Charvel DST1-ST - What To Know & Where To Buy

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 7, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

$662.86 1 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $663

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Charvel DST1-ST is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

The Charvel DST1-ST is a striking addition to the world of solid body electric guitars, bringing together innovative design with classic appeal. Its iconic Star body profile is more than just an eye-catcher; it's a nod to Charvel's legendary craftsmanship and a testament to their commitment to high-performance playability. Whether you're shredding solos or laying down heavy riffs, the smooth, ultra-fast through-body maple neck and compound radius (12"-16") rosewood fingerboard will elevate your playing experience.

Packed with power, this guitar boasts EMG® 85 (neck) and 81 (bridge) humbucking pickups, delivering a versatile range of tones from warm and rich to sharp and aggressive. The three-way toggle switch allows you to effortlessly transition between them, while the single domed metal volume control knob keeps your setup sleek and straightforward. Built to withstand the rigors of any stage, it features a stop-tailpiece bridge for rock-solid tuning stability and locking tuners to keep you pitch-perfect through every song. The black nickel hardware adds a touch of elegance, perfectly complementing its bold aesthetic.

Key Features:

Iconic Star body profile
Through-body maple neck
Compound radius (12"-16") rosewood fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets
EMG® 85 (neck) and 81 (bridge) humbucking pickups
Three-way toggle switching
Single domed metal volume control knob
Stop-tailpiece bridge
Locking tuners
Black nickel hardware

Product specs

Brand	Charvel
Model	Desolation Star DST-1 ST
Finish	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	X-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	12", 16"
Model Family	Charvel Star
Neck Construction	Neck-Through
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	6-String
Nut Width	1.687"
Offset Body	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 DST1-ST?: The Charvel DST1-ST features a neck-through construction with a compound radius fingerboard, providing a comfortable playing experience for both rhythm and lead guitarists. The neck is designed for fast playing and easy access to higher frets.
What kind of tones can I expect from the Charvel DST1-ST's pickups?: The Charvel DST1-ST is equipped with dual EMG humbucking pickups, offering a powerful and aggressive tone suitable for rock and metal genres. These pickups deliver high output and clarity, ideal for heavy riffs and solos.
Is the Charvel DST1-ST suitable for advanced players?: Yes, the Charvel DST1-ST is well-suited for advanced players, featuring a neck-through design for enhanced sustain, a compound radius fingerboard for playability, and high-output EMG pickups for a versatile tone.
How does the Charvel DST1-ST's body shape affect playability?: The Charvel DST1-ST has an X-style body shape, which provides a striking appearance and comfortable balance when playing standing up. This design also allows for easy access to the upper frets.
What materials are used in the construction of the Charvel DST1-ST?: The Charvel DST1-ST features a mahogany body with a maple top, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. This combination of materials contributes to its rich tone and sustain.
Does the Charvel DST1-ST come with a case?: No, the Charvel DST1-ST does not come with a case. A case is sold separately to protect the guitar during transport and storage.

Videos

Add video

Ariel Pozzo

Test: Charvel Desolation Star DST 1 parte 2

Ariel Pozzo

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Charvel DST1-ST.

Features and functionality

0 0

The guitar features a Tune-o-Matic bridge instead of a Floyd Rose, which some owners feel affects its perceived value.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some owners find the neck too thin and frets smaller compared to other electric guitars, impacting ease of playing barre chords.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

One owner disliked the stock EMG pickups and opted for aftermarket replacements to enhance tone.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

A previous owner believes the guitar is worth around $500-$600, despite purchasing it for much less.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The guitar is praised for its design and tone, making it a favorite despite its playability challenges.
Source

Critic Reviews

Desolation DST-1 ST Review: I sort of wish I had asked about the "unfinished" neck,... | Charvel | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Charvel DST1-ST delivers a solid metal sound and comfortable playability, thanks to its active EMG pickups and decent neck profile. However, its unfinished neck and limited upper fret access can be frustrating, especially for those who love to shred. While it's reliable and built for the stage, the design quirks—like the awkward jack placement—might deter some players. Overall, it's a decent choice for metal guitarists, but the lack of finish and playability at the highest frets could leave you wishing for more.

neutral

Full Review

Charvel Desolation DST-1 ST review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Charvel Desolation DST1-ST is a bold statement piece that caters to flashy tastes, but it comes with significant drawbacks. While it boasts scorching lead tones and a sleek design, players may find its sonic range limited, as it lacks a tone knob, reducing versatility. The EMG pickups are hot but can be shrill in clean settings, making it less forgiving for less experienced players. Moreover, the unique aesthetics might alienate traditionalists. Overall, while it shines in high-gain situations, its limitations may deter those seeking a more well-rounded guitar experience.

negative

Full Review

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

benjii_feral

229

over 6 years ago

An Absolute Killer!

I received this guitar as a 16th birthday present back in 2014. Back then my only 2 guitars were a BC Rich KK Beast V NT, which was good, but I wasn't a huge fan of it, and a cheap strat copy, which speaks for itself really. I consider this to be one of my main and most prized possessions. It has an EMG 81 in the bridge and an EMG 85 in the neck, which are active pickups famously used by many guitarists of all genres. They're very hot pickups which can be used for anything, from Jazz to Death metal, But the general nature of this guitar is metal, which makes it perfect for what its made for, Hard riffs.

I consider this to be one of the best import guitars ever manufactured. Now out of production and springs up on second hand markets for around £250-£400, its an absolute steal. EMG active pickups, Locking tuners, and a stunning apparel, this guitar radiates 80's metal, and any metal guitar arsenal wouldn't be complete without a desolation series charvel!

Technical info: Model Name: Desolation™ DST-1 ST Model Number: 29314105 Series: Desolation™ Body: Mahogany Number of Frets: 24 Fret Size: Jumbo Position Inlays: Abalam Shark Tooth Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm) Neck Finish: Gloss Nut Width: 1.6875" (42.8 mm) Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm) Fretboard: Rosewood Pickup Configuration: HH Bridge Pickup: EMG® 81 Humbucking Neck Pickup: EMG® 85 Humbucking Controls: Master Volume Hardware: Black Nickel Bridge: Charvel® Stop Tail String Nut: Black Plastic

Pro's: - Typically very affordable on the secondhand market - Neck through construction + An unpainted neck makes for incredible upper fret access and a speedy playing experience - EMG 81 and 85 pickups deliver an amazing tone for rock, metal, etc. without compromising general versatility. - Simple control layout of just 1 volume knob makes it ideal for live playing. - Locking tuners for easy and quick restringing. - Lightweight given its shape, a lot lighter than a les paul.

Cons: - No tone knob might be inconvenient if you plan on using this guitar outside of rock and metal (you probably wont be doing that though) - Has a fair bit of neck dive to it, this can be home remedied by redrilling the front strap button hole to be on the back of the guitar. - The weird location of the strap button can lead to the guitar dropping off the strap from poorer quality / more worn down straps. - Finish gets a bit "Grubby looking" and would require regular cleaning to keep it looking slick and glossy (issue seems to be with Gloss black only however, other colours seem fine)

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Hardcore punk Metal