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Hey there! I'm new in Jackson/Charvel land. 
I've got a couple
questions about my newest toy.
I hope it isn't out-of-order to plague the forum with yet another "I
don't know what the hell this is--can you help me out" thread, however, I would sorta like to know what my baby is worth and get some pointers about a couple things. Hopefully, someone will find this at least a little entertaining!
I'm led to believe that is isn't quite a run-of-the mill instrument. When it was made, I don't know, but because I've seen almost identical Jackson Concert basses whose manufacturing dates are known, I think it was made in 1987. Neck through construction, same control layout, finishes, etc. The only thing is that this is a Charvel. I'm not too familiar with J/C serial number formats, so I can't tell for sure when or where it was made. To some people that might seem sorta silly, but I like to know as much as possible about my equipment--down to the very last detail. The serial number, which is stamped on the end of the fretboard, after the 21st fret (it is neck through, so no neck plate with the San Dimas PO box number, etc), appears to be C707818, but it's sorta hard to read.
Some things about it strike me as being a little weird. First of all, I put on a different gage of strings and, naturally, I needed to adjust the truss rod. I took off the cover, hex wrench in hand, only to be faced...not with a typical truss end. There isn't a hexagonal hole, but a round hole with a hexagonal outside. It looks like you could use a crescent wrench to adjust it, but there's no way you could fit a crescent wrench into the truss rod slot. Anyone have any ideas as to what I could do?
Furthermore, the tone pots don't work. I thought maybe the person who had the bass before me rewired it and bypassed them or something, but when I opened up the back of the control cavity, I found out that they're still wired up. It sounds like they're trying to work, but they just don't.
I'm also having issues with the bridge. The strings exit awfully close to the body when you take them out. I can't help but save my strings so cutting them off isn't an option. But it pains me to have the strings digging grooves in the finish when I change them.
This might be time to finally get a bass retrofitted with a Kahler tremolo. Love it or hate it...I think it's badass. The way I see it, the stock bridge is so decrepit, rusted out, and missing enough parts that pretty much anything is an improvement. Furthermore, I think the flexibility of a Kahler Hybrid bass trem, especially in terms of intonation and general setup is really spiffy.
Of course, this bass is used and 20 years old, so this sorta shmagma is to be expected. I knew what I was getting and I figured that it'd be nice to have something really nice to fix up over time. It just needs a bit of tender, loving care.
Any responses would be appreciated. Sorry if that was a little drawn out. I've always loved these guitars/basses and I'm eager to find out more about them. I've always wanted one--now I finally do, and I consider myself lucky to have found a really neat place to meet other fans of the world's zazziest and most classy instruments!
Cheers!
I've got a couplequestions about my newest toy.
I hope it isn't out-of-order to plague the forum with yet another "I
don't know what the hell this is--can you help me out" thread, however, I would sorta like to know what my baby is worth and get some pointers about a couple things. Hopefully, someone will find this at least a little entertaining!
I'm led to believe that is isn't quite a run-of-the mill instrument. When it was made, I don't know, but because I've seen almost identical Jackson Concert basses whose manufacturing dates are known, I think it was made in 1987. Neck through construction, same control layout, finishes, etc. The only thing is that this is a Charvel. I'm not too familiar with J/C serial number formats, so I can't tell for sure when or where it was made. To some people that might seem sorta silly, but I like to know as much as possible about my equipment--down to the very last detail. The serial number, which is stamped on the end of the fretboard, after the 21st fret (it is neck through, so no neck plate with the San Dimas PO box number, etc), appears to be C707818, but it's sorta hard to read.
Some things about it strike me as being a little weird. First of all, I put on a different gage of strings and, naturally, I needed to adjust the truss rod. I took off the cover, hex wrench in hand, only to be faced...not with a typical truss end. There isn't a hexagonal hole, but a round hole with a hexagonal outside. It looks like you could use a crescent wrench to adjust it, but there's no way you could fit a crescent wrench into the truss rod slot. Anyone have any ideas as to what I could do?
Furthermore, the tone pots don't work. I thought maybe the person who had the bass before me rewired it and bypassed them or something, but when I opened up the back of the control cavity, I found out that they're still wired up. It sounds like they're trying to work, but they just don't.
I'm also having issues with the bridge. The strings exit awfully close to the body when you take them out. I can't help but save my strings so cutting them off isn't an option. But it pains me to have the strings digging grooves in the finish when I change them.
This might be time to finally get a bass retrofitted with a Kahler tremolo. Love it or hate it...I think it's badass. The way I see it, the stock bridge is so decrepit, rusted out, and missing enough parts that pretty much anything is an improvement. Furthermore, I think the flexibility of a Kahler Hybrid bass trem, especially in terms of intonation and general setup is really spiffy.
Of course, this bass is used and 20 years old, so this sorta shmagma is to be expected. I knew what I was getting and I figured that it'd be nice to have something really nice to fix up over time. It just needs a bit of tender, loving care.
Any responses would be appreciated. Sorry if that was a little drawn out. I've always loved these guitars/basses and I'm eager to find out more about them. I've always wanted one--now I finally do, and I consider myself lucky to have found a really neat place to meet other fans of the world's zazziest and most classy instruments!
Cheers!
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