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Average Price: $319

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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Description

The Charvel DS-3 ST is where classic rock aesthetics meet modern playability, delivering a powerful performance wrapped in a sleek package. Designed for musicians who crave both style and substance, this solid body electric guitar is a testament to Charvel's commitment to innovation.

Crafted with a single-cutaway bound mahogany body, the DS-3 ST doesn't just look the part; it plays the part too, offering a carved top that resonates with rich, full-bodied tones. Equipped with dual Charvel Desolation humbucking pickups, this guitar promises high output and a diverse sonic palette, from fat, warm rhythm tones to biting leads. Whether you're shredding solos or laying down chords, the fast-playing bolt-on mahogany neck with an oil finish offers a smooth, comfortable grip that feels like an extension of your hand.

The 12-inch radius rosewood fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets offers ample room for creative expression, making those high-fret solos an exhilarating experience. A 3-way toggle switch allows for easy pickup selection, giving you the flexibility to shape your sound with precision. With its striking looks and high-performance features, the Charvel DS-3 ST is not just a guitar—it's your partner in sound exploration.

Key Features:

  • Single-cutaway bound mahogany body with carved top
  • Dual Charvel Desolation humbucking pickups
  • Bolt-on mahogany neck with oil finish
  • 12" radius rosewood fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets
  • 3-way toggle switch for versatile tone control
  • Black nickel hardware with three-on-a-side tuners

Product specs

Brand Charvel
Model Desolation DS-3 ST
Finish Black, Satin Black, Snow White, Transparent Red
Year 2011 - 2014
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Red, White
Finish Style Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Charvel DS
Model Sub-Family Charvel DS-3
Neck Construction Bolt-On
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 type of wood is used in the construction of the Charvel DS-3 ST?

The Charvel DS-3 ST features a mahogany body with a carved top and a mahogany neck, providing a rich and warm tone suitable for various music styles.

What is the pickup configuration of the Charvel DS-3 ST?

The Charvel DS-3 ST has an HH pickup configuration, featuring passive Desolation bridge and neck pickups, ideal for delivering powerful and versatile tones.

How many frets does the Charvel DS-3 ST have, and what is the scale length?

The Charvel DS-3 ST comes with 24 frets and a 25.5" scale length, offering a wide range for playing complex solos and chords.

Is the neck of the Charvel DS-3 ST bolt-on or set-in?

The Charvel DS-3 ST features a bolt-on neck construction with a tilt-back scarf joint headstock, providing stability and easy access to higher frets.

What kind of bridge does the Charvel DS-3 ST use?

The Charvel DS-3 ST is equipped with a Charvel stop tailpiece, offering reliable tuning stability and sustain.

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Charvel Desolation DS 3 ST - sportowy Les Paul od Fendera LOL - FILMIKI O GITARACH 728

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Charvel DS-3 ST.

Build quality

  • The Charvel active pickups closely resemble EMG 81s in performance, indicating a high-quality build for metal-focused sound.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The guitar's $200 price point is appealing, especially since a set of EMGs alone can cost the same amount.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It's primarily suited for metal genres, making it a specialized choice rather than a versatile instrument.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Desolation DS-3 ST Review: Drop a couple of Seymour Duncans or DiMarzios of your choice... | Charvel | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Charvel Desolation DS-3 ST is a mixed bag, offering good value with its solid mahogany build and attractive finish. While it excels in lower tunings and has a nice feel, it's held back by mediocre stock pickups and a troublesome bridge. The sound is decent for rock but falls short for metal, necessitating upgrades for better performance. Setup issues and limited access to higher frets due to the cutaway design are noteworthy drawbacks. If you're willing to invest in upgrades, it might serve well, but there are better options in its price range.

Desolation DS-3 ST Review | Charvel | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Charvel Desolation DS-3 ST is a budget guitar that impresses with its quality and aesthetics, offering sound reminiscent of pricier models. While the guitar is praised for its affordability and potential upgraded sound with aftermarket pickups, the overall sentiment is tempered by average user ratings, suggesting room for improvement.

Decibel Magazine Reviews New Desolation Series – Charvel Guitars

charvel.com
Add

3.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kaisegall

Great for beginners who want a good hard rock guitar.

This is a great guitar for beginners who want a nice looking, hard rocking guitar. The action is nice and low (which I love), and it looks BEAUTIFUL. It doesn't sound stellar, but it's good enough for beginners and intermediate players. The input does get loose quite easily though, which is the biggest setback of this guitar. Other than these things though, it's a great guitar for beginners and intermediate players. This guitar is what I started out on, and I'm glad I did.

mayheaven

My Daily Driver

My go-to six string! Mine is loaded with a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates in the bridge and a GFS Crunchy Rail in the neck. Lightweight and with great tone.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jayden Hammer uses Charvel DS-3 ST

Jayden Hammer

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Jayden Hammer is pictured performing on stage with a Charvel DS-3 ST guitar, as credited in the caption: "amazing amazing amazing pic from our show at 924 gilman by @faethellenross also im 16 now as of wednesday so that's pretty dope."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Charvel DS-3 ST, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST
CHARVEL DESOLATION DS-1 ST Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

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    Gear IQ 660