J-200R Timeline?

[Codswallop1]

Does anybody know when jackson would of started using the J-200R single sized rails type humbucker in its (USA) models? :dunno:

I'm looking to snag an '87 Soloist, and it has J200R's in the single positions. It's a one owner guitar and the dude swears they are original.
I thought the rail pups were used in late 80's ('89) to early 90's import only units...and the jackson pup guide doesn't even list them.

[toejam]

I thought the rail pups were used in late 80's ('89) to early 90's import only units...and the jackson pup guide doesn't even list them.

I thought they were around '89, as well, just on import Charvels. I can't recall any Jacksons having them.

[DonP]

I thought the rail pups were used in late 80's ('89) to early 90's import only units.

+1. I have them on a 550XL, and a Charvel Fusion Deluxe. Both toothpaste logo (later) imports.

[Codswallop1]

Thanks guys for your help!

I'm confused because the Soloist also has a JE-1000 and I'm concerned with its compatibility with the J200R's. I don't own any axes with J200R pups, but I assume they are four conductor wiring?

[toejam]

The JE-1000 is just an active preamp, designed to work with any passive pickups, so it should be fine. Not sure about the pickup wiring, though.

[Axewielder]

Yes it is a 4-wire hookup. I have one without the active electronics, and it sounds great (unlike the J200). Those are hard to find.

[DonP]

The J200R (4 conductor) in my 550XL came wired in parallel. Clean, but a little weak. I wired it up with a super 5 way with the J90C and it is an awesome sounding axe with a lot of flexible tones.

[Axewielder]

It's a bit of an oddball. I feel like it's closer to the J100 than the J200. The J100 is a "weak" vintage style pickup at 8 ohms. The J200 never shipped without the active electronics system AFAIK. But the J100 was a true passive pup. The J200R was in the Fusion Deluxe as a passive pickup.

[charvel750]

Don't forget the USA Warrior used them too!

[toejam]

Don't forget the USA Warrior used them too!

I thought they were Armstrong, or was that just the imports?

[charvel750]

Those are the same pickups as was in the Charvels of the time, dual rail J200 R, might have been Armstrong assisted, not sure.

[toejam]

For some reason, I'm thinking only the USA Warbird got the J200R and the other USA and Professional Warriors got the Armstrong pups.

[Codswallop1]

Well, this thread answers my original question totally: J-200R's would not have been an option in an '87 Soloist...so much for being all original. *sigh*

Time to respond to the seller with some new ammo and a renewed respect for the quality of 80's drugs.

[charvel750]

I wouldn't really worry about "originality" on that guitar, it matters little and anyone that might buy it down the road would likely change out the pickups anyway.