Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

[Funkfingers]

I have been offered a lightly used, fixed bridge example in part-exchange for one of my bass guitars.

Anyone have any experience of this model to share? (It's the squished up Les Paul, through neck model with American pickups.)

Online video demonstrations tend to emphasise the suitability of this guitar for shred. Is this a fair representation of its abilities?

Given a choice between passive, Blackouts, EMGs or Charvel in-house active, which would you prefer?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

they look like great guitars for the price. I havent played one yet but if the bass isn't too valuable i would do the swap for sure.

 

[nightfall]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

No matter what pickups it comes with you can always rewire it and swap pickups. If you don't like the actives, tear em out and buy passives.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

I personally have zero experience playing them--but the ones I've seen floating around on Craigslist/elsewhere for sale all seem to have had the pickups swaped out for active blackouts (I've seen EMGs and SDs.)

Not trying to deter you from buying or anything, just an observation I made. I think they are best Les Paul look-alike...probably because the Epi's headstock is a big turn off to me--the Charvel headstock doesn't loon like it's been stretched.

Have you played it yet?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

Yes. I have played the thing. It is eminently speedy, weighs next to nothing and puts the bridge/Treble pickup volume control where most shredders would wish it to be. The neck pitch angle lends itself to vibrato bridge installation - in my case, a stud mount Kahler Pro.

The owner of the afore-mentioned Charvel has promised himself my MIG Warwick Steamer Pro M but, in my opinion, the two instruments are in completely different leagues. Hence, any cash difference sum he offers would need to be large. I am inclined to pay cash for his guitar and direct him to the nearest friendly music store.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

Yes. I have played the thing. It is eminently speedy, weighs next to nothing and puts the bridge/Treble pickup volume control where most shredders would wish it to be. The neck pitch angle lends itself to vibrato bridge installation - in my case, a stud mount Kahler Pro.

The owner of the afore-mentioned Charvel has promised himself my MIG Warwick Steamer Pro M but, in my opinion, the two instruments are in completely different leagues. Hence, any cash difference sum he offers would need to be large. I am inclined to pay cash for his guitar and direct him to the nearest friendly music store.

I love Charvels--but you are right, those two guitars are in completely different classes...

Hope you can get the guitar at the price you want!

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

I researched these for a friend last year. What I liked about them was the 25.5" scale length. Something you don't get with a PRS SE or an Epiphone model.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

I am relieved to report that the guy with the Charvel DS-1 Pro contacted me to say that he was keeping the guitar before I could tell him that I wasn't willing to let my Warwick bass go.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

Fast forward four hours and the Charvel-owning idiot is at my front door, declaring that he will accept two thirds of the figure that he asked for earlier in the day.

Is the guy insane? Quite possibly. Is he manic/bipolar? Almost certainly. (He has been striking similarly rash deals for years.) If he were a drug addict, bustin' for a fix, his behaviour might just be understandable.

I suspect that the price reduction announcement was meant to be the equivalent of saying, "open, Sesame" to my wallet. When this did not have the expected result, he shifted to hinting that he wouldn't mind one of my guitar amps in exchange for the Charvel.

Overall, I make that at least half a dozen shifts of goalposts within forty eight hours.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

CL can put you in front of crazy people but it sounds like you already knew this guy ? Doubt he needs a fix if he wants an amp though .You can get one of the newer models cheap brand new online MF been having them on sale.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

THE MAN
Yes, I have known Mr. Gear Recycler for a number of years. The only substances that he abuses are tobacco and greasy, fast food.

THE GEAR
To clarify, I have no burning desire to possess a Charvel DS-1 Pro Stock in the tasteful metallic blue. It is the current owner who feels the pressing need to sell.

THE SITUATION
This evening, I am pretending to mull over whether to take the guitar in exchange for my Fender (PR246) Hot Rod Deluxe amplifier. In truth, I am stalling for time, hoping that the other guy comes to his senses.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

Looks like he just wants something to flip at your expense. Why doesn't he flip the DS-1 himself? Probably because he can't get the money he needs from it.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

There is a lengthy back story, involving Mr. Gear Recycler having traded-in previously purchased equipment to pay for the Charvel guitar.

Not for the first time, the fool has squandered a lot of his own money. To his way of thinking, the Charvel guitar "owes" him the sums originally spent on the traded-in items. In reality, the losses are entirely his own doing. He has to grow a pair and take the hit.

Regarding the guitar for Fender HRD amp exchange suggestion, he can forget it. Firstly, my amp is worth more than his guitar and case. Secondly, I do not want the guy to have the amp. I would rather that it went to somebody who would appreciate it.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

If you re-read my posts through this thread, it should be obvious that Mr. Gear Recycler has no clear idea of what he is buying or why. There is no clear purpose to be satisfied. He just wishes to buy "something". Seemingly, anything.

The guy talks about bands but these never seem to get much further than the initial discussion stage.

If he would concentrate on either guitar or bass, he might hang on to the gear for more than a few weeks at a stretch. If he properly assessed his requirements, he might manage to buy the right equipment to begin with. No more random plumping. He seems to lack any critical faculty. When he does land a nice guitar, he has been known to flip it for being the wrong colour. Duh!

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Charvel Desolation DS-1 Pro

They say it takes all kinds , I have to disagree. Shame you can't teach the guy something or give him a clue somehow. I know a gear hoarder that gets all kinds of broken crap and tries to trick people into fixing or buying it. He got mad when it took the amp guy 5 min to fix a broken amp and didn't want to pay the agreed price for the repair. Now he truly believes the amp guy owes him some free work just because of this incident. As if all the equipment and parts in the guys shop just magically appear there or something WTF over? You just can't help some people and it is sad.