Charvel Model 3 or 4 ?????

[Magou]

Hi,
I am interested in getting myself a 80's Japanese Charvel and really dig the thru neck Model 5 & 6's. But being in England they seem pretty hard find and when one does appear the go for quite a high price (out of my range) .

So I have been looking at the cheaper bolt on neck options, and from reading a few posts the Model 4's seem to get the thumbs up. I think I've seen one on eBay listed as a Model 3, but looking at the pix it seems to have three control pots and I think three toggle switches (pix are a bit blurry).
Am I correct in thinking this makes it a Model 4, it's just that I thought all the 4's had sharkfins unless they are the 1986 with Kahler (dot inlays???) But I'm no expert and I'm getting myself well confused...hence why I would appreciate your help. Please can anyone point me in the right direction and also advise how much It may be worth bidding.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170189664601&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

Thanks in advance...

[rjohnstone]

87/88 Model 4 body.
It could have an 86 Model 4 neck on it or be a transitional piece.

[Magou]

Thank you for the information
Do you know what type of tremolo would be fitted and what price is the going rate for one in good condition?

[dg]

Jackson JT-6 licensed floyd. No idea what you should expect to pay in the UK, but they go for around $400 on US eBay these days.

Hard to tell much about that neck from the crappy pics. One way to tell that it might be a transitional Model 4 neck (instead of a replacement from an '87 or '88 Model 2 or 3) might be to find out whether it has real mother of pearl dots rather than plastic.

[Magou]

Thanks DG.
I mailed the guy, he said the guitar is all original, so it looks like it may be a transitional version.
Please can you help me with a few more bits of info? I read that all the Model series have quartersawn necks, do you now if this is correct and also what scale neck is on the Model 4? Are the older Charvels prone to any faults that it will be worth me taking into account and forwarding the owner any questions in reference or asking for more pictures?

Thanks again

[dg]

We just had a thread about the necks last week, and we came to the conclusion that the necks are flatsawn. Here's the thread:

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78819

I wouldn't worry about it. These are very stable necks.

As for other questions to ask... if the guitar has the original electronics, ask whether the midboost works well, and if the volume pot makes any noise or cuts out. When the volume pot goes out on these it can be a pain because it's attached to the boost circuit board. Ask about the condition of the trem. Does it stay in tune & return to pitch well after a dive or pullup? This may help you figure out if the trem is badly worn (like dulled knife-edges) or if there are problems with the behind-the-nut string lock. How about the frets. Any bad wear? Just the usual questions about wear & tear on a 20 year old guitar. Good luck! Hope it's in great shape and you can get a good deal.

[Magou]

Thank you for the info DG, much appreciated....
The guy said the overall condition of the guitar is excellent, with minimal fretwear and all electronics working fine. He will also forward me some additional pictures, which will be good.
Would I be correct in thinking that the neck scale will be longer to my Fusion Pro? I presume it will also have a thicker profile?

[dg]

Yes, it has a 25.5" scale vs 24.75 for the Fusion. The neck will probably be a little bit thicker, but I'm not positive on that. I know USA Fusions have some of the thinnest necks Jackson ever made, but I've never tried one of the Pros.

[Magou]

Great, Thanks for that DG. You have been a gem

[DonP]

Fusion Pros have very thin necks as well. I have a pair of them.

It is a little frustrating when you see in the catalog specs quartersawn but the guitar's neck turns out to be flatsawn. Every neck is different - sometimes you get lucky. I'm sure I have some flatsawn necks that perform just as nicely as the quartersawn necks.