USA Custom Select - your thoughts?

[decadence5423]

Really all I want is a neck thru USA with an oiled neck, maybe a KV2. I'm not that picky and since that's the only option I really want it seems stupid to pay full custom price. Depending on how the pricing I can really see myself going for it.

[paulbag]

This could be cool...was talking to Matt about possibly ordering a WR1T, but since that was considered full custom I figured might as well order an arch top Death Warrior(or Kelly)string thru...have to see how this changes things

[church2224]

IMHO This is a great idea. As stated ESP did the same before but stopped. I will be planning out some Jackson Sl2hs and the new B7s in the months to come.

[neilli]

Not sure what a B7 is (baritone 7 string?), but it's not on the list as a base model.

[snowblind56]

This is pure genius for those who want a plain jane USA Select but are bored by current selection of colors. Why would I wait 2 years for a "Custom" Jackson when all I want is a USA Select in a different color. All they would have to do is grab a Select off the line and paint it the color I choose. Not much custom about that.

[church2224]

Not sure what a B7 is (baritone 7 string?), but it's not on the list as a base model.

It is the new USA 7 string, I think that is what it is called.

[Force]

so, drop the USA Selects down to $1500/$2000, Semi-Selects in the $2100/$2700, Full custom: Sky's the limit

If only

[Confuse-a-Cat]

I've been in favour of an idea like this for ages. With all the stories about people ordering a USA Select from a store and actually having to wait for the guitar to be built, I figured why not let them change one or two of the minor specs? The only extra work it would create in the factory would be to make sure they looked at the requested changes before starting to build it - Although judging from the problems some people have had with their custom orders being built to the wrong spec that might not be as simple as it sounds. But if they actually built them to the requested spec it would mean that a lot more Jackson players could get the guitar they want without having to go full custom.

I don't own any USA selects, and frankly for the price you have to pay I would avoid any guitar that wasn't exactly what I wanted. And you can probably tell from my signature that what I want would be a maple fretboard! :p If I could order essentially a regular SL2H, but with the old Raspberry Burst colour scheme, a maple fretboard and black sharkies, I'd be all over it - provided I could convince myself to spend that much money on it. I am a bit of a tight git too.

[neilli]

You can order the maple board for $25 and 'black' sharkies (not listed as ebony on the list) for nothing, but there's no Raspberry burst. Trans red burst, trans purple burst but no raspberry.

[Confuse-a-Cat]

You can order the maple board for $25 and 'black' sharkies (not listed as ebony on the list) for nothing, but there's no Raspberry burst. Trans red burst, trans purple burst but no raspberry.

Ah shame. Never mind, there's other finishes I like too. That one was always my favourite though. Thanks for the info.

[kmanick]

I'm in the same boat. A good idea, but would be nice if you could at least specify pickup configuration.

I guess it will come down to cost versus full custom and regular USA select, to see if it's a good value for a semi-custom or not.

^ this
If I could get a maple board soloist with ss jumbo frets,oiled neck and a H/S config with the volume control out of the way I'd order one today
but not fro $3,500.00 LOL!
I've been watching PC-1 sales and the only reason I would even entertain a PC-1 is because I'd like a jackson with a maple board and 24 frets.
I'd much rather have a soloist than a bolt on.

[neilli]

I have heard a rumor that the current option list is a starting point, and they may offer different pickup configs, rev heads etc at some point down the road.

[1b4n3z]

This is excellent news. It would seem that the Jackson's method of producing these instruments (Select) would allow for a relatively high degree of customization without disturbing the output rate too much. Thus enabling a Carvin-style semi-custom shop production might just be the ticket here, to boost Jackson right back up there at the top of artists' choice. As long as these instruments stay below the CS price point well enough, it should really put some pressure on the Japanese manufacturers, that have seemed to grab much of contemporary artists in a short period of time. With ESP now retreating from the export markets and blocking all kinds of semi-customization attempts from dealers, Jackson (of Fender) should now push this thing and make sure everyone knows the deal. This year looks very good for Jackson

[Devotee]

I think this kind of business model is a great direction for Jackson! 1b4n3z hit the nail on the head; it's kind of like Carvin's approach to semi-customs and it goes back to the roots of the company. I love the idea of picking a USA Select base model and having the freedom to choose basic specs and leave the cookie-cutter manufactured stuff to the imports. I think this will definitely clear up the confusion about the whole range of Jacksons available (import and otherwise) and probably boost sales of USA Jacksons and cut down on CS wait times.

Huzzah! Bravo! And all that.

[toejam]

i like that idea. they did that briefly before right? in the 90's sometime?

They did it with the reissued Charvels around 2004 (choice of pickup combo, V-trems or Floyds, choice of fingerboard wood), but I don't think they did with Jacksons. There was talk about it within the past couple years of Jackson doing that, but I don't think it's been implemented until now.