Charvel Neck thicknesses

[sysin]

Another mid-life crisis guy here starting to recoup that old 80's Charvel magic.

My old 88 model 4, despite the somewhat inferior JT-6 plus behind the nut lock, had a nice thin neck. My newly-acquired 550XL on the other hand, is so much more solid (neck-thru + schaller), but the neck is TOO THICK for my hands!! My next try is a '89 predator.

So what models have the thinnest necks? Is it as simple as bolt-ons versus neck-thrus, or are there even differences amongst each type?

[Rich#6]

My 86 model 6 neck is pretty thin, so maybe it's the different years that are the problem for you. I think I read that they got a little thicker from 89 on. try getting another 86-88 model.

[dg]

As a general rule, the bolt-ons were thinner. Quite a few people have said that the '86 neckthroughs were thinner than neckthroughs from the later years. Most Model Series or toothpaste logo bolt-ons should be thin enough for you if you liked the '88 Model 4.

[jwoods986]

From my experience, I agree with dg about the neckthrus. I have a '86 model 6 with a nice thin neck. A long-time friend of mine has a '88 (firecrackle BTW) and it definitely has a chunkier neck, I do not like it. Plus the crappy JT-6

[sysin]

Can anyone comment on the thickness of an '86 neck-thru versus a bolt-on?

[Jem]

Hi sysin, looks like we're thinkin' the same... I used to have a white Model 6 back in the day. I can't quite work out what year I bought it but the more I look at catalog pictures the more I think it was 86-87.

I just bought an SL3 thinking it was going to have that same luverly thin neck but it does feel chunkier than I remember my old 6 to be. I put it down to 20 year memory fade though but perhaps not.

Can anyone here actually take a few measurements of different years & models for comparisson? I'll measure up the SL3 when I get home just for reference.

[sysin]

I'll start. I'm just using a flexible tape from a sewing kit, measuring along the nut-side of the fret.

'89 550XL (neck-thru):
1st fret: 4 1/2"
12th fret: 5 1/4"

'91 CX 390 (bolt-on):
1st fret: 4 3/8"
12th fret: 5"

[Sanctuary]

Yeah, I've got an '86 Model 5 and a couple of '88 Model Sixes. The later guitars definitely have fatter necks.

[Jem]

Ok, 2006 model SL3:

1st fret: 4 7/16"
12 fret: 5 1/8"

I'd love to hear from some late '80s Charvel M4/5/6 owners to compare as these figures are all looking very close, I am assuming the neck width is constant as otherwise the circumference measurements are a bit useless?

For reference, at 1st fret, width is 1 11/16" and at 12th fret it's 2 1/16".

[dg]

You may be the first person here to do neck circumference measurements. I guess it could work, but like you said other factors like width or variances in backshape could muck it up. I measured the thickness on my '87 Model 6 with calipers a while back:

.750" at the 1st fret
.766 at the 3rd
.875 at the 12th

For comparison, catalog specs for the SL1 are .790 at the 3rd and .850 at the 12th.

[sysin]

calipers? whoah, I'm over my head here

I know the tape is low-tech, but maybe that will encourage more ppl to measure.

Anybody out there do thumb-fretted bar chords? For me, the thicker necks make this impossible.

[fett]

This thinnest neck I own, by far, is on my JSX Concept 94. I was moving guitars around today and grabbed that one and thought I missed. It is paper thin.

[CharvelRocker]

I always thought the CX necks were complete pencils compared to other Charvels. Narrow and small diameter wise, but they play like something else.

[FusionFarmer]

thinnest necks AFAIK are the fusions, My KV1 was very thin also. why the hell don't they give neck thickness on guitar spec sheets?

[sysin]

Summarized & ranked:

4th: '89 550XL (neck-thru):
1st fret: 4 1/2"
12th fret: 5 1/4"
http://www.sysin.com/charvel/

3rd: '06 model SL3:
1st fret: 4 7/16"
12 fret: 5 1/8"

2nd: '89 Predator (bolt-on):
1st fret: 4 3/8"
12th fret: 5 1/8"

Winner: '91 CX 390 (bolt-on):
1st fret: 4 3/8"
12th fret: 5"

Got a Fusion Deluxe coming this week, will also measure that one.