Charvel OC-55 Outcaster Mint Green 1996
Charvel OC-55 Outcaster, mint green, made in Japan 1996. The Charvel Surfcaster debuted in 1991, combining a shred-friendly neck with a slim profile, tall frets and a flat radius with a cool offset body and a 3-a-side headstock. The Outcaster was made for one year only: 1996, and shared the body, neck and headstock shape with the iconic Surfcaster. It's a stripped-down take on the idea, so you get a couple of different touches: solid body, adjustable wrap-around bridge, a straight-set lipstick neck pickup and some no-fuss dot inlays. The offset body and charming mint green finish means it looks more Mustang than shredstick, but don't let that fool you: this plays very fast indeed. The body balances beautifully, and the neck is slim but nicely rounded and executed with excellence, and at 3.2kg, it's very lightweight... the thing plays itself. The neck pickup leans clean, with a sparkling top end and an articulate attack; it's got a decent dash of surf smoothness. The bridge pickup is a fair bit more aggressive, with a screaming midrange kick and fat, creamy bass. It's awesome into a dirty amp, especially perfect for punk and hardcore and other jaunty undertakings. It's fair to say you're unlikely to see another one of these for sale nearby anytime soon, so hey... don't mess around.
Model: Charvel OC-55 Outcaster
Made: 1996, Japan, Chushin Gakki factory
Serial: 387274
Finish: mint green, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 16" radius, slim C shape
Weight: 3.235
Mods: none
Pickups: Charvel LS-100 lipstick single coil, H-460C humbucker
Accessories: basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dents and dimples on the end, scuffs on both sides and the front around some of the posts. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, rub wear and dimples on the back only. The back has dimples near the neck plate and bottom edge, scuffs on the horns and jack and a few dimples and scuffs on the back edge and elbow area. The sides have a small finish-only crack on the bass side of the neck join and some dimples on the top horn, elbow area, back edge and near the jack. The front has dimples on the top horn, elbow area, near the knobs and elbow area, as well as some scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only