In the late 1970s, Wayne Charvel´s Guitar Repair shop in Azusa, California acquired a reputation for making custom, high-quality bodies and necks. Grover Jackson began working at the shop in 1977, and a year later bought out Charvel and moved the company to San Dimas. Jackson debuted the Charvel custom guitars at the 1979 NAMM show, and the first catalog depicting the bolt-neck beauties and custom options arrived in 1981.
The standard models from Charvel Manufacturing carried a list price between $880 and $955, and the amount of custom options was staggering. In 1983, the Charvel company began offering neck-through models under the Jackson trademark.
Grover Jackson licensed the Charvel trademark to the International Music Corporation (IMC) in 1985; the company was sold to them a year later. In late 1986, production facilities were moved to Ontario, California. Distribution eventually switched from Charvel/Jackson to the Jackson/Charvel Guitar company, currently a branch of the Akai Musical Instruments company. As the years went by and the Charvel line expanded, its upper end models were phased out and moved into the Jackson line (which had been the Charvel/Jackson Company´s line of custom made instruments) and were gaining more popularity. For example, the Charvel Avenger (Mfg. 1991 to 1992), became the Jackson Rhoads EX Pro (mfg. 1992-recent). For further details, see the Jackson guitars section in this edition.
In 1988, Charvel sent a crew of luthiers to Japan for a year or so to crosstrain the Japanese builders on building methods for custom-built guitars. The resulting custom instruments had a retail list price between $1,000 and $1,300. U.S. custom-built guitars have a four-digit serial number the Japanese custom-built models have a six-digit serial number. Numbers may be prefaced with a "C," which may stand for "custom-made" (this point has not been completely verified).
By the early 1990s, the only Charvel models left were entry level ´Strat´-style electrics and dreadnought and jumbo-style (full-bodied and cutaways) acoustic guitars. In the late 1990s, even the electrics were phased out in favor of the acoustic and acoustic/electric models. During 1999, instruments with the Charvel trademark had ceased production, and Wayne Charvel began building a new line of instruments utilizing the Wayne Guitars trademark.
Jackson purchased the rights to Charvel and by 2002 were producing guitars once again. In the fall of 2002, Fender (FMIC) purchased the Jackson/Charvel corporation. Currently Jackson/Charvel still produces guitars in their manufacturing facilities and these are distributed by FMIC (early Charvel history courtesy Baker Rorick, Guitar Shop magazine; additional information courtesy Roland Lozier, Lozier Piano & Music). The first series of guitars released by FMIC was the Pro Series, which lasted until 2003. In 2004, Charvel started producing their U.S. guitars again with the USA Standard Series. Since Charvel has the longest running custom shop in the guitar industry and most people want to customize their guitars, they discontinued all standard production models besides the Eddie Van Halen and Warren DeMartini models in 2006. Charvel now offers a full line of U.S.-built custom models that are typically available in limited series. In mid-2011, Charvel began a large marketing campaign for Desolation. Visit Charvel's website for more information.
Instruments currently produced in the San Dimas, CA and distributed by the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation. Instruments previously produced in Korea. The Charvel trademark was established in 1978 by the Charvel Manufacturing Company. Distributed by Jackson/Charvel Guitar Company (Akai Musical Instruments) of Fort Worth, TX. Charvel instruments were previously manufactured in the U.S. between 1978 and 1985. Later (post-1985) production was in U.S., Japan, and Korea.

CHARVEL Electric Guitars Models

CHARVEL CHS 1 Image

CHARVEL CHS 1

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, screened peghead logo, six-on-one-side tuners, JT-480 standard vibrato, white pickguard, three single coil exposed picku...

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS BASS (NO. 282-1002/1012/1022) Image

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS BASS (NO. 282-1002/1012/1022)

- offset double cutway (P-Style) alder body, bolt-on quartersawn eastern hard rock maple neck, 21-fret ebony, maple, or rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, four-on-one-side tuners, Badass Bass II bridge, P/J Bassline pickups, three knobs,...

CHARVEL EVH ART SERIES (NO. 282-7801/7802/7803) Image

CHARVEL EVH ART SERIES (NO. 282-7801/7802/7803)

- offset double cutaway basswood body, bolt-on quartersawn eastern hard rock maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard, six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose tremolo and locking nut, black pickguard, single EVH custom wound humbucker pickup, EVH D...

CHARVEL ST CUSTOM Image

CHARVEL ST CUSTOM

- offset double cutaway two-piece ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, lock down saddle vibrato bridge, pearloid pickguard, four single coil-sized humbucker pickups (two a...

CHARVEL SURFCASTER BASS Image

CHARVEL SURFCASTER BASS

- offset double rounded cutaway semi-hollow basswood body, single cat's-eye bound soundhole, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl inlays, bound matching finish headstock with two-per-side tuners, fixed br...

CHARVEL MODEL 1B Image

CHARVEL MODEL 1B

- offset double cutaway P-Bass style poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, single J-20 split P-style pickup, two knobs (v,...

CHARVEL 275 DELUXE Image

CHARVEL 275 DELUXE

- offset double cutaway Strat-style hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose licensed double locking vibrato, one J100 single...

CHARVEL CHS-4 Image

CHARVEL CHS-4

- offset double cutaway P-style alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, four-on-one-side tuners, JB-340 fixed bridge, one split coil P-style and one J-style pickups, three knobs (v, tone, balance), chro...

CHARVEL FUSION IV Image

CHARVEL FUSION IV

- offset double cutaway uniquely-shaped hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck without heel, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot and 12th fret Charvel block inlays, hockey stick-style matching finish headstock with four-on-one-sid...

CHARVEL 575 DELUXE Image

CHARVEL 575 DELUXE

- offset double cutaway P-style hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J20 split coil P-style (neck) and one J50 J-...

CHARVEL SURFCASTER Image

CHARVEL SURFCASTER

- offset double rounded cutaway asymmetrical semi-hollow basswood body, one cat's-eye bound f-hole on bass bout, bound body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl shark fin inlays, bound matching finish headstock...

CHARVEL STANDARD 1 Image

CHARVEL STANDARD 1

- offset double cutaway hardwood body, white pickguard, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, standard vibrato, six-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, single DiMarzio humbucker pickup, volume control, availab...

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS I Image

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS I

- offset double cutaway koa, lacewood, or mahogany body, bolt-on bird's-eye maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, screened peghead logo, six-on-one-side Gotoh tuners, double locking Floyd Rose vibrato, two exposed h...

CHARVEL CS 10 Image

CHARVEL CS 10

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, GR-6 steel fulcrum vibrato, six-per-side tuners, pickguard, three single coil pickups, two knobs (v, tone), five-way switch, ch...

CHARVEL CX290 Image

CHARVEL CX290

- offset double cutaway Strat-style basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, JT-480 standard vibrato, white pickguard, three single coil Jackson pickups, two knobs (v, ton...

CHARVEL JOURNEYMAN (NO. 292-0100) Image

CHARVEL JOURNEYMAN (NO. 292-0100)

- double cutaway alder body, bolt-on quartersawn maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, single Seymour Duncan humbucking pickup, coil-tap switch, two knobs (v, tone), six-on-one-side tuners, vintage-style bridge with...

CHARVEL MODEL 1 Image

CHARVEL MODEL 1

- offset double cutaway Strat-style basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, Fulcrum vibrato bridge, single J90-C humbucker pickup, single volume knob, black hardware, availa...

CHARVEL FUSION CUSTOM Image

CHARVEL FUSION CUSTOM

- offset double cutaway Strat-style 7/8-sized body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style matching finish headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose licensed double locking vibrato...

CHARVEL LS-1 Image

CHARVEL LS-1

- offset double cutaway asymmetrical bound carved mahogany body, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, bound blackface headstock with screened logo, three-per-side tuners, JT-390 tune-o-matic-style bridge,...

CHARVEL CHS 2 Image

CHARVEL CHS 2

- similar to the CHS 1, except has one humbucker pickup in the bridge position for an HSS configuration, available in Black, Bright Red, Metallic Blue, or Snow White finish, mfg. 1995-96.

CHARVEL STAR BASS (NO. 282-1003/1013/1023) Image

CHARVEL STAR BASS (NO. 282-1003/1013/1023)

- star-shaped body with extended upper treble and lower bass horns, bolt-on quartersawn eastern hard rock maple neck, 21-fret ebony, maple, or rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, four-on-one-side tuners, Badass Bass II bridge, P/J Bassline...

CHARVEL MODEL 2B Image

CHARVEL MODEL 2B

- offset double cutaway P-Bass style poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J-20 split P-style and one J-150 J-style...

CHARVEL CX490 Image

CHARVEL CX490

- offset double cutaway P-style poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J-30P split coil P-style (neck) and one J-160 J-style (bridge) pickups, three kn...

CHARVEL 850 XL Image

CHARVEL 850 XL

- offset double cutaway P-style hardwood body, maple NTB, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, hockey stick-style matching finish headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J20 split coil P-style (neck) and one...

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS II Image

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS II

- similar to the San Dimas I, except has a standard Wilkinson vibrato, locking Sperzel tuners, and black hardware, available in Natural Oil finish, mfg. 1995-96.

CHARVEL Model 1A Image

CHARVEL Model 1A

- similar to the Model 1, except has a pickguard, three J-100 single coil pickups, three knobs (v, two tone), and a five-way pickup switch, mfg. 1986-89.

CHARVEL LSX-I Image

CHARVEL LSX-I

- offset double cutaway asymmetrical ash body, figured maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, blackface headstock with screened logo, three-per-side tuners, Wilkinson VS-100 vibrato bridge with roller...

CHARVEL FUSION DELUXE Image

CHARVEL FUSION DELUXE

- offset double cutaway Strat-style 7/8-sized body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays or rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose lice...

CHARVEL 375 DELUXE Image

CHARVEL 375 DELUXE

- offset double cutaway Strat-style hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays or rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose licen...

CHARVEL CHS 3 Image

CHARVEL CHS 3

- similar to the CHS 1, except has a 24-fret fingerboard, no pickguard, and two exposed humbucker pickups, available in Black, Bright Red, Metallic Blue, or Snow White finish, mfg. 1995-96.

CHARVEL STX CUSTOM (SECOND VERSION) Image

CHARVEL STX CUSTOM (SECOND VERSION)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style basswood or ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, JT-590 vibrato bridge, pearloid pickguard, two J-100 single coil (neck, middle) and on...

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS STYLE 1 2-H (NO. 282-5001) Image

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS STYLE 1 2-H (NO. 282-5001)

- offset double cutaway Strat-style alder body, bolt-on quartersawn maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, Strat-style headstock, six-on-one-side Grover tuners, double locking Floyd Rose vibrato bridge, no pickguard, t...

CHARVEL MODEL 3B Image

CHARVEL MODEL 3B

- offset double cutaway P-Bass style poplar body, maple NTB, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock with four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one J-20 split P-style and one J-150 J-style pickups,...

CHARVEL ELIMINATOR Image

CHARVEL ELIMINATOR

- offset double cutaway uniquely-shaped hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, four-on-one-side tuners, fixed bridge, one split coil P-style (neck) and one J-style (bridge) pickups, four knobs...

CHARVEL Surfcaster HT/SCI Image

CHARVEL Surfcaster HT/SCI

- similar to the Surfcaster, except has a JT-390 tune-o-matic-style bridge and a trapeze "C" cutout tailpiece, available in Black, Magenta, Metallic Violet, or Turquoise finish, mfg. 1992-96.

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS III Image

CHARVEL SAN DIMAS III

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, quilted maple top, bolt-on bird's-eye maple neck, 24-fret pau ferro fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, screened headstock logo, six-on-one-side Gotoh tuners, double locking Floyd Rose vibrato, two singl...

CHARVEL MODEL A (NO. 292-0200) Image

CHARVEL MODEL A (NO. 292-0200)

- double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on quartersawn maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, 2 Live Wire Metal Seymour Duncan pickups, 3-way switch, 2 knobs (v, tone), six-on-one-side tuners, black hardware, JT580LP Doubl...

CHARVEL CX390 Image

CHARVEL CX390

- offset double cutaway Strat-style basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, six-on-one-side tuners, JT-580 double locking vibrato, black pickguard, two single coil (neck, middle) and one humbuck...

CHARVEL FUSION PLUS Image

CHARVEL FUSION PLUS

- offset double cutaway Strat-style 7/8-sized two-piece ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with offset pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style matching finish headstock with six-on-one-side tuners, vibrato bridge, two e...