The semi-hollow Charvel Surfcaster left us too soon. Introduced in the early ’90s, this oddball guitar was a refreshing change, but in the end, it was just too bizarre.

Five years after it was discontinued, Charvel is taking another shot with the Skatecaster model, which borrows the Surfcaster’s original body shape, though it doesn’t have the semi-hollow design. There is a slightly fuzzy quality to the Desolation humbuckers that’ll make you want to tweak your amp’s treble control.

With its name, matte-black finish, snub-nosed shape, and simple one-volume setup, early indications show that the Skatecaster SK-3 is targeting the mall-goer in the hoodie. It’s puzzling, then, that this guitar also features a compound-radius fretboard, double-octave neck, and jumbo fretwire – all elements that suggest it’s meant for skilled players.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.