What the hell did I buy?

[nateb]

Got lucky and picked this up. For some reason, there is no serial number on this baby. I picked it up around 7-10 years ago used at guitar center for about 599.00. They mentioned that it was a soloist and that is all they said. The picture does not show it, but it is a archtop.



For a back view.



Here is the problem ...



Missing serial number. Hence, I would be able to ID this thing without bothering any of you fine people.

closeup of the headstock.



Its just been bugging the hell out of me. I have had this most increadible playing guitar and never knew anything about it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Nate

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Chances are, with that weird spotting in the maple or dye, it got rejected as a first use soloist and ended up on the shelves anyways.

[nateb]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

You talking about the spot in the upper left hand corner of the face of the guitar? Yeah... its part of the wood.

-Nate

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Yeah. I could see it getting scrapped or S&D'd for that.

Did you check the back of the headstock? Is there ANYTHING imprinted on there, no matter how vague?

[pott]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Archtop soloist?

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

I'm just shooting blanks, I guess. But that spot's got something to do with the guitar's elusive past, I'm sure.

One KILLER guitar though, pure sweetness.

[veliyasin]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Isn't this an early Archtop Soloist? Looks like that kind of carve on the top to me.

[Chrisb]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Very strange. Makes me wonder if it was like a rejected custom shop or something. I think GOR has to be right, that wood spot surely is the key to why this guitar has no history. But its odd for sure. No fins, USA made, very nice flametop aside from the wood spot, archtop soloist. Very strange indeed. Either way you got an absolute steal for 600 on that.

I think veli is right, there is a early supposedly san dimas made archtop soloist (86 according to the seller) on ebay (check the efraid section) that is specced almost identical to your guitar.

[veliyasin]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

[ QUOTE ]
Very strange. Makes me wonder if it was like a rejected custom shop or something. I think GOR has to be right, that wood spot surely is the key to why this guitar has no history. But its odd for sure. No fins, USA made, very nice flametop aside from the wood spot, archtop soloist. Very strange indeed. Either way you got an absolute steal for 600 on that.

I think veli is right, there is a early supposedly san dimas made archtop soloist (86 according to the seller) that is specced almost identical to your guitar.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah I think early Archtop Soloist had bound ebony boards with dots rather than sharkies. I don't like dots on unbound rosewood boards, but they look classy in their own way without going overboard on bound ebony boards to me. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Chuckracer]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

I doubt it's San Dimas era with that huge Ontario control cavity.

[nateb]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Hey guys... Got this answer back from the other board. Not sure if it is valid. but, I thought I would throw it out there as additional information.

[ QUOTE ]
What you scored is a rare original series Jackson Archtop Soloist. Only 180 were made. I got mine the same way: at GC in mint condition for $600. Serial number: Ja0089 the second built in 1989.

So yours has a mahogany body and neck with a flamed maple top and 25 1/4 inch scale. Truly a guitar that looks and feels like a (super) strat that sounds like a Les Paul. They reintroduced them in 1995 with a different, slimmer neck joint but yours is obviously the original series. The "Pro" series archtop soloists and the Charvel 750XL's archtops that came later were the same construction but 24 3/4 inch scale.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Is there anything on the back?

[/ QUOTE ]
Bare ass nekkid. Nothing there. Nothing on the headstock and nothing on the fingerboard.

Is there a picture that I could post to help make a definate ID on what this is?

I really appreciate the information and help so far. It is really nice to meet a bunch of people that are willing to help rather thrash on "Teh N00bie"

[JimmyApollo]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Without some sort of text on the guitar itself, or a corroboration by someone who knows its history, all we can do is speculate. Is there anything written in the control cavity or under the pickups?

[AK47]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

San Dimas Logo

[RacerX]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

Hi N00bie! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]








Welcome, cool Soloist!

[Chrisb]

Re: What the hell did I buy?

[ QUOTE ]
I doubt it's San Dimas era with that huge Ontario control cavity.


[/ QUOTE ]
There seems to be some confusion about the serial numbers and the dates, but the control cavity is the same as the one on ebay, which the guy says is a 86 San Dimas. His was JA0002.

The guy on the other board mentioned a few posts up says his is from 89 which is impossible if they were from the same early run (clearly the case since the guitars are identical). So which is it, 86 or 89. Ontario or San Dimas?