NAMM 2020: Charvel introduces three heavy-hitting new artist signature models

NAMM 2020: Charvel has unveiled three new artist signature models for Gojira’s Joe Duplantier, Steel Panther’s Satchel and multi-instrumentalist Angel Vivaldi. The Arizona-based manufacturer also announced a brand-new Pro-Mod DK22 and a Pro-Mod DK24 series expansion.

Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH E Mahogany

This signature San Dimas guitar (pictured above) features a mahogany body and a specially contoured neck heel to allow easy upper fret access. The matching bolt-on mahogany neck comes in a smooth oiled finish, and is reinforced with graphite. A DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary neck pickup and an all-new Joe Duplantier signature DiMarzio Fortitude bridge pickup provide a wide palette of tones, while the 12”-16” compound radius, 22-fret ebony fingerboard creates the perfect platform for speedy playing. Other features include a Charvel compound radius compensated bridge for accurate intonation and Charvel locking tuners for stability.

Satchel Signature Pro-Mod DK

This ode to 80s hair metal uses alder as its main tonewood which Charvel has paired with a graphite-reinforced maple neck. The heart of the guitar lies in its pickups, which in this case are a pair of Fishman Fluence Classic humbuckers topped with black/purple bobbins. The pickups are wired to a single volume control with a push-pull function that activates the dual voices of the humbuckers, switching between vintage-inspired and more contemporary tones. The Satchel Signature Pro-Mod DK also comes with a three-way pickup selector switch, a top-loaded Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge system and a distinctive Satin Purple Bengal finish to match the Steel Panther guitarist’s flamboyant personality. This is Satchel’s second signature guitar with Charvel, with the first being released in 2018.

Angel Vivaldi Signature DK24-7 Nova

This seven-string modified Dinky guitar features a bolt-on satin-finished maple neck that’s graphite-reinforced and custom-shaped to Vivaldi’s preferences. A 12”-16” compound radius maple fingerboard with rolled edges coupled with 24 jumbo frets makes extended scale runs and string bends a breeze. The guitar’s basswood body also features a sculpted “shredder’s cut” heel which allow unfettered access to the upper frets, and comes loaded with a DiMarzio Air Norton humbucker in the neck and a Tone Zone in the bridge. A Gotoh Custom seven-string 510 tremolo bridge and locking tuners ensure that the guitar stays in tune even after the gnarliest of dive bombs.

Pro-Mod DK22

The Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM is a brand-new alder-body Dinky paired with a graphite-reinforced bolt-on caramelised maple neck, which comes in a hand-rubbed satin urethane finish. The guitar is designed for comfort and high-speed playing, as evidenced by its its 12”-16” compound radius maple fingerboard, 22 jumbo frets and rolled fingerboard edges. The DK22’s SSS pickup configuration features a Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP in the neck, a Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 in the middle and a Seymour Duncan Custom Hot Rails Strat SHR-1B in the bridge. Other premium features include a 500K EVH Bourns low-friction potentiometer for the volume control and a Gotoh Custom 510 tremolo bridge.

Pro-Mod DK24

The expansion of the Pro-Mod DK24 brings three new models into the lineup: the Pro-Mod DK24 HSS 2PT CM Ash, Pro-Mod DK24 HH FR M Mahogany with Quilt Maple, Pro-Mod DK24 HH HT M Mahogany with Figured Walnut, Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M and Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M Poplar. The guitars are differentiated by their tops (ash, quilt maple, figured walnut, alder and burl, respectively).

Pro-Mod DK24 HSS 2PT CM Ash

The Pro-Mod DK24 HSS 2PT CM Ash features a sculpted “shredder’s cut” heel and scalloped lower back bout for a comfortable playing experience, which also complements the compound radius maple fingerboard and 24 jumbo frets. The ash body is paired with a graphite-reinforced bolt-on ‘speed’ maple neck that’s satin finished on the back for smooth playability. A Seymour Duncan Custom Full Shred SH-10B, Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 and Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP make up the guitar’s HSS pickup configuration.

Pro-Mod DK24 HH FR M Mahogany with Quilt Maple and Pro-Mod DK24 HH HT M Mahogany with Figured Walnut

Players looking for a HH configuration can consider the Pro-Mod DK24 HH FR M Mahogany with Quilt Maple and Pro-Mod DK24 HH HT M Mahogany with Figured Walnut. The former features a Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-looking tremolo bridge system, while the latter comes with a Charvel HT6 string-through-body hardtail bridge. A Seymour Duncan Alnico II in the neck and a Full Shred in the bridge allow the guitars to cover a wide range of genres, and a special no-load tone control allows users to remove it entirely from the guitar’s circuit for a fully transparent sound.

Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M and Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M Poplar

Both models feature an alder Dinky body with a sculpted “shredder’s cut heel” and scalloped lower back bout, and otherwise feature the same specifications as the Pro-Mod DK24 HSS 2PT CM Ash save for an alder (Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M) and burl top (Pro-Mod DK24 HSS FR M Poplar), and a recessed Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge system.

Pricing and availability for the new Charvel 2020 lineup TBC. For more information, click here.

Check out all NAMM 2020 news here.