NGD - Charvel Predator

[Razor]

I have wanted a Predator or 3DR for a long damn time. This one came up on eBay with grainy pictures and local pickup only. I messaged the seller and they were very nice to work with. Seeing how the prices have shot up I think $595.00 shipped with a hard case was a fair deal. It wasn't the color I would have preferred but it has grown on me since it arrived.

Stripped her down and gave the body and frets a good clean and polish and cleaned the grime off the Schaller. Set up to E flat with 10's and she's a screamer. I've been so enamored with my new Pro Mod that I'd forgotten somewhat how damn good a J90C sounds. She has a few dents and dings and a very small chip in the back of the pointy but overall for a guitar pushing 30 years old she's in great shape. Neck profile is nearly identical to my Model 2 and very comfortable. This one's definitely a keeper.

[Number Of The Priest]

That looks killer. If there were dents and dings, you wouldn't know it when looking at your pics. As usual, very flattering photos of yet another good-looking, 30 year old guitar.

Using the trem cavity cover plate to keep the trem level when changing strings! That's a new one to me!

[Razor]

That looks killer. If there were dents and dings, you wouldn't know it when looking at your pics. As usual, very flattering photos of yet another good-looking, 30 year old guitar.

Using the trem cavity cover plate to keep the trem level when changing strings! That's a new one to me!

I had gotten the idea years ago after parting out a guitar because I needed the neck. I had seen this tool so I saved a trem cover from the guitar because at the time I was penny pinching. Here's the tool that gave me the idea. It works very well especially when tightening down string lock screws.

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-ha...tremblock.html

[JJ119]

WoW!!

Nice score!

If you decide you just can't get by the color, feel free to send her on to me.
In events like this, Sloppy 3rds is fine with me 😆

Enjoy

[metalhobo]

nice candy apple (I assume). love it! what neck pickup is that? not a jackson, is it?

has anyone ever done a study to figure which modern aftermarket or oem pickups sound closest to the j-50/80/90?

[ed]

nice candy apple (I assume). love it! what neck pickup is that? not a jackson, is it?

has anyone ever done a study to figure which modern aftermarket or oem pickups sound closest to the j-50/80/90?

I think thats a Jackson J-200R not sure though.

[metalhobo]

I think thats a Jackson J-200R not sure though.

ah, looks like it could be. thanks, didn't know that existed! learnt something new today.

[Razor]

I didn't pull the neck pickup but I'd bet money ed is right about it being a J-200R. The only reason I pulled the bridge pickup was to clean and polish under the pickup ring.

[Razor]

Forgot to ask one thing about a tremolo arm for the Predator.

My two Model 2's have OFR's on them and the Pro Mod and Sully have Floyd Rose 1000's on them. None of the trem arms I have will fit into the Schaller on the Predator. I've tried them all and they all seem to big. They're tight for sure. I haven't tried to force one as I don't want to screw the pooch. I've seen that Dave at Frets on the Net sells Schaller arms but I don't want to buy another arm and have the same problem. Is there a difference in Floyd arms that I've missed somehow? My old ESP Skulls and Snakes had a Schaller and my other trem arms fit it.

[Razor]

Well, never mind on the trem arms as I looked at it again and the one's I have fit. One is pretty snug but they all fit and the collars screw on it fine.