Before Charvel became one of the leading guitar companies, it was known as Charvel’s Guitar Repair and was based in Azusa, California. The repair shop was created by Wayne Charvel in 1974, who was known as an expert refinisher that specialised in flames and other hot-rodded designs. Previously, Charvel had worked on guitars for Ritchie Blackmore and, most notably, Billie Gibbons of ZZ Top. After working for Fender doing finish work, Charvel would open his own repair shop that offered refinishes and out-of-warranty repair for Fender guitars.

Eventually, Charvel’s Guitar Repair would start to offer aftermarket customisations like high-output electronics and sold parts that allowed guitarists to build their own guitars. In fact, the legendary Eddie Van Halen himself was an early customer. At a time when the big guitar builders were at a low point, independent luthiers like Charvel started to come into their own. Professional and discerning guitarists alike would begin to seek out Charvel thanks to the quality of their modifications. By letting Charvel perform their magic, guitar players could take what may have been a mediocre guitar and make it extraordinary. It’s easy to see why trailblazing guitarists who were looking for an edge in sound and playability would flock to Charvel. A lot of this shift can be credited to Grover Jackson, who was employed by Charvel at the time. Jackson, alongside Charvel, would help define the look and sound of rock guitar in the '70s and '80s.

When the late '70s rolled around, Charvel would begin to build their own guitars - which would become affectionately known as “superstrats”. These high-performance guitars were equipped with unfinished, flat necks, larger frets and punchy pickups that would make your amp scream. They reflected the demands of guitarists at the time and the burgeoning shredder scene. By the 1980s, genuine virtuosos such as Steve Vai, George Lynch and Jake E. Lee could be seen proudly wielding a Charvel guitar onstage. Whilst Charvel guitars were a hit with rock and metal players, they were also a success with fusion players such as Allan Holdsworth. Any player the demanded dexterity and elegance from their guitar gravitated towards Charvel.

Production would eventually move to Japan in 1986 and Jackson would sell his interest in the company to Texas investment firm International Music Corporation (or IMC). Many of Charvel’s original employees would go on to work for Fender as master builders, a lot of them are still there today and helping the Charvel brand retain what made it special. Fender would acquire Charvel in 2002 and would re-establish the company as a force to be reckoned with in the guitar world.