Opinions on "Toothpaste" logo Charvels?

[KevinDguitar]

I was wondering if anyone would care to give me any feedback, pro's and con's, on the "Toothpaste" era Charvels versus say the earlier Model series. Did build quality change (improve/decline)..differences in playability, etc.
Thanks.

[neilli]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

I've had several of the model series (model 2, 5a, 6 and 88 ltd) and one of the 'toothpaste' series (fusion):

For me, the model series were really well made and finished guitars, but they were let down by the JT6 trem (or Kahlers on the early examples) and the pickups never did much for me.

The 'toothpaste' guitars I've seen haven't seem quite so well built, but they had the Schaller stamped Floyd which is excellent, though again the pickups weren't the greatest.
I found that the 'toothpaste' range of guitars got confusing as there were so many to choose from, whereas the Model series was more basic in its range and colour options. Mind you, this might just be because I studied the model series catalogues for a pastime, but had a Jackson catalogue by the time the 'toothpaste' series came out [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[mudkicker]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

Pros- Well built, fast flat thin necks, Schaller Floyd imporvement over the JT6.
Cons- Dinky body.

Me personally I prefer the older Model guitar shaped logo series specifically the 1986 guitars over the Toothpaste logo'ed Charvels. I like the full sized strat bodies over the Dinkys. I also prefer the Kahlers over both the JT6 and the Schaller trems.
I have a 1989 Model 375 that I have had since 1992/3 and I never play it. I fell in love with the TransAmber finish (Orange). It's a beautiful guitar to look at.

[Grandturk]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

When I first started playing, the Model series had been wrapped up and the toothpaste logos were just coming out. Older, wiser guitar players who had Model series guitars told me that toothpaste logo'd Charvels were crap. So that always stuck in my mind.

I honestly haven't had much experience with the toothpaste logo'd guitars, so I can't make an objective judgement, however, in the back of my mind, I will always regard toothpaste logo'd Charvels as inferior to the earlier Model series regardless of whether or not it is true.

[kmanick]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

the 650Xls' and the 750xls that I've played were anything
but crap. Especially the 750's those are great guitars.
I've never played the lower model series (2-475)
so I can't help there, but most Model 6's I've played have been great players.

[eaeolian]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

I had a 375 for quite a while as a spare. I wouldn't say it was good as my US Dinky, but it was as good as any "model" guitar I've played - and the trem was MUCH better. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[catzodellamarina]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

Both of mine are toothpaste. Since I've upgraded the 650XL with EMG's and new chrome hardware w/D-tuna, it looks better and surpasses any Model 6 I've played. My Fusion Special has a thin, superfast neck but crappy hardware. It's getting a facelift and upgrade next.

[Genebaby]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

The Toothpaste logo guitars are great....Dinky bodies, better hardware, colour options, there was nothing wrong with them. Both series are great guitars.

[1trussell]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

My 650xl and 2 750xls were superior to a an 87 model 4 I ahd for a short time. But any model series or toothpaste logo Charvel is going to be made well and a great bang for the buck.

[GuerillaPete]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

Yep, an improvement on the MIJ "guitar-logo" Charvels.

[guitarsjb]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

My 375DLX is great. No complaints here, great bang for the buck.

[atilla]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

I use a Model 4 and a 375. I've split my gigs between the two. Lately, I've been having some problems with the 375's pickup ring (Duncan JB) and its intonation has been off. But when it's healthy it has a very fast neck and a superior trem.

However, I like the Model 4 a touch better. It gets raging pinch harmonics, and I sanded the back of the neck and coated it in tung oil. I should do this to the 375, too.

One of the techs who works on my stuff said the earlier toothpaste guitars are better than later ones. He's guessing mine is one of the first few because there's no label on the trem, it has chrome hardware instead of black and it does not have the satin finish on the back of the neck (has the same finish as the Model 4 necks had).

[kinglou]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

I have a 650xl toothpaste and I love it. The stock pickups are kind of weak but the rest of the guitar is killer. I wouldn't mind have a couple more.

[jtr]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

I have a model 6 w/kahler ,5fx jt6 & 550xl w/ shaller . I've played the 550xl more then either of the other two it's the best of the 3.

[model1]

Re: Opinions on \"Toothpaste\" logo Charvels?

[ QUOTE ]
Pros- Well built, fast flat thin necks, Schaller Floyd imporvement over the JT6.
Cons- Dinky body.

Me personally I prefer the older Model guitar shaped logo series specifically the 1986 guitars over the Toothpaste logo'ed Charvels. I like the full sized strat bodies over the Dinkys. I also prefer the Kahlers over both the JT6 and the Schaller trems.
I have a 1989 Model 375 that I have had since 1992/3 and I never play it.

[/ QUOTE ]
i totally second that
i like the feel(body and neck) of the early ones much more