Opinions on "Toothpaste" logo Charvels?

[pro-fusion]

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

The toothpaste series is better, just by having Schaller trems vs. the JT-6. As far as build quality goes, I've never been able to tell any difference. They were only made a few years apart, and the quality of the hardware seems to have been identical. The only downer I've ever noticed with the toothpaste Charvels is that the Japanese factory seemed to use very grainy or "dried-out" looking rosewood for its fretboards during that period. Very streaky looking and not as appealing as the nice dark brown rosewood used on most Model series guitars I've seen.

[catzodellamarina]

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

Just got some pics back and thought I'd share some Toothpaste with ya. You can barely make out the EMG's, D-Tuna, and midboost has been replaced with an on/off toggle.

[atilla]

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

[ QUOTE ]
The only downer I've ever noticed with the toothpaste Charvels is that the Japanese factory seemed to use very grainy or "dried-out" looking rosewood for its fretboards during that period. Very streaky looking and not as appealing as the nice dark brown rosewood used on most Model series guitars I've seen.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good call. My M4 has a much darker, richer fretboard than the 375.

[Grandturk]

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

For what it's worth, I think the toothpaste logo'd guitars look a heck of a lot more polished than the model series. I think the pointy head looks better on the dinky body, and the larger logo seems to suit it. But I love the strat bodies on my model guitars, so...

[kmanick]

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

I just recently picked this one up from our very own Ron

the neck on this rivals my USA soloists!
It has an OFR, I'm going to beef up the pickups and put a D-tuna on this
Just a great playing guitar! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
My 3rd Model 6, this one I'm keeping, these are great guitars!

[MikeE]

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

I bought a 475 brand new in 1990. I still have it and it has been through hell. I feel lucky that I chose that guitar as my 1st. It is built really well and has great fit/finish. The hardware is top notch pro quality. The p/u's aren't the best but for a stock guitar they hold their own. I can get a lot of different sounds out of it and it has served me well. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a reasonably priced, well built versatile guitar.

[KevinDguitar]

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

Guys, I really appreciate all this info. I too had heard that the "toothpaste" logos weren't quite up to snuff and had only owned a couple of model guitars (mod 3 and 4). But I see a lot of toothpaste logos for sale and have always wondered as they seem to be pretty fairly price on the used market. I agree on the Schaller over the JT6. One of my students has a toothpaste model, but he's down a lot of modding to the neck back and pup's. Looking to add something in as a backup to my PC1, SL2H and an old Dinky Reverse (professional)...looks like the toothpaste guits are great bang for the buck.
Any preferences as to which models in the toothpaste line are/were superior over others?

[pro-fusion]

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

My personal favorite is the 650xl, which is the updated version of the Model 6. But you can't really go wrong with any of them. If you like the Model 3 and 4, check out the 375 and 475, which were those Models' updated versions. The 475, in particular, is a great deal, since they often go for a little under $300 on eBay, and they are first class. The only reason I don't have one is that they only have 22 frets.

[rocksoldier]

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

I´ve only had my 375 for two days, and have no experience on the model series, but this axe kicks some major ass.
Absolutley awesome!
VERY well built, great neck to.

[MikeE]

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

[ QUOTE ]
Any preferences as to which models in the toothpaste line are/were superior over others?

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I think it depends what you are looking for. Do you want bolt on or set neck, maple or rosewood fretboard, 22 or 24 frets, HSS or HH pick-up config? Each model didn't have many options, and for most it was just color options.

[tonemonster]

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

I have a 475, got it when it was a year old in 1991. Its a great gutiar. Beautiful flame top(and back) in amber. I also have an older model series charvel too. I think the Toothpaste logo 475 beats the hell out of the model series, mainly for the Schaller trem. I hate JT6 trems. The fit and finish of the guitar is excellent. I love it. nice hardware, nice neck profile, its a great axe.

[MikeE]

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

[ QUOTE ]
I have a 475, got it when it was a year old in 1991. Its a great gutiar. Beautiful flame top(and back) in amber. I also have an older model series charvel too. I think the Toothpaste logo 475 beats the hell out of the model series, mainly for the Schaller trem. I hate JT6 trems. The fit and finish of the guitar is excellent. I love it. nice hardware, nice neck profile, its a great axe.

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Nice, that's the same year (I think) as mine except I don't have the fancy wood. Blue is my favorite color and I ordered it new when I was 15 [img]/images/graemlins/baby.gif[/img] so I got the blue sparkle (pearl blue?). When it came in one of the clowns working at the music store was busting my balls b/c I didn't spend the extra $50 for a flame top model. I look back and laugh b/c I agree with him. At the time I wrote him off as being a douche bag [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img].

[86mod5]

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

Unfortunately, I can't compare the two or speak about the playability, quality, etc. of the toothpaste era. I've only played model series Charvels. When I first saw a toothpaste logo back in the 80's, I thought that Charvel was trying to capitilize on Jackson's success by kind of imitating the big Jackson logo on the headstock. To me though, it always looked goofy compared to the guitar logo and never looked quite as good as the Jackson logo. The guitars were similar enough without having a similar logo as well.

[MetalMedal II]

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

[ QUOTE ]
When I first saw a toothpaste logo back in the 80's, I thought that Charvel was trying to capitilize on Jackson's success by kind of imitating the big Jackson logo on the headstock. To me though, it always looked goofy compared to the guitar logo and never looked quite as good as the Jackson logo. The guitars were similar enough without having a similar logo as well.

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That's what I thought too when I first saw them. Then soon after the toothpastes came the Charvettes, and I had no doubt they were capitalizing on the previous succeses of Charvels and Jacksons!

I didn't actually play a toothpaste until a couple years ago, and I must say, I was impressed with the Schaller trem and real Floyd nut!

[KevinDguitar]

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

One of my students now has aa "Toothpaste" logo Charvel and I must say that I like the Schaller hardware over the old Kahler on my model 3 or the JT-6 on my old Mod 4. But I will also agree that I think the reason I stayed away from the originally was the logo itself, I know in the grand scheme of things that it kind of silly.. I just prefered the "guitar" logo over it.
Are all of the toothpaste-era Charvels dinky sized?
I also seem to remember one that was 24 frets, but short scale...or did I do too much damage to the ole' memory back in college?