What should be my 1st Jackson???

[HeWhoIs]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Yes the 650 XL is neck thru. All model series starting with a 5 or 6 are.

[Leo Chang]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

If you like the 650XL, you'll like the 750XL also, keep an eye out for them, but they are somewhat more rare.

If you can't find a 650XL/750XL that you like, I personally think the DK2 series are great guitars, especially the DK2S ("S" for Sustainer). The Sustainer makes all sorts of cool tricks possible at the flick of a switch, although you might not need this possible distraction if you are a beginner guitarist. (I don't know if you are)

[sustain]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

I have one question, why do people believe that Charvel's are better than Jackson's, I'm just curious??? [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Ricey]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

I think the 650XL is basically a Charvel Model 6. Someone please chime in if I am wrong. The Model 6 was definitely a neck thru model. I used to own one and it was a great playing and sounding guitar with lots of versatility. It was basically a Japanese made Soloist. This would be a great choice for your first Charvel/Jackson. The major differences between a Soloist and a Model 6 of the day were as follows:

The USA Solist had real Mother of Pearl Sharkfins and logo; whereas the Charvel had Pearloid.

USA Soloist had neck binding, Charvel had no binding.

USA had quartersawn neck, Charvel had rock maple. Quartersawn necks are a bit more stable, but the necks on the Charvels were excellent and at least as good as a top of the line Fender or Gibson.

USA had ebony fingerboard, Charvel was rosewood. Ebony is a little more expensive, but many Luthiers believe rosewood is the best choice. I personally don't prefer one over the other.

I believe the pickups and hardware were identical on the two models.

As you can see, most of the upgraded features on the Soloist were purley cosmetic, aside from the quartersawn neck and ebony fingerboard. It is generally thought, though, that the craftmanship and fit and finish were a little better on the USA Models, but I have owned and played several mid to high end Japanese instruments over the years and IMHO their constuction had been superb.

Good Luck,
Ricey

[Newc]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Maple necks are always quartersawn, regardless of what particular species of maple is used. Mahogany necks are generally laminated because it is a softer wood, regardless of how you cut it (flatsawn or quartersawn).

Don't believe the hype and don't spend an extra $100 on a neckthrough model anything - Jackson import bolt-ons are just as good as Jackson import neckthroughs, including the "famous" Model 5 and 6 and whatever variations. The minor cosmetic differences (650, 750) are just that - minor cosmetic differences. Yes, ebony vs rosewood is a minor cosmetic difference - neither is "better". Rosewood is less expensive becuase it's not hoarded like ebony. Period.

If I had the chance to buy my first guitar all over again, it'd definitely be an import Jackson, but not a DK-2, as they're still too pricey for an import. I'd search out an older import model that is less expensive, as you'll have some extra money left over to upgrade the hardware (tremolo) and pickups. If your budget/allowance is $400-$500, and buy a brand new DK2 for $400-$500, you'll be stuck with what I feel is a crappy tremolo - the JT580LP, not to mention weak pickups.
However, of you find an older Professional Series Dinky or Fusion for about $250-$300, then you can upgrade the tremolo to a Schaller or Original Floyd Rose, and *maybe* have enough to at least swap the bridge pickup for a Duncan Distortion or JB (those always go the cheapest on Ebay - about $50).

Also, that "00" serial number on an import always means made in India. The Japanese models are still using "96" serials.

Newc

[VitaminG]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Originally posted by Ricey:
USA Soloist had neck binding, Charvel had no binding.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">the Model 6 has a bound neck & headstock

[sustain]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Originally posted by Newc:
Don't believe the hype and don't spend an extra $100 on a neckthrough model anything - Jackson import bolt-ons are just as good as Jackson import neckthroughs, including the "famous" Model 5 and 6 and whatever variations. The minor cosmetic differences (650, 750) are just that - minor cosmetic differences. Yes, ebony vs rosewood is a minor cosmetic difference - neither is "better". Rosewood is less expensive becuase it's not hoarded like ebony. Period.

Newc

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Say Newc, why do people hype-up the neck-thru imports like they're supposed to be the best, because it seems like most people agree that I should buy the neck-thru guitars [img]graemlins/eyes.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/help.gif[/img] , please explain your greatness [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] !?!?!?

With that said, what do you guys think of these guitars:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...732124369&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...732299038&rd=1

[Ricey]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

I agree that a bolt on can be just as good as a neck thru depending on the guitar. My brother and I both think that my 1990 bolt on Fusion sounds just as good as his current production model neck-thru soloists (both are great guitars). The Model 3 is a nice guitar and you get a lot of value for the money. If I were you, I would contact the seller and ask him to verify that those are EMG pups. The two single coils certainly do not look like any EMG I have ever seen. Also, verify that the intonation screws on the Jackson bridge are not stripped. That is a common problem with those old Jackson tremolo's, but otherwise they sound and stay in tune great. Also, for the price you would end up paying for this guitar, I agree with the previous comment that you would have plenty left over to convert to an OFR.

I can not see an EMG logo on the Bridge pup. I have never played a Performer series, so I can't comment on that one.

[Newc]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Originally posted by sustain:
Say Newc, why do people hype-up the neck-thru imports like they're supposed to be the best, because it seems like most people agree that I should buy the neck-thru guitars [img]graemlins/eyes.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/help.gif[/img] , please explain your greatness [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] !?!?!?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">"Neckthrough is better than bolt-on" is one of the oldest marketing lies ever, and several people still buy into it, thinking that "more expensive is better", when in fact Jackson has proven time after time for 20+ years that a *good* guitar is a good guitar, whether it's set-neck, bolt-on, or neckthrough.

Let's put it this way: Say you ran a guitar company, and the most-expensive models were neckthrough. In order to make as much money as you possibly can, you want to sell more of the most-expensive models, so you pimp the idea that neckthrough is the absolute best construction (better tone, longer sustain, better-looking and tighter chicks, etc etc).
If neckthrough is so much better, why aren't Fender Strats all neckthrough? Or Les Pauls? Or any other of the longest-selling and most-popular brands/models? Obviously Fender and Gibson know how to make good guitars, or they wouldn't still be in business. The Firebird is Gibson's only neckthrough model, and if it was soooooooo much better like everyone hypes, why is the Les Paul their best-selling model?

As for those two you pointed out, either one is worth the money, but the Jackson is newer and would probably have less wear and tear.

Newc

[sustain]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Hey guys, are Kahler's as bad as everyone says they are, or are they good trems??? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/fart.gif[/img]

[VitaminG]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

"everyone"? On this board? Plenty of folks here like Kahlers just fine. A lot don't, but it's a matter of preference as much as anything. I prefer Floyds but have no problem at all with flatmount Kahlers.

[sustain]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Originally posted by VitaminG:
"everyone"? On this board? Plenty of folks here like Kahlers just fine.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My bad VitaminG, I should've said "some"!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Seriously, don't make sweeping generalizations, nor fall into the herd mentality. No more of that "I've heard people say that this is better than that" or "Everybody thinks this sucks" stuff. Some JCFers may eat you alive on here for acting "ignorant" like that, or at least not favour your "incessant" questioning and may not be enthused about helping you in the future. Boils down to personal preference is all I say. It took newbie Fragger a LOT of "newbie-posting" to decide he wanted a modified lefty DK2 (I think that's what he decided on in the end).

Example: I wanted a USA Soloist for the longest time. Turned out my first Jackson was a bolt-on import Kelly. I didn't think I'd like it, but I grew to love it. I now have a USA Soloist but still think my Kelly sounds better than my Soloist.

Welcome to the forum and hope you learn lots like we all do. You'll love it here.

[sustain]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Sorry guys for being so "incessant", but I CAN'T wait until I get my 1st Jackson/Charvel [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] !!! After having a good look at Model 3's and 4's, I think the 1st link I posted above is actually a Model 4 because it has those 3 mini-toggle switches, and I don't think the Model 3's have those mini-switches and all. Anyways, after reading some reviews of the Model 4 at Harmony Central, is it hard to replace the Kahler with a OFR/Schaller trem???

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: What should be my 1st Jackson???

Take those Harmony Central reviews/opinions with a grain of salt. Opinions are just that - opinions. Never will a mass dictate what you TRULY want... it all boils down to you.