Jackson Pro Series advice

[alanhindle]

Hi Guys,

May I ask for some opinions and advice.

I'm getting more and more in to playing music that requires fast fretwork as well as intricate chord work.

I currently own a USA Production Charvel SD1. I absolutely love this guitar but sometimes it feels a little bit big on my fretting hand, possibly because my fingers are not especially long. The area where the body is bolted to the neck also feels particularly chunky so upper fret access is maybe also not as good as it could be for a bolt on.

Anyway, I also really like the look of the Jackson Pro Series Guitars, either in the SL3 or the KV5FR varieties. The spec seems pretty similar for these axes compared to a Charvel SD production i.e. original Duncan pickups, FR2000 trem, 12" - 16" compound radius neck, jumbo frets, alder body and maple neck. They also have the advantage of a neck thru body and perhaps more aesthetically pleasing 'trimmings' like the inlays and the glossy neck. The price points are also at about the same level.

A few questions:

Are the neck dimensions the same as those on a Charvel USA production or would the Jacksons feel slightly smaller and maybe also play faster? How do the two Pro series compare quality-wise?

I wouldn't want to part with my Charvel so would it be worth the considerable expense of adding one of these Jackson pro series to my arsenal or will my Charvel serve me equally well for playing a bit of old-fashioned speed metal?

Oh, and are the Jackson pros MIJ?

Thanks in advance

Alan

[RacerX]

Oh, and are the Jackson pros MIJ?

Yes.

(That's the only one I can answer)

[jdr94]

well i've only played one charvel SD and if you're talkin about the tru pro models(neckthru) the neck profile is thinner on the pros. even the professional series(bolt-ons) were thinner to my recollection, but again i've only played one and the neck seemed closer to a newer dk2 than an older pro or professional. hope that helps a lil

[VitaminG]

if you're talkin about the tru pro models(neckthru) the neck profile is thinner on the pros. even the professional series(bolt-ons) were thinner to my recollection, but again i've only played one and the neck seemed closer to a newer dk2 than an older pro or professional. hope that helps a lil

not all PROs were neckthrus and not all Professionals were bolt-on. There were models like the Soloist XL (neckthru Professional) and the Fusion PRO (bolt-on). One thing that holds true - all PROs were the top of the line Professionals back in the 90s.

I believe the OP is just talking about the current neckthru Professional series though, not the old 90s ones. He specifically mentions the SL3 & KV5

[jdr94]

you are correct. they werent all neckthru/boltons.
well if the kv5 is anything like the rr5 then the neck profile is still a bit thinner but not super thin.

[Rich#6]

The big difference between the two is that the jacksons are a D profile and the charvel is a C.
The D makes it a bit thinner from back to front and the C is not a wide a big part to the rolled fretboard. Both are pretty small necks for rapping you hand around. IF you need something smaller try an old gunslinger or some of the washburn X series are even smaller.

[DonP]

The correct guitar the OP needs is a Fusion Pro. Thin shredder neck with a short scale for those tiny mittens

[84sups]

The correct guitar the OP needs is a Fusion Pro. Thin shredder neck with a short scale for those tiny mittens

I second that one, especially with a maple fretboard!

[RunDMC]

The correct guitar the OP needs is a Fusion Pro. Thin shredder neck with a short scale for those tiny mittens

+2. Unfortunate that they don't make them anymore (if they brought the Fusion back, I think it'd do pretty well)...

[C.C._Devill119]

I bought a 2008 Jackson Soloist SL3 in July. I didn't like it at first, but then I got used to the neck, it's so smooth and fast. Now I'm in the process of customizing it, this is my first Jackson and now I know why you guys like them so much. I am adding, Seymour Ducan Vintage Staggered Single Coils SSL1 and SH4 JB model humbucker, a new paintjob and can't wait to get her done. If you can get an SL3, go for it.

[DonP]

I second that one, especially with a maple fretboard!

Sorry, Fusion Pros only come (back in the early 90s) with bound ebony and MOP inlays.

[tomanyjacksons]

Aren't all the specs for these on the Jackson website. I've used there catalogs on there site to even figure out years and specs of my older guitars.

[Newc]

Yes, they're in the catalog scans at Jackson, but when they list neck dimensions in inches, who sits there with a ruler or set of calipers in their hand going "ok, so if the SL3 neck profile is 0.835" at the third fret...."?

Most people go by the old Fender C and D profiles or Gibson Les Paul Slim Taper or Baseball Bat or Ibanez Wizard series neck profile descriptions. Stating neck dimensions is speaking a foreign language.

[warlok]

Hey Newc - I resemble that remark... lol. I had that conversation after I got my Kelly XL. Because I want another neck just like it (which was in the .785" range IIRC). What can I say, I build jet engines, I use calipers and mics all night..

To the original poster - Are you looking at new or an older model? The early 90's "professionals" are great for the thin necks (good for small fingers). BTW - when I say thin, I mean like Newc was saying, front of fretboard to back of neck. From what I remember in my research when I bought the XL, there were 3 types of "professionals". Standard, XL, and Pro (in that order of features). They all had differences in inlays, woods, etc. Seems from what I'm hearing here I may be wrong... But the standards had rosewood, dot inlays, and no binding, XL has rosewood (mine is really dark, looks like ebony) with MOP sharkies and full binding (headstock too), and the Pro is neckthrough with MOP sharkies, fully bound ebony board (and headstock). At least that's what I remember..

And, just to throw it out there - The JDR-94 (Concept - precurser to the PS4 and is MIJ) I have has the thinnest neck I've ever played. Great for carnies.... small hands, smell like cabbage... If you want me to measure/compare any of these to anything, let me know. I have a '94 Kelly XL, JDR-94, and a 2005 DKMG I could measure... If it's OK with Newc.. lol.

[Rich#6]

I think some of the new models have the same neck specs and feel the same as the old professionals. Out of the old professionals I have had a 93 xl and a 96 dx1. The dk2t I just sold, and the dk2m that I played at GC feel the same as the old professionals and have the same specs. The dkmg was close but the dxmg felt like a bat.
If you look at the jackson website the ones with neck specs .810 at the 12 th fret are pretty thin.
for those of you who complaint about the ibanez wizard II necks being too thin and love their jacksons the ibbys are .826 at the 12th fret.
I think the best thin neck that I have is my 2005 charvel. That's super thin.