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. Today the Charvel Desolation Skatecaster is a new modern version of the guitar.
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.
Out of the box the Charvel Desolation Skatecaster setup needed a slight adjustment to remedy fret buzz. This is my first “passive” pickup guitar and is a great guitar for metal or hard rock, however, it does lack clarity and crispness that I’ve been accustomed to with my LP’s.
The Charvel Desolation Skatecaster appearance, quality, and craftsmanship of the Blue Smear are outstanding. The Abalone “Keystone” position inlays, along with the abalone binding on the body and headstock, are beautifully detailed. The neck is slim and quick, significantly smaller than that of the LP. The locking Charvel tuners maintain excellent tuning stability and simplify string changes. The oiled Mahogany neck offers a unique feel, but it’s easy to adapt to. This guitar boasts an elegant design and is reminiscent of the Fender Jaguar.
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.