Please help to identify !

[Franx]

Hello everybody ! I'm glad, that I've found the JCFOnline site and I hope you guys can help me.

I was offered a Kelly KE3 (made in Japan) and now, that it's in my hands, I'm not sure, what model/year/origin it really is. After checking the catalog-scans at audiozone, I think, it could be a KE4. Anyway, the facts:
S/N: 98120240 (8 digits - made in India ? But no 0 or 1 at the beginning)
Trem: Schaller (maybe it was replaced)
PUs: both replaced (DiMarzio at the neck; SD Inavder at the bridge)
24 Frets, dot inlays (wide space at the 12th and 24th - India ?)

The pics are found here: (http://www.franx.at/Jackson/Kelly.htm)
So, any Idea ?
Thanx

[zebutcher]

It's A KE4 with a replaced floyd and pups. SO its a Made in Japan. Year maybe 98-99 but not sur about that.

[Newc]

Wide dots indicates India, but I'm not sure about that surface-mounted control cavity cover - is that really a Jackson body?

The model should be stamped on the neck heel and pocket.

[Franx]

That was quick - thank you.
Well, the KE4 was my guess ... I think, I have to 're-think' that deal.

[Sunbane]

Looks like a mutt to me. It's certainly not a KE3, and I bet it isn't a KE4 either. Wide dots = not made in japan. Probably a JS series neck. Non-recessed control cavity cover = Not made in Japan. The neck plate doesn't even say "Jackson" on it.

I'd leave it alone, unless you can have it for cheap.

[jackson1]

Hey Franx, seeing the guys here already helped you out, I guess I can disregard the email you sent me yesterday?

[Inazone]

I was thinking it might be a Musician's Friend "exclusive" JK-20 with some mods. A lot of the MF and GC guitars that I've seen didn't have a regular Jackson neck plate, just the plain style with a serial number, and dot inlays.

[Spivonious]

No logo on the neckplate throws up red flags for me. The bridge and bridge pickup are not original. The switch looks odd too, as well as the pickup rings.

[RobRR]

Made in India neck AND body. MIA bodys didnt have recessed rear covers, more rounded off corners, and the guitar originally had a JT500 trem... Note the non-Schaller trem posts. Standard India stuff.

[Franx]

Hey Franx, seeing the guys here already helped you out, I guess I can disregard the email you sent me yesterday?

Hello Henrik ! Yes, you are right ! Thank you !
I added 2 more pics: the writing on the neck says "17/12" and on the body: "9/4/92" and "OK" - I can't read the rest.

So far, so good (bad ?)
Franx

[Franx]

Wide dots indicates India, but I'm not sure about that surface-mounted control cavity cover - is that really a Jackson body?

The model should be stamped on the neck heel and pocket.

Hello Newc, I checked that and added 2 more pics. There's nothing "stamped"; on the neck heel it says "17/12" and on the pocket "9/4/92" and "OK". There is something else, but I can't read that.

All in all it wasn't my best decision to buy it "blind", just because the guy said "KE3 - perfect condition" on the phone.

Recently I got a '96 DX-1 in a real good condition and a JSX-94 (great neck) - both cheaper than this KE3/4/? !

Anyway, Jackson/Charvel guitars are great and this Forum along with Henrik's site are great, too.

Thank you, guys !