Yogi | soldguitars

2004 Charvel Custom Shop Bullseye Reissue

"Yogi"

#6135

This was an early guitar from what is now the Charvel Custom Shop. When Fender bought Charvel, they released a few guitars (notably the beautiful 25th Anniversary model), then they did a run of these. Rumour has it that there were over 80 of them made (that is A LOT by Charvel standards), and this is number 23 of that run. Points of interest include that the nut width was 1 3/4 inches (so wider than a regular Charvel), which I found REALLY comfortable, given that I have huge sausage fingers. The single pickup was a Seymour Duncan '78 (from the "SWD Custom Shop"), which was signed on the baseplate in sharpie by "Seymour" ... I love stuff like that ... the fact that Mr Seymour Duncan had taken time to scrawl on it gave it MOJO. And no arguments. It was crispy and ballsy, but not crazy-high output, so pushed for THAT early EVH tone. It also cleaned up really nicely. This was also unusual for Charvel in that it had the 'transition' neck plate, with details engraved onto it (as opposed to the modern embossed and stamped plate).

Lets talk about the neck. That neck. Seriously. It ... was ... BEAUTIFUL. I realise that I'm over-using superlatives on this site. But (and I KNOW that this is corny) it had a rounded, low-friction but rough, oiled-not-glossed goodness that made me smile whenever I touched it. It was like old trainers (sneakers ... sorry Yanks), or worn old jeans. It was comfortable to a level that I really didn't deserve. It felt less of a handful than the Legacy necks, but had a more refined feel to it (not as rough and raw as the Legacies) ... very nice.

I picked this up as part of a package deal from an internet buddy (this and Lenny ... cheers Al), who was kind enough to release both to feed my habit. It was bought when new by one of the big Charvel collectors in the States (hey Trace), then passed on to another (howdy Stan), before being imported into the UK by the guy I bought it from. I'm happy that someone else went through the pain of importing an expensive guitar this time ... with the big bill that routinely comes from our friends ('fiends'?) at Customs. I was VERY happy with it. It felt great, sounded excellent and looked superb.

The two photographs below are taken from the website of the original owner, and show the "Seymour" signed pickup from the SD Custom Shop, and the neck heel, marked with the date of production and stamped "M.Sanchez". It is interesting (to ME at least) that the neck I bought for my Frankenstrat ('Frankie') is also stamped by M.Sanchez. Cool stuff.

This was sold as a result of the fact that "Bear" (another CS Charvel) sat next to it on the racks. In all the years I owned this, I routinely picked up Bear in preference to this one, and that it a shame. A beautiful and awesome guitar, but ultimately not ... quite ... good enough to compete face-to-face with Bear.