I worked with Wayne in various bands through the years.  It was great working with a band member that knew the business. 
Tony Penn

This is one of our greatest moments with Wayne and family Charvel. Thanks for the joy and until we meet again!
Edsel, Emese & Strea

Wayne, thanks for  the joyful moments we shared together!
Edsel, Emese & Strea.

So sorry to hear that Wayne  is on his journey to meet his maker. Again, peace be with you.  God bless you.

Wayne was not just one of the Worlds best Guitar Luthiers, but a Wonderful Person. My condolences to the Charvel family. RIP Wayne Charvel. Keith R.

My first real guitar was a Charvel Model 5FX, and I still have it today. Thank you for all the hard work and passion you put into making some of the world's greatest guitars. Your craftsmanship has inspired generations of musicians, and your legacy will live on through every note we play.

Rest in peace.

— K. Bell, Ohio

God bless you, master. Hugs and strength to the Charvel family.

I've had the pleasure of owning several fine Charvel and Jackson instruments. Wayne crafted works of art that continue to create art and inspiration for guitarist globally! Definitely my generations Leo Fender.

My first real guitar was a Charvel . Thank you for all the work you put in . 
You will be missed but never forgotten . 
                                                                J Byerly . Texas

You are as important as any famous guitarist in the late 70’s and 80’s. You defined that sound as much as any guitarist using your instruments. I can only say thank you sir! I still love my Charvels, they are some of my most prized guitars. Rest easy, your memory will live on and you will be remembered. My sincerest condolences to your family. And thank you for sharing Wayne with all of us!

There’s probably no other person who influenced 80’s, 90’s, (and even beyond) like Wayne Charvel. I can personally say my love of guitar, the style that I play, and the guitars I love were all created or inspired by  Wayne Charvel. Thanks for giving us these wonderful tools and thanks for making the world a better place😉!

Much love and respect,
Daniel Pepin

I met him and he built me a beautiful guitar back in the mid 80's and I still love it. The one thing about him that stuck with me was that everything that he did was about guitars and building them. The people that bought them from him were all the same to him even though some were very famous. He had some great stories too! God bless Wayne Charvel. 🙏🏻

I am so sad! My childhood growing up with my mom Marilyn Parker and my dad Roy Parker, hits heavy upon my heart! And my dad's as well. Honored condolences please and prayers! Even though we lost touch after my mom died I remember lots of memories of our family parties at least once a month, even weekly. I am in tears. Wish no one had to go. I remember his little tiny shed just starting out painting some guitar bodies laughing hysterically with my dad. I have photos too but they are stored away deep. Hopefully some day I can get those out. Love and angel lights. Rock on please. I know the rock n roll world feels this as well! Susan I have missed you greatly u have no idea!! 💖

My deepest Condolences To one of the most wonderful Guitar craftsmen in history. 
Sir you will live through our i struments you created, your voice will ring thru every note in our songs
I love you Sir you'll be forever be a part of our lives

My husband has always loved these beautiful pieces of art. So much so: we named our daughter Charvel, 35 years ago.

When I was a kid and and saw the Dio Last in Line video,I saw Vivian Campbell ripping a solo with Charvel on the headstock. Ever since that moment I knew exactly what guitar I wanted to play. 

Having a Charvel like felt being part of a team and gave me a physical connection to all the players on my wall, Lynch, Eddie, Jake e Lee, Vivian Campbell, Warren Demartini. 

I was fortunate enough to meet Wayne and his son Michael at the 2008 Namm show and speak to him several times over the years on the phone. 

Thank you so much for being one of the sparks that ignited an absolute guitar revolution.

Forever “Strings attached”  ….  

Vayos Con Dios … Wayne  Richard Charvel

Wayne out in the back of the shop Calimesa Blvd, Calimesa, CA , with one of our Neptune Series seashell 🐚 Guitars …

At this point Gibson couldn’t sell a Les Paul for the life of them , so they brought in the secret weapon Southern Californias … “Wayne Richard Charvel”  … Gibson making a Strat to have market relevance …

This is the difference Wayne made in the industry …

When I met Wayne Charvel via my fathers and Wayne’s mutual friend Gerald Sanders who wrote surf instrumental  “Bustin Surboards” …

He entertained my ideas and agreed to prototype them …  one thing led to another and another and another 🎸  ….

My sincere condolenaces to the familly and friends. Mr. Charvel was a true inspiration

Wayne I am so sorry to have heard of your passing you were one of the greatest guys I have ever met, and I will always be forever grateful of your friendship you sir will always be a legend an innovator of the guitar but most important a really wonderful kind and generous man that told great stories made me laugh and a part of an era that will never be again I feel so saddened words can't define what an amazing person you are. I will miss you. Thank you for being my friend letting me hang out with you I will cherish you always. Sending much love to your family and all how are suffering the loss of a great man. On the wings of Angels my friend. Karyn

I am very sorry to hear about Wayne‘s passing… His guitars influenced a lot of people! Especially during the 80s when I was starting to play guitar. I have three Charvel guitars and I love all of them…RIP Wayne

I just heard of Wayne's passing. My heart is crying for the Charvel family first and foremost,and for us fans all around the world. He touched more people than we can imagine. I met Wayne in 2005/2006  at the NAMM show and will forever cherish the conversation we had and the picture he was so gracious enough to let me take with him. Guitar making will never be the same and every other guitar maker/manufacturer owes Wayne his flowers because every single one of them ,past,present,and future , has  learned ,will have learned, and will continue to learn from this Brilliant  Man!!!  My first real guitar was  a Charvel ,and I still have it. It's a Rare 1988 Model 5 FX,and still  in near mint condition !May God Bless Mr. Wayne Charvel and the Entire Charvel family. My heart is yours,Luis Morales

He was fun to be around and was very intelligent. He loved his family and friends and also building guitars for the poor to the rich and famous. He was always willing to lend a hand and help those in need. Angels are playing some beautiful guitar music for him as he joins our other family and friends that watch us from above!

I am so sad at the passing of my wonderful father-in-law. He was an amazing man, who gave so much to his family, friend’s community and of course the music industry.  I will miss him dearly!

Love you forever papa and miss you so much fly high 🕊️🤍

You helped the best get better. Thank you for everything. Charvel forever

Thank you Wayne for building incredible guitars, was fortunate to find this rare guitar, God bless you and your family

A Legend goes,  one of the very few people that litterally changed the guitar world forever...

Wayne was the nicest guy. He set up many of my guitars and only wanted me to smile. 
Every time I would see him, he was always kind and would share laughs and his knowledge of guitars. He is a legend to many and will be greatly missed !

Tks for your contribution.....your legacy live forever.
RIP

An absolute legend. So much is owed to Wayne and his love of the guitar, so many bands, artists, and virtuosos played his instruments.  So many companies grew from his.  A true legend, he stands among Leo Fender and Les Paul as one of the three pillars of electric guitars.

Thank you Wayne for everything you did for the industry and for guitarists, whether they play arenas, clubs, or in their bedroom, you helped inspire so many.  RIP

For everything that comes in life, there is always a bright light. Wayne and his masterful work has brought many across all communities peace and solidarity. Long live Wayne through the musicians who carry on his name everyday…. RIP

Thank you Wayne for the everlasting impact you’ve left on the culture and history of the guitar world as a whole. Your innovations and legacy will continue on for generations to come!

My first pro guitar was a Charvel back in 1989. Loved that thing. Charvels will always have a special place in my heart. RIP.

Wayne,

I sold your guitars for many years….they were wonderful works of art….my customers always raved about them.

Thank you for sharing your vision with us all….I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Deepest condolences to the Charvel family members .
A innovator .....
.....changed the status quo of "necks" ....
There were Super strats ...then there were
CHARVELs.   ....And  his personal life.  
....Rest in Peace ....humble prayers for the family !

My condolences go out to Wayne's family and friends. He made a significant contribution to music with his guitar craft and will never be forgotten.

Please accept my condolences. Mr. Charvel was a great man. His contributions to the world of music, musicians and guitarists can not be measured. 

Wayne Charvel helped a generation of guitarists find their unique voice, at a time when music was changing. 

To own a Charvel guitar, is to own a piece of music history. Guitarists, like me, remember their very first Charvel guitar, in the way that they remember graduating from school, their first concert, or their first girlfriend. 

It was a right of passage, and part of a much greater story of life.

I hope that many generations of guitarists will play, and cherish Charvel guitars. Let us always remember the man who created them.

When I was living in Chatham Ontario Canada 
I remember talking with Wayne Charvel 
On the phone about where can I get a catalog 
Or how to go about getting high end Charvel 
All he said go to the Charvel eBay store 
I gotta go to the shed and work on these guitars 
Have a great day that was cool

RIP Mr Charvel. Thank you for your legacy of craftsmanship. My first real bass (1985) has your name on it. You’ll forever be remembered. Condolences to the Charvel family.

Rest in peace Mr. Charvel.  An absolute legend of the guitar industry.

So sorry to hear of his passing. I didn't know Wayne but I am a Charvel Guitar fanatic. I own 13 of them and they are the best guitars and designs ever made.  His impact on music and guitar will carry on. Prayers and love for the family. God bless.

This is my greatest guitar… 1982 Charvel San Dimas
Serial# 1211…. We’ve been through it all together.
I had he refinished a few years ago. 
Thank you Wayne for the gift of a lifetime…

I offer my sincerest condolences to his wonderful family and friends.  I was introduced to Wayne on 1990 in Calimesa.  He treated me with the utmost respect.  I will never forget our time spent together.  He will be deeply and sorely missed.   Rest in peace, WRC.  

This is very sad news to so many.  


Respectfully,
Ric St John

My deepest condolences to the family.  An amazing transformer of instruments.  Mission accomplished and a beautiful legacy left behind.

Thank sir for the great contribution to guitars. Rest well.

Thanks for everything you did. The guitar world owes you a great debt.

The Shine family has the Charvel family in its thoughts.

I'm so sorry to hear about Wayne... a long time friend and was first to sell my first guitar products in the late 70's... He was very helpful and helped my company do the first NAMM show's in Anaheim... Spent many early days at Wayne's shop in San Dimas and he had done custom guitar work and painting for me.  He sold my original Tele Brass Bridges and my Black Phenolic Esquire and Telecaster Pickguards... My Condolences to the family and my heart goes out to his kids... All my best... Seymour W. Duncan (Guitar Pickups)

Thank you for your mastery gods speed. 🙏🙏

A truly gifted craftsman who changed the world of guitars. Our thoughts and condolences go out to your family and loved ones. May you rest in peace.

May you rest in peace. Thank you for the amazing contributions to guitars and music. God bless you and your family

Thank you for your immeasurable contributions to the advancement of the guitar. You contributed innovations and improvements on par to Leo Fender and Les Paul. You will never be forgotten.

OBITUARY

Wayne Richard Charvel

July 1, 1941 – July 12, 2026

Advantage Crystal Rose Funeral Home

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Private Family Celebration of Life date is TBD