The Charvel electric guitar brand has existed since 1974. The founder, Wayne Charvel, quit a job at Fender to begin his own business. He quickly earned a reputation for outstanding custom finishes and aftermarket modifications. Charvel then started building and selling complete guitars. He later sold the company to Grover Jackson, who expanded it.
Fender purchased the brand name in 2002 and has kept the ’80s flavor of the guitars. A person who wants to purchase a Charvel electric guitar will have several options, including the San Dimas and DK models. However, these guitars share some features, including those mentioned below.
Shared Features
Charvel electric guitars share features like the neck curve and compound radius fingerboard. These models also have jumbo frets and quality bridges. Most models come with locking tremolos. However, the company is now offering hardtail guitars.
Guitar Styles
Charvel guitars come in two styles: the first has a Strat body, and the second has a Telecaster silhouette. The San Dimas guitar is named after where the company started, and this model does not have a pickguard. So Cal models, in contrast, come with a pickguard.
DK or dinky guitars are smaller instruments. The body is slightly sharper than that seen with a Strat, and they are lightweight. The deep cutaways found on these instruments make top fret shredding easier. Musicians may choose from several pickup configurations, and these guitars come with either a Gotoh 510 or a hardtail. They typically have 24 frets, two more than the San Dimas and So Cal models. Musicians love these models because they offer a boutique experience at an excellent price. The hardware is of the highest quality.
Artist Guitars
Charvel is known for endorsing stars, something they have been doing since their glory days in the 1980s. While hair metal is not as popular today as it was back then, people still love the guitars produced by this company. Certain guitars in the lineup use the proper Fender body and headstock shapes. Musicians love having a guitar that looks like a Fender but offers better performance and a bigger sound.
Several artist guitar models are available today. Warren DeMartini and Satchel are two 80s metal guys with guitars offered through Charvel, and Jim Root of Slipknot is a contemporary player with an artist guitar provided through the company. Guthrie Govan uses a Charvel guitar for his signature axe, and any musician would love to own a guitar similar to the one he uses, as he is one of the best guitarists today. They know they will be getting an outstanding instrument.
Manufacturing Locations
The company makes guitars in Japan and the US. A Charvel manufacturing facility is also located in Mexico, and the instruments produced there are exceptional. Regardless of the manufacturing location, when purchasing a Charvel, musicians will know they’re getting a quality guitar.
Charvel has come a long way since the company first launched. People think back to the days when rock music was fun and loud. They remember the big hair and fast cars of this time. The company continues to build on its reputation under Fender’s custodianship. These guitars outshine everything else in their price range. Most guitarists will find an instrument they love from this manufacturer and may even discover they want to own several because these guitars are exceptional.
