Charvel DESOLATION DS-1 ST

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Page last updated May 10, 2026

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Price

Average Price: $400

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

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Description

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The CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST is a masterful blend of modern design and vintage flair, crafted for guitarists who crave a high-performance instrument with a distinctive edge. This solid body electric guitar is designed to deliver a powerful and versatile sound, making it a favorite among rock and metal enthusiasts. With its arched mahogany body and set neck construction, the DS-1 ST offers exceptional sustain and resonance, ensuring every note you play is rich and vibrant.

The guitar features a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard that provides a smooth playing surface, allowing for fast and precise fingerwork. Equipped with a pair of high-output humbucking pickups, the DS-1 ST delivers a robust tone that's perfect for heavy riffs and soaring solos. The pickups are controlled by a three-way toggle switch, master volume, and master tone controls, giving you complete control over your sound.

The DS-1 ST is also designed for comfort, with a contoured heel for easy access to higher frets and a compound radius fingerboard that enhances playability across the entire neck. Its sleek and streamlined design not only looks impressive but also facilitates effortless playing, making it an ideal choice for both studio sessions and live performances.

Key Features:

Arched mahogany body for enhanced resonance
Set neck construction for superior sustain
24-fret rosewood fingerboard with compound radius
Dual high-output humbucking pickups
Three-way toggle switch with master volume and master tone controls
Contoured heel for easy access to upper frets

Product specs

Brand	Charvel
Model	Desolation DS-1 ST
Finish	Flat Black, Snow White, Transparent Black, Transparent Blue Smear, Transparent Red
Year	2011 - 2014
Made In	China
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Style	Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	12", 16"
Model Family	Charvel DS
Model Sub-Family	Charvel DS-1
Neck Construction	Neck-Through
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Series	Charvel Desolation
Top Material	Maple
Wood Top Style	Figured Veneer, Opaque

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST?: The Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST features a neck-through construction with a slim, fast-playing profile, making it ideal for guitarists who prefer speed and ease of access across the fretboard.
What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST?: The Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, providing a powerful and versatile tone suitable for rock, metal, and other high-gain genres.
Is the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST suitable for advanced players?: Yes, the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST is designed with features like a neck-through construction and 24 frets, making it suitable for advanced players seeking performance and versatility.
What materials are used in the construction of the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST?: The Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST is crafted with a mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fretboard, and a maple top, providing a rich, resonant sound with excellent sustain.
Does the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST come in different finishes?: Yes, the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST is available in several finishes, including Flat Black, Snow White, Transparent Black, Transparent Blue Smear, and Transparent Red.

Videos

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charvelusa

Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST Demo

charvelusa

25% Off Charvel Desolation Guitars - DS1 - ST

Andertons Music Co

Charvel 일렉기타 Desolation DS 1 ST

BUZZBEE TV

Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST Guitar Review by Ivan Katz

drivinivankatz

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST.

Build quality

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Some owners report that the neck feel is less comfortable compared to other models due to its smaller body size despite the standard 25.5” scale length.
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There may be potential issues with a crack or scratch by the high E tuning peg on the back of the headstock, suggesting a need for inspection.
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Some users find the abalone inlays visually striking, contributing to the guitar's overall aesthetic appeal.
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Value and pricing

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Originally sold at low prices, these guitars can now be worth significantly more, with some local prices reaching $500.
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Some owners regret not purchasing during the production period, highlighting the guitar's perceived value over time.
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A Charvel Desolation DS-1 in excellent condition with a hardshell case was purchased for $299, significantly lower than typical prices on Reverb ($450-550+).
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Features and functionality

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The guitar includes Seymour Duncan pickups, though some models may feature Charvel Desolation buckers or EMGs as stock options.
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The Desolation DS-1 series originally came with EMG pickups, although some variants included Blackouts.
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Charvel Desolation DS-1 models may come with locking tuners, enhancing tuning stability, especially in models from 2013 without abalone inlays.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners find this guitar rivals more expensive models, such as $1300 Epiphones, for quality and playability.
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A setup with 11-56 gauge strings in D tuning is mentioned, suggesting this configuration's suitability for heavier music styles.
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User experience

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The guitar is described as a phenomenal instrument, with owners having positive experiences over extended periods, such as over 10 years.
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Owners with smaller hands appreciate the thinner neck profile, allowing easier thumb fretting compared to chunkier necks.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some owners swap EMG 81/85 sets for Blackouts, noting a preference for Blackouts due to their fuller low end compared to EMGs.
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Owners favor Seymour Duncan Blackouts over EMG 81 pickups for rhythm play, noting a preference for the Blackouts' tonal characteristics.
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Comparisons

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Compared to a Walmart S-type guitar, the Charvel DS-1 provides a much more comfortable playing experience without sharp fret edges.
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Critic Reviews

Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST offers impressive features like active Seymour Duncan Blackouts and a through-neck design for under £650, making it a solid contender in the mid-price guitar market. These pickups deliver a powerful, metal-friendly tone, although they might lack the high-end bite compared to EMG 81s. The guitar's slim, light body may be ideal for smaller players but potentially compromises sustain and balance. Overall, the DS-1 ST is a strong option for metal enthusiasts, but it competes in a crowded field with some minor design drawbacks.

neutral

Full Review

Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST | Performer Mag

performermag.com

The Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST impresses with its classic Les Paul-inspired design and modern playability tailored for hard rock and metal. With Seymour Duncan Blackouts, this guitar delivers impressive clarity and punch, although the tone controls show limited range under heavy overdrive. The neck feels fantastic, offering smooth bends and great upper fret access, though there's a minor aesthetic flaw at the neck/body joint. Overall, it's a solid choice for those seeking a fusion of vintage style and contemporary sound.

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Artist usage

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Phil Campbell

Guitarist

Motörhead

Verified via Photo

He is seen using a red DS-1 ST live in the following image

Jayden Hammer

Guitarist

Verified via Photo

Jayden Hammer is confirmed to use the CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST guitar, as evidenced by an Instagram post from his account (@jaydenjhammer). In the post, he shares a picture from a performance at 924 Gilman, captioning it: "amazing amazing amazing pic from our show at 924 gilman by @faethellenross also im 16 now as of wednesday so that's pretty dope."