Another Example of why I have no interest in Import Jackson Guitars - WMI Korea

[wrldeatr7]

Here's my BC Rich NJ Warlock.









By the way, anyone considering getting a WMI guitar for a great price, now is the time. The new company managing BC Rich is working now with Cort I believe and are trying to get rid of all the old stock, that is all the WMI guitars. There are some fantastic deals on BC Rich now.

[Number Of The Priest]

Just an awesome Warlock!

By the way, anyone considering getting a WMI guitar for a great price, now is the time. The new company managing BC Rich is working now with Cort I believe and are trying to get rid of all the old stock, that is all the WMI guitars. There are some fantastic deals on BC Rich now.

Dumb question, but are these deals online, certain stores only, certain countries only, etc.? ie - Can I keep a general eye out anywhere, or should I be looking in specific places?

Anyone know general ballpark prices for this "fire sale"? Do they come with cases?

I'm keeping an open mind regarding models but I gravitate towards the superstrat styles (Assassin and Gunslinger, if WMI makes those).

There are very few BC Rich guitars where I live (Ottawa, Canada) and the ones that exist are mostly low end models, not the higher quality imports and certainly not USA.

[toejam]

I'm keeping an open mind regarding models but I gravitate towards the superstrat styles (Assassin and Gunslinger, if WMI makes those).

I believe WMI made the Korean Gunslingers (I had one in Taxicab Yellow, and it was very nice), but then they started producing them in China.

[BenoA]

Still rockin' my Taxicab Yellow! Pretty cool guitar.

[Number Of The Priest]

OK, so I'm familiar with the brands that use WMI as an OEM: Schecter, BC Rich, ESP/LTD, DBZ/Diamond, PRS SE, etc.

Having read this thread and the other thread about WMI, my easiest way to identify WMI guitars is to look at the back of the headstock to see if it says Made in Korea, if there's any mention of WMI, and/or the serial number starting with W or E (counter-example: C = Cort factory).

Below is a Dean Hardtail on my local classifieds website. Made in Korea, serial number starts with E. While DBZ uses WMI, I don't believe Dean used them according to lepard's post (http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/147...=1#post1635756).

In another lepard post (http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/148...=1#post1640172) he mentions E-serials correspond to WMI, but only mentioned LTD and Schecter with E-serials corresponding to WMI, but no mention of Dean.

My best guess: Dean never used WMI and this guitar was not made by WMI...? (It could still be a great guitar though.)

This is purely for my education and authentication. I have no interest in this guitar as it's CAD$700 and the seller lives far away. Thanks for shedding light on this.

[xenophobe]

My best guess: Dean never used WMI and this guitar was not made by WMI...? (It could still be a great guitar though.)

WMI Korea did build some Deans, the Chapman video confirms it. Judging from LTD and Schecter serial numbers, I'd say that Dean is one as well.

And it seems most companies move away from WMI because of profit margins... because they build mid-range guitars that usually retail for $800-$1200ish and that's not really a sweet spot for pricing. The $2k Strandberg is probably the only MSRP exception, but it's a testament to how well WMI builds.

[sk8boardbob2]

Dean absolutely used WMI for some of their guitars, as recently as 2014 (if not currently). You can see some mid-production at 0:05s in this video.

As for the specific guitar you posted, my guess would be that it is indeed WMI-made. The font/styling of the serial number and KOREA on the back of the headstock is dead-on to LTD 1000 level stuff.

[Number Of The Priest]

I stand corrected! Thanks guys.

Thanks to this forum I have been introduced to all those Rob Chapman videos. They're addicting.

I know this isn't WMI, but what I'm watching now is the PRS SE Standard (made by PT Wildwood in Indonesia) and they seem to also be a good bang for their price range (though lower than the WMI Korean PRS SE line). Christ, this Youtube channel give me major GAS.

[lepard]

OK, so I'm familiar with the brands that use WMI as an OEM: Schecter, BC Rich, ESP/LTD, DBZ/Diamond, PRS SE, etc.

Having read this thread and the other thread about WMI, my easiest way to identify WMI guitars is to look at the back of the headstock to see if it says Made in Korea, if there's any mention of WMI, and/or the serial number starting with W or E (counter-example: C = Cort factory).

Below is a Dean Hardtail on my local classifieds website. Made in Korea, serial number starts with E. While DBZ uses WMI, I don't believe Dean used them according to lepard's post (http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/147...=1#post1635756).

In another lepard post (http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/148...=1#post1640172) he mentions E-serials correspond to WMI, but only mentioned LTD and Schecter with E-serials corresponding to WMI, but no mention of Dean.

My best guess: Dean never used WMI and this guitar was not made by WMI...? (It could still be a great guitar though.)

This is purely for my education and authentication. I have no interest in this guitar as it's CAD$700 and the seller lives far away. Thanks for shedding light on this.

Yes, that is a WMI Dean. Dean used WMI from the late 90's through 2006. Dean switched to UnSung in 2007 and has now gone back to WMI with some production as of mid-2015. Please note though that WMI made good guitars back then but not as high quality as what they have been putting out for the past 10 years or so.

[Number Of The Priest]

Thanks lepard. So Dean stopped using WMI right when they were starting their "peak" (2006-present)? Interesting. Well, glad they're back on board. Better late than never.

This PRS SE Santana is being sold at a local store for CAD$400 plus tax. Looks to be one of the earlier (2000s) Santana SEs since they look different than current versions. After watching several Rob Chapman videos about PRS SEs and PRS Santanas, I'm now convinced I need to try this guitar at least, even if it's different from the version he and the Captain reviewed.

http://spacemanmusic.com/Guitars/Electric+Guitars/PRS+Santana+SE

[xenophobe]

I really love the fact that WMI isn't some super huge mass production facility. There's more hand work going into these than a standard production USA Gibson or Fender.

I wish Jackson would do some limited runs made by WMI. I'd be a buyer.

[Number Of The Priest]

I wish Jackson would do some limited runs made by WMI. I'd be a buyer.

I echo this. Also, very affordable Charvel Pro-Mods made by WMI with quartersawn necks and non-recessed OFRs would be right up my alley right about now.

[lepard]

And now is the time to get on board with WMI. When Dean switched from WMI to UnSung in 2006-07, I'm sure it was purely a cost cutting measure as WMI was getting business from every guitar company out there. They had plenty of work and probably kept their pricing high. Today, very little is being made by WMI as guitar companies move production to cheaper factories in Indonesia and China. WMI has lost a lot of their business. I'll bet that is the reason for Dean going back to WMI for some of their guitars, they probably got a better deal since WMI is looking for work/business.

Take note Jackson !

[Number Of The Priest]

lepard, as one of our resident historians/experts on WMI, would you happen to know what other brands used WMI from 2006-onwards? I know your "current list" states Schecter, BC Rich, ESP/LTD, PRS SE, DBZ/Diamond, and recently Dean. But if I were targeting the secondhand market, I'm definitely interested in keeping my eye out for other WMI-built guitars especially from 2006-onwards.

[xenophobe]

DP.