Is this a "real" '86 Charvel?

[wmachine]

Looks like it should be an '86 Model 3A
The headstock looks right, the neck plate is s *very* early 2229xx.
BUT
The body, in particular, the pick guard does not look right. For one thing, it is too rounded at the tip of the longer body horn. And the pots are not located exactly right.
The body *has* been refinished.

Thoughts?

Well, I just went to attach pics from my computer and found I don't have permission.

[kamanda]

Upload to photobucket or something then put the img URL in your post.

Without pics we can't tell.

EDIT: Does it have a Kahler?

[wmachine]

Thanks, I understand, but I don't use PB or such. I'm accustomed to being able to post attachments.

[Number Of The Priest]

I don't think this forum's settings are enabled to allow members to directly post attachments. Hence why kamanda suggested you use a third-party image hosting website like Photobucket. There are plenty of alternatives; just Google "free image host" or something to that effect. Pictures really do speak a thousand words and help us to help you more easily.

[wmachine]

[jacksonaxes]

Modified model 1, parts mutt?

[wmachine]

Modified model 1, parts mutt?

Way off a Model 1. Read my first post. Start with a Model 3A.

[Number Of The Priest]

Pics of the back of the headstock, heel, and body?

Judging by the two pics you've posted so far, that's an odd one. Here are some observations but I'm unable to arrive at a conclusion.

1) The TM on the headstock logo would indicate early 1986.

2) All rosewood-boarded Model Series necks belonged on guitars with locking trems. Your neck doesn't have a locking nut. There were no rosewood-boarded Model Series with a fulcrum tremolo. It's not a Model 3A or it would be routed for a double-locking trem.

3) Your truss rod cover might be a replacement, because it looks different than mine pictured below.

4) The headstock logo looks a bit crooked. The "By Jackson/Charvel" text should be more parallel with the bottom edge of the headstock. Also see my example below.

5) The tuners are not stock. The tuner buttons are a different shape than the stock Jackson-branded Gotoh tuner buttons. See picture below.

6) I can't quite put my finger on it, but the body contours and outline look funny.

7) Try disassembling the neck from the body, and the pickguard from the body to see what's underneath. In the neck pocket and on the neck heel, take a picture of any stamps or identification marks.

[jspeed]

Yeah, its a mutt

Looks like maybe a Model 1A body, an Model 2 or 3 neck, homemade funky truss rod cover to hide the screw holes from the locking "after-nut" and a hideous looking pickguard.

Hope you didn't or don't pay too much for it.
Might make for a good player, but that's about it.

Good luck!

[Number Of The Priest]

Because the pickguard isn't really correct, its neck pickup location is too far away from the end of the fretboard. The location is almost where it would be if the guitar were a 24-fretter.

[rjohnstone]

Parts mutt.
The body is not a Model 3 body. Wrong trem.
86 had the khaler fulcrum, and the 87-88 had the JT-6.
That vtrem indicates a Model 1A body, although that vtrem is incorrect even for the Model 1 series. Need to see the back of it to be sure.

[wmachine]

[rjohnstone]

Not a Charvel body.
Heel cut is wrong. Holes for neck bolts are wrong.

[wmachine]

That's about all I can tell you. I looked, but didn't buy it. Tempted as is was only $125, was claimed to be straight, plays great, etc. But "was repainted and not finished".
But with some things just not quite right, I hesitated to pull the trigger. It sold now, so I missed out, but I wanted to see if my doubt was well grounded. I do like to learn about what to look for. The neck plate is looks totally right for an early '86, but is it on the original body??

[wmachine]

Not a Charvel body.
Heel cut is wrong. Holes for neck bolts are wrong.

I believe you, but how are the holes wrong?