I love Charvel, they’re some of the best playing guitars from back then. Just wish they did a little more in the paint job department. The few crackles and crazy paint jobs I have seen from them are always fantastic. Great video man!
I have a 475 Deluxe I’ve been meaning to talk about along with my similar Model 4’s, but I don’t have the other later ones. I’ve sold most of my Charvels at this point (both guitars in this video already sold off)
If I recall the midboost was active and required a battery. A friend of mine owned one of these Model 5s. I preferred the Kahler to a Floyd style trem. Set up right they worked great.
I have a model 5fx. Almost mint. I've had it since 1990. My parents bought it for me used as a high school graduation present at 8th Street Music in Philadelphia. I've had it 33 years. Has the JT6 Trem, J-95 and J-100 pickups all stock. I was wondering what pots came stock in the 5Fx. Was it 500k Alpha pots? That's what I've read. Let me know if you know for sure
I also have a Charvel Model 5FX too 😊 I got it as a Christmas gift from my parents years ago and has an old gold Original Floyd Rose tremolo on it and old EMG-81 and either an SA or S in the neck
Just to clarify your model description is backwards the single hum guitar is the model 5. The double hum guitar is the 5A this follows the model names from the other model series ie model 2 is single hum, model 3A is the double hum. And yes all 5Fx are model 5 modified guitars. The reason given by our charvel rep and first hand experience was that for the price difference most people looking for a single hum guitar would buy the model 2 vs model 5. At the time although guys like Warren, Lynch, etc we’re using single hum, or hum/single guitars the hum/single/single guitars were really what sold the most. Once they modded the 5fx it sold much better and there were dealer incentives that made them even more attractive. But the 5vs the 2 was a hard sell unless you really wanted the 24 frets and neck through. Model 2’s we’re going out the door for about $450 ish but the model 5 was $750-$850. And by way of comparison a Les Paul standard was approx $900 and a custom was $1,200. This was 1980’s dollars and that was a LOT more money at the time! Btw I worked as a “box boy” for a music store that carried Charvel in the 80’s and centered my life around when the Charvel rep came around and bugged the crap out of him as a fanboy teenager lol
Rock on dude. I am correct about the models though - the ‘88 catalog shows it clearly, 5 is HH and 5A is just H. Here: images.app.goo.gl/CLTGijwmX8JCs8t2A
Very nice guitar. It sounds great, even at low gain! Amp sounds killer too. Have u done a video on that? That would be cool. Or if you could give some info about it. Thanks man another great video. Best new gear channel! Keep it up!
The pickups were definitely close to the Duncan Custom SH-5 which was a very popular pickup in the metal shred community. I used them myself back then and still do. I played the Sunset Strip with a number of silly hair metal bands and the Custom really cut through a mix in any guitar. Most players would just use a JB back then in any guitar and I used it too but I like using the Custom more because of its clarity. I always thought it was the best pickup for a George Lynch tone.
I have a mint white 1986 model 5 with the case. I bought it from a lady who got it through her uncle's estate. He bought it and put it under the bed and never played it. I bought it off her for $40. It's an amazing guitar! I run it through my Marshall DSL-40. I also have a model 1 that I traded a guy for motorcycle parts.
I'm literally looking at one for sale near me for $1600, and that's in line with the two I see on Reverb right now. You are insanely lucky to have gotten such a good deal on one.
Hey, I am not sure as this one had an EMG when I got it so the original pot was long gone. Most Charvels of this time with 500k audio taper pots for volume but that's as much info as I have
helpful video, thank you! Just about to pickup a 5A!
I have a 5A and took the tremolo and has a fixed bridge now
Still playing my 5a
I bought a 1987 Model 5 new for $749 when I was 15 (35 years ago). Loved that guitar . . . Thanks for the nostalgia.
Damn that was high! What state or country?
i bought a model 6 in lava finish bodywork, same year in 87 , still have it and still in good nick
I love Charvel, they’re some of the best playing guitars from back then. Just wish they did a little more in the paint job department. The few crackles and crazy paint jobs I have seen from them are always fantastic. Great video man!
Thanks! I’ve got a rainbow crackle model 4 that looks amazing
Made some review for charvel tooth paste logo 1989-90, like 450, 550 xl, 650 xl
I have a 475 Deluxe I’ve been meaning to talk about along with my similar Model 4’s, but I don’t have the other later ones. I’ve sold most of my Charvels at this point (both guitars in this video already sold off)
If I recall the midboost was active and required a battery. A friend of mine owned one of these Model 5s. I preferred the Kahler to a Floyd style trem. Set up right they worked great.
Personally I liked the Kahler model better.
I like them too but they are definitely more polarizing that floyd-type bridges
Cool Guitars I have a Charvel Fusion Deluxe 👍🏻
Had one of those, loved the pickups but ended up selling it. Great guitar especially for the price!
I have a model 5fx. Almost mint. I've had it since 1990. My parents bought it for me used as a high school graduation present at 8th Street Music in Philadelphia. I've had it 33 years. Has the JT6 Trem, J-95 and J-100 pickups all stock. I was wondering what pots came stock in the 5Fx. Was it 500k Alpha pots? That's what I've read. Let me know if you know for sure
I also have a Charvel Model 5FX too 😊 I got it as a Christmas gift from my parents years ago and has an old gold Original Floyd Rose tremolo on it and old EMG-81 and either an SA or S in the neck
Just to clarify your model description is backwards the single hum guitar is the model 5. The double hum guitar is the 5A this follows the model names from the other model series ie model 2 is single hum, model 3A is the double hum. And yes all 5Fx are model 5 modified guitars. The reason given by our charvel rep and first hand experience was that for the price difference most people looking for a single hum guitar would buy the model 2 vs model 5. At the time although guys like Warren, Lynch, etc we’re using single hum, or hum/single guitars the hum/single/single guitars were really what sold the most. Once they modded the 5fx it sold much better and there were dealer incentives that made them even more attractive. But the 5vs the 2 was a hard sell unless you really wanted the 24 frets and neck through. Model 2’s we’re going out the door for about $450 ish but the model 5 was $750-$850. And by way of comparison a Les Paul standard was approx $900 and a custom was $1,200. This was 1980’s dollars and that was a LOT more money at the time! Btw I worked as a “box boy” for a music store that carried Charvel in the 80’s and centered my life around when the Charvel rep came around and bugged the crap out of him as a fanboy teenager lol
Rock on dude. I am correct about the models though - the ‘88 catalog shows it clearly, 5 is HH and 5A is just H. Here:
images.app.goo.gl/CLTGijwmX8JCs8t2A
Actually you are backwards and the video is spot on. Look it up. I have 9 model 5's all 2 Hums. I have 1 model 5A with single hum.
Very nice guitar. It sounds great, even at low gain! Amp sounds killer too. Have u done a video on that? That would be cool. Or if you could give some info about it. Thanks man another great video. Best new gear channel! Keep it up!
Thanks! I definitely want to do a video on those PWE amps, they are very cool
@@totallyradguitars959 Awesome. Thanks man have a good one!
The pickups were definitely close to the Duncan Custom SH-5 which was a very popular pickup in the metal shred community. I used them myself back then and still do. I played the Sunset Strip with a number of silly hair metal bands and the Custom really cut through a mix in any guitar. Most players would just use a JB back then in any guitar and I used it too but I like using the Custom more because of its clarity. I always thought it was the best pickup for a George Lynch tone.
Love your website and am stoked to see you making videos too! Thanks for taking the time man
I have a mint white 1986 model 5 with the case. I bought it from a lady who got it through her uncle's estate. He bought it and put it under the bed and never played it. I bought it off her for $40. It's an amazing guitar! I run it through my Marshall DSL-40. I also have a model 1 that I traded a guy for motorcycle parts.
$40! Wow! That's an incredible deal
I'm literally looking at one for sale near me for $1600, and that's in line with the two I see on Reverb right now. You are insanely lucky to have gotten such a good deal on one.
Do you know what pot came on the Model 5A? Was it an Alpha 500K in the bridge?
Hey, I am not sure as this one had an EMG when I got it so the original pot was long gone. Most Charvels of this time with 500k audio taper pots for volume but that's as much info as I have
@@totallyradguitars959 no worries. Thanks for the reply . Have a great day
Over 7 minutes in before you start playing makes it really hard to stay interested. Sorry man...
What can I say, these videos are about the specs, details, and history - not clickbait guitar trick videos