NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

MkIII Renegade

MkIII Renegade

New member
I've been on a Charvel buying frenzy lately. The newest is a 475 Deluxe Exotic. I've had my metallic black 475 Deluxe for 20 years this year ( :bigeyes: ) and have the stock J50BC/J200/J200 system with JE1200 midboost. I also have a Charvel 650 Custom with EMGs, so I feel I've got the active angle covered.

650C475.jpg


The new 475 is stock and I'm thinking about options for different pickups just so it will be different from the others. I am thinking about the Parallel Axis Distortion Trembucker and PA stacks for the mid and neck positions, although I'm concerned the squarish stacks may not fit the narrow cavities in the body (has anyone tried this with a 475?). The PA pole pieces would also look very cool. Other options are a J90C at the bridge and leaving the others stock, or possibly adding Cool Rails. I want to stay with an "80's modern" look of having no visible pole pieces unless PA style.

I am influenced by Rhoads, DiMartini, Lynch, Jake E. Lee and the like, but also Porcupine Tree and guys like Dave Navarro to an extent and Andy Summers. I'm not prone to use boxes for tone, I believe it should come straight from the amp (although I do love delays and the occasional octave or phaser).

Any thoughts on pickups?
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

Ahhh yes my favorite era for charvel. That would go well sitting next to my fusion

As far as what pickups will fit, i don't think even the single sized pa stacks will. This is the reason why i never changed out my 200r pickups. I did try a duncan hotrail with no flange and it didnt fit.
 
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Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

Cool guitars, cool amps too! I have a PATB-2 (distortion) in my Jackson SL2H and love it. You won't be disappointed. I can't speak for the stacks as I've never used them.
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

I have a 1986 Model 6 I wired up with and HS2 neck, HS3 middle, and a J80C bridge. They all worked well together with the JE1200 boost. Many people complain about the low output of the HS series, so the preamp solves that.
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

DonP said:
I have a 1986 Model 6 I wired up with and HS2 neck, HS3 middle, and a J80C bridge. They all worked well together with the JE1200 boost. Many people complain about the low output of the HS series, so the preamp solves that.
Click to expand...

Yep, I like the JE-1200 system. The J200s can sound very full, yet with authentic single coil tone, when it's cranked. I keep it at about 1/4 for the bridge when playing rhythm, 1/2 to 3/4 for bridge leads, and full for the neck leads.

Right now the Jackson J90C is probably tops on my list since I'm starting to think I may keep the 200s, and it would maintain the same look. I had the open coil version of the J90C years ago in my first good guitar, a Charvel 375 Deluxe. Either that or PATB2 at the bridge and the 200s. Decisions, decisions....
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

I like your head and cab. Wish I still had my 1/2 back cab.

I think EMG's are about all that will fit without doing some routing.
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

Cant see the pic here at work, (will DEF check it later) But congrats!!! I too have been in a Charvel frenzy lately as I have ALWAYS loved the brand and now they are my FAV guits!! I have a Custom shop with a Custom (soon to be C8) and a Jazz, a So cal with a 59/custom hybrid and jazz, a charvel bass, a 88 model 4 with the stock single and a JB2 for now.. one day I want to get a black cherry model 6! I LOVE those old mid boost circuits and with they sold replacement units.
As far as your question, Id go with the paralell axis. Not sure what to recommend for singles as Ive been debating for years what to change mine to. haha. So, when you get yours running, let me know what you went with and how it worked. : )
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

DonP said:
I have a 1986 Model 6 I wired up with and HS2 neck, HS3 middle, and a J80C bridge. They all worked well together with the JE1200 boost. Many people complain about the low output of the HS series, so the preamp solves that.
Click to expand...

How did you fit a hs2 an hs3 in your model 6? Did you widen the pickup cavities or did you custom order no flange dimarzio pickups?
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

These did not have the flanges. I bought them used and I don't remember if they were like that or a prior owner modified them. I just played this axe yesterday. It sounds great but has a lot of high end. Pinch harmonics are a breeze.

BTW It's in a Model 4, not a Model 6.
 
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Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

DonP said:
These did not have the flanges. I bought them used and I don't remember if they were like that or a prior owner modified them. I just played this axe yesterday. It sounds great but has a lot of high end. Pinch harmonics are a breeze.

BTW It's in a Model 4, not a Model 6.
Click to expand...

I want a picture please.
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

I know the 475 has "do or die" narrow cavities for the single coils, does anyone know if Cool Rails would have any fitment issues? I am assuming the PA Classic Stacks wouldn't fit.
 
Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

MkIII Renegade said:
I know the 475 has "do or die" narrow cavities for the single coils, does anyone know if Cool Rails would have any fitment issues? I am assuming the PA Classic Stacks wouldn't fit.
Click to expand...

Does your cavity measure around 83.87 mm 19.53mm? If it does i doubt it will fit. You could ask on the charvel forum but a hotrail didn't fit in mine so i doubt a cool rail will.

edit; well according to this it should fit. http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/dimensionpages/cool_rails.shtml
 
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Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

kramersteen said:
Does your cavity measure around 83.87 mm 19.53mm? If it does i doubt it will fit. You could ask on the charvel forum but a hotrail didn't fit in mine so i doubt a cool rail will.

edit; well according to this it should fit. http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/dimensionpages/cool_rails.shtml
Click to expand...

I studied the SD site and it looks like the PA Stack is similar in length/width to a "standard" style single coil, but is very deep, and that removal of wood may be required for it to fit. Not sure I want to go to all that trouble, although if I could find where someone did it without routing, it would be a done deal.

Looks like the cool rails should fit based on dimensions vs a standard. The only concern with cool rails would be if I would lose the very nice authentic position 4 Strat sound, my favorite of all for cleans. The J200s are basically of vintage output (so they can be crystal clean), but can be boosted nicely by the preamp. The stock pickups sound very cutting with distortion and the boost on zero, so I don't think they were intended to be used without the preamp at least partially on. From doing some YouTube research, it looks like the Cool Rail neck and stock middle J200 may be the best compromise, since using two Cool Rails for the #4 sound may not be as nice...
 
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Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

MkIII Renegade said:
I studied the SD site and it looks like the PA Stack is similar in length/width to a "standard" style single coil, but is very deep, and that removal of wood may be required for it to fit. Not sure I want to go to all that trouble, although if I could find where someone did it without routing, it would be a done deal.

Looks like the cool rails should fit based on dimensions vs a standard. The only concern with cool rails would be if I would lose the very nice authentic position 4 Strat sound, my favorite of all for cleans. The J200s are basically of vintage output (so they can be crystal clean), but can be boosted nicely by the preamp. The stock pickups sound very cutting with distortion and the boost on zero, so I don't think they were intended to be used without the preamp at least partially on. From doing some YouTube research, it looks like the Cool Rail neck and stock middle J200 may be the best compromise, since using two Cool Rails for the #4 sound may not be as nice...
Click to expand...

i think if i remember correctly to fit a cool/hot rail you need to dremel out a small area inside the cavity for the lead to fit. Other than that there should be no problem. I could be wrong so you best do research

The j200r's in my fusion are awesome i am happy i never traded them out. Sometimes pickups grow on you.

2 options
- Cut a part of wood off the guitar (rounding the cavity), to make room for the "ear" of the pickup. But we've got the paint the raw wood to hide the cut, and this could be always a pain in the ass.
- Cut the "ear" off the pickup, removing the two cables and so on... Could be easy, or not ?!?


http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/5650-New-Member-Help-with-Charvel-Model-6-Hot-Rails-neck-position-!!!-m

 
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Re: NGD Charvel 475 Exotic!

I confirmed the PA Stacks do fit in the 475. :D Sorry for the amateur pictures.... :oo

PATB2_AussieStrap.jpg


FullPAset.jpg


PATB2.jpg


I've rarely seen a full set like this in any guitar (never in any Charvel), although occasionally in a Hamer USA Californian. The PA Stacks do sound somewhat traditional, although bigger than vintage single coils and with slightly less twang. I have heard some say they were P90ish, but I don't get that vibe. Regardless, with the Charvel's mid boost at zero, they are great for classic cleans, and when cranked, they are very warm and smooth with semi-rail pickup style lead tone (very full, but with clarity). I already knew what to expect with the Duncan Distortion. Excellent pickups, although I must praise the stock Jackson pickups in my other 475. The Jackson singles are dead on vintage style without hum, and the J50BC and has distinct "shriek" in the upper register when playing fast that I don't get with the DD. That shriek adds a certain X-factor, a level of intensity, to fast leads. So the Duncans did transform the personality of the 475, but I wouldn't call them superior to the stockers, just different. Nice to be able to have both.

Picked up a nice brown leather strap from Australia to set off the new look. Very happy with the sound and visuals. The flamed maple adds a touch of vintage, and the rest is all hot rod Charvel, with a very modern appearance for the PATB set.
 
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