The Charvel Model 2 (1980s) is an electric guitar, currently around $630. Close alternatives include the ESP Custom Shop Kirk Hammett Signature KH1 KH-1 Flying V Black and the ESP Tiger. It pairs well with the Peavey VTM-120 and the Vox MV50-CE Rock.
Charvel Model 2 (1980s)
Unknown brand · electric guitar
The Charvel Model 2 comes from the Japanese-built Model series of 1986-88, positioned above the entry Model 1 with a single bridge humbucker straight to a volume control and a Kahler-style locking tremolo. Stripping out the tone circuit and neck pickup was deliberate: the series was built for the high-gain shred playing the pointed headstock had come to signal.
- attack
- bright
- hot
- high gain
- peak
- low gain
- hard rock
- tremolo
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Charvel Model 2 (1980s) is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Rock
- Electronic
- Metal
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Charvel Model 2 (1980s)
Peavey VTM-120
Peavey
23% matchPeavey VTM-120 pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Vox MV50-CE Rock
Vox
23% matchVox MV50-CE Rock takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight
Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
22% matchStack Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 210
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Fusion 210 takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchStack Traynor BB115 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212 and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchPhil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo
Egnater
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo and it comes out closer to tight
Pedals that stack with the Charvel Model 2 (1980s)
Xotic EP Booster
Xotic
21% matchFeed a high gain signal into Xotic EP Booster and it comes out closer to clean boost
Suhr Shiba Drive
Suhr
21% matchStack Suhr Shiba Drive on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Benson Amps Delay PT2399 Echo
Benson Amps
tonal matchInto Charvel Model 2 (1980s), Benson Amps Delay PT2399 Echo is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics Wannabee
Beetronics
tonal matchBeetronics Wannabee is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Charvel Model 2 (1980s) gives it exactly that
Electro-Harmonix Nano Deluxe MM
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchInto Charvel Model 2 (1980s), Electro-Harmonix Nano Deluxe MM is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Laney TI-Boost
Laney
tonal matchInto Charvel Model 2 (1980s), Laney TI-Boost is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
NuX SSD-10
Nux
tonal matchCharvel Model 2 (1980s) leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform NuX SSD-10 wants
Mooer Flex Boost
Mooer
tonal matchMooer Flex Boost is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Charvel Model 2 (1980s) gives it exactly that
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Charvel Model 2 (1980s) (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Charvel Model 2 (1980s)?+
The closest matches in character are the ESP Custom Shop Kirk Hammett Signature KH1 KH-1 Flying V Black, the ESP Tiger, the Schecter Blackjack Pt. Boutique upgrades: Gibson Tony Iommi SG Signature, Fender Stratocaster American Standard.
What pairs well with the Charvel Model 2 (1980s)?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Peavey VTM-120, Vox MV50-CE Rock, Mesa Boogie JP-2C 1x12 Combo — Peavey VTM-120 pushes a high gain tone toward tight.
How much does the Charvel Model 2 (1980s) cost?+
Around $630 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs ESP Custom Shop Kirk Hammett Signature KH1 KH-1 Flying V Black
- vs ESP Tiger
- vs Schecter Blackjack Pt