Resurrecting a Charvel

[LazNovak]

Hey everyone. Id like to know what you would do to this guitar. Pickups, hardware, paint.. etc...

It's a 1987 Charvel Model 3A. Specs here. http://www.charvelusa.com/japanese_charvel_1987.html


Here is the guitar.

Thanks!

 

[rumy22]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Depends on the sound you want

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

I'd like to know what you would do if it were your guitar.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

High output pups and play. I like everything else.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

One of the sets with odd pole pieces. I can compensate for tone but I like odd pickups.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Oh man! The things i would do to that. I have a charvel spectrum i am going to trade for and i am thinking i may need to refinish that too.

Do it like my cheapey charvel, I am going to make and or mod a neck with 25ish frets for it. One day anyway.


Hows the finish on the 3A? Is it chip free and in decent condition?

 

[Archer250]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Me: JB + Jazz, Gotoh Floyd Rose, change fretboard to maple, and paint it redburst.

 

[LReese]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Probably a C5/Jazz, thorough DNA removal and make sure the frets are level. Doesn't look like it needs all that much.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

CC/PG, leave everything else.

 

[ChAoZ]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

I would buy the pickups below and put them in the boxes of a couple of pickups of my choice ie: D-Activator x in the bridge and whatever in the neck cos I don't use 'em ,then I could return it to standard if needed in years to come for maximum investment return - wow that makes me sound old
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-TWO-...405?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c406d8065

 

[Diego]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

That Charvel looks so promising!
I'd replace pots and the switch, and drop some nice hot pickups, Blackouts or something. No repainting or anything like that.
Oh, also check the frets, nut and see if the trussrod is working OK. Check the neck, hope it isn't warped...

 

[DankStar]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

I'd go Duncan distortion/dimarzio humbucker from hell & leave the rest as is (aside from normal cleaning things and addition of selector knob)

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

If it were me electronics-wise I'd use a 3-way switch, two push pulls for volume and tone that would split the neck and bridge pickup respectively and the treble bleed mod on the volume pot.
Pickups-wise I'd put a Duncan Alternate 8 for the bridge and if I can't have a FuglyBucker for the neck (I LOVE that pickup) then a Suhr Doug Aldrich or a Duncan Jazz, in that order of preference.
BTW, the Fuglybucker bridge is also an amazing pickup with incredibly great split tones but for the bridge I usually opt for sth with a little more oomph.

A good setup making sure all the metal parts are clean and in good working condition and then play the heck out of it!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

I have Full Shreds in mine and tuned to D.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

I'd like to know what you would do if it were your guitar.

I had that exact guitar...

I sold it.

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Thanks for the replies! I'm surprised most of you kept it simple and didn't opt to change the bridge, which is one of the worst floyds ever made.

Good one, Ayrton lol! This is my first guitar and I bought it with my own money. I'l never sell it. It does need new frets but, thankfully, the neck is straight.
The paint is cracked and chipped in a few spots too.

It used to have a Duncan Custom in the bridge and Full Shred in the neck. The pickup in the bridge now is a late 80s Dimarzio Al Di Meola.

I was thinking of putting in a set of Black Winters with new electronics, a good Floyd, stainless steel frets and painting it some kind of red.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Schaller Floyd, Duncan Distortion bridge and 59er neck, matched up 500K pots from RS Guitarworks, new switchcraft toggle switch if needed, new jack input if needed, bridge setup as required and done! :headbang: :cool2:

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Good one, Ayrton lol! This is my first guitar and I bought it with my own money. I'l never sell it. It does need new frets but, thankfully, the neck is straight.
The paint is cracked and chipped in a few spots too.

Well in that case, I would just swap the bridge, and pups. I would not repaint it myself... (I like the color).

 

[Ironikaika]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Chrome original Floyd, brass knobs, white switch tip, creme rings and pups. I'd try a Super D in the bridge and a PAF pro. in the neck and a pro mod neck to complete the look.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Resurrecting a Charvel

Change the bridge, swap in either a JB/Jazz or Super D/PAF set, tend to the frets and play away.

If I was going to do anything beyond that, I'd spray the body hot pink and slap on black zebra/tiger stripes