Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

[Jim Shine]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Yeah, I am not breaking them in where I should be!

Quick update. I have been putting off working on these frets as I HATE doing fretwork. Well, I took one of them, dropped the bar and fanned the strings out and pounded that high fret and its perfect. Well, now I guess I can change the strings and do some meedley meedley tonight. Maybe I will try working on the other guitar as well.

[Zerberus]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

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Here is a USA Jackson fret question for you all. Chucksplatter and I have talked about this a bit in the past. Have you guys ever found that if a fret issue developed in your neckthrough (as does on some guitars over the years) that they tend to happen in the same general area? I have had 3 or 4 that have developed a high fret between the 17th and 20th fret on the treble side. Chucksplatter says he has seen this on other Jackson neckthroughs as well as his last Soloist. It isn't a defect, but it sure is interesting how they tend to happen in the same area.

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That is Mojo. Bad Mojo. Your guitar is telling you to slide your fingers up and tickle the upper frets more. You obviously aren't giving it all the meedley, meedley, meedley it needs. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

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[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

But Seriously, THAT I haven´t had on any of mine so far, frets coming loose and such. The ´96 CS DR needs a fret dressing pretty soon, but that´s just from being my main guitar for the last 8 years. My Neckthrus (current and past) and those of buddies all have no problems whatsoever, albeit theirs aren´t exactly at an age yet where problems should start popping up, they´re all only 2-4 years old [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[hammer84]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

My two SL-1s from 98 and 99 had below average fret jobs for a 1k guitar. Both had fret ends that would catch a string if you bent it to far. One had a fret that had an edge that was not finished correctly and the other had a fret that was not seated properly.

[roodyrocker]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I don't have any Jacksons with poor quality frets no matter what the era. The two that I would say are exceptional are my custom shop Rhoads which I recieved around 2000 and my PCS Rhoads, 1994.

Rudy

[peedenmark7]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I havent had any problems on '83-89 neckthrough customs having poor fret or high frets. I will say some of the '89s I owned , had over dressed frets, almost like they took 6100 wire and shaved it flat.
I have had some fret issues on bolton '86-89 jacksons between the 14th through 17th frets.
usually just a simple tap down will cure it, but sometimes a partial dressing is required. seen this on a few dimas charvels as well.
from around '98-'02 you see some really crummy fret jobs on jacksons. I know they were understaffed for a while. I remember tim saying they were having hard time keeping up.
I've been digging for the "MG" answer. once upon a time.
I had all this written down, but am having a hard time getting/digging through my notes. he did do an excellant job , nice tall crown jobs !!
john

[Jim Shine]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

The second guitar I had issues with tapped out better, but needs some leveling as well. It had 3 high frets and tapped out to one problem fret, but that isn't bad.

[RR05xx]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

Intersting. My '84 RR does not have the best fret work IHMO (but it used med frets and is a Student - does that matter??), however, the guitar still plays very well and I hardly had more than a set up done to it in like 12 years.

My 89 KV has awsome fret work and plays like a demon (bound ebony/sharks and OFR). Definatly a big difference from other guitars I have owned and played (too bad I dont do shapes anymore or I would say the guitar is just about perfect:headbang. However, it has needed a tweek every now and again.

My 2001 SL2 has what I consider to be pretty good fret work (almost better then the '84 RR to my untrained self), but my tech was not impressed in the least as he felt the frets were not glued properly or leveled with any care.

[Bengal65]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I can't comment on older Jacksons, however my new SL1 fretwork is one word "Flawless"! [img]/images/graemlins/band.gif[/img] My comparison is based on 39 years of playing many different manufacturer's guitars, both production and custom shop. My SL1 may be an exception, but I believe with Jackson's original personnel backed by the assets of Fender may prove to be an ideal marriage. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Jim Shine]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

Before 1986 the Students actually required a little extra attention fret wise than the same period Customs as they didnt have the easy to shape nibs on the sides. They had to file and sand the ends of those frets.

[xenophobe]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I've never touched a pre-pro Charvel. But I've played a number of SD guitars and owned a few. Out of all the Jacksons, I think the 87-89 was the pinnacle of the custom shop, and the move to Ontario DOES show up quality wise. Mid nineties is another pinacle era in the custom shop. The Jacksons I have kept have great fretwork and the attention to detail in every aspect is just unbelievable. Those years always seem to have the mojo for me.

[Greg Crowe]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

My guitars with the best fretwork(out of over 60):

1981 Charvel Pre-Pro Bullseye
1984 Pink Soloist
1987 Cracked Bengal Soloist
1992 Lightning Soloist
1992 Lightning Rhoads
1993 Bengal Kelly

[Jim Shine]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I must have been stuck with the late 80's dogs.

My top guitars would be:
1988 Archtop Soloist
1992 Soloist Custom Shop (Coors Light graphic)
1983 Rhoads
1987 Bolt on
1984 Pink Soloist
1984 Silver Soloist
1985 Rising Sun Soloist

[Greg Crowe]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I hate to say this but I've had 3 different 2000 Korean neck-thru Kramer Baretta's with fretwork just as good as the fretwork on current USA Jackson Soloists. I sold a metallic black one to someone here on the Forum and that guitar killed! The fretwork on that guitar rivaled even some of my better older USA Jacksons.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Jackson USA Fretwork Over the Years

I am sure! I bought a Schecter C+ (Korean I do believe) when they just came out and it had beautiful frets. Better than most guitars I have seen from the factory, USA or Asian.