NGD: Jackson Kelly Quilt Maple Top Performer

[ozzeh]

I need help identifying this guitar.

The Serial # is 90603001

It has a Licensed Floyd rose bridge, two piece maple neck.

I bought it at a pawn shop with a form-fitted case which says Charvel / Jackson. For a price that makes this the best deal I have ever gotten on a guitar in my life.

Anyways, the pawn shop called Jackson Guitars, and they said it was Pre-2002 and as such, was either USA or Japanese. How can I tell? Which pick-ups are in it??

It's got a red Quilt Maple top it looks like. Guitar is HEAVY. but man, what an instrument.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1030885403589161&set=pcb.1030885453589156&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1030885400255828&set=pcb.1030885453589156&type=1&theater

Any information on this guitar would help me out a lot, as I plan on switching to Duncans depending on the pick-ups which are in it...

Thanks!
ozzeh

And, any idea on the value of this in great shape?

[wrldeatr7]

Serial #9 makes it Japanese. Pickups don't look original to me. If you remove them you could tell what brand they are. Perhaps others here recognize them.

[toejam]

Welcome to the forum. Kelly Performer PS6T. The closer dot spacing at the 12th fret would indeed make it Japanese. Later models had the dots further away and would be Korean. They would have Jackson-logoed pickups, but looks like yours were swapped.

[flyinbryan]

The closer dot spacing at the 12th fret would indeed make it Japanese. Later models had the dots further away and would be Korean.

hmmm. good info. learned something new. I wonder if this is true with all japaneze models w dots.

AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW GUITAR!!!

[ozzeh]

hmmm. good info. learned something new. I wonder if this is true with all japaneze models w dots.

AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW GUITAR!!!

Thanks guys.

I've been a huge Ibanez, Yamaha, and ESP fan for years. Czech Deans are my fav budget axes too.

My first Jackson. I need a set-up for sure, Kind of unsure on the pick-ups; I'll have to check and see what kind they are!

I've read varying things on the body wood.

The majority seem to say Poplar? From what I can gather, this is a 1990 Model. Can't wait to play it!

I am running it through a Crate Stealth 50Watt 1x12 , completely gone over by my amp tech... designed by Lee Jackson. Rare metal guitar through an excellent rare metal amp.

Pure metal bliss, I am hoping!!!!

I also found a Yamaha RGX 621S with a Kahler Floyd. Taiwan-made; for $270... I was going to buy it to go along with my RGX 1212s; I think they're both the two top models on the RGX line.

I have a Yamaha RGX 1212S, neck-thru.

I paid $180 out the door for the Jackson Kelly with Jackson case, and $200 for my 1212S; respectively the best deals on metal guitars I have ever had.

This was all started by me going to a vintage guitar store here locally; I picked up what I *thought* was a Made in Japan Ibanez RG... I posted pics of it on Jemsite; turns out it was a Cort body on an MIJ Ibanez neck; clearly I was upset; luckily they refunded my money as I said it was misrepresented and B.S.

Do I have to take the pick-ups out to see where they're made, or by whom, or can I just open the back cavity? I'm a newb when it comes to any kind of any kind of maintenance lol.

[Mudlark]

Are you sure that serial number is 8 digits and not 7 digits?

[Mudlark]

I'm thinkin' you may have to remove the pups to ID them, but I'm no expert on electronics.

[ozzeh]

And some of my other favorite guitars ever -- some of which I no longer have (gotta trade to keep trying new ones ! ). I've owned all these the past year at some point.

86 Hamer Scarab II (Pawn shop find)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1017958108215224&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434666881.&type=3&theater

Czech Dean D'elite / Cadillac

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1017958041548564&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434666881.&type=3&theater

Yamaha RGX 1212S

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1009193065758395&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434666887.&type=3&theater

93 Hamer USA Goldtop P90

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=988085881202447&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434666999.&type=3&theater

'77 Ibanez CN-250

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=774346715909699&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434667027.&type=3&theater

Taylor Solidbody Custom (Walnut)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=955325074478528&set=pb.100000031328103.-2207520000.1434667020.&type=3&theater

[wrldeatr7]

You'll want to take out the pickups to see what they are. Opening the trem cavity is just going to show you the trem and springs.

[ozzeh]

Thanks bro. Quick synapsis: guitsr plays excellent with old strings and unknown pickups. Truly awesome tone.

And the serial # is 7 digits.

9603001

[Mudlark]

OK. Thought it may be a factory misprint or something.
That particular time in history is a tough time to date those 96xxxxx serials, but you're looking at the 1996-1998 range. Japanese models usually have date stamps in the neck pocket if you want to remove the neck to be certain.

[toejam]

hmmm. good info. learned something new. I wonder if this is true with all japaneze models w dots.

I'm pretty sure it is. Close 12th fret dots, Japanese.

[ozzeh]

Anyone know what the body wood is? Heavy guitar. I need to get it set-up; whatever unknown pick-ups are in it sound pretty good actually... But I think a SD Jazz / JB swap would be stellar. I could see this being my main axe for awhile. Gorgeous and rocking. I am impressed with my first jackson!

Super thin necks aren't usually my thing, so the thicker neck on the Kelly is just about right.

[ozzeh]

I have read Poplar, and I think I have also read Alder. I am hoping it's Alder, but I have no way to tell by look/feel.

[wrldeatr7]

Are these Performer models supposed to be mid-higher range or mid-lower range? If the former than there's a good change it's alder but if the latter then most likely poplar. I don't know much about Japanese models, but the absence of sharkfin inlays tells me these are lower range models.