About Reverse Shark Fin inlays

[ToothyFace]

I'd like to show my pics but for some reason, I can't figure out how to do it.

Anyway, I have a Kelly Pro from the early 90's that I can't identify. The serial number is different than what I can locate online. It might be a super early Kelly.

But it does have the reverse shark fin inlays and I was wondering about that...... is there any significance for that? Did they produce a lot of aftermarket reverse shark fins? Or is it possible that this particular Kelly came with that fretboard?

And I should also say it is a Pro- like on the headstock, it says Professional. Thx in advance

PS- if anyone cares, the serial number is J010002 on the back of headstock. I guess I would really like to know if this fretboard was added at some point or if it is in it's original condition. Weird, and it came in a Jackson/Charvel case

[DK2M92]

Around the mid 90s they made a couple models of Kellys with the reverse sharkies. To post pics you must put the link to a photosharing site like imgur or photobucket.

[Number Of The Priest]

My mid-1990s Jackson KE3 Professional had standard headstock with reverse inlays. The example seen below isn't mine but was the same.

[toejam]

Yeah, the KE3 had them at one point. If it's got neck/headstock binding, then it would be a Kelly XLR.

[DonP]

And I should also say it is a Pro- like on the headstock, it says Professional. Thx in advance

It is a Professional, but it is NOT a Pro. Pro models were neck-thru with an ebony fretboard and MOP inlays.

[Mudlark]

Those stickered serials were a mid-'90s thing, mostly on the Kelly models from that era which had no neck plate/serial. They aren't date-coded and cover at least '94-'95 and possibly parts of '93-'96.

Should be either the XLR or XL. May be an early KE3 if any came without a neck plate.

[charvel750]

On a side note, I believe the origin of the reverse inlays came about as a mistake. They were reversed by accident but caught on and people liked it and they've been an option on a few models ever since. The Charvel 750 had reverse sharks too.

[Sunbane]

The "missing NAMM Rhoads" had reverse sharkies though, didn't it?

[Newc]

The "Missing NAMM Rhoads" was probably seen in a magazine or news article by 100 people at the time. I'd guess RKC wanted them to go along with his noskcaJ logo and reverse headstock (lefty neck on a righty guitar), or someone "got the idea" after seeing a lefty play a righty.

[MartinBarre]

My KE3 had standard headstock and reverse inlays.

[Mudlark]

My KE3 had standard headstock and reverse inlays.

Stickered serial or neck plate?

[MartinBarre]

Stickered serial or neck plate?

Can't remember now, there's probably pics and stuff on here with it all but I sold it a few years ago. I believe it was on the neck plate though.

[ykrop4ik]

On a side note, I believe the origin of the reverse inlays came about as a mistake. They were reversed by accident but caught on and people liked it and they've been an option on a few models ever since. The Charvel 750 had reverse sharks too.

we can add to the 750xl and this kelly few more reverse sharkfins with non-reverse headstock. charvel 750xl sisters: sla-160 and american style custom rockinn soloist model 2. the stealth models from the same catalogue of 1996 has the reverse headstock, some other fellas come with reverse sharkfins and reverse headstocks, - but non-reverse headstock and reverse sharkfins are rather rare.