killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 08:48 AM
So, this past weekend Eastwood threw up a sort of 'hint' that they would be tackling the Charvel Surfcaster design in 2013.
I have long been interested in the Charvel Surfcaster but they seem to be quite rare in their original configuration and even then quite expensive.
How many of you have experience with the originals?
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StevieMartini
Joined: Mar 01, 2006
Posts: 490
Chicago
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 09:46 AM
A bandmate of mine owned one and it looked incredible but had playing issues, like staying in tune. My personal opinion its not worth the cash they are going for, but really cool design.
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 09:59 AM
I certainly wouldn't pay what the current prices are. I am, however, really interested in seeing what Eastwood does with their take on the design.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 10:04 AM
The original Surfcasters had necks that were basically Charvel/Jackson necks - very thin and flat in the back, with a 'satin' finish, very flat fretboard (12" radius), with big frets. You know, heavy metal kinda necks. Not the sort of a thing most of us playing surf music prefer. And then there's also the issue of once again lipstick pickups erroneously being associated with surf music. But I agree that it's a cool design, and it's good to hear Eastwood will be doing something with it. I personally would love to see that guitar with a more traditional-style neck, and possibly an option for Fender-ish pickups, either Strat or Jag-like pickups. Now, that could be really cool.
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StevieMartini
Joined: Mar 01, 2006
Posts: 490
Chicago
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 10:14 AM
I agree with Ivan on the necks. Very thin not what I'm used too either. Neck reminded me on some Mosrites.
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5108
San Francisco
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 10:47 AM
I wanted a Surfcaster so badly when they first came out, but was really disappointed when I tried them. Despite the name, I think they had more in common with a Rickenbacker than anything surf related. Perhaps the reason the originals have achieved cult status and are so desirable now is that, despite the beautiful design, they played like crap and sold poorly. I don't think anyone who owns one actually plays it.
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CrispyGoodness
Joined: Apr 06, 2009
Posts: 565
North Cackalacky
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 12:04 PM
The Japanese built models are very nice. Not Fender, to be sure, but still nice. Later models built elsewhere are very hit and miss, and nowhere near the quality of the originals. These are the ones a lot of folks have gotten their hands on, I suspect, and have ruined the rep of the Surfcaster while raising the prices on the originals.
I do agree with PolloGuitar that they are very Rickenbacker-like (most don't have whammy bars, for instance), especially the bass versions, which in spite of their lipstick pickups do a spot-on imitation of a Ricky 4003. I've always had a fondness for the boogers, but agree they always cost more than I wanted to spend.
--Crispy
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 12:17 PM
Knowing Eastwood, and judging by the post on Facebook, if this sees the light of day it will be based on the original model that had a Strat style tremolo.
In the end, it will depend on the price and my finances when they come out, but I am very interested in these, as I always had my eye on them back in the early 90's when I got my Charvel catalogs.
I always found it funny that Scott from Anthrax used one as his main guitar for a few years there. Who would have ever imagined metal being played on lipstick pickups?
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 01:02 PM
Crispy's right, the original semi-hollow Japanese models played quite well, it was the later budget models with solid bodies that were not very good. And both you and Ferenc are also right about the Rickenbecker influence, which was very heavy. Come to think of it, the neck may have actually been more like a Rick neck, since I don't think the fretboard was quite as wide as many shredder guitars.... And it did have those triangular fret markets and cat's-eye f-holes like a Rick. (on fixed tail guitars, the tailpiece was also heavily Rick influenced.)
Noah, Scott Ian's Surfcaster had humbuckers in it (see below) - humbuckers were an option from fairly early on in the life of that guitar.
Here are a few nice photos of the good early Surfcasters. I still love their looks!
image
image
Scott Ian's guitars, including his Surfcaster:
image
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5108
San Francisco
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 02:50 PM
IvanP wrote:
And both you and Ferenc are also right about the Rickenbecker influence,
I remember there was a 12 string that had the 6 in/6 out tuners just like a Rick.
I still love their looks!
I have to admit, after all these years, that I felt a deep stirring from seeing these photos. Thanks for posting.
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Last edited: Dec 12, 2012 11:16:13
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imafunkyman
Joined: Sep 16, 2007
Posts: 548
Utah
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 03:04 PM
Fatten up the neck a bit, put Strat pups in it, have some cool colors available, and make it reasonably priced. I'd consider one then.
— Either you surf, or you fight.
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Toneschaser
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 03:54 PM
I liked the Surfcaster for what it was, an interesting combination of a retro themed guitar and heavy metal axe.
The problem with Eastwood Guitars is I've never had one on my bench that didn't need a refret, new nut and electronics overhaul straight out of the box. With that in mind it might be just as financially advantageous to hunt down an early model.
Last edited: Dec 11, 2012 15:55:09
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 04:04 PM
Eray, I only have one Eastwood, but out of the box it was set up perfectly. The frets are great, as well as the nut. The only issue I have ever had out of it is the retainer nut on the input jack constantly coming off.
With that said, it is a budget guitar and certainly relegated to backup behind my Hallmark.
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vibramutant1965
Joined: Dec 02, 2012
Posts: 51
FL
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 07:30 PM
I really liked these when they came out. The lipsticks on them were made by Chandler, whom I believe made the first lipstick copies. I think the release of these guitars in 1992 sparked new interest in Danelectro guitars as well. Yes they have the Jackson type "feel" when playing, very interesting . I dont think they sold many , I seem to recall they were 1500.00 us dollars at the time.......
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 08:14 PM
I think a few years ago (though after Charvel halted their production) there was a small company making Surfcaster copies - does anybody remember that? I don't remember their name, but seem to remember that they made quality guitars.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 08:29 PM
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Dec 11 2012 08:51 PM
There was also the "Jay Turser Surfmaster". I think these were pretty cheap.
Edit: Not really related other than the close name.
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Last edited: Dec 11, 2012 20:53:14
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LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on Dec 12 2012 12:13 AM
Of course Fender owns this brand now, as well as the designs. I would be surprised if they let this happen given their affinity for essentially remaking the same guitar for ever and ever.
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Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1907
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
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Posted on Dec 12 2012 09:14 AM
IvanP wrote:
I found 'em! They're called Kokocaster! Check out their website - they're still making them! $899 for a trem-equipped model.
Fellow Aquasonic Maui Malara has one, and is pictured holding his on the homepage - scroll down , he's on the left.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Dec 12 2012 09:27 AM
LHR wrote:
Of course Fender owns this brand now, as well as the designs. I would be surprised if they let this happen given their affinity for essentially remaking the same guitar for ever and ever.
You can't own a guitar design. The only thing Fender owns is the Strat headstock shape and the trademarks for the various brands, but the Kokocaster clearly has no problem with any of those. Kokocasters have been in production for a fairly long time by now, I think at least 7-8 years. I don't think they make very many of them, and I'm sure Fender is not worried in any way about these guys taking their sales.
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Last edited: Dec 12, 2012 20:17:52
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