Charvel Model 6

i just recently bought a 1988 charvel model 6 (fire crackle finish).model 6's were made in japan i think,most charvels were.
it has 24 frets with shark-tooth inlays,rosewood fret board,and an extremely fast neck,probably the best neck ive ever played.1 volume 2 tone-but the cool thing about this guitar is that it has 3 toggles (one for the bridge,middle,and neck).model 6 (and the 4s) came with a single coil in the neck and middle and a humbucker in the bridge.pickups are jacksons (i think the model 6's had active,or a gain boost or something).model 6's are made from a maple neck and poplar wings (since its neck through).mine came in fire crackle finish,which is a harder on to find then the solid colors but sometimes there on ebay.mine also has the old jackson jt6 liscends floyd,but some came with khalers to,i think the older models.reguler jackson tuners too.the neck is AMAZING the owner before me sanded the paint off and its the faster neck and my favorite neck ive ever played.

it really suits more classic rock,metal,thrash,but i play clean too and the pickups sound pretty good clean,(specially for blues).i run it straight to a marshal dfx100 half stack and it sounds great.the pickups for the most part are about half and half on buzz/noise.it has a pretty bright sound to it,good highs,mids and lows,ive gotten anything from pink floyd (David Gilmore),to van halen (Eddie VH),metal church,and crimson glory(Jon Drenning) i play heavier music for the most part.the only dislike i can have about this guitar is it doesnt have an ebony fretboard,but that really doesn't matter much.

i didnt get mine from the factory i bought it from ebay,(funny story i watched it all week,along with a few other guitars,and right when it had 3 minutes left i bid 10$ more then the other guy and got it for 510$).when you ship a guitar you should always de-tune it so the neck doesnt have a lot of tension on it.so mine came unset up but i brought it to the luthier\tech and he set it up for me,low action,really easy to get to the 24th fret.the only flaws that my guitar had was at the tome of the guitar the paint had been worn,but it was re-painted.

model 6's are all roughly 20+ years old because i think in 1989 they started calling them model 650s.so they have stood the test of time.this guitar is like one of those old ibanez destroyers,it could go through hell and back on stage-but it will never stop working,they just dont make new guitars like they used to,before it was about quality now its about how much you can sell for how cheap.the hardware on the guitar is pretty good,the floyds saddles are starting to wear away-but i was probably gonna replace it anyway.the finish is pretty good,if its lasted 21 years its good.strap buttons are good but im probably going to replace them with locking ones,just to be safe.model 6s have to be one of the most dependable guitars ive played.i would gig without a backup,but its never safe.

never had to deal with them,now charvel is owned by fender,fenders always been pretty good on that.

ive been playing 2 years,and i own an explorer,fender strat,custom made strat,and this charvy(my favorite).if this guitar was ever stolen,ide probably go and find its like family :).i love everything about it,because its everything i was wanting in a guitar (and no guitars today have that,especially for $510)i wish i had another ;).

I am now the proud owner of two Charvel Model 6 six guitars. I bought one brand new circa 1984 and one last night from a seller on Ebay. My first one is Black Cherry and the other is creamy white. The white one is an earlier model and fitted with a Khaler trem system which is the now sought after model. The other guitar has the licenced Floyd Rose trem system. Both have a rosewood fret board with 24 thick frets which I like. Both Trem systems are good but being of a floating nature you break a string and you're bollocksed. The Floyd Rose system has a problem in as much as the Allen screws that lock teh strings in place round off over time and are difficult to replace. With this in mind the Khaler is the better system but are as rare as rocking horse sh*t (yes I'm English).

I like to play rock and blues and find that this guitar does the trick. My original black cherry has been a bit customised as I thought the original Jackson Pickups very weak and replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan distortion and the oher two pickups with SD Geoge Lynch Screamin Demons. I'm going t leave the white one as standard but haven't played it in anger yet. I love teh sound out of the original one. I have to mark this lower due to teh fact it now sounds to my liking after customisation.

The original guitar was set up OK but I took it to a specialist for a better set up. The guitar is finished perfectly I have no complaints

My original model has been used since the early eighties and has stood the test of time. As mentioned teh FLoyd Rose screws are rounding off which is a pain but not impossible to replce. I guess its good for 20 odd years of regular playing. It is totally dependable and belive it or not I have never broken a string despite having an aggressive playing style. I have gigged without a backup but I now have two of them so its OK. I use a Gibson 61 re-issue SG standard occasionally as well.

Never had to bother - its lika Japnese car never breaks down.

I have been playing since the seventees (Google - The Klubs). I use an original Marshall JCM 800 series amp and own two 800 series Cabs. I also have an orignal 70's Orange OR120 and a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. The Marshall is the dogs bollocks.
If my 6 was stolen I would be sick.

What year was it made? Where was is made?
It was made in 1987, in Japan I believe.

How many frets?
24, Rosewood Fretboard

Which controls are given (volume, tone, 5-way selector, 3-way, tap, etc...)?
This is where it gets unique, Volume, Tone, and there is another knob, and I'm not really sure, I think it another tone knob. But, it has 3 Micro switches, which is cool, because you it can act as like a killswitch for messing around with scratching ala-Tom Morello style, or as a Bypass if all of the swiches are inactive.

Pickup configuration? (S/S/H, H/H, S/H, Piezo, etc...)
SSH

Make and model of pickups?
Jackson stock, not too sure about the models. The brige is pretty good, wide tonal range, good cleans, the neck and mid pickups are pretty bassy and I'm not sure why, but I don't really like them too much, its a little to bluesy sounding for my style. (KSE, In Flames, Children of Bodom, etc)

Active or Passive electronics?
Active circuit, 6db Mid Boost, PASSIVE PICKUPS. The active circuit adds alot of depth to the sound.

Body and neck woods? (Maple, Mahogany, Alder, Ash, Basswood, Koa, Plywood, etc...)
Lol, I like how they made plywood an option... No, but Maple Neck-tru with Poplar wings. This sucker is the weight of a Les Paul, no joke.

Finish (Satin, transparent, quilted top, flamed top, etc...)
Satin, nice and smooth.

Body style (strat, tele, dreadnought, cutaway, thinline, etc...)
Think Jackson Soloist.

Bridge style (Tune-O-Matic, Floyd Rose, Wilkinson, Tele-style, String-thru body, stop tailpiece, etc...)
Jackson J-30 or something. Not as smooth as a floyd, but it works for being 20 years old.

Tuners (Locking? Non-locking? brand of tuners - Sperzel, Gotoh, Grover, Schaller, etc...)
Jackson tuners, pretty good, locking nut needs to be replaced.

Neck/Scale (Fat, Thin, Jumbo Frets, Rosewood, Maple, etc...)
25 1/2 Scale, thinnest neck I've played, excellent for shredzorz.

Any included accessories? (Case, gig bag, strap, cable, tools, humidifier, etc...)
I got this sucker cheap, came with a tweed case from a Pawn Shop.

How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)?
This suits my style great, I play in a hardcore band, and it has some great crunchy hi-gain stuff. It works great for KSE sounds, gets some thick, meaty tones. I also dig the clean, its crystal clear on all 3 pickups.

What amps and effects are you using it with?
I use a Zoom G9.2tt, thu a Crate FXT120, the Zoom is a great MultiFx unit, great variety of tones, and it responds well to whichever guitar you are using, almost like a tube amp.

Is it noisy? On what settings?
Bridge pickup has some hum, but only on high gain settings, which is understandable, and it will be for any any pickup. Mid/Neck are nice and quiet.

Rich/Full sound? Bright sound?
Very bright, but yet punchy, and full. Not like a certain shitty BC Rich.


What kind of sounds can the guitar make? How much variety?
I'm pretty sure this could accomplish pretty much anything that a Strat could do.

Likes and dislikes?
I love the tone, but the neck and mids need to go, too bassy, no life to them. I really only use the neck for leads, and I have to combine with the Brdige to get some good lead tones.

How well was the guitar set-up at the factory? (How was the action?)
Well I set it up myself, since it was used, plays great, some buzz on the low E however.

How well were the pickups adjusted?
Bridge was a little high, had some mad feedback at first, lowered it, no problems now.

Did the guitar contain any flaws? HAHA. This is where it gets good. Shall I begin?

The MORON who owned this thing before me for reasons COMPLETELY unknown to me, decided to sand off part of the elbow rest, and part of the outer edge. Has a nice piece of exposed wood with some tung oil finish over it. He was a smart cookie. BUT THATS NOT ALL : The guy drilled two holes through the J-30 bridge to lock it down, and drilled into the guitar, and used washers underneath to keep it level... Wow... I unbolted it and everything, but christ.

I have no opinion on this category though, because It was used.

Will this guitar withstand live playing?
This is my main stage guitar, I have used it from Oct. 12 2007 to present, for every single show, and I intend on keeping that streak.

Does the hardware seem like it will last?
Yeah, defiantely, but I'm going to get a Floyd Pro and put that sucker on, and a new locking nut.

Is the finish good enough to last, or does it seem thin and easy to wear off with lots of playing?
Its still briiight red after 20 years. Soliiiiid.

Are the strap buttons solid?
Indeed.

Can you depend on it?
I'd trust this thing with my life.

Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
When you havea guitar with a Floyd, never gig without a backup.



One of the things that turned me onto this guitar, is it FEELS expensive, it doesnt feel like it will break on you, like some LTD's that I've played, or some of the newer Jacksons. I remember reading a review that said you could throw this thing off a building and it would still work or something, and I would totally agree. 10/10.

If you've dealt with the company, how helpful/friendly were they?
Never dealt with them, but I don't think there is a contact on the Charvel Site. Not sure.

How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?
I've been playing for 4 years, I'd say I amount alot of my skill to this guitar, because having a good guitar will make you want to play, and a **** one will turn you off of it. I owned an Ibanez GRX20 as my first guitar, and a BCRich '04 Virgin, and this one is BY FAR the best.

Is there something you wish you had asked before buying this guitar?
Nothing. No regerets at all.

If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else?
I would impale the ****** who stole it on the headstock of my BC Rich. No, but seriously, if it were stolen, I'd look all over Ebay and stuff for another, these things are fantastic. Great value too, you can usually get them in really good condition for about 600-800 bucks.

What do you love about it? What do you hate? What is your favorite feature?
Favorite feature... The Killswitches. Theyre sick, they make the guitar. The neck is nice and thin, I love that, its so easy to play and sweep and everything. Neck Thru for 250 bucks? You wont find that anywhere.

Did you compare it to other guitars? Which ones? Why did you choose this one?
Actually a couple days ago, I went to a shop, and brought this thing with me, and compared it to a : Jackson DKMGT, Jackson DK2M, and a Gibson Explorer. The only thing close to it was the explorer, but the neck was alot thicker.

Anything you wish it had?
Better neck/mid pu/ps

Anything else you'd like to share?
If you have the chance DO NOT HESITATE, BUY THIS GUITAR, you will not be let down!

1987 Charvel/Jackson Model 6, White, Neck thru Body, Active Circuitry, S/S/H Jackson pickup config, Jackson tremelo system w/lock. Purchased new in 1987 and still have it.

This guitar suited all my needs. I played in a Top40 cover band and it performed perfectly thru transistions from clean to drive to dirty. This guitar (I believe) has Excellent tone capabilities. Active circuits are quiet, fret action to die for, and a very fast neck. I once replaced the bridge PU with a popular hotter humbucker and ended up reinstalling the original. The original had much more warmth and response. I could pull this out of the case at any time and it would be perfectly in-tune (other guitarists were amazed by this). I love the sound and feel and it is my main guitar. My other guitars are a '97 LesPaul Standard, and a Jackson SL3.

The Guitar was delivered in perfect condition (new). I bought it with out even having seen it. All I needed was the picture. I was pleasantly surprised as it exceeded all my expectations.

No Flaws.

Ive had it since 1987, and its been my "Main" guitar. Ive had the frets replaced a few times during my busy years.

I used it for a number of years without a backup !

On an average, I would break about 1 string a year.

Never needed it.

Ive been playing the guitar since the first appearance of The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

No regrets

I would buy another in a heart beat if I could find one.

I have never played or owned a sweeter guitar than this one.

I took a chance on the looks, and the fact that I saw a few "Rock Stars" using one.

I wish/hope that it lasts forever.

If anyone out there has one and would like to sell it, let me know.

1986 i think... but i'm not sure. it was when they had Kahler tremolo which RULES and doesn't take out much wood from body. and lock at the nut.
24 frets

despite being made in the 80's this guitar still sounds great!! doesn't sound cheesy. it's a very focused sound, with clear attack... i actually want a buttery sloppy sounding guitar as well for different applications. but this guitar has amazing tone i've gotten many comments on it's sound. really quality.

the action is amazing. that's why i've had it so long. nothign has come along to replace it's playability. it plays like a dreams. so smooth. i never have to get it set up.

i've had this guitar since 1987 or 88. i had to change the tremolo springs and that's about it.

i'd rate it as the best guitar i've ever had, and that's saying something. though... i don't like it's cheesy 80's look. the Jackson head stock it really unattractive to me. in the studio that doesn't matter of course but on stage it makes me feel a little dated. hahahaha!
i'm rating this catagory as a 9 only because i don't like the guitar's look.

All know the features by now. My came with a Jackson JT-6 trem I believe. This does NOT, repeat NOT have active pickups. Only an active circuit which has a 6db mids boost. Individuals switches which is something different. Everything you could want and need. But still has part that may need upgrading furthur down the track..

Does it all!! SSH pickup setup. From bluesy strat, twangy country, clean jazz and heavy rock to metal. I mainly play hard rock, blues or shred/metal. Does them all. But again, I'm the type that never satisfies so may change the pickups for experimental purposes. Huge tonal range from stock

Plays like a dream, have never played a neck like this before. Wish all necks are like this. Huge jumbo frets. Top quality build.

This was a creme-of-the-crop 80s guitar. Course its fine. Again the JT-6 trem seems like its only weak point. And active circuit...always has spare batteries.

Never dealt with

This is pretty much a Japanese SL-1. Which in my country is a $5000+NZ guitar. Paid a bit more than what I would have liked. But had to get it after having a look. Jacksons...Charvels best guitars. This was one of the best Charvels made outside of USA. I envy all you who have scored this guitar for super cheap or had the body and made it a project. All in all. I don't think you can get another guitar with half the quality that this is. I don't think I'll sell mine...not for a long long time.

It's got everything, toggles for each pickup, locking tremelo, etc. One of the most comfortable necks you will ever play. And the jumbo frets are SWEET!

Very versatile sound, very quiet active electronics. For hard rock and metal, there is nothing better. For most styles of music, it's an excellent choice (for blues, I personally prefer the sounds from a "real " strat. I mainly play thru a POD these days, and the sounds that you can get from this setup are unbelievable (if you don't have a POD, do yourself a favor and get one!)

I purchased my Model 6 new in 1989. It is in MINT, original factory condition, with a perfect finish (it's off-white, or cream). Was used purely in the studio - and is in NEW condition. They don't make guitars like this anymore (only if you are spending over $2k). The action is second-to-none ..... very low & fast, with NO fret buzz. Anyone who plays my guitar doesn't want to put it down!

After owning this guitar for 17 years (can't believe it's been that long), and playing it much at home / studio, it is in as-new condition. The only issue is a slight crackle in the volume pot when you increase/decrease, but that's to be expected.

Definitely a classic, and they truly don't make them like this anymore. From the quality of the finish, to the action, versatile sound, the look, etc.

If you are a serious buyer, and looking for a mint condition Model 6 (with the original case too, of course), I would consider the right offer. You can email me, and I can send pics. But - be advised that I'm not going to give this away. I'm fairly confident that you will never find another in the same condition, no matter how long and hard you look.

Dark Metallic Blue finish, strat style body, Khaler Pro Bridge with trem bar, 24 fret one piece neck, 1987 model form Japan, Active pickups...

Over all I thought it was a very flexible sound, equally at home in a Jazz or rock genre, the combination of the front and mid pickups was a very nice Strat like sound..slight buzz when in this mode as you would expect from a single coil.

Beautiful to play, one of the easiest upper registers to access on any guitar I have played, I had a very low action and unless you had it spot on it used fret out when you bent from the 21st fret to a top E..apart from that very fast enjoyable guitar to play..

I bought the guitar brand new in 1987, it was mostly good, I had the Khaler pro version of the guitar, and used 009 to 046s, I used to have to apply a little bit of solder to the windings on the two top strings, E and B to prevent early breakages...once this was done the guitar was fine..

the only other issue was the Battery life, if you left the guitar on the stand plugged in, it seemed to run the batteries down, which if very inconvienent when you go to play and have no sound..

I had a few issues with the soldering on some of the internal connections becomeing falky as well..

I've been playing 23 years, I bought the guitar brand new in 1987 for AUD $2500 and hocked in in 2001 for AUD$300 to cover some debts..I wish I still had it...it was my first quality guitar and one fo me favourites... I have every sort of rig imaginable from Marshal, Laney heads with Quads, so solid state combos, Messa Boogie and Multi effects units like, Zoom, ART, and PODS...

I didn't like the three seperate control switches for the pickups, whilst great in a studio or practising not so great in a live setting.

The only other guitar I have owned which is comparable was my GEM777vBK I think it was...

active, mid boost, Kahler floyd type trem...compostie radius!!

Fan-friggin-tastic. I've never hear a guitar that sounds so pure direct into a computer. The clean sounds through the notoriously BAD M-box pre's are amazing. I don't even eq the thing when the mids are rolled up. Sounds almost like a jazz box. I say this because I can't think of a better way to acuratly gauge the "true" tone of a guitar.

action is unbelivable...I like to play blues/funk so i've got 11's on her... the easiest guitar I've ever played! Period. Thinking about 12's.

I love the fat-ass frets, they're wide...don't know the actuall size.

Built extremely well. You can feel it when you pick it up. Just like you can feel it when you pick up a squire. The thing is solid.

If you see one that doesn't look too 80's to deal with buy it. You'll be glad.

1986 Charvel Model 6, Japanese Made.
24 Frets, Humbucker-Single-Single. 3 Toggle Switches.
1 Jackson J50BC Humbucker, 2 Jackson J200 Stacked Humbuckers (single coil size).
Active Electronics, via Jackson JE1200 Active Preamp. This preamp is separate from the pickups.
Maple Neck thru body, Poplar Body Wings.
Glossy Black finish.
Kahler Flatmount Tremolo and Locking Nut.
24 Frets, 25.5" scale.
3 Knobs - but I have this honey rewired for a simple passive setup. The knobs are now 2 Volumes (one for the bucker and one for the stacked buckers together), and one Master Tone.

The sound on this guitar is really good - if you've got all the original gear in there and a new battery. There's no hum on the single coils because after all, they're stacked buckers and not true single coils. The original mid-boost/cut knob is a nice touch. As with all H-S-S axes, the versatility is just fantastic. It's a honey for the lead players out there who just aren't happy sticking to one genre of tunes. That's what sells the Jackson SL-1, and the Model 6 is the closest thing to an SL-1 without actually being one. The three toggles make pickup combos intuitive.

I currently have this one rigged for a simple passive setup, no frills. I thought about coil-tapping the bridge bucker but really, that's not necessary.

I did try an EMG HZ H4 in the bridge position - got the tones you'd expect. Tried also a Dimarzio X2N in the same spot - also the tones that you'd expect from the pickup. The woods of the instrument don't tend to color the sound or the feel much - the maple neck goes right through the body and therefore it's maple near the pickups. The poplar wings don't do a whole lot for resonance. Now I have a simple generic rock pickup in there (Jackson older model), and I'm loving it. Yeah yeah I know nobody likes non-top-o-the-line pickups anymore, whatever. I like those too, and I use them sometimes. Variety is gooooood. Variety is gooooooood.

I play her through these: Peavey 5150 II/Crate BV Cab, Crate BV/BV Cab, Marshall and Fender practice amps. And whatever I can get my hands on for a the moment. Honestly the guitar/amp combo makes little difference.....but I s'pose I'll mention that 5150s love passive circuits and dislike active ones. And when I say active, I'm including overdriven passives like the X2N.

When I picked up the axe it was in bad shape. It is after all, better than 20 years old. This one had seen better days. But all that is behind us now. We're happy now.

The gear on this honey is excellent. If you're familiar with Kahler then you know how sturdy they are, and how smooth. This one is really old and overused however, and it's developed that problem of not returning to zero point. I don't care however, because I fixed the bridge. Feels great.

The Kahler locking nut is solid as hell, as you may know. Far superior to standard locking nuts - it has a cage style that envelopes the clamping gear. No twisted pegs etc. Also, I went down to the local nuts and bolts shop and picked up some new screwing pegs for it, but with larger heads on them for ease of tightening. The smaller ones tended to strip too easily. All better.

The action when I got her was atrocious, and I've worked a lot on that. The truss rod does a lot, not just a joke-rod. The Kahler is fully adjustable which is also good. I've got the action down to a reasonable height, however I do get a fair amount of buzz. Wish I could fix this, but I'm not sure why it's there. Neck is straight as an arrow it seems...could be the fret wear I suppose.

She's got some cosmetic flaws from abusive owners of the past....but just as you would any girlfriend, I lovingly glossed them over until you don't notice them anymore. Don't ask.

The toggle switches it came with are beasts - still on there after all this time and working great.

The tuning machines are in great shape. The only thing about these is that the low string one is a bit twisted, so the knob leans toward the others. Doesn't cause any problems, just a bit tower-of-pisa -ish.

The mother of pearl inlays are beautiful, but some of them have come up a little. I s'pose one day I might have the instrument refretted, and I'll see about having those glued down or something.

Overall she feels great, one of those that seems to melt away the problems once you get it in your hands. If you want to know what these honeys feel like, just go play an SL-1 for a while. The neck is the same, the feel is the same.

She's dependable - or else the Model 6 wouldn't be selling on eBay 20 years after it was made for 600 buckaroos. Consider that. How many 20 year models are still selling, period? They don't just sell because they're vintage. They're not rare and SL-1s have all that they have and more. So why are people paying out the urethra for them these days? Cuz they kik.

I have no doubt that this instrument will be raping asses when my assraping days are all over. It is built to last.

The finish is damn solid. Won't wear off for a while, and that's nice to know. I've seen Les Pauls with as much play on them with neck finishes going thin....

The hardware will come and go, but the original 'ware on the axe is good enough for another decade for sure.

Lemme put it this way. If I went insane one day, and decided to take my hammer and render my 5 guitars to pulp, I would have the most difficulty destructing the Charvel.

No Opinion here, never tried them. However, I have enjoyed the fact that there's a significant group of guitarists that love the old Jackson/Charvies. The most help I've gotten is from Dave at this website: www.fretsonthenet.net

She's a fantastic value.

If you're like me, you wanted an axe that was a neck-thru strat style body with HSS configuration. You like the Jackson Soloist but are thinking that the Model 6 is a good solution. Guess what - it is. However, be sure to ask what condition the frets are in. You can trust that the neck is still straight, but be sure that you're not picking up a new guitar that will immediately need a refretting (150-300$). This is a good safety measure for the purchase of any older guitar. Also, just to learn from me, find out if the inlay sticks up a little in any places. Mine does.