New to the world of Jackson

[cruster]

Hello, I'm new to the whole Jackson/Charvel thing, and don't actually own one (I still don't know what the relationship between Jackson and Charvel is, or if imports are second class citizens...you know the basics<G>). I wound up here, as I'm looking for a guitar with 24 or more frets, preferrably a strat-style body, and great build quality. Of course, a bottom feeder friendly price is always a bonus. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

At any rate, one of the guys from the Hamer fan club has been helping me narrow down my list of wants/needs/would-likes on this particular project and he suggested I check in here.

So...what's the story with Jacksons and Charvels? Are US models preferred over imports? How can you tell the difference? Any pitfalls, gotchas, common knowledge type things I need to learn ASAP? Oh, and is there like a Jackson/Charvel FAQ? I clicked on the FAQ link at the top, but it's just a FAQ for UBB, not the guitars.

Thanks a bunch!

[Model 88]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

Welcome , if you are looking for a high quailty neck thru you want to look for the late 80 early 90s import (Japanese)J/Cs.The Soloist Pro is the same quailty as a USA soloist.They were made from 90-92(?)and they have all the features of a USA.If you do not mind a rosewood fret board the Model 5(H-H)5FX(H-S)5A(H) Model 6 H-S-S or the "toothpaste" logo 650XL H-S-S.They are all 25.5 scale 24 fret neck thrus.If want a 24.75 scale they made a Charvel 750XL and Jackson Archtop Pro.Both are mahogany set neck ,maple cap , 24 frets.

If you want a bolt on the model series are great guitars.The neck plates will all say Fort Worth Texas on them and are strat bodied.The toothpaste logos were dinky shaped.

I would check out the gallery to see if something catches your eye.

[cruster]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

Thanks for the reply, Mike. I appreciate all the help I can get. This may sound strange, but I don't really want the guitar for shredding (I can't shred); more along the lines of fusion jazz stuff.

I took a quick spin through the gallery last night. The Boobocaster and a couple of the Warriors caught my eye, but they're not really what I'm looking for. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I'll go see if I can turn up info on the models you've suggested. Thanks again!

[RR05xx]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

For a budget, I would recommend trying to lay hands on a mid 80s Charvel Model 6 (with small logo). It is an import, but basically the same as a USA soloist of the same era. Thge early 90s MIJ Jackson "Professional" series are also very good.

And you could also cut the BS and save up and buy a used USA soloist!

[cruster]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

RR05xx, thanks for the suggestion. Saving up the money isn't the issue; no saving needed. Getting yet another guitar into the house is. SWMBO believes my current crop of stringed instruments would be sufficient for any three guitarists. I disagree. If I drop a grand on another one, we'll have to have a serious discussion. Which will cut into my playing time. See? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I'm not averse to imports...if they're well built and represent a good value (bang for the buck) I'm fine with that. It's not like I'm going to go out on tour with this thing, anyway.

[sully]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

don't limit yourself to the used models mentioned above; if you're lookin for something in the $600 area, i'm sure that many of the new model imports can make you happy too. while the model series guitars of the 80s and the toothpaste era charvels (charvels with jackson style logos... look like they're written in toothpaste, dig?) of the early 90s are nice guitars, you can still get a nice new jackson as well.

check out the jackson web site for model specifics, and feel free to get in touch with the dealers that are on the board (the banner at the top, the dealers page, and the dealer ad forum near the bottom of the board). many of our sponsoring dealers will hook up a jcf member like yourself a little better than the average joe.

welcome to the board, and i hope you enjoy your stay.

sully

[A. Pulver]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

If you want 24 frets, neckthru construction and bang for the $, I would suggest the Charvel model 5.

[RR05xx]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

[ QUOTE ]
RR05xx, thanks for the suggestion. Saving up the money isn't the issue; no saving needed. Getting yet another guitar into the house is. SWMBO believes my current crop of stringed instruments would be sufficient for any three guitarists. I disagree. If I drop a grand on another one, we'll have to have a serious discussion. Which will cut into my playing time. See? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I'm not averse to imports...if they're well built and represent a good value (bang for the buck) I'm fine with that. It's not like I'm going to go out on tour with this thing, anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh. I am living in the same place as you and completely understand. I am at the point where is something comes in, another must leave. This is what we do for steady lay I guess. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[RacerX]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and is there like a Jackson/Charvel FAQ?

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Welcome.

[Grandturk]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

[ QUOTE ]
I'm looking for a guitar with 24 or more frets

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm still trying to figure out what to dow with the first 12. [img]/images/graemlins/sick.gif[/img]

[kruneh]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm looking for a guitar with 24 or more frets

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm still trying to figure out what to dow with the first 12. [img]/images/graemlins/sick.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

And I´m with the last 12 [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[cruster]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

OK, looks like the Charvel Model 5 is the one most people are suggesting. 24 frets because....oh, hell, I don't know...I can't play Sleep Walk without 24 frets, how's that for a reason? No? My wife didn't like that one either. But, have you heard Satriani's version of Sleep Walk with Robert Frip. Good stuff. But, I digress...

I already figured out what 'toothpaste logo' meant. But, thanks. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I thought it was supposed to look like neon tubing, but...doesn't quite make it. No FAQ...check. =( So, can someone tell me what the relationship is between Jackson and Charvel? How to tell which models are imports? The local mom and pop has a couple of Jackson's, but I'm betting they're imports (they are used, one's metallic blue, HSS, and that's all I remember).

I thought I was on the 'one in, one out' policy, too. Until I realized that my wife neglects (or forgets) to include the guits that are downstairs in the count when she's railing against yet another purchase. So...I adapt...only two upstairs at any given time...that way she only thinks I have two guitars. At least until she goes downstairs. The recent ukulele purchase isn't helping my case, either (it's a special uke...Ovation only made 40 of them, and only for music stores in Hawaii...it sounds great through the dirty channel of my Bandit 112 for some reason<G>). Steady lay? You must be a newlywed...give it a couple years and you'll wonder *why* you're doing this. HAHA.

What to do with the first 12 frets? I'm not really even sure. I tell my instructor (I take a weekly lesson because it's cheaper than therapy, I don't get hungover and it gets me out of the house) that I don't care to learn the names of any chords, and it doesn't matter if he thinks I'm fretting them right or not...I'm playing jazz, man...if it sounds bad, it's just because I'm playing 'out'. LOL.

Now that I've answered all these replies, I think I should have done each one individually to boost my post count so I can see the classifieds sooner! YIKES! I just know that the guitar that's just right for me is hidden away in the inaccessible classified forum and will be gone before I get there!

Thanks to all for the replies. Seems like a great board with good people. Oh, and after doing a bunch of research yesterday, here's where I'm at:

I want an inlaid logo, with shark fin markers with an ebony board. Prefer a bucker in the neck, too. Now which model should I be looking at? (Bling is a good thing, right?)

[sully]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

either a soloist pro (import)from 90-92, or a custom shop soloist. how's that for yin and yang?

[cruster]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

Jeebuz, that was a fast reply. So, the import Soloist Pro's have inlaid logo, shark fins and ebony? As do teh custom shop soloists?

I saw a (hey, Jack, what was that Jackson you just sold?) special Japanese something or other model that had just those things. Except that was about three days or a week before I decided I needed another guitar. And it was an awesome looking instrument.

When I was in Vegas last (I spent a month there one week last September) I saw a band playing at Paris and the guitarist had a Jackson that was very glam. But, in a cool sort of way. No idea what it was...he was also playing a three-hole Hamer Duotone, though. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

What's the story with some of the Soloist Pro's having tiny little triangle markers up in the corners by the frets? Are those newer models?

[cruster]

Re: New to the world of Jackson

OK, and now I have another question. What the heck is a Jackson Performer? I just checked the web site for the local store and that's what they're listing one of the used models as. The other is a Dinky.