Charvel Desolation Star DST-1 FR

Charvel has left the gates running in 2012. They have a brand new model in their still new Desolation line of guitars. This guitar is based off the old Iconic star shape of the 80s. The Desolation DST1 Star model is another neo-retro guitar in the Desolation line. Like the Skatecaster it takes a shape from the 80s and puts in hardware that the metal players of today want and demand all without losing its vintage DNA. The guitar has a mahogany body in the star design from the 80s. Kind of like a wild Explorer and Flying V mix. The guitar features neck through construction with a maple neck. The back of the neck is raw and unfinished for a fast feel. The neck has a rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets in a compound radius design. The inlays on the neck are triangle shaped or double sharkfins. The bridge is a Floyd Rose and up top on the headstock you get a locking nut to go with it. The headstock is the classic pointy Jackson/Charvel design something very cool. The electronics are your typical go to electronics with a set of EMG humbuckers. An 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck. The controls are super simple 80s style with just a master volume and 3 way toggle.

UTILIZATION

The Quality on these Desolation models is great. They have neck through construction but keep the raw necks for the fast feel. Unlike the earlier Desolation models this guitar has a maple neck instead of a mahogany neck. Maple naturally feels a bit smoother than mahogany so it has an even faster feel on the neck. The crazy body shape gives decent balance but is a bit ungainly. This guitar cant really stand on its own so you need a stand at all times or a really big case to hold this guy. The Floyd Rose bridge is good and holds tune well under duress.

SOUNDS

The pickups in this guitar give you the typical metal sound you want and expect from a guitar in this segment and price range. This is competing with all the ESP's and Schecters on the market and is doing it well. The EMG's have a super tight sound that is great for metal. The 81 is super tight and pretty much a metal only pickup. With a clean sound it sounds kinda harsh and sterile. For leads in the bridge position the 81 is high end-y and harsh. The 85 in the neck is a bit more versatile. The 85 is great for leads because it has a fatter smoother sound so it is not as harsh. For cleans it is a bit better as well for the same reason.

OVERALL OPINION

With this Charvel Desolation Star guitar they are bringing back the classic shape in an affordable and desireable package for metal players nowadays. In the 80s this guitar might have had 1 pickup and a crazy paintjob because thats what guys wanted back then. Now people want darker guitars with a heavier sound. For this segment and price point its pretty much mandatory that it comes with aftermarket pickups. The EMG's in this guitar are what most people are using nowadays more metal. If you think you can sell a metal guitar for near 1000 bucks with no name pickups you are crazy or you are Ibanez. A guitar like this is ready to roll right out of the box.