I'd like some history on imports, please

[shredhed]

Hello everyone,
[img]/images/graemlins/rant.gif[/img]I've been talking to a new hire at work who seems to know alot about guitars, especially J/Cs and old Washburns. He was telling some things that don't really sound true tho.

He said that Toothpaste logo Charvels from Japan are among the best and that Japan Jacksons of today are crap.

I asked him if he knew that there is an actual Jackson plant there and that they're not brand-labeled as is the practice on so many imports. He said that the new Fender owned Jacksons have to be judged from guitar to guitar but that they're really not very good.

Now I've been playing guitar for 29 years. I have to tell you that my import DKMG is the finest guitar I've ever owned. Before I bought mine my son chose the same guitar in a different finish and it also was flawless. They come intonated and set up beautifully right out of the box.

Granted, it's not a PRS or another highend guitar, but I am very satisfied with the quality/value ratio. I've owned some import Musicyo Kramers which were made in Korea and I gotta say they just don't compare. They have minute flaws in the finish and the frets usually need leveled.

I also have an '87 japanese Kramer focus that I bought new in '88. The quality on it is amazing as well.

I don't think this guy has actually played or seen one of these import Jacksons in person, it's prolly something he's heard.

If anybody could give me some history on the quality of jackson imports I'd really appreciate it. I like the guy, I'd just like to be intelligent in defending my favorite guitar. I've only been playin one for a couple months. I don't know why I never tried one before.

Anyway, I hope you will excuse my ranting. It just irritates me when people talk out of their.......... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] My hat's off to J/C! Keep doin what you're doin [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

bob

[Sunbane]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

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He said that Toothpaste logo Charvels from Japan are among the best...

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I would second that opinion.

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...and that Japan Jacksons of today are crap.

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Well, I wouldn't say crap, but they are definitely not on par with the imports of 1990-1991.

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He said that the new Fender owned Jacksons have to be judged from guitar to guitar but that they're really not very good.

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That's complete bull. It's a common opinion on these boards that quality control has gone up since Fender's buyout, especially on the USA guitars.

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If anybody could give me some history on the quality of jackson imports I'd really appreciate it. I like the guy, I'd just like to be intelligent in defending my favorite guitar. I've only been playin one for a couple months. I don't know why I never tried one before.

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The japanese plant has proved itself to be able to produce top-notch quality guitars from the start. The Model series Charvels, the Toothpaste logo ones, and the early Jackson imports were all very highly regarded.

After 91, the high-end features were nerfed - it is speculated that this was a counter-measure to prevent them from taking a too big chunk out of the sales of the USA-made instruments. Inlays turned from MOP to plastic, neck binding disappeared, trems were replaced with lower quality ones and pickups changed to useless junk.

However, I'd still say that the japanese plant kept on producing solid quality guitars that were structurally sound and with a nice fit and finish. The same factory is actually still producing high-end Jacksons for the japanese market, under the name "Jackson Stars" and "Grover Jackson" (web page).

It's a different story with the Indian-made Jacksons. They have not been up to the quality of the japanese ones, and they would indeed vary a lot from guitar to guitar. But I hear they've gotten a lot better since Fender's takeover.

[RacerX]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

1985: "With virtually every guitar leaving the Jackson Charvel Custom Shop a "one of a kind"custom ordered guitar. Grover wanted to mass produce certain popular models. Jackson Charvel merged with IMC(International Music Corp) and Charvel guitars were starting to be mass produced in Japan bearing the Ft. Worth Texas neck plate because this is where IMC was located. USA made Charvels had San Dimas neck plates up until1986 and after that Ontario California neck plates were used. From 1984 until 1989 Grover spent a lot of time in Japan and Korea setting up production for guitars and parts."

[RacerX]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

The Japanese factory is CHUSHIN Musical Instruments Mfg, Inc

it is in Nagano and has been run by Yuji Miyazawa since 1986.

Model series Charvels were produced from 1986 - 1988
Toothpaste Charvels from 1989 - 1991
Jackson "PRO" Professional from 1990 - 1995

and is still producing lots of MIJ Jacksons in different series from the mid-90s til current.

See also this thread:

http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=605256

[Newc]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

Sounds like the guy at work is just whining about not being able to buy USA-quality imports anymore [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

While the JT580 is not as good as the Schaller-Takeuchi JT590, and you can't get MOP inlays or ebony boards and binding on everything like you could 15-16 years ago, I wouldn't call current imports "crap", even compared to the 90/91 imports.

[TheSteveMan]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

I have a very good feeling about the 06 imports, guys [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The very little that we've seen so far looks outstanding... and we shall know in a few short weeks!

Oh yeah and I would have bought and kept a DK2 long ago if it weren't for them only being offered with rosewood boards up until now.. I'm picky enough against rosewood on my solid body axes...

[bibz]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

I'd put my flametop slsmg up with just about any guitar I've seen so far, the shop is still more then capable of building mindblowing pieces, stars series also.

[Zerberus]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

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....Schaller-Takeuchi JT590, ....

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Takeuchi had nothing to do with the 590, Schaller and Takeuchi have distanced themselves from each other for almost 20 years [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Drake S.]

Re: I\'d like some history on imports, please

Hey Zerberus I think Matt was comparring the 580 to both the Schaller & the Takeuchi Not as 1 company , Schaller obviously German, & Takeuchi Japanese. Just how I see it .But who cares we have NEW Imports comming out very soon!