Are The Jackson Kelly Performer Series any good?

[SylentCommando]

I was just wondering if they are any good quality wise, I know probably not as good as japan. I know they are made in Korea, and the way to tell a Korean Jackson is by the 12th fret markers being far apart from each other. Someone has one forsale with original HSC, I am just wondering if it is worth it and what do these go for used. I have never had a Kelly or Korea Jackson before. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers!

[Force]

It's true they're not as good as the Japanese ones but they can hold their own quite well. The thing is it's a 20yr old guitar, how well it's been treated is the question. Most of its likely issues can be fixed with a set up or minor repair but it could have substantial fret wear for starters, not such a minor issue.

Just something to consider.

[pianoguyy]

For $100, they are great. Or, $200 in Canada.


Yeah, they were Jackson's entry level guitars of their day, and as mentioned condition plays a big part.
There's no telling how well it was taken care of until you get it.

[Mudlark]

The JT500 trem is the generally considered the weakest spot, but they can easily be swapped with a Schaller Floyd.

The majority of Performers are Japanese...serial 9xxxxxx.
Korean models...serial 10xxxxx, don't appear nearly as often.

[SylentCommando]

The serial # is 1040608, would it be 1991? Here are some pictures. The guy is coming down tomorrow night with the Kelly and a DXMG I am buying for $150.

[Mudlark]

They were first available in '95. 10xxxxx is Korean.

My take is the Korean models ran from '95-'97ish. I can't be sure of when the move to Japan was, but it appears to have been either '96 or '97. The '98s and later that I've seen were Japanese. Not sure if I've seen a '96 or '97 Japanese Performer, but I wouldn't completely rule it out.

[toejam]

Yep, that's Korean... you can also tell by how far apart the 12th fret dots are.

[straycat]

$150 is a fair price.

[SylentCommando]

I knew it was Korean, from the 12 th fret dots, That's a tall tale sign its Korean. Would you know the date by serial number? I am going to pull the neck off anyways if I buy it. The $150 was for the DXMG not the Kelly, The guy wants $75 for that and it comes with Jackson HSC.

[Mudlark]

I've heard of no way to date that serial number format. Also, it's doubtful there'll be any date info stamped in the pocket. Japan was the only import country to stamp the date/model in the pocket.

But, it's still worth looking. I can't recall seeing any Korean stamps, but my memory can't be trusted.

[Nightbat]

That floyd and its route don't look original
Takuechi trems fitted oem didn't have a nice square route

[Mudlark]

The trem is a JT500 to my limited knowledge of tremolos. They came with the JT500.

[toejam]

That floyd and its route don't look original
Takuechi trems fitted oem didn't have a nice square route

That's not a Takeuchi trem. It's the cheaper JT500 which is original.

Though, Takeuchi trems were squared off in 1994 on the JT580LP.

[pianoguyy]

Schaller made the 590, which looks like the 500. Did Takeuchi make a 590 as well?

[toejam]

Nope, not that I'm aware of. The 590 was always Schaller.