89 Charvel Import - 550XL?

[dpivar]

Hey everyone - I picked up this import Charvel yesterday on ebay, and was looking for some input from all of the import fans out there. It was listed as a N.O.S. '88 Model 5 (body only), but in fact it doesn't appear to be one. It's got a 1989 serial number, and alot of the features of a 550XL, including a scalloped lower horn, floyd-rose style shelf for the locking nut instead of a kahler type, and platinum paint. It probably isn't a Model 5FX since it is my understanding that the additional slanted pickup route was added in Texas after the guitar was complete - this guitar was painted after the routes were cut.

My guess is that it was supposed to be a 550XL, but was accidentally painted with the Model-series headstock logo. This would explain why parts were never mounted on it. Another option is it was supposed to be a Japanese market-only guitar like the description states - I didn't see this model in the catalog scans though. I miss the Model 6 that I had and getting the chance to build the guitar from the ground up, with the components I want, will be cool. The seller confirmed that the rod works, hopefully the neck isn't too messed up since it's 18 years old and has never had strings. I've got a chrome OFR, nut, and charvel pegs all ready to go. What do you think - is it a 550XL misprint or a Japan-only model? Here's some pics and a link to the finished auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280102665956&rd=1&rd=1

[VitaminG]

I think you're right about it. Looks like 550XL to me.

That headstock looks like it might have been refinished though - it doesn't look like a black plastic cap to me. I could be wrong though. I wonder if it was sprayed and an old school logo put on it.

[dg]

I think it's either a 550XL with a refinished headstock (they had matching paint on the headstock) or a Japanese-market model. I don't think they mistakenly forgot to paint the headstock the same as the body and then mistakenly put the old logo on it.

[rjohnstone]

Ahh so you're the one that won that.
I was looking at it, but didn't need another project right now.
Looks like a Japanese market only piece. They still had the old logo in 89/90.

[dpivar]

It will be showing up in a few days, and I'll get the chance to see whether the headstock is painted or capped. The thing that makes me think it might have been a factory mistake of sorts is the fact that no hardware was mounted on it. Maybe it was rejected due to the discrepancy before it even got to assembly. In any case, I'm looking forward to putting it together. The frets definitely need a polish for sure

[Sanctuary]

Cool axe.

[dpivar]

Holy Sparkles Batman -

I received the guitar today. The headstock is painted, but whoever did the job was smoking something or was smoking something... Lots of circular indents, the paint is thin. Maybe a polish and clearcoat will do the trick. I've got a question - I accidentally took a piece of tape off from the electronics cavity. Underneath, it was painted black. Do you think I will need to insulate the cavity or maybe this is the paint that does the same thing?

[GTarman68]

Cool Guitar, I was watching that one too, but decided against it since I have 3 projects going on right now. The Headstock looks like crap, Maybe they needed to be smoking something..lol It'll be kick ass when you get done w/ it I am sure. Congrats!

[Accept2]

That silver paint is cool. My 550XL has the red paint and its not as cool as that silver.............

[Sunbane]

I've got a question - I accidentally took a piece of tape off from the electronics cavity. Underneath, it was painted black. Do you think I will need to insulate the cavity or maybe this is the paint that does the same thing?

The black paint is conductive graphite paint. It works as a shielding for the cavities. Notice that you have similar spots in the pickup routes. These places are usually connected with thin wires that are all soldered to ground.

Looks like a nice refin, except for the headstock. Too bad the doofus painted the truss rod nut. Hopefully it will be okay. Just make sure to cover it if you decide to shoot some clear over it.

[dpivar]

The black paint is conductive graphite paint. It works as a shielding for the cavities. Notice that you have similar spots in the pickup routes. These places are usually connected with thin wires that are all soldered to ground.

Looks like a nice refin, except for the headstock. Too bad the doofus painted the truss rod nut. Hopefully it will be okay. Just make sure to cover it if you decide to shoot some clear over it.

Thanks for the info Sunbane - this is good to hear. I was thinking I would need to custom fabricate some sort of shield. Do you think the rest of the guitar was a refin too? - all of the hardware mounting holes are fresh, and some appear to have been drilled after the platinum paint was applied. That piece of tape I took off seemed like it was as old as the guitar. Refin or not, the paint quality (other than the crappy headstock) is as good as the Model 6 I had. Hopefully it will be a good player and not all warped once I get some tension on the neck...