Charvel Guitars - anyone got the lowdown on 'em?

ferdi

Charvel Charvette P style-Bass goin cheap and i was thinking of making a quick cheap buy.

dont know anything about the "Charvel Charvette P-Bass" (pic below) and also dont know anything about the brand in general althouth i think its in league with Jackson Guitars which are bitchin' but this makes me fear that as Squire is to Fender, Charvel is to Jackson.

any thoughts or info?

feylya

By all accounts, Charvel are quite a decent brand (if memory serves).

Doctor J

Yup, Charvel is a Jackson subsidiary, initially they used to be a custom high-end guitar maker for EVH and his ilk. Charvel seemed to become Jackson's version of Squier and Charvette is Charvels version of Squier, if you know what I mean.

It's firewood. Stay away.

ferdi

2 conflicting reports head people!

anyone know for sure?

Doctor J

Nope, not conflicting at all.

Jackson were the top of the line, neck through, custom woods, Made in USA, great pickups, etc.

Charvel were the bolt on necks, lesser woods, non USA made, stock pickups, though decent enough.

Charvette were probably made from cardboard. They were Krapp! They don't make them anymore, let that be your guide.

That bass is a Charvette, therefore, logic dictates it sucks.

Early Jackson/Charvels had this logo
and are the better ones. The overall quality started to slide by the time the Charvel logo became like the Jackson one. Seriously, avoid Charvette like you'd avoid a pint of tramp's puke.

feylya

Go with doctor J here. I may be getting confused with Carvin.

RicardoSmith

Charvels are great, Charvette is the yellow pack, euroshopper version. Decent as a beginners quitar only. They used to be made ok, but they used cheaper timber, hardware and electrics.

Charvel themselves are pretty good though. I used to have a few Charvels in the past and loved them. Haven't any experience of the current range and their build quality.

ferdi

feck it anyway, i thought i had struck upon a deal.

that bass and a 100watt carlsboro combo for 350.:rolleyes:

feylya

Ah, that's pretty good for the amp.

ferdi

yeah i can get the amp for 200 sepratly - good plan?

RicardoSmith

Yeah look at it as free bass with amp and it will seem like a better deal.

ferdi

i already have a good amp that serves all my ampish needs, a good investment maybe?

feylya

A bass for €150 that you could easily sell for €200 to some fool. I'd say go for it!

Doctor J

Anyone who plays that bass, even a beginner, will know it's not worth €100, let alone €200.

I'd say go for the amp, even if you don't need it, you'd make money selling it on... but that bass... I mean, it looks like a great deal but... It's Encore standard... you might get stuck with it.