Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $800

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

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Description

Made in 1987 in Japan, Neck Plate Says Fort Worth Texas, USA 22 frets 1 volume, 1 mid booster, 1 tone, 3 individual toggle switches for pickups HSS Active electronics (JE-1200 Mid-Boost is active, pickups are passive) Basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fret board Floyd Rose Tremolo JT6 Jackson tuners 25.5" Scale

Product specs

Brand Charvel
Model Model 4 HSS with Rosewood Fretboard, Model 4M HSS with Maple Fretboard
Finish Black, Black Cherry, Burgundy Mist, Cobalt Blue, Electric Blue, Pearl White, Red
Year 1986 - 1989
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Basswood
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Red, White
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12", 16"
Model Family Charvel Model 4
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Charvel Model 4?

The Charvel Model 4 features a slim, fast-playing neck profile that caters to shredders and players who prefer a comfortable, high-speed playing experience.

What kind of tones can I expect from the HSS pickup configuration on the Charvel Model 4?

The HSS configuration on the Charvel Model 4 offers a versatile range of tones, from warm, full humbucker sounds suitable for rock and metal, to bright, clear single-coil tones ideal for blues and pop.

Is the Charvel Model 4 suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the Charvel Model 4 is designed with advanced players in mind, featuring high-quality components and a versatile pickup configuration that supports intricate playing styles and diverse genres.

Does the Charvel Model 4 take pedals well?

The Charvel Model 4 works well with a variety of effects pedals, thanks to its versatile pickup configuration and high-output humbucker, providing a broad tonal palette that can be easily shaped with external effects.

What type of tremolo system does the Charvel Model 4 use?

The Charvel Model 4 is equipped with a locking tremolo bridge, allowing for stable tuning even with extensive use of the whammy bar for dive bombs and pitch modulation.

michel darnelli

michel darnelli

charvel guitar model 4 1986

Video thumbnail for charvel guitar model 4 1986 by michel darnelli

charvel guitar model 4 1986

michel darnelli

michel darnelli

Video thumbnail for Charvel Model 4 Review by Robostomp

Charvel Model 4 Review

Robostomp

Robostomp

Video thumbnail for Charvel Model 4 Kahler Tremolo Up Close Guitar Video Review at Essex Recording Studios by Essex Recording Studios

Charvel Model 4 Kahler Tremolo Up Close Guitar Video Review at Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for Charvel Model 4 Overview by The Guitar Podcast

Charvel Model 4 Overview

The Guitar Podcast

The Guitar Podcast

Video thumbnail for CHARVEL MODEL 4 1987 by Guitar Tales

CHARVEL MODEL 4 1987

Guitar Tales

Guitar Tales

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound, excels in genres from metal to jazz

  • Deluxe pickup configuration offers 80’s tonal capabilities

  • Smooth and reliable Kahler tremolo system

  • Fast, effortless neck for easy playability

  • High-quality construction comparable to modern custom shop guitars

  • Each pickup has its own toggle for diverse sound combinations

  • Distinctive gloss black finish with shark fin inlays

  • Rock solid neck with fat frets for comfortable playing

  • Adjustable saddle height and string spacing on the bridge

  • Active tone control for sound customization

CONS

  • Kahler locking nut alignment issues can cause string snags

  • Weak hex bolts on the locking nut strip easily

  • Locking nut rattles without hex bolts, affecting tuning stability

  • Requires an allen wrench for locknut adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Charvel Model 4.

Comparisons

  • The Model 4 has a standard Strat-style body, while the Model 6 uses a smaller Soloist body shape, affecting the feel and playability.

    Source
  • Owners compare the Charvel Model 4's neck width to other guitars, noting it as wider but not thicker, influencing playability preferences.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Model 6 features a neck-thru design, offering better fret access and a slimmer neck compared to the bolt-on neck of the Model 4.

    Source
  • The Charvel Model 4 has a notably wider neck, which some owners find affects the ease of using the 'thumb over E string' technique.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Model 4's body has more rounded edges, contrasting with the sharper edges of the Model 6, which might affect comfort during long play sessions.

    Source
  • Older Charvel models often feature a Kahler style above-the-nut locker, which might require modding for modern use.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • For those upgrading, owners suggest trying Seymour Duncan SH6 pickups for a more enhanced sound, especially favored for high-gain rhythms.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some users express concerns about bridge stability, particularly with older models, highlighting potential tuning maintenance.

    Source

User experience

  • Enthusiasts cite nostalgia as a major factor when choosing older Charvel models, despite potential maintenance challenges.

    Source

Critic Reviews

The Charvel Model 4 | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The Charvel Model 4, a Japanese-made guitar, blends '80s heavy metal aesthetics with quality Asian craftsmanship. While it lacks the mystique of its American counterparts, it boasts a solid basswood body and a thin, quartersawn rock maple neck for a comfortable play. Its active pickups deliver a clean, noise-free sound, and the Kahler Standard vibrato adds versatility. Though not as coveted as the US models, the Charvel Model 4 offers great value and performance for electric guitarists seeking a reliable shred machine.

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Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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See how Brian Baker uses Charvel Model 4

Brian Baker

Guitarist, Bassist

Bad Religion

...
Verified via Daghouse

For the "Field Day" lp and tour, Brian played a 1967 Gibson Firebird 12 string, a 1988 Charvel Model 4 with EMG 81 pickups, and a 1986 Gibson SG with EMG 81 pickups. His amps were two Marshall 100-watt heads, four Marshall cabinets with 35-watt Celestion speakers, and a Roland JC-120. He also used an Alesis Midiverb 2, Roland SDE 1000 delay and Samson Stage Series wireless.

See how Sek Loso uses Charvel Model 4

Sek Loso

Singer, Guitarist

Loso

...
Verified via YouTube

In the ไม่ต้องห่วงฉัน Ver.โดด (Mai Tong Huang Chan Rock Version) MV, Sek is seen playing a 1987 Red Charvel Model 4 Electric Guitar. It is possible that he used this guitar or an Ibanez JEM-EVO to record Loso's first album "Lo Society" as the guitars in this album sound too fat and dirty to be a Fender Strat.

See how Osvaldo Civile uses Charvel Model 4

Osvaldo Civile

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In the attached photo, Osvaldo Civile is seen playing a red guitar, which appears to be either a Charvel Model 4 or an Ibanez RS530. This is one of the rare images capturing him with this particular instrument, and the exact model remains uncertain.

Album Usage

The Charvel Model 4 has been featured on the following albums:

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 Model 4, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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vs_jones

Gear IQ 165

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vs_jones

Gear IQ 165

vs_jones

vs_jones

Gear IQ 165

vs_jones

vs_jones

Gear IQ 165

vs_jones

vs_jones

Gear IQ 165

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