Industry Jul 24, 2026
Luthier Wayne Charvel Dies at 85
The Charvel founder and legendary custom builder for guitar's biggest names has died, aged 85
Originally published by
MusicRadar
Wayne Charvel, a renowned guitar builder and founder of Charvel, has passed away at the age of 85. Charvel was a pioneer of the Superstrat guitar and crafted instruments for notable musicians such as Deep Purple, ZZ Top, and Eddie Van Halen. His work significantly influenced the electric guitar industry, initiating the "hot-rod" customization trend. Originally reported by MusicRadar.