Perplexity...

[Number Of The Priest]

Perplexity...
Same for Misha Mansoor (WhoTF is he?? I didn't know him until Jackson did his sig model)

Misha Mansoor is the guitarist for the band Periphery?

Yes, Periphery.

As stated, Misha's band is named Periphery, not Perplexity.

I kid, I kid!

Anyone want to join me in my Periphery tribute band? We'll call ourselves Perplexity.

[neilli]

the reality is that the import guitars is where the bulk of Jackson's revenue comes from.
Signature models attract the public - just look at the current spate of artist 'brands' (started at EVH, then Wylde, now tobin and that other guy (englund?))
'extra' strings and multi-scale are the flavour of the month, and again, they attract the public right now
Jackson USA have pretty much stopped USA Select production moving to the Custom Select one-by-one customer spec'd order model. All those USA models you mention are available via custom select.

[Luca1973]

the reality is that the import guitars is where the bulk of Jackson's revenue comes from.

Yes Neilli, this is the point, and let’s say also that J/C has a big company like FMI at behind, if they did this move for sure they’ll have their reasons.
In the low price range anyway the competition between brands is very high and a crash would be costly.

But I would give an example…
Here, in some of the main italian stores I see (just to name a few) beautiful PRS with unbelievable finishes, Stratocasters Custom Shop, Les Pauls, all prompt delivery, and I’m talking of the same price range of USA Jacksons.

Let’s say I’d like to have a new axe and I have a good sum.
At least I’d like to TRY IT before buy.
Do I want a Custom24?? I find them in the stores, with the choice of different colors.
Do I want a Custom Shop Stratocaster vintage style?? Same as for the PRS. Relic, NOS...as you want it.
Do I want a Les Paul?? Same again.
Do I want a Dinky?? Choice for colors reduced to minimum, in a price range like that I’d expect at least a flamed or a quilted top…..NO. Go custom select with months of waiting.
Result: if I need that type of instrument I’ll sure look also to other brands available in the store.

I grew up with the philosophy that a custom order should be an exception, just if you really don’t find something 100% right for you in the standard production.
And to be honest, nowadays If I enter in a well stocked shop, 9 times out of ten I’ll find what I need. Both, guitars or amplifiers.

It’s strange seeing Jackson to reduce drastically the models of what SHOULD be the main line of the brand, that is, the “standard” USA production.
To me, this trade policy seems an attempt to have two different worlds: an “elite” production with custom orders, and the medium price and entry level ranges with the imports.
To do this, you sacrifice the standard USA production that, instead, I think should be the main line on which to base the store, available in the stores, with more options, models and finishes.
Doesn’t this situation gives things easier for other competitors like Ibanez, ESP and so on??


I’m not a marketing expert and I see things as a simple client, so I may be wrong.
But...according to me this trade policy is a bit strange, this is why I started this topic.

What concerns the signature models....come on...for what they did in the music biz, there are no more than three or four guitarists REALLY worthy for a signature model in the entire J/C catalog .
Wouldn't Andreas Kisser be much more worthy for a sig model than Mansoor??






edit/correction...
I wrote a wrong term in my first post wich may not be understood
"...perplexed about the brand politics.."
I was talking about the trade policies.

[neilli]

I guess that stuff can only be answered by someone at Jackson. For me, having 'boring' standard model store stock wasn't interesting, compared to being able to spec something unique at more or less the same price. Albeit with a wait time. But to my mind, that's much more like how Jackson started out, with each guitar being a specific order, rather than having the standardised production that was the USA Select series. That said, not having stock stock is a bummer..

[slayer]

The really bad part now is if you truly want a custom Jackson you have to pay a bull masterbuilt fee. That makes a true custom way out of most peoples price range and way over priced in my mind. Before that fee they were very attainable. That was like the old Jackson. True customs and production line USA models. Fender is ruining a true custom for most of us.

[x_zac10]

What concerns the signature models....come on...for what they did in the music biz, there are no more than three or four guitarists REALLY worthy for a signature model in the entire J/C catalog .
Wouldn't Andreas Kisser be much more worthy for a sig model than Mansoor??

I sure think Andreas is much more deserving, and I'd assume the majority of people here care a lot more about him. But for the kids buying gear today, I think it's fair to say Mansoor is a lot more relevant. Personally, I think Periphery is pretty terrible, and the vocals are unlistenable. I've seen some videos online of Mansoor demoing amps that sound like any kid on a Saturday playing too loud in drop-A at Guitar Center - I couldn't say I'm a fan of his playing. Funny thing is I actually own one of his guitars, and think it's great. It was never something I had any interest in when I heard about them, but I just happened to be at TMZ the day they came in. I figured I might as well check it out, and was so impressed that I had to buy it. I hate that it's a signature model, but thankfully it doesn't have his name on it or anything. (Probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise.) I also have a Broderick 7 that I bought just because it was a steal, and I didn't have a 7 at the time. It's one of the best playing and sounding Jacksons I've ever owned. (Unfortunately it weighs as much as a small car.) I get frustrated too though that the only new USA stuff they seem to do anymore comes in the form of signature models. I hate the idea of buying signature gear, but I'm glad I gave both of these a shot.

[Mudlark]

I just happened to be at TMZ

I read that 4-5 times before I realized you meant The Music Zoo and not the TV show.

[neilli]

The really bad part now is if you truly want a custom Jackson you have to pay a bull masterbuilt fee. That makes a true custom way out of most peoples price range and way over priced in my mind.

Yeah, the MB thing isn't ideal, but at the same time, how many people really were ordering specs that pushes it into MB territory? Plus, you can get a custom select for under 3k which is really cheap by today's standards, and if you 'need' something that's MB only, it's still cheaper than a MB guitar from Fender, ESP, PRS, Gibson etc etc

[Aso]

Yeah, the MB thing isn't ideal, but at the same time, how many people really were ordering specs that pushes it into MB territory? Plus, you can get a custom select for under 3k which is really cheap by today's standards, and if you 'need' something that's MB only, it's still cheaper than a MB guitar from Fender, ESP, PRS, Gibson etc etc

Is Jackson even taking Masterbuilt orders any more? They don't talk about them on the web site, I have heard rumors about it going away except for artists.

I ordered a ESP custom due to the Masterbuilt being temporarily closed down and you are right that even a Masterbuilt Jackson is cheaper than a ESP custom.

[neilli]

I'd heard that MB orders were stopped right now, but not heard anything more than that. But the custom shop page on the website has been redesigned to give order sheets for each base model, instead of having the option sheet, with the small MB section at the end. I also heard they were dropping output so maybe..

[slayer]

I also noticed more options for the CS Select guitars. I see non-recessed floyds now so they will tilt the neck. Still no Kahler, 22 frets or 24.75 & 25 scale neck options yet.

[neilli]

They've done non recessed Floyds since the get go - I have two custom select soloists with them, plus a dinky..

[ed]

I sent an email to DLX and they said that you can order a custom select from them. But apparently the wait time is 8-12 months. Not sure if he was telling the truth or not though.

They told me to fill the form from here https://www.jacksonguitars.com/custo.../select-series and then send it to them and they will be in touch with Jackson about the price and wait time.

So i went ahead and designed a pretty basic Dinky and asked DLX music for the price and today they got back to me. The price would be 4150 euros. And the wait time would be 12 months.

[Vass]

So i went ahead and designed a pretty basic Dinky and asked DLX music for the price and today they got back to me. The price would be 4150 euros. And the wait time would be 12 months.

That is absurd. $5100 in dollar terms.

[Luca1973]

That's why american custom shop guitars are extremely rare in Europe....taxes, broker importers, mark-ups, longer waiting times....