Quality of japanese jacksons?

[BennyD]

Hi all,

For those of us who maybe want a shredder but don't want to spend our college funds on a USA model, there are the imports. My question is though, how are the quality of the imports? I know usually japanese quality control is absolutely TOP NOTCH, but I guess it all depends on the factory. How are the import Jacksons? How has the quality changed since *cough* Fender took over? [img]/images/graemlins/eyes.gif[/img]

[slayer]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I had a few different Japanese Jackson, starting in about 1993 and can say, they have been on a whole very consistent in qulaity, as in very good. I love my USA Jackson, but some of the Japanese models are about as good. If you want to buy a new one, I would suggest a DK2 to start out, moderate price and very good quality. Jack.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

my 93 or 94 rhoads pro absolutly smokes!!!!

i hear that the early 90's japs are comparible to USA's but that was supposedly stopped by amic cuase they were eating into the USA's sales.

that is just what i heard... so in the words of EZ-E, "don't quote me boy cause i ain't said ****!"

[Model 88]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I own a 90-91 Jackson Archtop Pro and it matches the quality of the USA Jacksons I own.If you are looking for a soloist look at the early 90s soloist pro or even the late 80s Charvel neck thurs.

[straycat]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I have a 93 dinky reverse,92 fusion H-H,92 dinky XL,94 kelly pro all are of very high quality.They play just as well as any USA jackson except my all time fav an 87 SD plate jackson strat.

[guitarsjb]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I have a RR5..and the quality is great. I love it. I WILL have a USA made one day, but am very happy with my RR5.

[Inazone]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

While the current batch of imports skimps a bit on some of the features (plastic inlays, cheaper trem, Duncan Design/EMG-HZ pickups, no binding on most), every recent Japanese Jackson I've played had quality on level with my early `90s Professionals. The imports I own are in turn every bit as good as my USAs, and I actually use the imports as my main gigging guitars.

My vote would be for a trans black DK2S or violin brown SLSMG.

[mhalsey]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

The imports are great. Finish, binding, and especially the neck are outstanding! Naturally, for fewer dollars you have to sacrifice somewhere and with most imports it's in the hardware. Quick and painless fix, though. Here's a pic of my son's Trans Black DK2S and my Crimson Swirl DK2. Stock bridge pups were replaced with SD Distortions.


If your budget is limited, you can't go wrong with the current imports. Good luck in your choice! [img]/images/graemlins/band.gif[/img]

[jackson16]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

Ive got an early 90s black rhoads and it is by far the best guitar ive played. I also have an early 90s dark blue soloist pro with EMGs that is a great guitar too. But depending on whether or not a limited KV2 i worked on with Scott gets made, i might have to sell it. early 90s pros are awesome.

[joblo1978]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I couldn't tell any difference between a USA soloist, my PS3T Rhoads and my DKMGTFF as far as quality and durability is concerned.

I don't see what the huge price difference is from?

[jackson16]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

USA and Japan on the headstock. I mean Im all for USA stuff but if the Japanese can make it just as good but cheaper, then why not. Especially if you have a tight budget. You can pickup like two good early 90s pros for the price of one good USA. sometimes. 2 guitars for the price of one and just as good quality, and can mod them the way you like. you could get one really good pro, have it repainted, new pickups and electronics, and still not spend as much as you would on a USA. I still love USA Jacksons though.

[BennyD]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

[ QUOTE ]
While the current batch of imports skimps a bit on some of the features (plastic inlays, cheaper trem, Duncan Design/EMG-HZ pickups, no binding on most), every recent Japanese Jackson I've played had quality on level with my early `90s Professionals. The imports I own are in turn every bit as good as my USAs, and I actually use the imports as my main gigging guitars.

My vote would be for a trans black DK2S or violin brown SLSMG.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gahhh dude, mother of toilet inlays are just unacceptable [img]/images/graemlins/rant.gif[/img] heheh

[Newc]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

Mother of Pearl inlays do not enhance the tone, and plastic doesn't degrade the tone. Appearances have no bearing on the tone, and if it keeps the price of imports down while keeping quality up, it's totally acceptable.

See, the idea behind using plastic on imports is to be able to sell guitars to those who would normally buy an Ibenhad or LTD or Schecter because that's all they can afford, NOT to the 30-somethings with good-paying jobs who can afford USA models easily.
It also means that more money and time is spent making a good body and neck, and assembling them properly to make them the best-built imports on the block that just need hardware swaps to make them closer to USA models, rather than needing the frets finished, paintjob touched up, and the body or neck worked on every 5 minutes to make it stay in tune.
I'd take a $400 neckthrough import with MOTO fins over an $800 neckthrough import with MOP fins *any* day, because I can buy TWO for $800 instead of just ONE for $800.

As for letting the Japanese shop go back to 1990/91 quality - that would be the end of USA Jacksons right there. If the USA shop closed tomorrow, you can bet the Japanese models would be priced closer to what the USA models are today.

As for why USA Jacksons cost so much - because the people that build them do not get food and shelter and transportation and clothing and medical care and cable TV and internet service for free, and not all of them can or care to live on $5000 a year without food, shelter, transportation, clothing, medical care, cable and internet.
It's safe to assume that a larger portion of the money made from USA model sales goes into Jackson/Charvel, not one guy's personal pocket like at Ibenhad or Espee.

Newc

[jackson16]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

amen Newc.

[quiksilver]

Re: Quality of japanese jacksons?

I've owned several Japanese Jacksons & Charvels (Model 2, 375, SL4 (x2), Archtop Soloist Pro), only one USA model (SL2H). They have all been very comparable, with uniform fit & finish, playability and sound.

The differences I've seen have been mainly cosmetic (i.e., metal vs. plastic cavity covers, real MOP vs. moto inlays, binding vs. no binding).

The only substantive differences are real Floyd vs. Floyd copy (though the Jackson Floyds have never given me any problems) and ebony fretboards vs. rosewood fretboards. That's the biggest difference for me. I do prefer ebony. My guitar tech told me my Japanese Jackson had surprisingly poor quality, cheap electronics, too, after he did some work on it, but that's very easy & cheap to replace.

Bottom line: They're both great. If you can't afford a USA model (don't forget the used market!), get a Japanese model. They're great guitars, and it's easy to swap out pickups, electronics and the bridge if the stock stuff doesn't do it for ya.