Charvel Model 3B serial

[jackson1]

I presume the Charvel Model 3B basses had serial numbers. But placed where?
Same as the guitars - sticker on the back of the head in 1986 and stamped into the fingerboard the following years?

Got pics of 3B serial?

[amimbari]

my 2 87's had them stamped, my 88 has it stamped, my 86/early87 had a sticker

you really want another pic? I can go take a pic of my 88 if you want since it's still here.
here's the 87:

[jackson1]

That is cool, thanks. Your photo is much appreciated, since I've never actually seen a shot with the serial on these basses. I was thinking that the run-off area looks to be smaller on a bass (last, blind fret) so where would they hammer in the serial. I guess they found room after all. It's nice to know that the serial placement and all is the same as the guitars.

[jackson1]

By the way, Mike - can I use your serial picture on my site?

[amimbari]

sure if that pic will work for you.

[jackson1]

It'll work, thanks!

[thebigz]

Are these like the 6 stringers where the second number indicates the year made?

I can get you a pic of mine as well if you need it.

[jackson1]

Until someone corrects me, then yes, I think we can read it like the 6-stringers.
Mike's pic will suffice, but thanks for the heads up!

But maybe you will do me the favor of verifying your bass using this info and see if it holds up (with regards to headstock trademark symbols vs year):

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/charvel-japan-import-guitars.php#yom

[amimbari]

what I will do Henrik, is look at my 6digit serials especially on the 86-87-88's I think your chart is off, but I'll check.

1986 No TM TM 222000 >>>>I think I have a 86 with 217xxx something.
1987 Yes TM ® 260000
1988 Yes ® ® 275000


the TM and R are correct and yes C6 or J6 would be 1986, etc..

this pic is from my b.o. Futura/Winger and it was also stamped J3 = 1993.


86 basses have the p non-reversed to help people identify a 1986 only


also it's kind of hard to see, but the model 1+2 are fat horned bodys with the small control cover, the model 3+4 are the skinnier horned version with the large common cover like the guitars models differences.
the model4 on the far right is a 1988 the only year they made them

.

and finally, the 3 model3's are left to right 86,87,88 note the switch positions....( the purple one HAD a switch, I threw a blend knob on it )


and the leftys were made in 1988 only.

.

[jackson1]

1986 No TM TM 222000 >>>>I think I have a 86 with 217xxx something.

That would be a new record, I think.

Why don't we include your Model series bass info here in the audiozone article about Charvel imports?
Your always interesting bass info would help a lot of viewers no doubt.

[amimbari]

ANYTHING you need from me will be fine Henrik, if it wasn't for your "old" site I would be just as retarded as the guitarplayers, relying on their own info to go by ( which for basses wasn't too much help ). they sure know their shit about guitars, but basses? :think:, unless they had one that was all the help I ever had until I found your old site. If you want to use any pictures I post go ahead without asking.

2 last pics...cover pics to show the model1+2 and the 3+4


.

[amimbari]

shit I forgot one monkeywrench to throw into the engine......

Although I do not have it anymore, my purple 3b was a 86 body no stamped serial, but WAS serialized C7 something on a sticker on the head. it was a very low number like they were using up the last of the 86 bodies for 87 sales maybe but did not get stamped.

[thebigz]

I was positive that I had an 87 or 88 3b, but looking now, it doesn't have a stamped serial and the switch is in the 86 spot. I didn't bother to note the serial when I did the refin - I'll look around and see if I can find any old pictures of it

[amimbari]

I'll bet it was a 86 body and a 87 sticker like my purple one

[jackson1]

You guys are forgetting to state what trademark symbol is on the headstock of the basses you are talking about (R or TM). It's a parameter worth including, I think.

Of course, thebigz has no chance now that he bulldozed over both the serial and the trademark But the refin looks awesome.

Any news on the world record setting 217xxx?