How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

[BYeh1]

Is there a website to find out the detaisl of the Charvel import guitars by Serial numbers? Is there a way to read meaning to the serial codes?

Thanks. [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[charvel750]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

No site for the imports as of now. There was a site years back when Ft. Worth would accept emails. Neck through Charvels are the easiest to date. The first number indicates the year. So C903345 would be a 1989. The bolt ons are a bit harder to date. I believe we have established the fact that the earliest import bolt on is around 200000. If there is a "Ft. Worth Texas" stamp on the plate those are older than the ones without it. Maybe someone else can chime in on more details...

[mudkicker]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

For the bolt on model series the serial numbers are useless for dating or identifying the model.
This only works for the early guitar logo shape Charvels.

1986 - No neckplate gasket, next to the logo on both the neck and the neckplate there will be a "TM" above the L in Charvel. Also all of the 86's had Kahler trems except the Model 1's and 7's.

1987 - They have neckplate gaskets under the neckplate. Neckplate will have the "TM" beside the L in Charvel, the headstock will have a circled "R". Also everything model had the JT-6 trem except the Model 1's and 7's.

1988 - Have the gasket, both the neckplate and the headstock have the circled "R".

The toothpaste logo'ed Charvels you have to check against the catalogues to see what colors were available for which year.

[BYeh1]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. Someone should put all this info together in a guidebook and sell it, I'm sure people would buy it...

[Carbuff]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

Or maybe even just a sticky post on top of this section. Nothing too in depth. Just the basics, maybe each with a link to a pic in the gallery of each model? That might cut down on a lot of the "what model is this?" posts, not that thats a problem.

[floydroseuser]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

I agree, a sticky post at the top of this section would be a fantastic idea!

[ZZB]

Re: How to track Charvel Import Serial Numbers?

I wonder if this applies to Model series basses too. I have a Model 2B bass that has the registration symbol (circled R) on both the neckplate and headstock logos. That would make it an '88?