It's coming

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: It\'s coming

All-black guitar means I'm very happy. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

There seems to be little real specification difference between the J1 and J2 models... just the different fretboard, fretboard binding style, pickup choices, and the maple top on the J1.

Newc, how much did it end up costing you, including shipping from Japan, and any possible customs or duty fees you might have had to pay? If you're not allowed to disclose that information publicly, please send me a PM. [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] Thank you! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: It\'s coming

About $1465 total shipped with the JacksonStars hardshell case (about $120 extra, but worth it for the trip), as well as all fees associated with the deal (sales tax in Japan, PayPal fees, etc).

No customs fees, but the chick at the post office saw the insured value of 150,000 Yen and thought it was dollars, and wondered why it wasn't declared, so I guess you get it "duty free" up to a certain amount.

[Orchid]

Re: It\'s coming

Wow, that much? My KV w/ a Kahler came with for like 1200 total...oh wait I forgot I didn't get a hardshell case for it. I'm really wondering how the quality on the J1 series are, cuz my guitar is nice, but I can definately spot parts where the quality isn't really top notch.

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: It\'s coming

I don't think that's a bad price at all. You're getting quite a bit of stuff that isn't even offered here in North America, plus I believe they have a "semi-custom" option that I think I remember reading about here in the Import section. If you can get everything you want in a custom guitar but have it end up only being as expensive as a standard production line guitar, that's worth it to me.

Certainly Newc wouldn't have bought a second JacksonStars had he believed his first one wasn't worth the price. [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: It\'s coming

True dat [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

Ebony boards don't impress me anymore. I prefer rosewood or maple with ebony fins, though the board on the black one is darker in person than those pics show.

As for the Semi-Custom Order, Jacksonite got an NASL that way and got a beautiful quilted top and a couple other things (specific pickups, OFR instead of Schaller, and I assume the longer recess for the OFR), for about $1850 IIRC. Not bad at all. Plus they had it done in a few months or less.
I might try for a Semi-Custom NASL next year after my USA Customs get paid for.

And yeah there's little things on my sunburst NASL that weren't "perfect" - the nut is just a hair too far to the treble side, but the only thing that affects is doing quick pull-offs on the 1st string/2nd fret ala SRV.
It's an easy fix, really, but it doesn't bother me enough to do it.

For a model you simply cannot get as a USA production model, it's well worth it. Yeah I coulda bought a Rhoads or KV or Soloist or other USA Select for that, but it's not the same thing.

It's basically an SLS, but if Jackson put the NASL headstock on the SLS, added 2 more frets (they are still 22, right?) a recessed OFR, and did the inlays the same way (I'm thinking ebony inlays with abalone centers on maple), I'd buy them.
Until then, my money's going to Japan.

[bibz]

Re: It\'s coming

It certainly does look like a great guitar dude, congrats! Rare as hell and gorgeous, I can totally see my collection having a stars someday.

[Newc]

Re: It\'s coming

They're well worth it. For something that is not available here, there's simply no basis for the "but I can get a USA for that price" argument IMO, especially if you want a 24 fret RR with fins, binding, and your choice of a Kahler, Floyd, or TOM.
And now with the J1 models, you can get ebony boards.

[Orchid]

Re: It\'s coming

Well, that's definately tr00 there. I'm starting to take playing music seriously, yet even I think that getting all high-end guitars is overkill. I mean, I'm definately happy with what I've got now with this KV even though a USA will kill it. I'm extremely surprised with the quality guitars that they make for the great deals, I've been really thinking lately of getting an Edwards E-LP-85CD for my next guitar, for like $700, that's a friggin steal!!111

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: It\'s coming

You can actually do a little bit better on an Edwards E-LP-85CD. I've seen some go as low as $5-hundred-something plus $120 shipping from Japan. You just have to watch Ebay closely in the ESP section... blasphemy, you say? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Irfaan had a 24-fret JacksonStars Rhoads in the Classifieds some time ago. But I think the members wanted an ebony board... [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: It\'s coming

Yeah that RR was nice, and I almost went for it, but I'm not really a fan of that body - too small for me.

[Jacksonite]

Re: It\'s coming

DUDE, COME ON.. I SENT YOU THOSE PUPS AND YOU PUT IN GIBBYs...
THE DUNCANS MAN
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Dude I am so jealous... I almost snaked you on that guitar.. I was litterally 1 day away from buying it, and I bought the blue PC1 instead....
I still wanted that guitar man...

POST MORE GUITAR PORN!!!

[rjohnstone]

Re: It\'s coming

Nice score!
Now we need to talk about those parts yer swappin' out. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: It\'s coming

Sorry, but the black parts are on-hold already [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

Nick - look in the T&A thread [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img]