Grover Jackson is back

[slayer]

No, they didn't. The last USA Select price increase was summer of 2004. Nearly 3 years ago. If you don't believe me, go check the old price lists for yourself.

OK then, 2004. That is when I stopped buying new Selects and went CS. Now, with the 20% increase in the CS guits, well, it is either used or another company unfortunately. Believe me, I would rather buy CS Jacksons and Charvels, but the prices are way out there now. Jack.

[Budman68]

yes, totally agree sully, no argument there at all.

[shreddermon]

Dave, everyone assumes that I think eveything is hunky-doory just because I'm not running around screaming like chicken little, too. I don't. In fact, I've personally received at least two - debatably three - guitars with shipping damage and/or QC problems. Each one was sent back. (...And, yes, I've discussed each one on this forum before, too.)

I became so fed up with those experiences that I sent some harsh e-mails to the higher-ups at JCMI. I won't bore you folks with the details of what was said, but I certainly didn't hold anything back.

So my opinion of this matter is based on what I know from personal experience. (...And, oh by the way, I've received several great guitars since the bad ones.) And, yes, my opinions is also - in part - based on what others here have also experienced. But, knowing how we're just such a small part of J/C's total sales, what Sully has better described than I above, what a cynical society we've become in general, and how everyone on the net loves a "pile on", I also take that stuff with a healthy grain of salt.

Things need to improve. Significantly. But they're not "out of control".

[Budman68]

Totally understood, Pat and I'd actually be kinda bummed if you stopped getting your customs because you have excellent taste and I always look forward to seeing them created ( I live vicariously through a lot of you guys on the board ), so lets hope J/C starts improving things and I'll be first in line to give the praises when they're due.

[hippietim]

Dave, everyone assumes that I think eveything is hunky-doory just because I'm not running around screaming like chicken little, too. I don't. In fact, I've personally received at least two - debatably three - guitars with shipping damage and/or QC problems. Each one was sent back. (...And, yes, I've discussed each one on this forum before, too.)

I don't assume you think it's hunky-doory, nor are people screaming like chicken little. I too have had QC issues on brand new J/C guitars - they were either issues I just blew off because it wasn't worth the continued hassle or could be rectified at my local Fender authorized tech.

I became so fed up with those experiences that I sent some harsh e-mails to the higher-ups at JCMI. I won't bore you folks with the details of what was said, but I certainly didn't hold anything back.

Sorry but that's just reads funny. You did the right thing but the mental picture I have of someone sending "harsh e-mails" is just funny.

So my opinion of this matter is based on what I know from personal experience. (...And, oh by the way, I've received several great guitars since the bad ones.) And, yes, my opinions is also - in part - based on what others here have also experienced. But, knowing how we're just such a small part of J/C's total sales, what Sully has better described than I above, what a cynical society we've become in general, and how everyone on the net loves a "pile on", I also take that stuff with a healthy grain of salt.

What does being a small part of J/C's total sales have to do with anything? BTW, I bet that these communities are not as an insignificant as you think - certainly not with regards to custom and USA Select J/C orders.

Things need to improve. Significantly. But they're not "out of control".

Out of control is a matter of perspective. You are willing to continue to buy guitars from them. That's totally cool - most of them are pretty good - yours certainly have looked good. But enough of them are not pretty good so some of us have decided to hold off and look elsewhere - at least for the time being (and I say that with a C/S limited guitar due to arrive within the next week). Things will not improve on their own. They certainly won't improve as long as they continue to sell guitars at a pace that meets whatever goals they have established.

[VoiceX3]

My KV2T came to me flawlessly perfect from build to my doorstep. Praise Jackson! Praise Pablo! Praise Shannon!! Praise Tim! Praise Grover! Praise McD!!!!

Goddamn Jackson still makes the best hand crafted guitars on the planet!

[axeman81]

woah, where did that Telecaster go???

[paulbag]

Mommy make it stop!

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

Pat, with all due respect, my friend, you said it yourself that QC needs to be re-introduced to the fold. If they would just concentrate on making a great consistant product, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The fact that they can't even have a person visually look at a friggin custom shop guitar, and see that there is something wrong with it, is beyond me. I mean really, that's the easiest inspection to do and they can't even bother with that?


I know I'm in no position to tell anyone how to run a business but it's a fact that people are not going to continue buying product that isn't usable. THAT is the bottom line, is it not?

That is the bottom line Dave! I think PRS has taken full advantage of the Q/C issues that Gibson has with their guitars. I talked to an owner of a shop that told me only one out of 5 Gibson’s that arrive do not have issues at his shop. He may be exaggerating, but it was clear he had frustrations with Gibson.

Even though I have not bought a custom, I have bought many new high dollar underwear with a sticker in them stating that they been inspected by Mary B., and I never had an issue. So I continue to spend the extra $6.20 for the 3 pair knowing I get what I paid for.

Consumers that have been loyal to a brand will jump ship if Q/C is not the number one priority, along with customer service. You can only ride the coat tails of your past reputation for so long.

Jackson really needs to conduct an Internal Audit on their production if they wish to reach the highest level of consumer satisfaction. Japan has been doing this for years and look at the results. Toyota is number one in autos, and they did this using the Hoshine philosophy.

Think about how many Japan Charvel’s are owned by the members here that are pushing 20 years old and we know it is hard pressed to find a new guitar that can compete with one.

Origin of Hoshin Kanri
Hoshin Planning is a system of strategic and operational planning developed and refined in Japan during the 1960s by companies such as Toyota, Nippon Denso, Komatsu, and others. These companies blended ideas from Dr. Edward Deming (PDCA cycle), Dr. Joseph Juran (quality policy), and Dr. Peter Drucker (MBO) into strategic planning to create Hoshin Planning. Hoshin is:
• A system of creating and improving a plan
• A method of analyzing and assessing the Current Situation
• A method of envisioning the Future State
• A method of generating breakthrough improvements
• A way of assigning duties across organization (catch ball)
• A way of taking action as teams
• A way of improving the planning process itself
• Not a “silver bullet“
Since being introduced to the United States in the 1980s, well-known companies that have adopted Hoshin Planning include Texas Instruments, Danaher Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Parker Hannifin, Florida P&L, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Xerox, Agilent, and Bank of America.

[JACKSONFREAK]

Hmmm should be interesting. I was wondering when somebldy was gonna make the comparison to Dean Zalinski and his current status with the guitar that bears his name. Is it P.R. ? or is it an attempt to get new ideas from the man who created the name and/or an attempt at resolving the Q/C issues. Maybe they will be raising the bar on the Q/C with Grover back on the fold.
Gil

[sully]

yes, totally agree sully, no argument there at all.

man, this has been happening so often lately; i think the earth may have shifted off of its axis.

[hippietim]

man, this has been happening so often lately; i think the earth may have shifted off of its axis.

i noticed that too. in order to restore balance: fuck toejam