Jackson AT-1 questions

[jgcable]

I am considering scoring Jims USA AT-1. I know little to nothing about these guitars. I am looking for something a little different than my normal Ibanez shredders.
To me, the AT-1 looks alot like a PRS CE22. Is this what Jackson was going for? Jim's has Ken Armstrong covered pickups in it. Why? I have never heard of a Jackson guitar with Armstrongs. Usually they are Duncans. I would have thought it would have a Custom/Jazz combo or something like that. The AT-1 seems to be one of the most unpopular USA Jacksons ever. Even more disliked than the JJ's. It has fairly crummy resale value although it looks like it was a pretty expensive guitar and is certainly low production. I am kind of diggin it in a big way but I just don't know much about the entire series. I guess what I am asking is... why did Jackson come out with the AT-1 and what does AT stand for? (could it be arch top?)

[sambencuda]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

I'll start! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

AFAIK, these came with Kent Armstrong's along with the SL2/DR2/RR2 models in the mid 90's. Of course the AT's were covered. I guess Jackson was experimenting with different pickups during that time frame. They also have no fret board markers (except on the side of the fret board. like the SL2/DR2/RR2's.

I think the main thing that kills resale on these is the headstock. I happen to like it, but this was Jackson’s attempt at a new headstock design. Some love it, some hate it. It's still used today on some imports and the SLS and KV2T (discontinued?). When the AT-1's first came out they had a 4x2 headstock, but were forced(Brian Moore?) to stop so they went to a 3x3.

The AT does stand for Arch Top. These are heavy guitars. The body is solid mahogany with a thick (3/4"?) Flamed maple cap. The tops are better than most tops you see on USA select series tops plus the USA select series tops are only very thin verneers. Even the headstock verneer on the AT-1 is beefy. It's 1/8" thick. All I can say is that these were built like Mack trucks. The ebony fret board is also thick. The neck profile isn't model series thin, but not PC-1/Firebird Pro thick. It’s a unique profile and very comfy.

Anyone feel free to correct anything I may have gotten wrong. This is what I know about them to the best of my knowledge.

BTW John, if I kept this one, I'd probably go JB/Jazz or Custom/Jazz for the pickups, but that’s just me.

You have to play it for sure. Hope this helps!

[Newc]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Jackson did indeed experiment with different pickups to try to crack the other non-metal markets, but I think what hurt the AT-1 more was the Dinky body style, rather than the full-sized Strat body.
Also, the lack of inlays may have had a hand in it.

Plus, you know how bull-headed musicians can be - "Jackson? That's one o them hippie hair metal geetars hyuk hyuk".

[jgcable]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Well, I scored Jim's AT-1. It kills. It reminds me of a PRS CE-22 with a 10 top. Actually, the top is better than most PRS 10 tops I have seen. The top is thick. The flamed headstock veneer is really thick. This guitar is heavy. REALLY heavy. Les Paul heavy. It plays great, it looks great, it is great. You guys missed out on this one. Actually, the AT-1 has gotten an unfair rap around here. Mine is wired with 2 volumes that are push pull pots and a 3 way switch. The push pulls are series/parallel switches. One works and I will rewire the other one. The Wilkenson Trem is typical high quality, locking sperzels, ebony board, tall thin frets, and alot of you guys have been wondering about the neck profile. Well... to me is is the same as a Washburn N4 but with different frets. Ebony, no fret markers, same profile and a raw oiled neck.The Armstrong pickups are medium output but full bodied. They are probably the only weak part of an otherwise stellar guitar. This guitar kicks and I am totally stoked.

[Newc]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Glad you took the plunge - congrats [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]
I still think it'd be better as a full-sized body, but that's just me [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Zerberus]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Welcome to the club, AT-1s kick ass [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[jgcable]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

The next time another one comes up it will certainly have my interest.

[sambencuda]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

I'm glad your happy with it John! That top is better than any top I have seen recently on any USA select series Jackson including my SL2T Limited Chlorine. THese do have a bad rap and I have no idea why. They are great guitars.

[jgcable]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Yea Jim, I really like it. I am going to rewire the push pull pot tonight as a coil tap for the bridge pickup. That should make a cool combination. The jury is still out on the pickups. They are very PAF Gibson sounding to me. I am considering installing Dragon 2's in it if I can find covered versions. Most likely I will leave it stock and just rewire it. Its a great guitar. Like I said, I would be interested in getting another one eventually. Maybe the tunamatic version.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Damn, this sounds right up my alley! I need to try one of these out.

[jgcable]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Well, after 2 weeks of only playing this guitar I have come to a conclusion.
This guitar rips.
The Armstrong pickups appear to be wimpy in output at home at low volumes but in a live and loud situation they roar with clarity.
I love this guitar. My PRS is coming in the next few days so I will post a shoot out. They are very similar IMHO.
If any of you guys are looking for a PRS type guitar but want to stay with a Jackson you really need to try one of these. After playing it exclusively I can say the neck profile is a cross between a Washburn N-4 and the PRS wide/fat.

[npacheco]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

Pics? [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] I love archtops [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[jimchen]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

I've got an AT-1, which I replaced the Armstrongs with PRS Vintage Bass and HFS pickups. Great sounds!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[danhops]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

I swapped the Armstrongs for a JB, and Alnico 2 and I think it sounds even better. I did like the neck Armstrong, but the bridge really never did it for me.

[Zerberus]

Re: Jackson AT-1 questions

I´m considering spapping them out, I just find the Armstrongs a bit too woofy at times. Anyone swapped them out and had almost the same tone afterwards? What did you swap them with?