The initial prototype was not angular enough for Randy, but the second design resulted in a shape that Randy referred to as the Concorde. They worked together to develop a guitar to complement the polka-dotted Flying V built for Randy by Karl Sandoval. In 1980, Grover Jackson was introduced to Randy Rhoads, who had recently secured the job of guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's new band. Charvel guitars became renowned for its use of creative graphics, unfinished maple necks, and various innovative appointments. This modernized Stratocaster configuration (commonly referred to as the superstrat) was particularly well suited to the heavy metal style of music that was hugely popular at the time. The income from these sales provided the Charvel shop with additional tooling and experience that would give Grover the footing required to grow the Charvel brand into a market contender.īeginning in the late 1970s, Charvel popularized custom revamps of the Fender Stratocaster design - often consisting of a Strat-shaped body with a single humbucking pickup and Fender style tremolo bridge systems. During this time BC Rich, SD Curlee, and Music Man approached Charvel with prospects of contract manufacturing of various wood parts. The proceeds were used to fund an expansion into crafting necks.

Wayne Charvel sold the company to Grover Jackson in 1978, and ceased all working associations with the brand name from that point forward.Īfter purchasing the company, Grover Jackson tooled to produce guitar bodies, which were sold to Mighty Mite and Dimarzio. Charvel guitars were originally constructed from wood components outsourced to Boogie and Schecter bodies, and various Charvel and aftermarket hardware. When Asian companies began copying Charvel's parts and selling them at a discount, Wayne decided to begin building complete guitars.

The shop earned a solid reputation among performing artists for its repair work, custom finishes, and upgraded parts manufacturing.

Having worked at Fender for three years in the early 1970s, Wayne Charvel originally started 'Charvel's Guitar Repair' in 1974 to refinish and repair out-of-warranty Fender instruments.

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