Could somebody give me a crash course on the Jackson Kelly Stars?

[MetalHeadMat]

What I'm mainly looking to find out is general specs and average price being sold for used. I'm not trying to sell one... I'm trying to buy one!

I found one in Toronto, (about a 9 hour round trip there and back), and the guy is asking $700 and comes with hard shell case and whammy baaar. In the picture I can't see what kind of pickups it has, but it has a black bridge, rosewood neck, and chrome knobs and tuners. I don't know of the condition, but I did ask him about that and some more pictures.

Mainly what I'm interested in knowing is how can I tell where it was made? I'm not looking for an Indonesian guitar... Especially after playing my buddies DX7 , so I'm trying to find a KS2 if possible.

So far the only way I can tell is that the KS2 has a different chrome kind of hardware, and might have an ebony board instead of rosewood.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I've grown fond of the KS shape. Those kind of "extreme" shapes are my favourite type of guitar shapes, and was planning on getting this KS over a Warrior, Ironbird, Stealth, and a Gus G LTD. I'd much rather stay in the Jackson family

Also, here's the ad:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-guitars-Jackson-Esp-Gibson-Prs-W0QQAdIdZ320566645

[RacerX]

Mainly what I'm interested in knowing is how can I tell where it was made? I'm not looking for an Indonesian guitar... Especially after playing my buddies DX7 , so I'm trying to find a KS2 if possible.

So far the only way I can tell is that the KS2 has a different chrome kind of hardware, and might have an ebony board instead of rosewood.

I'm like a broken record with this, but "the serial number will tell the tale" (usually).

I doubt the board is ebony...

[Devotee]

KS2s had rosewood boards as well. I'm pretty sure that one's a KSX but as RacerX said, the serial number will be able to tell you for sure. I'd definitely be in on CS limited run of Kelly Stars - if i wasn't broke and unemployed, that is.

[Newc]

Yeah, the ebony board thing is a myth. The satin chrome hardware should be an indicator of Indian manufacture, though that stuff is held on with screws and can easily be changed. Some people like it and would swap it for shiny chrome, even if just to get rid of the shiny chrome without going all black or even more shiny gold.

But like Ron said, the serial number tells the tale, as do the markings in the pocket and heel (just in case someone went all-out and put a satin chrome plate on it).

[Twitch]

deleted

[RobRR]

Yeah, the MIJ KS2 had satin nickle and the India KSX had chrome.

[MetalHeadMat]

Thank you everybody for your input

I'm like a broken record with this, but "the serial number will tell the tale" (usually).

I doubt the board is ebony...

What exactly about the serial number indicates where it's made? I'm getting the serial number soon, I hope

As for the ebony, I didn't find that as spec, but some pictures make the fretboard look like it, when it reality I guess it's rosewood.

[Metal Spawn]

Haven't posted here in a long time, so "HI, EVERYBODY!"


I seem to recall reading on here quite a while ago that the Japanese built Kelly Stars had a 7 digit serial # that started with '9'. (Hopefully I'm remembering correctly...)

As for specs, mine has a rosewood board, Duncan Designed hb's, and brushed nickel hardware. Got mine on Ebay last summer for around $500 (case + s/h included). Here's a pic;




Good luck in your search!

[MetalHeadMat]

Haven't posted here in a long time, so "HI, EVERYBODY!"


I seem to recall reading on here quite a while ago that the Japanese built Kelly Stars had a 7 digit serial # that started with '9'. (Hopefully I'm remembering correctly...)

As for specs, mine has a rosewood board, Duncan Designed hb's, and brushed nickel hardware. Got mine on Ebay last summer for around $500 (case + s/h included). Here's a pic;




Good luck in your search!

Hey thanks for the pic and information! Looks killer! Nearly got an Ironbird in that colour with that coloured hardware

So is that the KS2 since it has the brushed hardware?

[DonP]

So is that the KS2 since it has the brushed hardware?

Yes. I have the exact same guitar but I've upgraded to an EMG81b 85n and an SPC control as well.

I don't like the reverse headstock or the fact that the neck is unbound, but it's got a nice thin D profile and plays nicely.

s/n is 9657823

[DonP]

The satin chrome hardware should be an indicator of Indian manufacture

Got it backwards - Satin is MIJ

[Metal Spawn]

I don't like the reverse headstock...

Me either. That's why I grabbed a DK2 neck off Ebay a while ago.

Haven't gotten around to installing it yet, though... Hopefully I'll get some time soon.

[Newc]

Got it backwards - Satin is MIJ

Really? I thought my old Kelly with satin chrome was said to be India.

Then again, I get hit in the head a lot

But then yet again, my PC3 had satin chrome, so yeah.


And a DK2m neck would look great with that blue.

[MetalHeadMat]

Thanks a lot for all the information, guys! The KS seems like a great guitar for me, I like the Xyphos for playing, but hate it's looks. I love the Stealth and Ironbird, and this is kind of like a mix, almost. Not to mention I love playing Kelly's and Rhoads sitting down.

All in all if the guy responds, gives me more information, and it actually is a KS2 I'll definitely pick it up.

If it's mint except for the swapped trem, would $700 be a good price? I think I'll try and get him down to $600, since I'm spending $80 in gas to get there and back

[Twitch]

Whoa whoa whoa, no, well, maybe in Canada. In the states, $400 tops, but more like $250-$300 commonly.