Theory: Determine the year of Model series Charvels

[Tekky]

Not sure if anyone has looked at this or whether you all are still trying to figure out how to determine year of manufacture from the serial number. But I might have found a way to figure it out...

The control cavity is the key. Now, we all know that the 86 Model series Charvels have Kahler tremolos and some of them don't even have rear control cavities. So this leaves 87 and 88 an ambiguity.

I started looking at the Model series guitars that I have. I have two Model 2s both have the smallish rounded triangle cavity that we're all familiar with. The Model 1 I have... Same thing. But I have a Model 3A with a control cavity that is similar to the Jackson/Charvel Ontario cavity. The same with the Model 3DRs (only made in 1988) that I have. They are all similar to my two Jackson Ontarios and the Charvel Model 475DLX that I have.

Like the one in this auction...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370101229318

So, the theory is that in 88, they switched to this route. Thoughts anyone?

[MetalMedal II]

Not sure. I've never seen a triangular cavity on a 3a, and never not seen one on a M2. The 3a's got more controls in it, and that's likely why it uses the larger cavity.

The bigger question may be when they stopped making the M1 and 2? IIRC, they're the only ones with the small cavity and those were never used on the toothpaste logos.

Someone here picked up on the TM and R trademarks on the neckplates and tuners. The earlier ones had TM's, but no specifics with dates.

[Tekky]

They stopped making the Model 1 and Model 2 in 88, when they replaced it in 89 with the Contemporary (Script logo) series.

I've really not looked into the TM and R trademarks.

You have a point about needing more room for controls. But what cavity do folks have for the Model 3 and Model 4?

[MetalMedal II]

All 4 and 6s have the larger route to accommodate for the 3 large and 3 mini controls. The 5s too had the larger one. The 3a's I've come across were the large one too, like in the ebay link.

[Rich#6]

The model 4s had the big cover.
too slow...

[Tekky]

OK, so theory proven wrong.

Damn. I thought I was on to something.