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I suddenly bought an USA RR1 1997 Metallic Black the other day and having a Rhoads PRO 1993 already, i discovered some differences between them. Yeah, i was bored today (JCF is down) and thought i'd make a physical comparison. So, here you are:
STRAP BUTTON REAR.
First thing i noticed with the USA was it's neck heavy. I have always praised my PRO for perfect balance, so the poor balance of the USA really surprised me. Well, here's the reason. USA top, PRO bottom. Why is the strap button in the wrong place on the USA? Beats me...
In all the following pics the USA is to the left. PRO to the right.
NECK GAP
Big gap between neck pickup and 22nd fret on the USA. Narrow on the PRO. Hmmm...
FRET-ENDS
Fret ends on the USA is rounded and nice. The PROs are very sharp. Notice the differences in the ebony fretboard also. Very dense and dark on the USA - nice on the PRO also but a bit more grained.
BINDINGS
The bindings are narrow and white on the USA. The PROs are thicker and more yellow. The binding work on the PRO is overall better workmanship. It is more precise and homogeneous.
1st FRET
Distance from edge of nut to center of first metal fret is different on the two guitars! USA:36.5mm PRO:36.0mm All i can say about this is that to my ear, the USA has a different (and better) intonation than the PRO, and that could come from this difference. I have set them up the same way regarding intonation, string manufactor, string gauge, everything.
The width of the neck and distance from E-E string is also different. Not much, but the USA is close to 1mm wider than the PRO all the way up the neck.
HEADSTOCK
Hard to see in the picture but the USA headstock is larger than the PROs. In some places up to 6mm. More wood around the tuning pegs on the USA.
The Jackson logo is different as well. The letter "J" is somewhat left alone on the USA and the letters are fatter than the PROs.
SOUND
Well, they have different pickups and electronics installed so this is a N/A. The amplified sound is very different, mostly due to the active electronics in the PRO i would think.
PLAYABILITY.
When i get my PRO properly adjusted i will tell you. First hand impression of the USA: it's awesome! No fret buzz anywhere, no dead spots, no ringing, big tone. Neck feels much like the PRO. I am in love! But i need to loose that TB4L (JB) in the bridge - and maybe also that Jazz in the neck pos.
[ April 13, 2003, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: jackson1 ]
STRAP BUTTON REAR.
First thing i noticed with the USA was it's neck heavy. I have always praised my PRO for perfect balance, so the poor balance of the USA really surprised me. Well, here's the reason. USA top, PRO bottom. Why is the strap button in the wrong place on the USA? Beats me...
In all the following pics the USA is to the left. PRO to the right.
NECK GAP
Big gap between neck pickup and 22nd fret on the USA. Narrow on the PRO. Hmmm...
FRET-ENDS
Fret ends on the USA is rounded and nice. The PROs are very sharp. Notice the differences in the ebony fretboard also. Very dense and dark on the USA - nice on the PRO also but a bit more grained.
BINDINGS
The bindings are narrow and white on the USA. The PROs are thicker and more yellow. The binding work on the PRO is overall better workmanship. It is more precise and homogeneous.
1st FRET
Distance from edge of nut to center of first metal fret is different on the two guitars! USA:36.5mm PRO:36.0mm All i can say about this is that to my ear, the USA has a different (and better) intonation than the PRO, and that could come from this difference. I have set them up the same way regarding intonation, string manufactor, string gauge, everything.
The width of the neck and distance from E-E string is also different. Not much, but the USA is close to 1mm wider than the PRO all the way up the neck.
HEADSTOCK
Hard to see in the picture but the USA headstock is larger than the PROs. In some places up to 6mm. More wood around the tuning pegs on the USA.
The Jackson logo is different as well. The letter "J" is somewhat left alone on the USA and the letters are fatter than the PROs.
SOUND
Well, they have different pickups and electronics installed so this is a N/A. The amplified sound is very different, mostly due to the active electronics in the PRO i would think.
PLAYABILITY.
When i get my PRO properly adjusted i will tell you. First hand impression of the USA: it's awesome! No fret buzz anywhere, no dead spots, no ringing, big tone. Neck feels much like the PRO. I am in love! But i need to loose that TB4L (JB) in the bridge - and maybe also that Jazz in the neck pos.
[ April 13, 2003, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: jackson1 ]
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