Charvel Pre-Pro

[choffman2k]

I think I just scored a really cool new axe. My buddy who owns Bizarre Guitar in Phoenix went and raided the Fender offices here in Scottsdale last week of all the prototypes they had laying around. I went and checked 'em out Saturday and came up with a rising sun finish with ebony fretboard, pointy headstock and what looks like a dinky body. It's definitely MIJ with handpainted Japanese characters in the lower rear of the body.

What's really odd about it is an Ibanez-style licensed Floyd with a Charvel stamp. Anybody know anything about these?

It came with an Invader installed, which has already been swapped for a Duncan Distortion.

Yes, I know this is useless without pics, but I'm at "work"...I'll post some up later today.

[StukaJU87]

Well, it sounds really cool, but yes.....

I like the rising sun and be sure to post pics of the trem in question.

[rjohnstone]

rising sun finish with ebony fretboard, pointy headstock and what looks like a dinky body. It's definitely MIJ with handpainted Japanese characters in the lower rear of the body.

What's really odd about it is an Ibanez-style licensed Floyd with a Charvel stamp. Anybody know anything about these?

It came with an Invader installed, which has already been swapped for a Duncan Distortion.

The guitar you're describing is not a pre-pro.

Been a long time since I was in Bizzare Guitar. They used to care a ton of Ibanez and Fender guitars. I've never seen a Jackson or Charvel in their before.

[choffman2k]

Then what exactly is it?

Bizarre has probably the coolest selection of Charvel and Jacksons I've seen in Phoenix. Worth a look.

[rjohnstone]

Sounds like I need to visit them again.
As for the guitar... pics will help, but pre-pros are all made in the US and I don't recall any of them having pointy headstocks. If it was MIJ, then it's most likely a Model series.
What does the logo say on the headstock? "Charvel" with "Made in U.S.A." under the name or "Charvel" with "by Jackson/Charvel" under the name?
Or is it just a plain old Charvel logo with nothing else?
What, if anything, is stamped on the neck plate?
Everything you're describing says it's either an import Model series or a parts mutt.

[rocksoldier]

Sounds like a cool guitar whatever it is, looking forward to the pics!
But low profile trem and ebony board, that must be something newer than a model series, don´t you think?

[choffman2k]

According to the owner, it was a prototype made just before Fender took over. Don't know how true that is. As for the headstock logo...it's a plain Charvel logo with neither the Charvel/Jackson designation, nor the Made In Japan. A serial number is on the neck plate...I'll post more later.

[rjohnstone]

Ahh... that makes sense if it was made before FMIC took over a few years ago.
A pre-pro Charvel would have been made between 1979 and early 1981.
The is a Pre-Fender Charvel.

[choffman2k]

Ahh... that makes sense if it was made before FMIC took over a few years ago.
A pre-pro Charvel would have been made between 1979 and early 1981.
The is a Pre-Fender Charvel.

Sorry...I'm new 'round here, and the terminology escapes me. So, I guess the word prototype would be more useful. The knowledge around here astounds me at times.

[dg]

Just a little mistake using the word "pre-pro" rather than "protoype". The title seemed odd in this section, but it was easy to understand exactly what you meant from your post. Hell, pre-pro & prototype are used interchangeably in a lot of places, it just has a very specific meaning in Charvel Land due to the pre-serialized guitars. Can't wait to see some pics!

[choffman2k]

[choffman2k]

Oh yeah...Serial # is 01100031

[StukaJU87]

Very cool. Send it to me, thank you.:ROTF:

[RacerX]

Oh yeah...Serial # is 01100031

That's interesting...the numbering & length of that serial usually means Made in India!

[QuantumRider]

That's a Charvel branded Takeuchi trem. I had a Japanese-market-only guitar with the same bridge.

The letters in the sun read "hei wa" and mean "peace".

Hope this helps,
QR