Rhoads serial # designation

[jimlp]

Hey guys/gals. I have a previous thread about a Rhoads that I am buying, I have another question and I did not think it would be seen in the other thread so I started this one. I hope this is not in violation of a any forum rules, if it is please delete.

My question is in regards to the serial # designation. I read up on the serial # chronology but I am still somewhat confused. My serial # starts with the letters RR which from what I have read means it was not a "production" model as those start with a U. What is meant by not being "production?" Were the guitars with an RR serial # made to order? Custom Shop? Thanks in advance for any replies I may receive.

[ralph]

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/support/serialnumbers_productdating.php

Production models: made in batches to standard specs: i.e. KV2 or a RR1 etc.

Rhoads with RR serial numbers were/are made to order to the customers specs, -> custom shop

All USA Jackson guitars built prior to '89/'90 were made to order, they started production models in '89/'90

[jimlp]

Thanks Ralph. Is there any way to find out what was specifically special ordered on a guitar? Do those records still exist?

[sully]

oh they exist, but the work orders are not shared anymore.

sully

[jimlp]

oh they exist, but the work orders are not shared anymore.

sully

Bummer. Really no big deal but it would be cool to know.

[charvel750]

Well, we know the standard "production" specs, so what is different from that on the guitar? Lack of a pickguard/scratch plate would be custom ordered. Or 24 frets. Or a single coil pickup, etc...

[Nazgul]

^ What he said.

Post a picture of it if you can .

[jimlp]

Well, we know the standard "production" specs, so what is different from that on the guitar? Lack of a pickguard/scratch plate would be custom ordered. Or 24 frets. Or a single coil pickup, etc...

The guitar is an off white/creme color with fine flake in it as well as painted bevels and medium size frets that look to be original. I have never seen this color on a Rhoads before and I was not sure that Jackson painted the bevels in 80's as a standard prodution spec. I also though Jackson guitars always came with Jumbo frets so I thought may have been custom ordered as well. I have seen Jacksons for the 23 years I have been playing but I am not familiar enough with them to know what was available as options when or if ever. I guess I am not sure what is designated a custom spec or order, were they made to individual order and you had a list off options to choose from kinda like Carvin?

[toejam]

Before 1990, everything was a custom order, whether it be from a single person or a store/dealer. You could order it with pretty much any option desired.

[Sunbane]

There is one exception to the "RR" vs "U0" rule. From jacksonguitars.com:

"All Randy Rhoads neck-through-body guitars were given “RR****” serial numbers from 1983 to spring 1990. After that, only custom Rhoads guitars bore “RR****” serial numbers; production Rhoads guitars were considered “USA” models and given “U0****” serial numbers."

So it would depend on when your guitar was made; i.e. what numbers you have following "RR".

[jimlp]

There is one exception to the "RR" vs "U0" rule. From jacksonguitars.com:

"All Randy Rhoads neck-through-body guitars were given “RR****” serial numbers from 1983 to spring 1990. After that, only custom Rhoads guitars bore “RR****” serial numbers; production Rhoads guitars were considered “USA” models and given “U0****” serial numbers."

So it would depend on when your guitar was made; i.e. what numbers you have following "RR".

RR 2349 which dates it to 1989 if I read the tables correctly.

[charvel750]

Sunbane: If the serial is "RR" it's a Custom Shop, no other way. If it's a "U0" then it's Production. Numbers following the "RR" are irrelevant to it being a Custom Shop guitar. There are still RR Customs today.

[Nazgul]

Small frets were "standard" on 80s RRs.

[jimlp]

Small frets were "standard" on 80s RRs.

Thanks for the reply, this makes the guitar 100% original as far as we can tell.