Charvel model 1 HRF

[Catharpin]

Holy wow!
Love it. Congrats!

[Alec Thunder]

Turned out great... i'd like it better without the purple but thats just my poor opinion!!!! Great work!

[holycross1]

That's a nice Hot Rod there.

CONGRATS!

[axmann]

I really like the flame job. I think the purple flames below the blue give it some nice depth. They are great guitars to start with. That re-do is a stunner.

[Texas Crude]

That is amazing, and to be honest I'm not a big HFR kind of guy. The total package just works. I saw your mention of this thread in another today, and I'm interested because the Model 1 is my all-time favorite and I recently got a fairly beat up Model 1 with the intention of restoring it.

It's been sitting around for a couple of months now and I had planned to remove the paint over the spring and eventually have someone repaint it, but haven't done anything yet. I picked it up the other night and was surprised at how well it plays and sounds even in the condition it's in. I'm hoping that stays about the same with a refinish, SD 59, and Gotoh or ORF.

You really got me thinking about having the neck redone like you suggested. I actually like the feel of the treatment on the maple. It feels more satin to me. But an oiled finish and new frets may be just the thing. It's in decent condition, but there are a few scratches on the fretboard and a dent in one fret that I don't particularly like. I guess if I'm going all out on the body, I may as well make the neck perfect too.

[Johnnyryche]

You really got me thinking about having the neck redone like you suggested. I actually like the feel of the treatment on the maple. It feels more satin to me. But an oiled finish and new frets may be just the thing. It's in decent condition, but there are a few scratches on the fretboard and a dent in one fret that I don't particularly like. I guess if I'm going all out on the body, I may as well make the neck perfect too.

Thanks, glad you like how it turned out. My suggestion is go all out! Strip the neck, have the fingerboard sanded to remove some of that dent. get it refretted and then have it oiled. It definitely changes the feel of these necks. I'm a big fan of these model necks but this work brings them up to another level.

Keep us posted on your project. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your model 1 once you get the rein!

[Xabi]

You really got me thinking about having the neck redone like you suggested. I actually like the feel of the treatment on the maple. It feels more satin to me. But an oiled finish and new frets may be just the thing. It's in decent condition, but there are a few scratches on the fretboard and a dent in one fret that I don't particularly like. I guess if I'm going all out on the body, I may as well make the neck perfect too.

I'm restoring a Model 1 too. I have to admit I am blown away by the OP's work...just stunning! I am taking a slightly different approach as I am trying to retain some of the guitar's character and age, so while I have done quite a bit of work on the headstock, I have pretty much left the neck and fretboard alone. I love that yellowing of the maple that only comes with age, and I kinda want it to look like a 1980s guitar. I'm not too fussed about originality as a previous owner fitted it with a neck pick-up and a JT6. I'm leaving the pick-ups (they are both Jackson J80Cs off a Model 5) but refitting a fulcrum trem but leaving holes for 'Floyd' trem in case I ever want to go back to that. I'll post some pics up when I get a bit further with it - would be great to see yours Tex!

[Texas Crude]

Thanks, glad you like how it turned out. My suggestion is go all out! Strip the neck, have the fingerboard sanded to remove some of that dent. get it refretted and then have it oiled. It definitely changes the feel of these necks. I'm a big fan of these model necks but this work brings them up to another level.

Keep us posted on your project. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your model 1 once you get the rein!

Thanks brother. After thinking about it, I came to the same conclusion. I want to go big with this and do it the right way, as I see it. If I'm going to repaint this and install a OFR, I'd like the neck and frets to be top notch too. This guitar plays and sounds well but it's been banged around a bit and it shows.

I could order a custom shop guitar, but I love the models, and particularly the M1, so much that this is what I want instead. I grew up with them. As I said, I like the feel of the maple, but will give the oiled finish a try. I got a reply from Lee and GMW today and everything sounds good. Considering sending him the whole guitar.

I need to get some pics of this project once I get started for you model series fans. I appreciate all the info!

[Texas Crude]

I'm restoring a Model 1 too. I have to admit I am blown away by the OP's work...just stunning! I am taking a slightly different approach as I am trying to retain some of the guitar's character and age, so while I have done quite a bit of work on the headstock, I have pretty much left the neck and fretboard alone. I love that yellowing of the maple that only comes with age, and I kinda want it to look like a 1980s guitar. I'm not too fussed about originality as a previous owner fitted it with a neck pick-up and a JT6. I'm leaving the pick-ups (they are both Jackson J80Cs off a Model 5) but refitting a fulcrum trem but leaving holes for 'Floyd' trem in case I ever want to go back to that. I'll post some pics up when I get a bit further with it - would be great to see yours Tex!

That project did turn out beautifully didn't it? Cool about your M1 project. These are great guitars that deserve restoration and are super for hot rodding. I respect the intent to retain the guitar's original character and age. This is my fourth Model guitar, and my second Model 1, and all of them have been red. And the paint on this one is pretty beat up in places. So I won't mind seeing this one refinished. I'll get some pics up some day soon bro. You too. Cheers.

[Johnnyryche]

I could order a custom shop guitar, but I love the models, and particularly the M1, so much that this is what I want instead. I grew up with them. As I said, I like the feel of the maple, but will give the oiled finish a try. I got a reply from Lee and GMW today and everything sounds good. Considering sending him the whole guitar.

I need to get some pics of this project once I get started for you model series fans. I appreciate all the info!

Good call. You're in good hands if you have Lee and GMW do the work for the whole guitar. It will turn out as good, if not better than, a custom shop order. Best part is it will cost a lot less and you will get it quicker. These model series are great guitars to begin with but with a little work, they can become killer guitars. Looking forward to seeing your project.

[Texas Crude]

Good call. You're in good hands if you have Lee and GMW do the work for the whole guitar. It will turn out as good, if not better than, a custom shop order. Best part is it will cost a lot less and you will get it quicker. These model series are great guitars to begin with but with a little work, they can become killer guitars. Looking forward to seeing your project.

Awesome. The more I think about it, the more I've been leaning that way. Got to get started on this!

[ejs0614]

Excellent John!

[Grandturk]

That's badass

[Razor]

Out of curiosity, and I hope you don't mind me asking; what did this set you back? Don't get me wrong, it turned out awesome, but I figure it was pretty pricey.

[Johnnyryche]

Out of curiosity, and I hope you don't mind me asking; what did this set you back? Don't get me wrong, it turned out awesome, but I figure it was pretty pricey.

Overall it was very reasonable for a Charvel with a custom graphic. New Charvel pro mods, with their standard options and colors, have a list price around $850. I only paid a couple hundred more than that for all the work on my model 1, including a new Duncan TB-5 and the assembly and setup. If I tried to order the same guitar through the Charvel custom shop, it would probably be around $3k (and a 2 year wait). So "pricey' depends on what you compare it to.