New to JCF - Pics of my Model 4M

[Wadester]

Hi everyone. I wish I would have found this forum a long time ago!! This place is great. Here are some pics of my Model 4M that I purchased in 1987 when I was 14. I have been the only owner of this guitar and it has been my ONLY electric guitar I've ever owned. I have never found a guitar that played even close to this one so I never forked over any money for something new. Yes, this guitar has many cuts and bruises but at least they were all done by me!! It gives is character anyway, right?

I do have a few questions though.

1. My pots have gotten very stiff over the years and I was wondering if there is any easy way to make them smooth again?
2. My humbucker hums when you have the guitar close to the amp or close to a monitor. The other pickups don't. Is this normal or can it be fixed? Oh, and it hums only with a dirty channel.
3. Where might I be able to get new bushings for my whammy bar? As I'm sure you know, 20 years will do it's toll on 2 little bushings!

Here are some pics!!

[Kingo]

Nice Story!! Keep an eye of this baby!!!

Where is the difference between a 4m and a model 6???

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

one of the best necks out there. they are keepers.

[Rich#6]

Where is the difference between a 4m and a model 6???

4 - strat body and the m is for maple fretboard.
6 - neckthru soloist/dinky body and neck binding

[Wadester]

one of the best necks out there. they are keepers.

I'd have to agree. I have wanted to buy a new guitar for some time but when I play new guitars, no matter how much they are, they never feel quite like this one. It's hard to believe I paid $450 for this one new. Most guitars you find that are that cheep today might as well be Squires. Most of them just suck!!

Looks like I'm gonna have to find me a new-to-me 80's charvel! LOL

[scotty]

Welcome to the board, nice guitar. Have tried to clean the pots? This stuff works good for me. http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1...2&category=188
Of course things do wear out from time to time.
I am not sure about you humming, that guitar has a pre-amp right. I would check you battery and connections. Hopefully your pre-amp is not going out.
The bushing you can get from Dave (budman)

http://fretsonthenet.com/

http://fretsonthenet.com/ImCharv.htm

Hope this helps,
Scott

[shreder13]

Nice guitar!! You can by stuff to clean the pots at radio shack.

[pott]

Nice dude. My model 4 was my first axe, when I started playing 2 and a half years ago. It's never leaving me.

[Wadester]

Thanks!

Thank you guys for your very nice comments and your tips. I will try them all as soon as I can.
Just one more question...

Is there a better way to ground the electronics than the way that they were originally grounded?

Just wondering.

-Wadester

[dogueboy]

Real nice thats a keeper

[UFORocks]

Is there a better way to ground the electronics than the way that they were originally grounded?

Just wondering.

-Wadester

Probably, maybe, but honestly it doesnt make much of a difference so long as the existing grounds are solid, which im sure they are.

From what I have experienced personally; noise usually comes from a bad ground that needs to be resoldered, or old pickups (or cheap pickups) that need to be repotted, and sometimes (but not usually) cheap quality electronics (pots, wire, caps)

-Steve

[Wadester]

Probably, maybe, but honestly it doesnt make much of a difference so long as the existing grounds are solid, which im sure they are.

From what I have experienced personally; noise usually comes from a bad ground that needs to be resoldered, or old pickups (or cheap pickups) that need to be repotted, and sometimes (but not usually) cheap quality electronics (pots, wire, caps)

-Steve

I have no doubt that the electronics are cheeply made in these guitars. Most mass-produced products are done as cheep as possible.
Basically I get the normal "buzz" from the humbucker that you hear in some professional recordings and I'm not too worried about it. I was just wondering if it was possible to quiet it down a little by some better grounding. It's probably not the ground anyway considering the other pickups are using the same ground and they don't buzz at all. It's probably just the pickup or like you said, some solder joints on the wires.

Thanks a lot for the info.

-Wadester

[MetalMedal II]

Nice pics and story.

If it's the original electronics, the stereo jack housing is a prime suspect for grounding issues. Though it might not be the case now, they almost do invariably fail as the original ones are in a plastic housing that crumble with time. It's an easy fix by replacing it with a Switchcraft stereo jack...like the ones that come with EMGs.

Like said above, some Caig or radio shack tuner cleaner may help with the stiff pots and crackling, if any.

I'm surprised by the Kahler-made Floyd-style nut as I didn't think Charvel used this until '88, but we all learn somethig new!, and I'm assuming it's stock.

[Rich#6]

I have no doubt that the electronics are cheeply made in these guitars.

Not back then, at least for the pickups they are american made.

[Wadester]

Nice pics and story.

If it's the original electronics, the stereo jack housing is a prime suspect for grounding issues. Though it might not be the case now, they almost do invariably fail as the original ones are in a plastic housing that crumble with time. It's an easy fix by replacing it with a Switchcraft stereo jack...like the ones that come with EMGs.

Like said above, some Caig or radio shack tuner cleaner may help with the stiff pots and crackling, if any.

I'm surprised by the Kahler-made Floyd-style nut as I didn't think Charvel used this until '88, but we all learn somethig new!, and I'm assuming it's stock.

I was wondering about the Kahler nut too since I haven't seen any other guitars with that type of nut. But yep, purchased in 9th grade (1987)! I have a pic to prove it. Ahhhh, those were the days!!! Satriani, my guitar, and a huge baseball card collection!! LOL

As for the stereo jack, It does need to be replaced. It has the typical cut-out when you push on the cable at all. Not in terrible shape for being so old though.

Anyway, I haven't gotten around to doing anything to it yet, but I will and then I'll let everyone know how it went.

Thanks again,

-Wadester