Old Charvel

[Watershed]

Allright, now we are getting somewhere.
You know, those can be sharpened with a dremel and a stone bit.

Although, it may mess with the temper of the steel.
Perhaps a rounded file would be better.
Yea, rounded file.

James

 

[MUYFUE]

You guys always give such logical advice!  :icon_thumright:

The "collection of parts" thinking is the way I think about it too.

The trem does look a bit beat up, but not too bad. It can be re-shaped.
I personally think that a harware upgrade is never a waste of money.

On the other hand,

Ewwhhhh, that's a nasty crack, it looks more than just in the finish. I would dare to say there in lies your problem, I don't believe it's the Floyd...

As for a new bridge, a real Floyd should fit no problem... :icon_thumright:

That crack does look pretty bad, but it might be superficial...maybe...hopefully. I'd still fix it though, cracks there make me very nervous. 

 

[exaN]

Allright, now we are getting somewhere.
You know, those can be sharpened with a dremel and a stone bit.

Although, it may mess with the temper of the steel.
Perhaps a rounded file would be better.
Yea, rounded file.

James

I'd prefer just buying a new one instead
All gold hardware  :icon_thumright:

 

[Watershed]

Nice!
:guitarplayer2:

Still, I'd consider some of this (thin):
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Stewart-MacDonald_Super_Glues/Super_Glue.html

With a whip tip for precise application:
http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/1182?actn=100101&xst=1&xsr=0010

Run some along the crack, and the inside of the neck pocket for good measure.
Something to consider.  I find uses for Superglue all the time.

James

 

[exaN]

Nice!
:guitarplayer2:

Still, I'd consider some of this (thin):
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Stewart-MacDonald_Super_Glues/Super_Glue.html

With a whip tip for precise application:
http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/product/1182?actn=100101&xst=1&xsr=0010

Run some along the crack, and the inside of the neck pocket for good measure.
Something to consider.  I find uses for Superglue all the time.

James

Oh yeah I will definitely try it out, thanks for the links!

 

[dmraco]

no screws...not enough material, plus those are too far down.

  The Flex test would show if is is all the way thru.  The floyd does show some wear.  Is the locking unit worn at all?

What does the neckplate say?  The toothpaste is not a good way of telling.  Mine has the Charvel shaped like a guitar and it is USA made. 

sorry to harp in this but is speaks to the value of the guitar and what you may wantto do to fix it.

 

[exaN]

no screws...not enough material, plus those are too far down.

 The Flex test would show if is is all the way thru.  The floyd does show some wear.  Is the locking unit worn at all?

What does the neckplate say?  The toothpaste is not a good way of telling.  Mine has the Charvel shaped like a guitar and it is USA made.  

sorry to harp in this but is speaks to the value of the guitar and what you may wantto do to fix it.

I've tried flexing the crack without the neck, it moves VERY VERY little in only one spot (had to do it for 5 minutes before really noticing anything).

I also made some research a couple months ago and turns out that this Charvel model with the toothpaste logo really are imported and the guitar shaped ones are USA made.

I'll inspect other hardware pieces and get some pictures up tonight.

 

[exaN]

locking nuts:

mounting studs:

 

[dmraco]

either way they are fine guitars...some of the best imports around.  The USA ones are just a little more collectable and worth keeping original.

 

[exaN]

either way they are fine guitars...some of the best imports around.  The USA ones are just a little more collectable and worth keeping original.

Very true. As far as playability goes, I can't choose between this Charvel and my PGM301!

Just hope the whole modding thing works out

 

[blue313]

Definitely file the knife edges, those are toast.  Put some chapstick in the stud groove for lubrication before reinstalling.

 

[exaN]

Definitely file the knife edges, those are toast.  Put some chapstick in the stud groove for lubrication before reinstalling.

Ok, I think I'll just buy a new one, put some thin glue as far as I can in the crack, and see how it turns out.

 

[AndyG]

Definitely file the knife edges, those are toast.  Put some chapstick in the stud groove for lubrication before reinstalling.

Ok, I think I'll just buy a new one, put some thin glue as far as I can in the crack, and see how it turns out.

Hey if putting a new Floyd on your old Charvel doesn't solve the problem, you've got a new floyd that you can use to build a new guitar around!

 

[elgravos]

Go with the new floyd.  I had a similar issue recently (no crack though) and that did the trick.  Before you spend any money you may also want to try swapping out the trem springs.  those can wear down with the years and cause a lot of tuning problems.

 

[exaN]

Go with the new floyd.  I had a similar issue recently (no crack though) and that did the trick.  Before you spend any money you may also want to try swapping out the trem springs.  those can wear down with the years and cause a lot of tuning problems.

Yeah, for now I tried filing the edges, I'll string it up and see how it goes. I'll let you guys know if it works.

 

[exaN]

I JUST tried it out with the new strings and if you take in consideration that I'm playing on new strings, I can see a CLEAR amelioration after filing and lubricating the edges. It also doesn't make the crack move at all, or at least from what I can see with my naked eyes.

I'm now pretty convinced that was the problem, thanks a lot again for the helpful info!


EDIT: Abused the tremolo so much I broke a string already haha, I think the bridge is just broken right now because I've played with it too much when it was out of the guitar . I'll be ordering a new trem soon .

 

[exaN]

I might buy this body instead: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-80s-Jackson-Charvel-Ft-Worth-U-S-A-Alder-Body_W0QQitemZ380174112853QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item5884249855

What kind of bridge fits into that? A Wilkinson?

 

[dmraco]

looks like a top mount floyd.

 

[exaN]

looks like a top mount floyd.

Oh so there's no cavity for the back of the bridge or is it more like a Kahler?

 

[dmraco]

looks like a top mount floyd.

Oh so there's no cavity for the back of the bridge or is it more like a Kahler?

there is a cavity...hard to see because of the blue surface it is sitting on.  look at the photo of the back.