

The blue one's an 86, the red one's an 87.

Thanks, msaint65,

Beautiful pieces you've got there.

I'm a lil bummed that the original owner swapped out the pups with what appear to be Seymour Duncans (not necessarily from a tone/sound point of view, just from an "originality" point of view).

No real world experience here, but I heard the JC80's were decent at best.

Thanks again to you all.....

[Nuithari]

For some reason, your red one really draws me! Nice axe !

[msaint65]

Rich, FWIW the 86's serial was a sticker on the back of the headstock. 87's / 88's serials were stamped into the fretboard after the 24th fret. As far as J80's, I happen to like medium output PAF-y sounding pickups. I have a J80 in a San Dimas Soloist and it has a nice punch when palm muted, mids that make it stand out, and nice (again) full highs. May not be the best in any one frequency range, but is a great overall pup to my ears.

[msaint65]

For some reason, your red one really draws me! Nice axe !

Thanks man! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I sold that guitar to buy a 1986 Jackson San Dimas Soloist awhile back.

[MadJack]

I concur, khaler is definitive of '86. i have a black one. I too like the stock pups. you may be able to find the parts to restore the electronics. the jc 80's are not crap. they just aren't the hottest pups on the market.
people like what they like. some people just prefer the dimebag squeal and change the electronics.

I grew up playing rush, zeppelin, and blues. in the 80's i was playing ozzy, night ranger, tesla, whitesnake, metallica, megadeth, judas priest, iron maiden, satriani and malmsteen. in the 90's it was dream theater, satriani, vai, eric johnson, and stevie ray vaughan. the stock electronics in that model 5 can get real close to all of that with a little help from an effects processor.

hopefully others on here will chime in and agree or disagree with my two cents. some may even offer the parts to restore it.

congrats on your purchase. post some pics when you get a chance.

[straycat]

I am one of the bunch that loves the stock Jackson pick ups.
J50's all the way up to the J95.
Never found one that couldn't nail the 80's 90's sound in spades.
Good score