Charvel Guitars: As with the Jacksons this database will focus on normal production guitars, but let’s get into some brief history. Wayne Charvel started “Charvel’s Guitar Repair” in 1974, doing repairs and refinishes on out-of-warranty Fenders. Later Charvel began to build guitars out of parts. Charvel was sold to Grover Jackson in 1978, yes before the 80s even started. Here is where the custom revamps of the Stratocasters come from, the ‘superstrats’ with humbuckers, wild graphics, and other fun stuff that made Charvel a top choice for rock and metal artists. As on the Jackson main page linked, an asterisk means more information is needed.
If you have some clue of the model names please ctrl+f search to find it quicker! **NEW** NOTE: The thumbnails open into bigger images. At least most of the time. The hyperlink leads to the same photo. Both will usually open in new tab
Color Chart: BK= black, MPR= metallic pearl red, BBS=blue black sunburst, MB= metallic black, PW=pearl white, STB=see through black, STP= see through purple, STRS=see through red sunburst, STA=see through amber, STBLS=see through blue sunburst, STG=see through green, STPS=see through purple sunburst, STBS=see through black sunburst, SW=snow white, PAP= pale purple, SBS=silver black sunburst, TSB=tobacco sunburst, WN=walnut, STW=see through white, MP=metallic purple, PS=purple sunburst, CS= cherry sunburst, GD=gold, BS=brown sunburst, BLC=(blue crackle?), PPC=platinum pearl crackle, LYC=(yellow crackle?)
Charvel Model Series:
These were built by the Japanese Chushin Gakki factory from 1986-88 (mostly. There’s some 1989s we’ll cover too). While highly revered now, the idea of Charvel making imports was divisive among fans. Now however most can agree they’re solid classic axes. There is a Model 1 through 8 guitars with and a Model 1 through 4 bass. See the personal collection Google Drive link for some Charvel basses I’ve personally owned.
Dating: You can determine year on a bolt-on by the neck plate and headstock logo. 1986 will lack a neck plate gasket and have ‘TM’ on the neck plate and ‘TM’ after headstock symbol. 1987 has the gasket, ‘TM’ on neck plate, and ‘R’ after headstock logo. 1988 has the gasket and ‘R’ on the neck plate and after headstock logo. If neck-thru the serial syntax is CXXXXXX. The X after the C reveals date. IE. C606073 is a 1986.
- Charvel Model 1: Made from 1986-88. A basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, maple fretboard with dots, 22 frets. Single J90C pickup. Vintage fulcrum tremolo. One Vol knob. Finishes: black, red, vintage ivory, candy apple red, electric blue
- Model 1A: A traditional strat look. ’86-88. Basswood body, maple neck, maple fretboard with dots, 22 frets. J100/J100/J100 SSS pickups on black pickguard with vintage fulcrum tremolo. One vol, two tone. Finishes: black, red, vintage ivory
- Model 1C: 1988-89. A mix of the Model 1 and 1A. Basswood body, maple neck, maple fretboard with dots, 22 frets. J90C/J100/J100 HSS pickups. Vintage fulcrum tremolo. 1 vol, 1 tone, five-way switch. Finishes: black, red, vintage ivory, electric blue, candy apple red
- Charvel Model 1B: 1986-88 P-bass. Poplar body, maple bolt-on neck, maple fretboard with dots. 21 frets. Jackson J-40 bridge humbucker (’86) or Jackson J-20 P bass pickup (every other year). 1 vol, 1 tone, series/parallel mini-toggle (’86 only). High-mass Jackson bridge. Finishes: black, red, vintage ivory
- Charvel Model 2: 1986-88 model. Basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard with dots. 22 frets. Kahler 2520 (’86 as shown) or Jackson JT-6 tremolo. Jackson J-90C H pickup. Single vol. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, electric blue, burgundy mist
- Model 2M: 1986. Same as above but with maple fretboard.
- Model 2 Limited Edition: 1986 only. Red or black or ivory with factory painted neck deliver to favored dealers. Rosewood fretboard and the Kahler tremolo. J-90C pickup. Less than 200 of these, including other Model 3s and Model 4s.
- Charvel Model 2B: 1986-88. A PJ Charvel bass with a subtle change after its first year. Poplar body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard with dots. 21 frets. Jackson J-20/J-150 PJ pickups. Jackson high-mass bridge. Vol, blend, tone. Note: In 1986, the split Precision Bass pickup is oriented the Fender way (the bass side above treble). In subsequent years it is in an opposite ‘reverse p-bass’ way. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, electric blue
- Model 2BL:Left handed version. Finishes: Black, white, red
- Charvel Model 3: 1986-88 superstrat that had a little makeover after its first year. Basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fretboard with 22 frets. Kahler Std (’86 as shown) or JT-6 tremolo. Jackson J90C/J100/J100 on pickguard (’86) or J90C/J100S/J100S HSS pickups with no pickguard. One vol, one tone, five-way switch. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, candy apple red, burgundy mist, candy apple red
- Model 3 Limited Edition: 1986 only with black painted neck.
- Model 3A: Dual humbucker Model 3. Same, including yearly cosmetic and tremolo changes, but with Jackson J-80C/J-80C HH pickups. Pickguard on '86. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, electric blue, candy apple red, burgundy mist
- Model 3M: Maple fretboard Model 3. 1986 only so has that year’s specs.
- Model 3L: Left handed version only in Japanese markets. 1988.
- Charvel Model 3DR: 1988-89. A unique ‘dinky’ body Charvel with reverse headstock. Basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard with dots, Jackson J80C/ slanted J100S HS pickups. JT-6 tremolo. One vol, three-way switch. Note: This model became the Charvel Predator (see entry). Finishes: Finishes: Tri Color Crackle, black, Burgundy Mist, Pearl White, Fire Crackle, Electric Blue, Candy Apple Red
- Charvel Model 3B: 1986-88 neck-thru active bass with Jackson Concert Bass like body. Poplar body (wings), maple neck (neck-thru), rosewood fretboard with pearl dots, 21 frets. Jackson J-20/J-150 PJ (reverse P bass config) pickups with JE-2000 two band preamp. Vol, bass, treble, three-way toggle. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, cobalt blue, black cherry, candy apple red, burgundy mist, electric blue
- Charvel Model 4: 1986-88. Getting fancy, the highest end bolt-on. Basswood body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets with pearl dots (’86 as shown) or pearl sharkfin inlay. Kahler Std (’86) or Jackson JT-6 tremolo. J50BC/J200/J200 HSS pickups. Jackson JE-1200 active preamp, three mini toggles. Finishes: black, black cherry, candy apple red, cobalt blue, electric blue, pearl white, red
- Model 4M: 1988 only (but '89 in Japan). Maple fretboard option. Same otherwise.
- Charvel Model 4B: A bolt-on version of the Model 3B Bass. Exact same specifications. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, cobalt blue, black cherry, candy apple red, burgundy mist, electric blue
- Charvel Model 5: 1986-88. A neck-thru ‘dinky’ body superstrat with active electronics. Mildly varying specs. Poplar body (wings), maple neck, rosewood fretboard with pearl dots, 24 frets. J80C/J80C or J80C/J95C HH pickups. Kahler Std tremolo (’86 as shown) or JT-6 tremolo. JE-1000 electronics, JE-5000 five way-switch or three-way switch. 1 vol, 1 tone, 1 gain control or just 1 vol, 1 tone. Finishes: black, red, pearl white, cobalt blue, black cherry
- Model 5A: 1988-89. A ‘to the basics’ version of above Same specs minus active electronics. Single J-95C pickup, Jackson JT-6 tremolo. Finishes: black, candy apple red, pearl white, electric blue, burgundy mist, cobalt blue, black cherry, fire crackle
- Model 5FX: 1988. (Borrowed image) Has an interesting story, They are Model 5As sent back to the factory and modified (in the USA) to has a slanted J100s single coil installed in the neck position. Single volume and toggle, or 1 vol, 1 tone, and toggle. Finishes: white, fire crackle, black, burgundy mist, electric blue
- Charvel Model 6: 1986-88. Top of the line Jackson Soloist inspired Charvel. 1988 only. Poplar body (wings), maple neck (neck-thru), bound rosewood fretboard with pearl sharkfin inlays. 24 frets. J50BC/J200/J200 HSS pickups. Jackson JE-1200 active electronics. Kahler 2300 pro (’86) or Jackson JT-6 tremolo. Three mini toggle switches. Finishes: black, black cherry, candy apple red, electric blue, pearl white, red
- Charvel Model 7: 1987-99. A telecaster style guitar. Bound basswood or ash (trans finishes) body. Bolt-on maple neck, maple fretboard with dots. 22 frets. Jackson J120/J100S SS pickups. Gotoh(?) String-thru body bridge. Reverse headstock. Vol, tone, three-way switch. Finishes: black, black cherry, burgundy mist, cobalt blue, electric blue, pearl white, red, (trans finishes?), rainbow crackle
- Charvel Model 88: 1988 only limited edition of 1000. (Borrowed Image) African Mahogany body, bolt on maple neck, rosewood fretboard with pearl sharkfin inlay. 22 frets. Single Jackson J-95 H pickup (slanted). Jackson JT-6 tremolo. 1 vol knob. Reverse headstock. Finishes: tobacco sunburst
- Charvel Model 8: 1988. (Borrowed Image) Rare Charvel modeled after one of Jeff Beck’s Jackson Soloist. Basswood body, bolt-on maple neck with dots, 22 frets. J200/J200/J200 SSS pickups. JE-1500 active circuitry. Jackson JT-6 tremolo. 1 vol, 1 tone, five-way switch, mini toggle (bypass). Reverse headstock. Headstock matches finish. Note: Reissued the next year as the Charvel Spectrum. Finishes: black, candy blue, desert crackle, florescent orange, sea green, turquoise, violet
- Model 8M: 1988. (Borrowed Image) Maple neck version of above.
- Charvel Model HSH: Hey, that’s not a number! Tell it to 1989 Charvel then. Basswood body, maple neck and fretboard, 22 frets. Jackson J-80C/J-100S/J-80C HSH pickups. JT-6 tremolo. One vol, tone, five-way switch. Finishes: black, cr, pearl white, electric blue, burgundy mist
- Charvel Model-2H: Jap. dom market only Model 2 with finish matching headstock. Maple neck, rosewood fretboard. Otherwise same? Single vol. Black hardware. 1989 (known) finishes: blue
- Charvel Model-SH: Jap. dom market only SH Charvel with STRAT headstock. maple fretboard. Vol, three way blade. Black hardware. 1989. (known) finishes: black
- Charvel Model-2SH: Jap. dom market only SH Charvel and NOT the above, rather a typical Jackson headstock. Think 3DR minus the reverse headstock. Basswood body. Maple neck, rosewood fretboard with 22 frets. J-100(slant)/J-90c HS pickups. Vol, three way switch. Finish: red, black, pearl white, Car, Ebu, Cbu, Bm
- Charvel Model Midi 2*: From 1989 a modified Model 2 with added mini function. Note: More info needed. Needs the Charvel GTM6 rackmount unit. May also involve the Kahler units they have.
- Charvel Model Midi 3*: 1989. Modified Model 3. See above.
Jap. dom only.
- Charvel Model-ACE: Signature in limited qt. This has a unique dinky body and pickguard combo unique from others. Poplar body, maple neck-thru. Rosewood fretboard with sharkin inlays. 24 frets. Jackson J-80, S6-F/S6-F HSS pickups. Jackson JT-6? tremolo, non recessed. 1 Vol, three way switch. Finishes: white with black line on side.
- Charvel Model-LUKE: Similar to a Model 6. Polar body, maple neck-thru. Bound rosewood fretboard with sharkfin inlays. 24 frets. Jackson J-80/J-100/J-100 HSS pickups. One vol, tone, three-way with by-pass mini switch. Finishes: Red crackle
- Charvel Model-6 Yellow Crackle: Another Model 6 variant. Poplar body, maple neck-thru. Bound rosewood fretboard with sharkfin inlays. 24 frets. J-50B/ J-200, J/-200 HSS pickups. Vol, tone, JE-1200 electronics,three mini toggles. Finishes: Yellow crackle (with matching headstock logo)