What exactly are Jackson Stars guitars?

[Nazgul]

Interesting read, Ken.

While the Jackcson Stars are at the same level (if not better) than the original Jackson Professional models and Jackson USA models, I feel that the Caparison Gutiars are actually slightly better built than the Jackson Stars J1 or J2 model. I'd have to say that a Custom ordered (not semi-custom) Jackson Stars is on par with what the Caparisons.
(^Part of a text from that PDF)

I wonder why are full custom shop Jackson Stars better than the semi-custom Jackson. Maybe they are more hand-made?
And I guess that means they are slightly better than the USA models too, hehe .

[Sunbane]

I'd guess is that the "semi customs" are made on the "assembly line" for the largest part, while a custom would require more attention by a specialized luthier.

[ken]

I wonder why are full custom shop Jackson Stars better than the semi-custom Jackson. Maybe they are more hand-made?
And I guess that means they are slightly better than the USA models too, hehe .

I knew that part would interest you Nazgul! My eyebrows raised when I read that too. Unlike the rest of the article, it sounded like a subjective judgement, so I'm not taking that part too literally. If there is any truth in it, I'd guess it's for the reason Sunbane is suggesting: they just pay more attention to the custom pieces... because they have to!

However, next time I'm in Japan, I'm going to hunt down the Chushin Gakki factory and see for myself.

[S.O.A.F]

well,I've seen the semi-order jackson star from my friend...just as what it says:just change some thing on regular model maybe next time I'll try to order a custom order :p

[jackson1]

I think this document on Caparison's history clears up many of the questions here (incidentally, no, I didn't write it):

http://www.brlguitars.com/resources/caparison_history.pdf

How / where did you find this, Ken?

The article seems very familiar to me... having authored the following article (see paragraph about "Kyowa-Shokai / Itaru Kanno"):

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/jackson-professional-history.htm

[ken]

How / where did you find this, Ken?

Hey Henrik,

I found it by putting "Chushin Gakki" into google! It led me to the non-pdf version of the piece that's on the caparisonforum:

www.caparisonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=255

In it, there's a link to the "original" pdf, which I thought people would find easier to read.

The article seems very familiar to me... having authored the following article (see paragraph about "Kyowa-Shokai / Itaru Kanno"):

http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/jack...al-history.htm

I should have recognised that part of the text, as I've read all the articles on your site and regularly browse your catalogue scans (for which you deserve a big thumbs up ).

The author (whoever they are) states at the start: "The information presented here is based on the many tidbits of factual information gathered over the years, but will contain sections which is solely based on speculation." I took that to mean that they'd "acquired" facts from here and there. It looks like some of those "tidbits" came from your site.

Is there anything in the piece that you didn't already know or, perhaps more imortantly, think is wrong?

Certainly your site and the article differ in some respects. For instance, your piece says in the Japan Today section that it is safe to say that the "Chushin Musical Instruments company makes guitars for the American Jackson Guitars company exclusively". The other piece seems to imply that they make all sorts of things, including the Caparison guitars. Who fancys a trip down to the Nagano Prefecture to find out? I'd happily go, if it wasn't for the small matter of the 18 hour flight.

I might see if I can get a friend in Japan to contact Chushin Musical Instruments and get some "definitive" information.

Ken

[hksb_alex]

Yeah good info on that one.. wierd eh?

So from what I understand those Jackson Stars Custom Shop USA guitars are actually made in the US custom shop after being ordered from the japanese custom shop (who knows why they didnt make them theirselves) and then sent to japan?

I just find it a bit wierd.. or maby I am wrong.

It is actually true. I own a Grover Jackson USA guitar.

[RacerX]

I might see if I can get a friend in Japan to contact Chushin Musical Instruments and get some "definitive" information.

Ken

You got the address, right, Ken?

I know I have posted it in this forum a couple times.

[S.O.A.F]

I used to have a Grover Jackson KV-1,it got same serial number as USA :U0xxxx

[ken]

You got the address, right, Ken?

I know I have posted it in this forum a couple times.

I didn't get the address from the JCF, but this is what I have:

Chushin Musical Instruments
3228 Misato Meisei
Azumino-city
Nagano Prefecture
Japan

Does that look right to you, Ron?

... I can see this turning into the "Mr Sparkle" Simpsons episode...

[RacerX]

Yup

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=637667&postcount=24

[jackson1]

Is there anything in the piece that you didn't already know or, perhaps more imortantly, think is wrong?

I knew a lot of what's in that article; The history of Caparison was available on the old Caparison homepage, and surely must have been used as a reference here. Caparison removed that history during their recent site updates. Dunno why, really.

I am not an expert on Caparison, so I cannot judge if that article on brlguitars is correct. It sounds pretty okay to me.

Certainly your site and the article differ in some respects. For instance, your piece says in the Japan Today section that it is safe to say that the "Chushin Musical Instruments company makes guitars for the American Jackson Guitars company exclusively".

That is a direct quote I got from the Jackson Guitars company.

The other piece seems to imply that they make all sorts of things, including the Caparison guitars.

Yes, very interesting. We need to clear up this mess. I mean, someone has to..

[ken]

That is a direct quote I got from the Jackson Guitars company.

Interesting. I'm almost tempted to do a Mr Sparkle on this and just ring the factory in Japan and ask about BC Rich or Caparison guitars.

Yes, very interesting. We need to clear up this mess. I mean, someone has to..

I'll be right behind you.

Ron, am I correct in guessing you didn't get a business card for Mr Miyazawa with an e-mail address on it?

[RacerX]

I do have his card; I'll have to check if it has email on it.

[ken]

I do have his card; I'll have to check if it has email on it.

It'd be good to know, just in case we have no luck with other routes of inquiry, but I guess there's no point in troubling El Presidente if we can find someone else that can answer questions.

I'll ask the guys at Ishibashi about what the factory builds or if they can give me the e-mail address of someone at the factory who can do so.

I'll report back if I get any joy.