Charvel Predator Rainbow Crackle - Fixes and Upgrades (Help Needed :))

[G37-R34DY]

http://imgur.com/a/m7aBo

At the above link are some pics of a wonderful Predator in my beloved Rainbow Crackle colour.
Paint is in good shape, neck is perfect, but electronics and the bridge are pretty fucked up.

The bridge won't even hold the strings under normal tuning.

So I need to switch a new one in, and I found this one on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Schaller-Floyd-Rose-Locking-TREMOLO-RIGHT-Bridge-Whammy-w-Hardware-CHROME-/291801789184

Do you think it could be a drop in switch?

Also, I will change the pickups and I would like to change to a 5 way switch.

Any ideas how to upgrade these?

Thanks!

[elrrek]

Hi there

First up, nice axe, but are you sure that's a Predator? I think you might have a Charvel Fusion Deluxe there (your guitar has 24 frets, the Predator only had 22 frets) and it looks pretty much the same as my Fusion Deluxe. Measure the scale length if it's 24.75 inches (or 5/8ths) then you've got a Fusion, if it's 25.5 then something funny is going on ...

What's up with the trem? That looks like Schaller which is a rock solid trem, so unless someone has busted it you seem to have all the parts to make it work. The trem you posted on ebay should be a direct replacement if you do have to swap.

5-way : sorry, can't help you there. But if the pickups only have 2 wires coming form them you won't be able to coil-split them anyway.

[G37-R34DY]

Damn, it looks like you are right. It's a Fusion!
The trem has something really strange, I think it has been badly worked upon. There where some "rings" below some saddles that AFAIK should not be there. Also, the metal "cubes" (sorry I miss the word) that hold the strings have issues. The low E string won't stay in (the cube has a little crack) and the others (at least four of them) don't move ( I had a REALLY hard time removing them, never happened with other schallers to me) so I suppose the cubes have been changed to something out of spec. Really don't know. I would'nt like to get into the replacements of the single parts, so I'll just switch that new bridge in and fix this one later for some other guitar.

The pickups work but the plastics are so consumed it really bothers me. I think I'll drop in a Cool Rails in the neck and a JB in the bridge.
The current pickups have 4 wires but (you can see in the pic) the bridge pick up has 2 wires not connected to anything, just taped so they don't float around.

I'm still a bit in awe for not recognizing it was a fusion. Well. It means I have to look out for a predator now

[elrrek]

My Fusion is one of my favourite guitars, it looks badass, the trem is incredible and the scale just makes it feel super slinky. I should play it more but it's tuned to D and I don't play much in that tuning, I should learn some more DEATH!

If it is a Fusion then I am almost 100% sure that the trem will be a Schaller licensed Floyd and a real Floyd or any other Schaller should be okay to drop right in. If the trem has been messed around with so much that you feel like swapping the whole unit that might even be cheaper than getting new parts from Schaller ...

Pickup wise, I love the J90C in the bridge on my Fusion, it just absolutely rips, I have a Model 3 with one of those too and it's a beast as well. The J200R in the neck seems really weak in mine, sort of out of balance with the J90C and I very rarely switch to it. Seems like you know what you want in your guitar though AND you'll be more in charge of what you can do with it when it comes to a 5 way.

As for looking out for a Predator ... are the guitars not almost identical except for the neck? Not that that makes a difference You're conversing with a man who has 2 Dinky Rev 94s, one with a maple finger board and one with rosewood ... because ... why the hell not?!?!

[G37-R34DY]

Well..I'll look out for a Predator just because..they are out there !! Really, no need for it or anything specific. But I guess we all need motivation to buy that next guitar. And I like project guitars. AND i NEED a fire crackle one now .

I like the stock pickups, but they are so worn it's really really ugly. Moreover, I have those on several other guitars so...who cares ! I'll swap them with SEYMOUR DUNCAN

SL591N SL59-1N LITTLE '59 NECKSEYMOUR DUNCAN SH4 SH-4 JB in the Bridge

Then I'll try to find a 5-way switch that fits in the original slot (no woodwork on this, the paint is just too great). With these and a new bridge I think it should really be a killer guitar. I'll keep this up with pics as the parts start to come in.

[paranoid]

The string blocks get damaged from over tightening, they can be replaced with floyd replacements if you wish to save the bridge. the last owner must have been trying to alter the bridge radius with those washers in stead of purchasing some ready made shims. those 2 wires taped together are supposed to be that way from the factory, they are connecting the 2 coils of the pickup together. that would be a nice guitar to keep original.

[G37-R34DY]

I just ordered 6 string blocks and some pickup rings from all parts, and I will trying saving the bridge at first. What bothers me is the state of the pickup plastic, that's why I'd like to change them. If I could find the originals I'd be fine with that, but I'm afraid it would be a though search...

[elrrek]

My J90C has no plastic cover, the screws for the bobbins and the pickups rigs are rusted, even the rails on the J200R are corroded :P

[Number Of The Priest]

If it is a Fusion then I am almost 100% sure that the trem will be a Schaller licensed Floyd and a real Floyd or any other Schaller should be okay to drop right in. If the trem has been messed around with so much that you feel like swapping the whole unit that might even be cheaper than getting new parts from Schaller ...

A Schaller would be a direct swap. An OFR would also be a direct swap but the screws are longer and would collide with the body when pulling up on the trem. (See image below.) If he wanted to, I imagine that G37-R34DY could create a "hybrid" trem that uses most of the OFR paired with the short Schaller screws from his Fusion if those are still functional and can be rescued.

Photo credit: http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/Trem...ject.htm#jt590

EDIT: The photo doesn't always show up, so here is the direct link: http://audiozone.dk/images/tip/ofr-in-jt590route01.jpg

My J90C has no plastic cover, the screws for the bobbins and the pickups rigs are rusted, even the rails on the J200R are corroded :P

Same here. The J90C on my 1986 Model 1 was uncovered, but the 1987-1988 versions were covered, so I know that both versions exist. Mine was also quite rusty as seen below

[elrrek]

NotP - I should have known that! I've been on audiozone.dk enough that I should have remembered to link there! Good job man.

[paranoid]

a little bead blasting with walnut shell will clean those pickups right up, a little new white paint on the letters and will look like brand new. or leave as is to show that that guitar has experience.

[G37-R34DY]

I found a J50BC for sale, from a Model 6. I doubt it's the same pickup as this?

[zenki200]

Was the Model 6 not fitted with active pickups or was it just an active circuit? I found a few Jackson pickups for sale on that well know auction site:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=AKG+WMS40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xjackson+pickup.TRS0&_nkw=jackson+pickup&_sacat=0

With new blocks fitted into the saddles and junking the previous owners homemade shims I expect you can get that bridge back working fine. It may need a bit of setting up and be careful not to overtighten stuff as you put it back together! If the bridge is not save-able I'm pretty sure a Schaller Floyd Rose II will fit as it has shorter bolts sticking out the back. I have one I took off my Model 3 and the bolts look identical to those on your Jackson trem.

I had a Rainbow Crackle Model 3DR back in the 80's but sadly swapped it for my Model 3 as I preferred the full size strat bodies as that time. Wish I'd kept it now tho!

[toejam]

Was the Model 6 not fitted with active pickups or was it just an active circuit?

Jackson never made any kind of active pickups. They were all passive and could be used with their active circuitry. The Model 6 had the JE-1500 mid boost system.

[elrrek]

I found a J50BC for sale, from a Model 6. I doubt it's the same pickup as this?

I don't know exactly what a J50BC is, but from Henrik's audiozone site those were in Charvel Model 4, 6, 475 and 650 guitars. If we're still convinced your guitar is a Fusion Deluxe the bridge pickup is a J90C.