Jackson Stars owners and soon to be owners

[dangerous_dave]

this jackson stars stuff seems interesting, but i would have thought that generally communication with a jackson dealer in japan would be a bit dodgey.

could someone just explain the order process to me in simple words, i have read through the whole thread. but theres just too much info...

[ken]

this jackson stars stuff seems interesting, but i would have thought that generally communication with a jackson dealer in japan would be a bit dodgey.

could someone just explain the order process to me in simple words, i have read through the whole thread. but theres just too much info...

Damn. I gave it a day, hoping someone else would answer, but...

Jackson Stars is a manufacturer, like Jackson, that you cannot buy from directly. Therefore you: (1) select the guitar that interests you from the Jackson Stars website; (2) make an enquiry about it regarding cost and availability to a dealer that is willing to ship from Japan to your country; (3) if you are happy with the deal, you pay for it and wait for it to arrive; (4) when it arrives you pay the extortionate import duties to your government, who will then spend it on speed cameras.

Dealers who are willing to ship outside Japan have employees that speak (a good approximation to) English, so while there's certainly some room for confusion, it's not that bad. What could be simpler?

The only complication is a good one: Jackson Stars allows "semi-custom" options at reasonable cost. That is, as guitars can be built with a 3-4 month turn around time, often what you order will not be in stock but will be built just for you. As this is the case, they are willing to make certain changes to the basic spec of the guitar. They publish a semi-custom list that we've come to treat as "suggested" changes. That is, these are the sort of things they don't mind doing, but if you have something else in mind, you should ask a dealer about it, as you could get lucky.

If your Japanese is good, you can read the current semi-custom (list) prices on the official website:
http://www.jacksonstars.com/custom07.html
If your Japanse is not so good, you should compare the entries on the current list with the ones kindly translated by a JCF member a few years ago:
http://autumn-frost.com/jcf/JS-SCOS1.jpg
http://autumn-frost.com/jcf/JS-SCOS2.jpg

You should also check the Japanese dealers' websites as guitars that are currently for sale give a good idea about what the factory is willing to produce.

When you make a request for a price to a dealer, be sure to list all the semi-custom options that you wish, so they can include them in the price they quote you.

Jackson Stars also have a full custom shop, but it's not clear if that is really any different to semi-custom.

Does that answer your question? If not, please use the search function and read all the Jackson Stars threads!

FWIW, a good way to have gotten this information more willingly from other JCFers would have be to start a thread saying: "I'm interested in buying a Jackson Stars BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, what do you guys think?".

[The Mitch]

OMG Ken, boring morning?

Now, the thread is completed and perfect!

[dangerous_dave]

Damn. I gave it a day, hoping someone else would answer, but...

Jackson Stars is a manufacturer, like Jackson, that you cannot buy from directly. Therefore you: (1) select the guitar that interests you from the Jackson Stars website; (2) make an enquiry about it regarding cost and availability to a dealer that is willing to ship from Japan to your country; (3) if you are happy with the deal, you pay for it and wait for it to arrive; (4) when it arrives you pay the extortionate import duties to your government, who will then spend it on speed cameras.

Dealers who are willing to ship outside Japan have employees that speak (a good approximation to) English, so while there's certainly some room for confusion, it's not that bad. What could be simpler?

The only complication is a good one: Jackson Stars allows "semi-custom" options at reasonable cost. That is, as guitars can be built with a 3-4 month turn around time, often what you order will not be in stock but will be built just for you. As this is the case, they are willing to make certain changes to the basic spec of the guitar. They publish a semi-custom list that we've come to treat as "suggested" changes. That is, these are the sort of things they don't mind doing, but if you have something else in mind, you should ask a dealer about it, as you could get lucky.

If your Japanese is good, you can read the current semi-custom (list) prices on the official website:
http://www.jacksonstars.com/custom07.html
If your Japanse is not so good, you should compare the entries on the current list with the ones kindly translated by a JCF member a few years ago:
http://autumn-frost.com/jcf/JS-SCOS1.jpg
http://autumn-frost.com/jcf/JS-SCOS2.jpg

You should also check the Japanese dealers' websites as guitars that are currently for sale give a good idea about what the factory is willing to produce.

When you make a request for a price to a dealer, be sure to list all the semi-custom options that you wish, so they can include them in the price they quote you.

Jackson Stars also have a full custom shop, but it's not clear if that is really any different to semi-custom.

Does that answer your question? If not, please use the search function and read all the Jackson Stars threads!

FWIW, a good way to have gotten this information more willingly from other JCFers would have be to start a thread saying: "I'm interested in buying a Jackson Stars BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, what do you guys think?".

thanks ken, exactly what i needed to know

[ken]

thanks ken, exactly what i needed to know

Great. If you're going to order a guitar, be sure to post about it. We always like to stick our oars in to other people's specs!

[ken]

OMG Ken, boring morning? !

Something like that!

[dangerous_dave]

Great. If you're going to order a guitar, be sure to post about it. We always like to stick our oars in to other people's specs!

I personally won't be ordering a stars, my brother may soon, but i will be ordering a usa

[S.O.A.F]

Ishibashi is a good store
I bought my RR-J1 & SL-J1 & KE-J1E form there

and their employee's english is better than other store I've visited
so if u want to order outside japan Ishibashi is a best choice

[ken]

My waiting is almost over. I got email today from Ishibashi saying that my guitar has arrived and they'll post it out once they "check it".

From payment 'till now has been a couple of days longer than six months. I really, really hope I haven't ordered a banjo by accident.

Any word on your RR eakinj or did you give up and go on vacation?

[Nazgul]

Great news ken! How much was the actual building time? I mean from when the contract with the factory was signed to when it arrived to Ishibashi.

I have to count 3-4 months from August 22nd and then add ~2 weeks for delivery to me .

[The Mitch]

My waiting is almost over. I got email today from Ishibashi saying that my guitar has arrived and they'll post it out once they "check it".

From payment 'till now has been a couple of days longer than six months. I really, really hope I haven't ordered a banjo by accident.

Any word on your RR eakinj or did you give up and go on vacation?

Cool news Ken!
THIS WEEK you will hold it in your hands!
We want pix!

[ken]

Thanks dudes. I'll post pictures when it arrives, I promise.

How much was the actual building time?

I checked back through my e-mail and six months was the build time. The order was completed - payment was acknowledged to be received and the order sent to the factory - on the 26th of February. I got e-mail this morning, the 3rd of September, saying the guitar had arrived at Ishibashi and is being checked.

[S.O.A.F]

that's a good news ,ken. My order sheet is processing now...they reply slowly...

[Nazgul]

Yeah, they didn't reply to us any more often . What are your specs Han?

[S.O.A.F]

Shape is Kelly.Mahogany body with Maple neck/Ebony Fingerboard.and reversed Head/one Humbecker/reversed shark/String thru bridge, color is BK/BV red.other is just as J1 :p