Brand: Charvel Guitars
Instrument Categories: 12 String, Electric, Guitars, SOLD
Combining influences from several manufacturers, the Charvel Surfcaster 12 chambered electric 12 string was built from 1991 to 1995 by Fuji-Gen in Japan. That plant makes many higher end models for several brands, and quality is very high throughout this guitar.
The basic construction of the Charvel Surfcaster 12 uses the proven Fender bolt-on design. A Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard and Mother of Pearl slash position markers is coupled to a chambered body of Mahogany capped with flame maple. Influences from Rickenbacker appear in the stacked-tuner headstock and chambered body with slash soundhole, while Danelectro is evoked by the lipstick-tube pickups.
Making setup easier, this Charvel Surfcaster 12 uses a zero fret, as a modification to the original nut, which is now used for spacing. Because the zero fret is levelled at the same time as the other frets, action is as low as it can be in the first position.
The Ric-style stacked tuners actually make tuning a little easier. The trick is to use one set of tuners for each course – the tuners pointing down are the ‘standard’ strings while the ones pointing out are the octave course. The tuners themselves are Kluson types, likely made by Gotoh.
The finish is a gloss urethane, typical of Fuji-Gen, and is in good clean condition with only minor wear. The body and headstock fronts are both finished in translucent red, while the rest of the guitar is clear.
As an electric 12 string, the Charvel Surfcaster 12 works very well. Its balance is good, and the fingerboard is wide enough to cleanly make complex chords. The neck profile is fairly slim – this is not a chunky neck. The lipstick pickups are clean and bright, ideal for this purpose.
The original rectangular hard shell case is included.
- Model: Surfcaster 12
- Year: 1992 | Approximate year
- Finish Translucent Red
- Class: Used
- Serial Number: 381349
- Country of Origin: Japan
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 25/02/2020
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.65lbs 3.48kg
- Scale Length: 25.5in 647.7mm
- Nut Width: 1.692in 43mm
