Jackson Kelly identification

[muddy_fox]

Hey all,

can you help me identify a Jackson Kelly I bought.

The seller told me, it is from the mid 90's. A Jackson Kelly Professional from Japan. I must say, I have my doubts that it is a professional, because it has only a licensed Floyd Rose and Jackson PU's. It has a bolt on neck. He said the guitar cost about 1200 DM (german currency) back in the 90's, what would be about 700-800 dollars.

It has a reverser headstock, kinda purple burst color and only one volume knob. The Serial Number is 9608371.

I added some pictures. Has anybody an idea, what model this is?

Thanks!

Muddy Fox

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3613438/Jackson/1480165738267.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3613438/Jackson/1480165760577.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3613438/Jackson/1480165804785.jpg

[Mudlark]

Is there no 'Professional' logo on the headstock?
It certainly looks like a mid-'90s KE3 Professional, but the non-logo'd reverse headstock is throwing me off. According to the catalogues (which contain errors) the '96-'97 KE3 Professionals look exactly like yours, but without the reverse headstock. By '98 the 'Professional' logo was gone and they got chrome hardware in place of black. Also, '98 brought a KE3R with a reverse headstock.

I can only offer theories of why you have no 'Professional logo.
1) Someone swapped the original neck for the reverse headstock neck
2)Perhaps during the change from '97-'98 some of the early '98 KE3R's had similar specs as the '96-'97 (black hardware, gravure maple tops)

Perhaps if you remove the neck you'll find date/model stamps inside which could offer more info.

Without a doubt, though, the body is definitely a '90's Professional Kelly made in Japan.

'96 catalogue.. http://support.jacksonguitars.com/ca...96_catalog.pdf

'98 catalogue.. http://support.jacksonguitars.com/ca...98_catalog.pdf

[muddy_fox]

Hi Mudlark,

thank you very much for this information. Maybe with the next string-change I'll remove the neck to check if there are more info. Is it difficult to remove and re-assemble the neck? I never did this before.

Do you know if the Professionals Kelly in the mid 90's were in the price range of 700-800 Dollars?

Cheers!
Muddy

[Number Of The Priest]

Is it difficult to remove and re-assemble the neck? I never did this before.

Very easy and straightforward.

If your worry is that you won't be able to reattach the neck and body "the way it was before", the below video should help alleviate any fears about restoring your neck alignment. Again, it is a very simple procedure, and a necessary skill for those of us who remove necks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXya9Z-2H4o

[Mudlark]

A KE3 with that trans violet finish in '96 had an MSRP of $995 without case, so street price would've been in the $700 ballpark at most dealers.