2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

[McD]

Okay, while I'm home thinking up all kinds of ideas for new products/finishes/etc, I figured I might as well ask the experts. At some point a JCF'r emailed me and said "If you want to be cool, do what Keith used to let us do: listen to our feedback and ideas!" Fair enough.

I've come up with all kinds of ideas. Some will be great, some won't, the others will fall somewhere in between each extreme. I mean, we're not talking brain surgery or rocket science here, this is much more dangerous!

So, here are my questions to you:

1. Is there any old school things that Charvel Jackson hasn't done in a while that you'd be into seeing us re-introduce?

2. What finish option should we be doing?

3. Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?

4. What sucks in the current line (let me guess: everything? LOL already!!!)

5. When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson?

There's nothing like a little qualitative research on a 3-day weekend (is this just a sorry excuse to help me justify the school loans for my dust garnering multi-useless degree? ... maybe)

Slainte!
McD out

[Baum83]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

1. Is there any old school things that Charvel Jackson hasn't done in a while that you'd be into seeing us re-introduce?
The Roswell Rhoads and the Pro Series Warriors. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2. What finish option should we be doing?
I'd like to see WHITE imports... Warrior, Dinky, Rhoads...

3. Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?
Uh... no idea. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

4. What sucks in the current line (let me guess: everything? LOL already!!!)
IMHO, there's not enough guitars with fixed bridges available. Floyds are nice and fun, but fixed bridges should also be available (tuning is one of the most important issues to me here).
Also, a Pro Series Warrior would be pretty cool - a mix of the XT and MG Warriors. Piranha inlays, black hardware, alder body, neck/headstock binding, and maybe reverse headstock (and more reverse headstocks in general). [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
And again I want white guitars. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

5. When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson?
Last year, Eerie Dess Swirl DK2 - hands down the best guitar for the money.

Disclaimer:
I'm not a J/C expert by any means, but you asked for my opinion - there you have it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ February 16, 2003, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: Baum83 ]

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Bring back the San Dimas-style Charvels. Not like the current Charvels, or the mid-90s Charvels, but the ones built in San Dimas, California. These new ones can be in the same vein as the GuitarXpress Bullseye guitar. Even a Strat and a Star model with some options that would make it close to a guitar of the day would be great. I KNOW that I'm not the only guy that's gonna say this. If you made them again as a production line in the USA, I would buy one for sure.

As for finishes, I'd love to see the Jake E Lee burst make a return.

Maybe some guitars with piezo bridge options would be cool.

I think the current Charvel line sucks. Also a few options on different models wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

I've never bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson, but if you made the Charvels like I mentioned before, you can be sure that I WOULD buy one of those.

EDIT:
In my typing frenzy before, I forgot to THANK YOU for asking our humble opinions. It shows a lot about you and Fender to ask what we would like in the coming year. Thanks.

[ February 16, 2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Boxcar Willie 84 ]

[whackmaster]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Thanks for asking. All I would like to see are quilt tops available on more models. Also bring back the quilted fretboards on the PC1. Can you tell I'm a wood freak? Also, when's the custom shop form coming back online? Oh yeah- bring back the PC ARCHTOP into production!!!! [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Soloist1]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Numba 1! The neck profiles have gotten bigger than the Charvel/Jackson's of old. Grab up a few of the oldies of different years and compare the neck profiles. Personally I think the late 80's and early 90's had the best most sought profiles of any in Jackson/Charvel's history.

Numba 2! I saw a list of new finishes that I am uncertain of. I couldn't tell whether they are being offered a USA select or imports. First suggestion is I see the imports having more graphic and cool finishes than the USA selects. Don't let this happen. A few of the USA select finishes on imports is cool but the USA guitars should still be tops an have the best variety. Also the cobalt blue swirl is way off of what it is supposed to be. Reference the winter NAMM 2002 star for what it should look like. The current one isn't even cobalt blue. It should be much darker.

Numba 3! I think your good here. Don't get wild. I do agree a Floyd and string thru of each model would be great though.

Numba 4! No the current line doesn't totally suck. What does suck is the Warrior with no slanted fretboard. It was designed that way and that is the way the WR1 should be as well. Personally I would like to see more reverse headstocks on USA selects as I'm sure there are many others that would agree.

Numba 5! Last time I bugged you to have it shipped on the quick boat. 2002!

][ :o )# Hope this helps.

[ February 16, 2003, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: Soloist1 ]

[Guitarzan]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Definately more string thru guitars...especially King V's! Even Kahler APM3310's would be good...I heard you have a big stock of em even though Kahler doesn't make em anymore. Also, I think having the option of Duncan OR EMG pickups on each model would be really great!

Also, I never understood why 3 way strat style switches were used ing KV's when they weren't used on any else. Just put on a Gibson style 3 way switch! They are way better!

[Zero Signal]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

First thanks for asking our humble opinions, I am sure you will get all the feedback you could want.

My quick suggestions

-Ease off the chrome hardware on the imports and make black at least optional.

-Also agree that more fixed bridge options would be good.

-I would also like to see the color white more available.

-More matched colors on import headstocks.

-Last, keep offering graphics and different kinds of inlays on several different models.

[ February 16, 2003, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: Zero Signal ]

[sevser]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

1. "Is there any old school things that Charvel Jackson hasn't done in a while that you'd be into seeing us re-introduce?"
XTRR. They were discontinued just as people started talking about them. Warrior pro and the Kelly Star neck thru (pro or select). Another thing that would be cool, a LTD run of famous players custom shops, like Crosby, Jake e Lee, Holmes ect.

2. "What finish option should we be doing?"
Oil finish neck option on all neck thu's

3. "Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?"
Non that come to mind.

4. "What sucks in the current line (let me guess: everything? LOL already!!!)"
The fact that all RR1's have a pick guard and 22 frets. A choice of 24 frets and no pick guard would be cool.

5. "When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson?"
Two years ago. And I'm getting hungry! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[charvelguy]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

1. Hmm a small strat hs, neck thru.
2. A dark jade Green would be cool. TB sunburst.
3. offer it as an add on.. like graphite saddles on a standard trem, or a Lsr nut with Lsr tuners.
4. nice parts guitar with the charvel logo for 1200... I could build one for less.
5. I bought a nos '91 that had been sitting for two years in '93-94 for half price.

[Genebaby]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

The main thing I can suggest is maple board options on as many guitars as possible. This would be a cool option to have without going Custom Shop.

My last new Charvel was the recent Bullseye Charvel from GuitarXpress. I got it because it had a maple/maple neck for sure, plus it's a gold logo pointy headstock guitar. This is what the Charvel line should consist of, not the current line. Make them wherever, but make them like the Charvels of old.

[AlexL]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Thank you for asking. Below are my thoughts, followed by the guitar I will buy this if you make it:

1. Is there any old school things that Charvel Jackson hasn't done in a while that you'd be into seeing us re-introduce?
I agree with those who say the Roswell Rhoads.

2. What finish option should we be doing?
I am a huge white gutar fan, so again, I agree with those who want more white finishes.

3. Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?
More non-trem designs (string thru), and I would like to see a fine-tuning fixed bridge like the Schaller used with locking tuners.

5. When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson?
I ordered a new RR5 that arrives tomorrow (there's the string-thru I like so much... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ).

Here's the guitar I would like you to add to your lineup: Roswell Rhoads, string through, crop circle inlays, true Roswell headstock. Thru-neck preferable, but not mandatory. I want to be able to buy it from a dealer for 800.00 or less (so, what's that - like a list price of 1100.00-1200.00?). If that means made in Japan, I'm all for it. Do that, and I'll add another Jackson to my wall.

Also, FYI, I also recently bought a barely used trans-green DKMGT (again, fixed bridge...) that I think is an insanely good guitar for the money. Way to go.

Again, thanks for asking our opinion.

- E.

[ February 16, 2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: AlexL ]

[kennslp]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Mcd- Thanks again for soliciting our opinions! I think you'll find some very constuctive thoughts from us JCF'ers. Here are mine:

1. Please ...we need USA Charvels NOW! DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE THE POINTY HEADSTOCK! Be sure to copy the San Dimas neck profile as closely as possible. I really do feel that, as long as the quality remains high, there is a market for these.

2. Pretty satisfied w/ the current finishes. Maybe an option for body binding on Dinkies & Soloists w/ maple tops.

3. More sting-though models would be great!

4. I would like to see the 'speed-neck' as an option on all USA select models. My biggest problem w/ the current line is the fact that I cannot try one out anywhere...and I live in New York! Please, do all you can to get your dealers to carry a fair representation of the full Jackson/Charvel line. My local Guitar Center NEVER has any USA Jacksons, and all they do have are bottom-of-the-line models. That's not a good way to get a young guitarist interested in J/C's when all they ever see in the stores are the bottom of the barrel models. They never have a chance to fall in love w/ USA Jacksons like the rest of us have!

5. 2000: a Black Ghost Flames WR-1, and a Au Natural PC-1. I am currently dying for an SL-ATQH or 90, but $$ is scarce!

Just my thoughts here. Again, thanks for asking.

-Kenn

[Svart]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

thnx for giving us the oportunity to feel like being a part of the one thing that binds us in darkness [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

1. kelly star... definetly [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
2. I was under the impression that crimson swirl was available on imports as well so I'm not complaining (budget restricts me to imports)
3. Nothing to complain for me personally here...
4. Nagging about the tiny bits here, but I think it's too bad that the DK-2 comes with binding and the flamed fretboard, and the other imports have to do without (correct me if I'm mistaken here)
5. End of April 2002, trans blue KE-3

[toejam]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Maybe certain models could have a choice of non-recessed Floyd (I know the neck angle would need to be tilted back for this option, just like on the ones with string-thru TOM), more string-thru models would also be cool, choice of maple, rosewood or ebony fingerboards, choice of hardware color, choice of pickup configuration (H, H/S/S, H/S/H, H/H, H/S, S/S/S). The D-Tuna would be cool for Floyded guitars, maybe a HipShot D-Tuner machinehead for non-trem guitars.

Just my measly suggestions. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

BTW, I've never bought a new Jackson or Charvel. Just have a few Professional models; Dinkies, Kelly, Charvel Model 6 and Model 5A. In 2001 I bought a USA Fender Double Fat Strat hardtail, though. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ February 16, 2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: toejam ]

[Inazone]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

1. Is there any old school things that Charvel Jackson hasn't done in a while that you'd be into seeing us re-introduce?

Start using real mother-of-pearl inlays on the imports. This "pearloid" thing may fly on the very low end models, but my early `90s imports have the real deal. Also, bring back the Stealth line! Upgrade the Pro line to be closer to the early `90s models. I understand that you can't make them as good as the USAs, but make the prices more realistic, fix the inlays (see above) and add some neck binding...at least on a couple of models!

2. What finish option should we be doing?

Everyone else pretty much nailed these.

3. Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?

Do a model or two with a plain fixed bridge instead of a Floyd or TOM. Make it a string-thru fixed bridge ala Tele-with-humbucker, like the old JDX-94 Concept. Also, do more 3+3 headstocks like on the SLSMG.

4. What sucks in the current line (let me guess: everything? LOL already!!!)

Too many similar models among the low end guitars.

5. When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson?

I bought two new USA Jacksons last year.

I already broke my 2003 resolution of not buying any more guitars, but I caved in. What did I buy? A used `91 Hamer. They quit building their "metal" guitars years ago, and honestly, that disappointed me a lot. Jackson is one of the few manufacturers that still seems interested in preserving their legacy, even with changes in ownership over the years. Obviously, you can't please everyone, but Jackson seems to have tried hard to make sure that the long-time J/C players have high-quality instruments similar to those made over the past two decades.