Jackson USA raising prices?

[Gibsonmac]

They're going to cut the volume all right, it sounds like. When it comes to "metal" guitars, I am a die-hard Jackson fan and won't really play anything else but I don't know how many other guys there are like me who won't let a price hike turn them towards some other brand.

If Jackson is going to make this work, they need to make sure that every guitar they ship is high quality. Don't be Gibson... Don't become the "joke" of the pointy guitar market with overpriced hit-or-miss garbage.

Right on Jazz, and that is exactly what is happening... was it you that ordered two SL2H's last year that came in and you refused both of them because of shitty routing/ paint issues??

It's too the point that the Jap Jackson's are of such high build quality, higher in many cases, when compared to USA stuff, that I wonder how long it will last, Jackson as we know it that is. My local shop owner told me that Import sales are through the roof, and CS sales are really high, but USA made production guitars just do not move, no one wants them, as you can buy the same thing (of course its not wearing that sexy black backless dress) with at least the same or sometimes better build/fit and finish for half the price, people are settling (for the hot pair of jeans and tight T-shirt). And as far as CS goes, the people willing to pay 2500 for a trans/flame top or 2750 for one of like 3 graphics, are willing to shell out 3500 to get exactly what they want, I mean hey, you'll have to wait the same amount of time for it to show up anyway.

My prediction, Jackson USA goes strictly custom and special/limited run only, and Jackson guitars goes exclusively Jap built... the writing is on the wall, tons of new Jap models over the past few years... neck-thru's and OFR's on all the main Body styles, there are even archtop and 7 string archtop soloists... Even Charvel, after their 'USA production comeback' they are now offering more colors and more often in Jap built production guitars, (and they come with nice cases)... Charvel Jap seems to be waxing, while USA Pro-Mod waning.

Just voicing aloud some trends I'm noticing, and I really don't mind, the KVX10 I got 6-7 yrs ago is a kick ass instrument, and the F/F is tighter than a lot of USA stuff.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I ordered a black one and a white one. I don't remember the specifics of it (it was a year ago, I guess I could dig the thread up) but yeah, I know there were two or three "rejects" with sloppy routing or delamination/inclusion of some kind on the MOP logo and/or off-center tremolos.

To be honest while I appreciate the help I got from Fender/Jackson and my dealer, it was kind of an ordeal and it really put me off of ordering USA Selects. At the same time, I really hope they don't get rid of them because I don't care much for the SLAT3-6 or SL3 or SL3MG and I'm not paying $3500 for a basic Soloist with a couple of little changes. :dunno:

[Brozz]

It's too the point that the Jap Jackson's are of such high build quality, higher in many cases, when compared to USA stuff, that I wonder how long it will last, Jackson as we know it that is.

If memory serves me right, this type of thing happened in the early / mid 90s with the Professional Series from Japan. The quality of those instruments was such that they were cutting into the sales of the USA models.

Im just glad I grabbed my USA Select before this current sh*tstorm happened.

[Gibsonmac]

If memory serves me right, this type of thing happened in the early / mid 90s with the Professional Series from Japan. The quality of those instruments was such that they were cutting into the sales of the USA models.

Im just glad I grabbed my USA Select before this current sh*tstorm happened.

yeah and that was when they were using the same components as the USA's... these days they use cheapy acrylic inlay instead of MOP, and some other stuff as well, to try to stop that from happening...

[MikeStrat]

WOW!!!, Private Stock or after market? in either case, that is gorgeous!!

Very limited run. I got the best of the 5 in the run. My private stock blows this one away. But I like the Floyd on this one.

[Deathrider29]

I just hope Jackson will be around for years and years to come. I'm 20, which puts me at a bit of an odd age. On the one hand, you have the 40 soemthing year olds (that seem to make up the majority of this forum) that grew up with all the great 80's and 90's metal that love Jackson because all their favorite shredders used them, and because there is a certain aesthetic beauty with Jacksons that no other guitar company can touch. Then, you have the current 12-17 year olds that lust after LTD's and Schecters because all their favorites like Alexi Laiho and those guys from Avenged Sevenfold use them. And, they are pretty affordable at 300-700 a pop, so they aren't completely out of reach. What 14 yr old can reasonably shell out $1900 for a USA Jackson?

My main concern here is that Jackson's main fanbase is just getting older and older, and the new crop of youngsters is just feeding the monster that is ESP, making Jackson's future somewhat precarious. Jackson needs to give some big endorsements to some of the popular new acts that are currently with other brands so that they can start growing another generation of young Jackson fanatics.

As for myself, I may have been born the same year that "Rust in Peace" came out, but by some miracle I discovered my true love for the classic 80's 90's metal, and as soon as I saw the music videos for Madhouse, Holy Wars, etc, and saw those glistening pointy headstocks, I knew that I had to play Jacksons. Now I currently have a DK2 and a USA SL2 and I couldn't be happier, and I hope to one day own a CS Jackson, I just wish there were more people like me, who were gassing for Jacksons, rather than flocking to Guitar Center to buy an LTD Alexi 200 or Schecter Omen or whatever.

Just my .02c. As for Jackson USA raising prices, I'm concerned that this will just alienate potential buyers. In my opinion, the USA Select series could do itself a huge favor by offering fewer color options and charging a little less. I feel like they could make a killing charging $1600 for an SL2, without the option of having some of the obscure finishes like bengal, shattered glass, darby green, etc. And with a snakeskin Jackson retailing for $2500, those who want one probably wouldn't mind going to the custom shop for one, plus getting a few other different options of their choice for a little more. Once again, just my .02c

[wilkinsi]

I only buy used USA Jackson guitars so I don't have this "price hike" problem

[RacerX]

I only buy used USA Jackson guitars so I don't have this "price hike" problem

+1

[Model 88]

Yeah until you go to by said used guitar and have to pay 200-300 more because of the "price hike" .

[Chad]

Yeah until you go to by said used guitar and have to pay 200-300 more because of the "price hike" .

True that. It sometimes takes awhile for the trickle effect to happen, but it usually does happen.

[ps43203]

You got me, that will change. I can appreciate the slam. To Racerx

[SHREDINATOR]

I hear yall complain about NEW finishes? Does a KV2 need to come in anything but BLACK?!?!?!? Mine is METAL AZZ FUX!

[Nimitz]

I'm not sure either. And there is nowhere to try one out... Well, there's really not many places to try out a USA Jackson, either.

Good Point... the last time I saw a USA Jackson (used) at a Music store was around 5 years ago and they didn't even bother to setup the neck or bridge, it was sad

[guitarzan_josh]

They could justify the price hike to me if they moved the volume knob 1/2 inch. LOL

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Good Point... the last time I saw a USA Jackson (used) at a Music store was around 5 years ago and they didn't even bother to setup the neck or bridge, it was sad

Same here... My Ghost Flames Dinky had some elevator cable strings on it and three strings. The tremolo was blocked, but the bridge was tilted so far forward from parallel that you could get a step and half of pull-up out of it and the action was measured in centimeters.