Model 4 or mutt?

[Hired Goon]

Got a model 4 off Kijiji but not sure if it's original. Has shark tooth inlays, Flord Rose, expected HSS pickups with Jackson branding, 3 mini switches, and 2 tone, 1 volume controls, but seems to have an active humbucker. I read that some model 4's had the shark tooth inlays but was surprised to see the active pickup.

Serial is 321351

[Number Of The Priest]

Congrats! How much did you pay?

Post photos so we can look at it.

Sharktooth inlays and Floyd (Jackson JT6 tremolo) would probably indicate 1987 spec: http://charvelusa.com/japanese_charvel_1987.html

(This contrasts with the 1986 version that had dot inlays and a Kahler tremolo: http://charvelusa.com/charvel_model_series.html)

[Hired Goon]

Paid $600 Canadian. It's in very good condition. Smells like the previous owner smoked though, so will need some time to get that stink out. Will post pics in about 1 hour, gotta take kids to music lessons.

[VitaminG]

if it's a Jackson pickup, it's not active. Jackson pickups are all passive but some models had active electronics installed, including the Model 4. The controls are actually volume, preamp & tone. Open up the control cavity and see if the preamp is still in there.

[Hired Goon]

https://imgur.com/Y3Ed5Pu

[Hired Goon]

https://imgur.com/AnleQTG

[ed]

Yep that looks like a model 4 in a pretty much original state.

[Hired Goon]

Yeah I guess I assumed it would be all passive stuff. Wasn't aware of the active circuitry pre-amp mid-boost stuff. Sounds pretty good but the need for a 9 volt to make any sound is a bit of a nuisance for me.

Very happy with the condition. Needed truss rod loosening as it was buzzing badly on the open strings, and the mini switches needed realignment. Color is Cobalt Blue. Missing the tremolo arm, so I'll probably have to get one off eBay.

[Number Of The Priest]

That is a sexy Model 4! CAD$600 would not be completely unreasonable given it's in great shape with no butchering or modifications.

[Hired Goon]

Yeah just a couple really tiny blemishes on the body. Neck and headstock are pristine. It's in as good a shape as the Model 2 that I bought and still have from 1988. I just didn't know that Model 4's had active circuitry so I was concerned it was a mod job. Pots are a little scratchy, so I'll need to clean those somehow. Any tips on cleaning Charvel pots/knobs?

[Number Of The Priest]

Here's a video that will help. Other related videos can be found by searching Youtube for "how to clean scratchy guitar pots".

[Hired Goon]

Cheers man

[VitaminG]

because the pickups are passive, they should still produce a sound when the battery dies. You just won't have the benefit of the active preamp. A battery should last 6-12 months, as long as you ensure the guitar is unplugged when you're not playing it. So it's not like you need to change batteries monthly