Reviving a Legend: The Charvel Jake E. Lee Signature Guitar
Charvel has reintroduced the iconic signature guitar of Jake E. Lee, unveiling the Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS HT RW, which draws important inspiration from his legendary electric guitar used during his time with Ozzy Osbourne.
A New Era After a Tragedy
After the untimely passing of Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee stepped into the spotlight, providing a sense of continuity for Ozzy OsbourneS band. Over a five-year period, he contributed to two pivotal albums: Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin.
The Return of the Blue Burst
lee’s tenure with Ozzy was marked by his striking Blue Burst Charvel Superstrat. following a successful reunion at the “Back to the Beginning” concert, this beloved guitar has made a comeback, complete with its original color scheme.
Specifications That Impress
The Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 is crafted with an alder body shaped in the classic San Dimas style, a design that Lee has long championed. It features a bolt-on maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard with a compound radius of 12-16 inches, adorned with 22 medium jumbo frets and white dot inlays.
Powerful Pickup Configuration
One of the standout features of this guitar is its unique pickup setup: a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker at the bridge, paired with slanted DiMarzio SDS-1 single-coils in the middle and neck positions, creating a versatile HSS configuration. The angled pickups are inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s left-handed playing style, allowing for expressive performance that captures the essence of Lee’s dynamic playing.
Designed for Performance
While some may lament the absence of a whammy bar, the hardtail bridge was specifically requested by Lee to enhance sustain, maintain tuning stability, and support his vibrato techniques.
A Personal Touch
in a recent launch video, Lee reminisced about his early aspirations to own a Stratocaster. Initially, he envisioned a model with a whammy bar, but after testing several options, he found that the hardtail version produced superior sound quality.
Coloring His Legacy
Perhaps the most thrilling aspect of this guitar is the revival of the Blue Burst finish, a color that symbolizes lee’s era with ozzy. Charvel describes this return as a bold tribute to the period that solidified his legacy.
In the early 1980s, after bringing his Sunburst Strat to Hollywood, a friend at Charvel gifted him a respray for his birthday, resulting in what he affectionately called a “lavender sheen.” This became his signature look during the Bark at the Moon era, alongside a model originally crafted for Allan Holdsworth.
A Quest for Personalization
As Lee recalls, “They were sending me leftovers that other people hadn’t picked up. After Ultimate Sin, I felt I should have something a bit more personalized.” The Blue Burst finish debuted just before the Ultimate Sin tour, initially appearing green but quickly deemed unappealing under stage lights.
Pricing and Availability
the Charvel Jake E. Lee Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HSS HT RW is now available for purchase at a price of $1,399.99 in the U.S., £1,399 in the UK, and €1,649 in Europe.
For more details, visit Charvel’s official website.
Reflections on His Musical Journey
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Lee discussed his creative struggles with Ozzy while working on The Ultimate Sin, defending the album’s eclectic nature despite mixed reviews from critics.
