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Post subject: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 3:39 pm
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So I see this thing on a wall..

Image

And I'm thinking, what is that? Is this someone's pieced together guitar? I've never really seen a Charvel like that. I ask to look at it, and the price tag says $220. Hmmm.. That is interesting.

I immediately notice that it has Seymour Duncan pickups. Which ones? Who knows. Does it matter?

Has a perfect neck, frets like new, cool roller nut, locking tuners, Wilkinson floating bridge.

Image

Why do they tempt me like this? I HAVE to buy this. The body style is much like a Washburn BT which I'm not really a fan of. But the neck, pickups, and hardware alone make it worth the price.

I get it home, and of course, it's time to take a look at what's under the surface. My initial thoughts were that I would use the parts for other guitars.

First, I took off the spring cover. One of the springs had come off. There's a very good steel block on this guitar. Nice and beefy, powder coated, and there's a good ringing "ding" sound when you tap on it.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 3:39 pm
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Next, I took a look inside the electronics cavity. An obvious mod job, a little messy, but everything works fine. Has a push/pull tone pot with ceramic cap. Nice little surprise.

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Diggin what I'm seeing so far. Then it was on to the pickups. A very interesting find and surprise. I'm still not sure what to make of it.

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I was thinking even when I was in the place "what pickup set has this Zebra configuration with writing on both pickups in the cream?" I think most tech minded people would have thought the same thing. It's odd for Duncans.

When I took them out, there are stickers on both of them that say "JBL". And that's it. When I did some research on that, it turns out that they're both Handwound JB pickups. The "L" signifies the winder of the pickup. Very cool discovery. But why are there 2 in this guitar?

I put everything back together, strung up the guitar, and took it for a test drive.

What a great guitar! The pickups sound really good. There's no major mismatch, they're balanced, and have a very colorful sound. It doesn't make sense, but whatever works I guess.

This is my first Wilkinson floater, and I love it. The action with the nut is extremely smooth, and can flutter like a Floyd with ease.

So what is this guitar?

After more online searching, it's a 1994/5 Japan built model. Very rare and hard to find. Maybe that's why I hadn't heard of a LSX-1. It's still the only one I've seen in person.

For now, I'm going to leave it as it is. If I decide later on that this body shape doesn't suit me, I might use the parts elsewhere. I'll just enjoy the rarity for now.

So to recap the week, I've run across a good deal on a PRS Baritone, and a great deal on a Charvel (w/ Hard Shell Case).

It's been a good week to say the least.
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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:22 pm
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I dig that Charvel. Good find. I look up and drool over the So-Cal every once in a while.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:48 pm
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It's a really good guitar mechanically, but it's not a great Charvel.

I've had this body shape before, and the way it contours, the high frets end up really close to your body. You almost have to strike a rocker pose to use them while standing. And there's no forearm contour. So we'll see how long I last with this body shape. Luckily, unlike a Washburn BT, it's a 25-1/2" scale neck. So I can put it on a Strat body at any time.

This... Is a great Charvel.
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That's insanely badass.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:27 pm
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It looks like something Eddie Van Halen would design. Pretty cool.


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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:30 pm
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heh, if you don't want it, I'll take it off your hands for $221.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:56 pm
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They temp me too! These are made by Fender now aren't they?

Sexy :oops: :P :oops:

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:12 pm
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Looks like an "interesting" guitar rather than a classic but for that money you just can't go wrong. Seymour Duncans and Wilkinson hardware, even if you part it out it's worth the cash.

And while we're talking Charvel - aren't we overdue for a Surfcaster reissue? And I don't mean those horrible Indian-made ones.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:10 pm
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They gave me a hard case with it too.
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It's not the right one, but whatever. I've got other strat bodied guitars around here that I can use it for.
Great deal.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 8:23 pm
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Check this out.. There was a youtube video posted with this exact guitar. This is the one I bought.


Small world isn't it? Definitely a selling video.

That video was posted in 2009?!!??

No wonder they dropped the price.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:47 am
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First off, very cool guitar ... especially for the modest price.

I am assuming that the SD pups are not stock, correct? IF, however, they are, then I would definitely leave them in there. Charvel has a small but dedicated following, and -- IMHO -- that makes it especially worth keeping together, especially if the guitar is a real player (and based on your review, it sounds like it is). Regardless, great haul on your part. Well done.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:59 am
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Jah Soldier wrote:
So I see this thing on a wall..

Image

And I'm thinking, what is that? Is this someone's pieced together guitar? I've never really seen a Charvel like that. I ask to look at it, and the price tag says $220. Hmmm.. That is interesting.

I immediately notice that it has Seymour Duncan pickups. Which ones? Who knows. Does it matter?

Has a perfect neck, frets like new, cool roller nut, locking tuners, Wilkinson floating bridge.


Image

Why do they tempt me like this? I HAVE to buy this. The body style is much like a Washburn BT which I'm not really a fan of. But the neck, pickups, and hardware alone make it worth the price.

I get it home, and of course, it's time to take a look at what's under the surface. My initial thoughts were that I would use the parts for other guitars.

First, I took off the spring cover. One of the springs had come off. There's a very good steel block on this guitar. Nice and beefy, powder coated, and there's a good ringing "ding" sound when you tap on it.

Image


First off, are you a compulsive shopper? And finally you just plucked a run-of-the-mill guitar that just so happened to be in your neck of the woods. Yea, Yea! :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:37 pm
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Let's see, its got an Ash or Mahogany with Maple top body MIJ. The components look pretty solid: 2-point Wilkerson trem with steel block and factory roller nut, locking tuners, very nice SD PUs. The neck is straight as an arrow (passes the test of time). It may even have SS frets (some Charvels do). Looks pretty good to me. Just because it's not a well known guitar does not make it run of the mill. Could very well be a hidden gem. Like a good Peavey T-60 around the same price. Or a 87 MIJ Squire with Wilkerson :P :P .

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:30 pm
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Yea, when you break this guitar down as far as specs, it's a great deal. The pickups didn't come with the guitar new. But I will say this, the JB bridge is very smooth. The neck pickup needs to come out and be put in the bridge position of another guitar. Even though it's ok as a neck pickup, I think it's best potential is in the bridge. Possibly the Baritone. That's a cool thought.

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Post subject: Re: Why do they tempt me?
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:37 pm
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Another cool find Ted, congrats!

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