1986/1987 Charvel 1A Maple Real or Fake or Mutt Tell me

[crcook]

nobody who wasnt an idiot would fake a cheap (dollar wise) guitar

I hope so but whats the story on the # 12 Fret Dots and no Marking on the Trem is that Normal? - Charles

[dg]

I think the trem is OK. That G is the Gotoh logo, and iirc that is the right manufacturer for the Model 1 trems. Those dots definitely do look too wide. They should just barely cross the A & B strings and those are straddling the strings. Definitely weird that someone would go to the trouble to fake one though, like Frigo said. Are there any markings on the neck heel? What kind of truss rod nut does it have? Import Charvels take a 7mm socket.

[crcook]

I think the trem is OK. That G is the Gotoh logo, and iirc that is the right manufacturer for the Model 1 trems. Those dots definitely do look too wide. They should just barely cross the A & B strings and those are straddling the strings. Definitely weird that someone would go to the trouble to fake one though, like Frigo said. Are there any markings on the neck heel? What kind of truss rod nut does it have? Import Charvels take a 7mm socket.

I found one other on the web that looks like it has the same dot pattern but its got a R by the Logo (What are the chances that a fake would have two logos)its here I havent gotten Brave enough to take the Neck off I've never done that before and am afraid I would mess it up -- Charles

[GuerillaPete]

Nah, it's legit for a Model series Charvel. Have fun with it.

[Retaliator]

If it plays nice, I'd say you haven't been ripped off. Maybe change the machine heads for locking tuners (Sperzels or Planet Waves) and your tuning problem is solved.

[jtr]

It's real ,these guitars are'nt worth enough to fake it's a model 1 not a 54 Strat.

[Racerx2k]

Looks legit, but I'd say your Model 4 is a 1986, not a 1987. 1987 was the year they started using the JT6 trems and sharktooth inlays, unless yours is during some sorta transition period.

[straycat]

That is a Gotoh trem and original, they are great trems very high quality.
I've seen pickups turned that way before nothing odd there.
99% of tuning problems with a vintage trem guitar is the nut is not cut correctly.Most likely the nut slots are pinching the wound strings causing it to go out of tune.
Just file the nut slots and use graphite or big bend nut sauce to lube the slots.

[crcook]

Looks legit, but I'd say your Model 4 is a 1986, not a 1987. 1987 was the year they started using the JT6 trems and sharktooth inlays, unless yours is during some sorta transition period.

Cool The Guy I bought it from Said it was a 87 he bought in 88 But now that you mentioned it I remember Reading somewhere about the
dots on a Model 4 only being used one year.. The NeckPlate has a Gasket under it So Maybe its a late 86. Do you think the 1A is a 86 also I know you can't tell from the Serial Number but its 229469 Lower than my Model 4 it's 247743 -- Charles

[crcook]

That maybe but it seems to not want to go back to zero after I press down on the Tremolo it return almost to zero but not quite.. I have tried to loosen the screws but it doesnt Help.. It seem to be binding on the 6 screws but I can't see where its doing that any suggestions or is that another Forum see the picture the marks on the 6 holes are not even.

[crcook]

FYI My Other Guitar is a Kramer Signature Elliot Easton Pro 1
Someone told me it Kinda looks like Charvel Spectrum at least The PickGuard Does

My Model 6 Kicks its Butt I think its assembled in the Usa With Japan Parts

The Neck on it is questionable because it has 22 Frets vs 21 But I seen a old Kramer add showing one
with 22 Frets also with a OFR so I feel its real....

[straycat]

Look at the nut I'll bet thats where your tuning problem lies.

[z1n]

What about that bridge pickup? Does anyone know if it's suppose to be upside down or does it even matter?

Nevermind I just saw straycats (#23) post....

[toejam]

Those locking clamps are facing the wrong way. They should be up and down, parallel with the strings. You've got them sideways.

[crcook]

Those locking clamps are facing the wrong way. They should be up and down, parallel with the strings. You've got them sideways.

Thanks I changed the strings right after I got the Guitar Last Month and never saw that Thanks I'll flip them Parallel -- Charles