Need your input

[jcmktgguy]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year again....

"We need you.....to sound off on what YOU think Jackson imports should be!"

I want to hear about new colors, specs, hardware, anything you think we're missing the boat on, let me know.

Feel free to differentiate between the JS Series products and the Japan made products (X, MG, and Pro Series).

I'll be checking it out over the next few days and look forward to your comments/suggestions.

If we use any ideas posted here, your only compensation will be the satisfaction of knowing you had a great idea (or reinforced an idea we already had!).

I appreciate those who take the time to offer their comments!!

[Grandturk]

Problem #1 - I think you have to get the price below that of a used USA Jackson. Some brand new imports cost about as much as a decent used example. That's one of the reasons why I can't justify buying an import - even if it has features that I can't get on a used USA - for instance, the COW dinky - friggin' awesome - but how can I justify $x for that when I can get a USA dinky for the same price used? This is also a personal issue with me, so it may not be Jackson's fault.

Issue B - I think you've got too many import lines - I can't keep them straight and I have no idea what Japanese and what's Indian, or wherever. Some of the price points intermingle, and I think that's a problem. Again, this may also be my problem because I'm not swift enough to differentiate.

Item III - Ditch the bolt-on mid level stuff. I'll go old school and say "Charvels are bolt-ons, Jacksons are neck-throughs." Seriously, if the USA model is neck through, the Japanese model should be neck through. Given your competitor's embrace of neck through guitars at import prices, you should likely follow suit.

Other than that, I think Jackson's already doing a heck of a job with the recent upgrades to the Japanese line - real Duncans and EMGs is a big step and the finish levels are great.

[rjohnstone]

It would be cool if you offered OFR's on the rest of the Pro series instead of just the SL3.
Color matched headstocks too.
Just a thought.

[Nuclear Vampire]

I'd like to see string thru X series Dinky's, Kelly's, King V's and Warriors with Sharkies and neck binding. Priced about what they were in 2005. I'd be buying for sure.

Nothing wrong with bolt-ons, they work just the same as neck-thru.

My biggest suggestion/peeve would be that the neck position strap pin on the Kelly's and King V's should be in the middle of the neck plate NOT on the top part of the body where they are now. Makes the guitar hang funny.

[Inazone]

My only complaint is the same it has always been: lose the pearloid inlays and go back to real MOP! There are so many guitars with plastic-covered fretboards that it's a rare thing to see quality *tasteful* inlays made from natural shell.

Some other suggestions are:

- Ash body option (trans black, trans ivory?)
- 24-fret Rhoads...seriously!
- Pile o' Skulls finish on DK2M
- Vary the pickup selection, Full Shred or Custom instead of JB.

My favorite USA Jackson happens to be a mid `90s Dinky Reverse with ash body and Full Shred/Jazz pickups. I think similar specs would be a hit with the "extreme" metal crowd, and could probably be done in an import version for under $1000.

[jackson1]

1. Offer Japanese Import necks! Yes, necks only! In several configurations regarding fingerboard material, inlays, colored and reverse/regular head stock.

2. Offer quartersawn necks on some of the high end Japanese Import guitars. Stability & Tone.

[slash-ed]

I'd go for neck thrus and MOP on the Professional series, or maybe bringing back the Kelly/Rhoads/Warrior Pro etc line.

[Crusher]

I'd like a string-thru version of the DXMG

...oh and other color choices as well

[BenoA]

My ideas for improvement:

- The Pro serie should have OFR instead of licensed copies. They now have real Duncans/EMG, so why not!
- A Pro serie KV would be cool. Where is the Pro KV right now?
- More maple fretboard necks. I would love see a Kelly with a maple fretboard neck!
- More string-thru models.
- May be a few models with only one humbucker pick up in the bridge.
- More modern bolt-on neck joints on some higher level models. Godin, Ibanez and Peavey, to name a few, offer rounded neck joints on some models that gives a better access to higher frets.

Like someone already said, Jackson should find a way to do the difference between the X and the Pro serie. May be like I said above, the Pro should have the real Duncans/EMG and OFR, the X serie could have the Duncan Designed and the licensed Floyd. Also, the Pro could have a few more neck-thru model while the X has only bolt-ons.

The good points:

The JS serie is an awesome low budget guitar. I'm the owner of a JS30 Kelly and definitely love it and I wanna get a JS1 or JS30DKT for my son as he is just beginning and each time I pick up a JS30 for a quick test, I'm always surprised by the quality for the price. And it's cool that you get get Jackson super cool body shapes (Kelly, Warrior, Dinky, King V, RR) for a decent price.

Choice of colors and various graphics is another very good point. Check ESP and Ibanez and most of their guitars are only offered in one color! 2 thumbs up to Jackson, you offer the best choice of colors throughout all your imports.

Price. I think that for the price, Jackson offers some of the best value on the market right now. Check the DK2M or DKMG for example. And all that for a MIJ guitar. Most of the other manufacturers are making their guitars in Korea right now.

So that's about it for today folks.

[RacerX]

- More maple necks. I would love see a Kelly with a maple neck!

Fretboards you mean, right?

[BenoA]

Fretboards you mean, right?

D'oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, I did make a mistake!!! I meant "more maple fretboards"!!! Thanks for letting me know.

RacerX 1 - BenoA 0

[slash-ed]

I agree with the bolt on neck joint... a more sculpted heel would be more comfortable than a huge flange.

[Razor]

I would like to see either a one humbucker, or a one humbucker and one single coil reverse headstock import in the Professional series. Preferably with sharkfins.

[Genebaby]

I would like to see a Vic Signature Series Dinky, just like my GMW. Maybe just stick to black hardware, so as to keep the price down for everyone.

[charvelguy]

My only complaint is the same it has always been: lose the pearloid inlays and go back to real MOP! There are so many guitars with plastic-covered fretboards that it's a rare thing to see quality *tasteful* inlays made from natural shell.

Some other suggestions are:

- Ash body option (trans black, trans ivory?)
- 24-fret Rhoads...seriously!
- Pile o' Skulls finish on DK2M
- Vary the pickup selection, Full Shred or Custom instead of JB.

My favorite USA Jackson happens to be a mid `90s Dinky Reverse with ash body and Full Shred/Jazz pickups. I think similar specs would be a hit with the "extreme" metal crowd, and could probably be done in an import version for under $1000.

I was thinking the same.. MOP logo would be great like the Stealth Pro. Solid color Ash an trans color bodies like on the JRS.
More p/u options.