Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
CHARVEL Bass owners, part 2
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
lots of discrepancies back then. and yes 248000 or so is 87 assembly, but early so the 86 leftover body. I had a 3b that way serialed a 87 but clearly a 86..
Its a great little bass that feels great and sounds killer through an SVTCL and an 810 cabinet. Looks like I will start looking for another one with the different pup configuration for a playmate. I normally play five string basses, but tonight I using as my main ax for the gig and giving the Jackson the night off.
Im looking for the wrench size and type for my 87 2b. Possibly a link for a place to get one. Thanks.
Haji
Supporting Member
I believe this is where I got mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allparts-7m...086?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e8a96e28e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allparts-7m...086?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1e8a96e28e
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
i did they put the pearlecence on the basses mine is off white mut my dads model6 was pearl white when he got it.
all my white basses were yellowed when I got them, and never bought a brand new one back then to see the difference.
Haji
Supporting Member
My black 4B has faded darker too. And now Nigel Tuffnel is saying "how much more black can it be? The answer is none. None more black."
The fading of white paint is just something that happens and it just gets cooler with age. I'm not able to put my finger on why that is, but it is.
The fading of white paint is just something that happens and it just gets cooler with age. I'm not able to put my finger on why that is, but it is.
Haji
Supporting Member
I saw something interesting today, and I wish I had the funds to have another bass taking up space in my place. It is a cobalt blue 2B with the script Charvel logo, short Jackson-style headstock and a neck plate i don't think I've ever seen before. It was the traditional black one with the Charvel logo and then the shiny rectangle for the serial number, but it didn't say anything below the SN. I'm used to seeing the Ft. Worth address there; this one didn't have it. Seemed to be in generally very good condition, but it was wired VVT, with EMG's. I dig EMG's in these basses, but to me two volumes is just silly for a bass that'll be performed with. Price seemed a little high at $349 since the condition was very good but not perfect. Also missing a knob; I hate that.
They've also got a rather beat up, scarred probably a CX490 that really needs a set up. Only $199 but the paint chips bug me on that one.
They've also got a rather beat up, scarred probably a CX490 that really needs a set up. Only $199 but the paint chips bug me on that one.
Haji
Supporting Member
No, it definitely had the three knob configuration of a 2B. No switch.
I went back and looked at the photo I took just to be sure (it's really a bad photo, too!) and noticed that the input jack plate was chromed. I don't recall ever seeing a chrome one on a Charvel of that era, but I haven't seen all that many of them in total. Since the pickups are EMG's, it's probably aftermarket for any number of reasons. Still seems to be priced high to me, although there's an 88 on Ebay that doesn't seem to be quite as good in the condition that's in the same ball park.
I went back and looked at the photo I took just to be sure (it's really a bad photo, too!) and noticed that the input jack plate was chromed. I don't recall ever seeing a chrome one on a Charvel of that era, but I haven't seen all that many of them in total. Since the pickups are EMG's, it's probably aftermarket for any number of reasons. Still seems to be priced high to me, although there's an 88 on Ebay that doesn't seem to be quite as good in the condition that's in the same ball park.
well, either someone added the 3rd knob or replaced the neck with a later version with the script....OR it was a leftover 2b body that they said toss a neck on it and sell it?....I dunno.
Haji
Supporting Member
Bump after a long quiet spell on the thread.
Thoughts on the sound of passive Charvel 2B vs active 3B or 4B??
Are the 3B or 4B much better? 1980s models.
Thoughts on the sound of passive Charvel 2B vs active 3B or 4B??
Are the 3B or 4B much better? 1980s models.
for me, I HATE passive no "on the fly small adjustments". I hate it so bad that I added a preamp from a 3b/4b in my 2b main player.
I hate it as bad as a switch to switch between pickups instead of a blend knob on these things.
But as far as the actual sound/tone... I could never tell the difference if the preamp is set on neutral.
( but that is only my opinion )
I hate it as bad as a switch to switch between pickups instead of a blend knob on these things.
But as far as the actual sound/tone... I could never tell the difference if the preamp is set on neutral.
( but that is only my opinion )
Thank you.
That is pretty much where I stand with my current basses, but they are low end basses. In the process of upgrading everything.
New Bassman 500 head arrives today and I am going to experiment-- passive through overdrive channel and active through clean channel with distortion pedal on.... and vice versa.
Fingers crossed I can add a Charvel in the next 3 months.
I'm sure someone will scold me on the virtues of a plain passive bass, but that is what tone is all about. We all look for different things. My rack preamp has 100 presets and a midi pedal board if I really wanted everything to sound the same so I could and do use either type but prefer the preamped version 
plus with the model series basses, the type of pickup you get in them varies and there is no consistency unfortunately. The preamp makes up for that without measuring the ohms for a hot or weak wound pickup.
plus with the model series basses, the type of pickup you get in them varies and there is no consistency unfortunately. The preamp makes up for that without measuring the ohms for a hot or weak wound pickup.
