2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

[Hamner1]

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?
*measure the old necks from the San Dimas years and the Late 80's-early 90's. These are the necks that most people love. Bring back some of the old finishes/graphics. Matching headstocks. Offer some basic options (reversed/normal headstock, pickup configuartion, pickup choice). Neck through Star body guitars. Maple necks with Maple fretboards & Ebony Sharkfin inlays.

2. What finish option should we be doing?
*a dark green swirl or a dark purple swirl with gold hardware might be cool.

3. Should we be using a pickup/bridge/accessory (D-Tuna for example) that we're not?
*offer a choice of pickup brands(2 or 3 should be sufficient... EMG, Duncan, Dimarzio)

4. What sucks in the current line (let me guess: everything? LOL already!!!)
Psuedo-stratheads. If we can't have the strat headstock, just make them all pointy. I would like

5. When is the last time you bought a "new" Charvel or Jackson? 2001 DXMG (I guess I got the black one).

I agree with Diablo Mozart on the marketing plan for the Jackson and Charvel lines. Yeah there are few of us 30+ users of these guitars, but these guitars need to marketed as quality instruments of today.

Thank you for asking for our input.

--------------------
www.devanenet.com

[diablomozart]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

hey hamner1 how did you end up with my website at the bottom of your post? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] hope you actually went there and checked out the music... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ...d.m.

[Baum83]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

I'd also like to see an urban-camo finish for import guitars - now THAT would rock. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[VulfgangPfuck]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

OK McD....you asked so here's my one and only request for the lineup.

Bring the "old shool" Warrior design back into current production.
(i.e.: Slanted Fretboard end, Single rail pickup of some sort, preferrably a Duncan HotRails, in the neck position. Deepen the bevels, route the input jack into the bottom of the lower back wing. Get rid of the unfinished necks and chrome HW on the trans-finishes, and I think that should about do it!) [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

This is something I asked Kevin Easton to do, and he almost considered it for the "coolness factor"...but couldn't find a suitable neck pickup to use. PLEEEEAAASSSEEE...PREETY PLEEEAAAASSSSEEE?!?!?!?!

[KV_X]

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?

Archtop guitars! I would like to see something along the lines of the old archtop pro or 750XL. Also, something along the lines of what guitarxpress did with the bullseye strat and offer old school graphics.

2. What finish option should we be doing?

WHITE!

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

Fixed bridge string through option on all USA select guitars and sperzel locking tuners on fixed bridge guitars.

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

Fixed bridge king V!!!
I would like to see the XTRR back.

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

December 2002. RR1T

[ February 18, 2003, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: KV_X ]

[vondran]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

First, many thanks for asking!

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?

USA Charvels like the GuitarXpress bullseye (I would have bought one but I need a H-H or H-S-S, and prefer hot-rod flames, US flag, sunburst, or figured wood). Charvels should only be bolt-ons and full-size strat (not dinky/soloist) bodies.

Also liked Roswell Rhoads (neck-thru H-H would sell), semi-hollow Surfcasters, and Charvel Stars.

2. What finish option should we be doing?

Just keep surprising me. I've always loved original San Dimas C/J's because each one was unique. One idea is a beatup 80's graphic would be a cool NAMM guitar. Bret's red-white bullseye with chips in the paint and SRV's beat-to-hell Number 1 are the two most beautiful guitars ever in my opinion. You can try it, but don't know if the "closet classics" would transition to J/C guitars.

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

Nothing comes to mind. I'd say keep pushing new technology that seems to make sense, but always offer basic stripped down models as well. Hey you have the Jackson and Charvel lines to work with. It's like you're the manufacture of both Fararri and Hot-Rods. Just never sacrafic quality for a goofy feature. Or better yet, never sacrafic quality period!

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

Nothings sucks compared to other manufacturers, but the current Charvel line just doesn't do it for me. Also availability of Charvels and Jacksons does hurt the product lines.

[eddie_van_earache]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

The only things you can do are the following:

1. Strat heads....period...What? did I stutter? SSSSTTTRRRAAAAATTTHHHEEEAADDDSSSSSS
2. More guitars like the bullseye lloyd had made...yes USA charvels
3. Strat heads
4. USA charvels with strat heads!!!

Thanks [img]graemlins/notworthy.gif[/img]

[eddie_van_earache]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

I for got... I bought a bullseye. great job to the guys in the job. my hats off to a master instruments...now I need one with a SSSTRRATTHEEEAADDD!!!!!! [img]graemlins/baby.gif[/img]

[Sunbane]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

First, thanks for asking! =)

A little background: I'm a metal head. I couldn't care less for Charvel stratheads or full-size strat bodies. If I wanted that, I'd get a Fender. =P I don't care much about what pickups go stock in a guitar either. I usually replace stock pickups right away and drop in active EMG's.

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?

Like someone mentioned, I think the limited edition, small runs of old/rare stuff is cool. The King Kelly comes to mind - as do the Kelly Star and the Death Angel.

I also agree with the people requesting the slanted fretboard end for the WR-1. That guitar looks just killer with that feature and the back-tilted pickups.

2. What finish option should we be doing?

I personally prefer solid finishes over transparent or "burst" finishes. Plain black just rules! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

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

I can't think of anything in this category that I find desirable.

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

The volume knob placement. One of the first things I did to my Jackson was to relocate this, since it interferes in a major way with my picking hand when I play on the first or 2nd string. Plus, I don't think the current location has any real benefit: If you want to do volume swells, you could do it much more easilly with a pedal - and still play unhindered - than with the pinky-on-the-knob method.

A couple of people mentioned wanting to see a 24-fret, _neck through_ Rhoads without a pickguard, and I'll have to chime in on this. That is my dream guitar. If you came out with such a model, I'd even consider getting a loan to buy one. It sucks to see that models like that are already available in Japan - at a fraction of the price we have here - yet we can't have them.

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

I haven't yet. I live in Europe and the price level for Jacksons here is...well, you've been told already. The $400 I payed for my second hand parts mutt RR3 is considered a good deal over here. I usually see used RR3's go for $600 or more. I'm still a student and money is always scarce, so for me there is no sense in buying new. Not until I get a well paid job at least. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I'm planning to get a neckthrough Jackson one day though.

'bane

[ February 18, 2003, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: Sunbane ]

[McD]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Thanks for all of your responses thus far! I'm glad to see that some of the ideas/suggestions you've presented are the same that I've brought up - we're on the same page (more string-thru and camouflage among others). Thanks again for taking the time to write all of this out and please, keep 'em coming!

Slainte!
McD out

[McD]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

>PLEASE! TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO REDUCE THE >PRICES OF USA JACKSON HERE IN EUROPE!! the >prices here in Italy are fu***n INSANE!!!

You should notice the new LOWER prices real soon. I just sent 4 guitars to the Casale Bauer show - whatever that is! LOL!

[Lev]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Thanks a lot man!! More stringthru's and camo [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

[hollow08]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

You're forgetting the Kelly Star.

[McD]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Nah - there are some things that you guys NAILED and I wouldn't want to spoil the NAMM show by saying "how'd you know?"....

Originally posted by Aaron Fox:
You're forgetting the Kelly Star.

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[OklaStrat]

Re: 2003 - Ideas/thoughts ->

Hate to comment on other's want lists, but the more you add to the imports (original floyd roses, real MOP inlays, etc) adds to the PRICE OF THE GUITARS. Someone noted how nice the early 90s imports were - well, if I remember correctly, the price of the professional soloist were within a few hundred dollars of a USA soloist. Yow. I have a pair of Archtop Soloist Professionals, and they are just as nice as ANY usa jackson I've had - but I wouldn't have paid new prices for em.

Anyways, it would be cool as heck if the fender brain trust could consider making *one* USA model of charvel just like a san dimas one. I'm sure you guys can get ahold of one to scan/measure/whatever... with these features so you don't end up with a guitar that only appeals to a limited market:

Pointy headstock w/gold USA charvel logo
22 frets, dot neck (maple or rosewood board - I'd prefer maple personally, but whatever would sell better)
oiled neck, no finish, bolt on. make it to san dimas specs. find a really nice old one, and make the neck profile match the wear - just like a nice worn shoe, or the VH wolfgang profiles.
Solid color - no graphic - original floyd, non recessed, no recessed neck plate area either. Have some Charvel plates made like the san dimas ones with the ontario address so they can't be used as fakes.
Put a pair of humbuckers in there, three way switch, and you'll have a winner on your hands. If you could keep pricing to low jackson USA bolton or even a *hair* lower, and it has the true san dimas feel, you'll sell a lot, and not just to us freaks - the SD guitars are out of reach for a lot of players, and I think there is an untapped market out there.

Or do the same thing with an import for obviously much less, but capitalize on the non recessed trem, no backplate cutout, construction like the 'old' guitars, etc. Current import Charvels are priced really insanely for what you get. Jackson (not the fender guys, this was before you bought em) had a model called the PC3. it had a quilt top, like some of the charvels. it also had a quilt fingerboard, and cost several hundreds of dollars *less* than the charvels that killed it. A charvel logo is not a license to mint money unless you offer some value to go with it - the current charvel imports are not a good value, imho.

Pete