Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

[DenimBrigade]

First off, my name is Matt and I think Jacksons are amazing. I just recently joined this board but I have been checking out the gallery on the site for a while. I love MegaDeth.

I am saving up for my first Jackson, I think they are amazing. Im sure you get kids like me asking questions like this all the time, but I was hoping you could help me with these. If it helps, Im considering an SL2H in either a trans or shattered glass finish [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]. First, who makes the U.S.A. Jacksons? I have read its the custom shop staff but I doubt it, with so many that need to be made each day. For flametops, is it a veneer? Also, for guitars with solid colors and graphics, is there alot of filler/bondo on the body? Is the graphic applied airbrushed or applied like a picture and then clearcoated? And finally, are the humbuckers mounted directly to the body?

[sully]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

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First off, my name is Matt and I think Jacksons are amazing. I just recently joined this board but I have been checking out the gallery on the site for a while. I love MegaDeth.

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welcome to the boards.

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I am saving up for my first Jackson, I think they are amazing. Im sure you get kids like me asking questions like this all the time, but I was hoping you could help me with these. If it helps, Im considering an SL2H in either a trans or shattered glass finish [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img].

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sounds like a great place to start.

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First, who makes the U.S.A. Jacksons?

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the jackson custom shop, located in corona, california.

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I have read its the custom shop staff but I doubt it, with so many that need to be made each day.

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it's the truth. the usa select line is made alongside of the custom orders. the select lines are made in batches to make it an easier workload, and the custom shop has a goal of 20-25 pieces per month.

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For flametops, is it a veneer?

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not 100% sure on that. on the selects, i would assume so. does it matter?

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Also, for guitars with solid colors and graphics, is there alot of filler/bondo on the body?

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i wouldn't imagine so, as fillers and whatnot are usually used to fix dings and for more of a refinishing/restoration kinda thing. newly made bodies usually aren't dinged up. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

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Is the graphic applied airbrushed or applied like a picture and then clearcoated? And finally, are the humbuckers mounted directly to the body?

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the graphics are all done by hand. no corner cutting here. humbuckers are not directly mounted to the body in the usa select line.

hope that helps.

[xenophobe]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

On the USA Selects it's a veneer. Still rather thick, but the custom shop offers true 1/8" or thicker tops on normal bodies at your request. Archtops are 3/4" figured tops standard, if I'm not mistaken.

Graphics are hand painted. ALL of them.

The body is cut by hand, the pickups are routed by hand. Much of the labor-intensive work that could be done by CNC are done by hand with fixtures and routers, just like they did in the old days.

[Sparkytfl]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

On an sl2h, the pickups are mounted on rings, so no direct mount. I'm fairly sure the flame top is pretty thick, not just a veneer. Like half inch maybe. The other questions I have no idea.

edit: really it's that thin? That's crappy if it's true.

[sully]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

dude, a 1/8" cap is not crappy at all. i can't imagine anyone using a 1/2" cap. there's no need to use that much, unless you get a carved top, and those are 3/4 inch.

also, to the original poster, you may want to peruse the custom hop pix on the jackson site. here's a link: http://www.jacksonguitars.com/custom...to_gallery.php

[xenophobe]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

It all depends on what you're buying... if you're buying a USA Select with a flat top, yes, you're only getting a 1/16" veneer or thinner, as anything more isn't necessary to make it look great. Production archtops have thick tops, because they need them.

As for crappy? Play one in real life, look it over, and tell us why it would be crappy. USA Jacksons are the best guitar for the $$$, Custom Shop is even better, and considering how much you'd pay for a custom Gibson, PRS, Fender, etc... $3000 +/- a few hundred dollars for a custom Jackson is well worth the $$$.

That's why I have two Customs on order and expect to wait over a year for each. Cause they're crappy. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[sully]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

psst....hey xeno? your avatar is hilarious.

[xenophobe]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

Thanks! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[DenimBrigade]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

Im very impressed, I now consider Jacksons to be the ultimate guitar. I didnt know they were handmade and handpainted.

Im sure its a matter of opinion, but since Fender bought Jackson, I have heard the quality is much better. What have they changed?

[sully]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

well, since none of us are employees there, we can't really run down the complete laundry list, but i'd say that the consistency is better, for sure. i'd say that part of the reason for that is because mike shannon returned to the custom shop after being with fender for 3 years or so. custom shop turnaround times are also better. i'd say that there's been more advertising as well, but that's a different topic.

[xenophobe]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

The rate of people coming here with complaints about their new guitars has also nearly dropped off the face of the planet.

Just from my time here on the board, for the year or three before Fender bought Jackson, there were sometimes 2-3 people a month with serious complaints. Now there are maybe 2-3 per year here.

[DenimBrigade]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

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dude, a 1/8" cap is not crappy at all. i can't imagine anyone using a 1/2" cap. there's no need to use that much

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Have you seen the Hamers on ebay with solid flamed bodies? [img]/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[sully]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

well sure, i've seen a few solid quilt guitars too. it's not the most practical thing in the world, but i'll agree that they're cool as hell when you see them!

[cy_berg]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

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Also, for guitars with solid colors and graphics, is there alot of filler/bondo on the body?

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I'm not sure about how Jackson's guitar are treated when it comes to filling, but this is how it generally works: If using wood with no open pores (excuse my english, but I think it's called pores, right?), like maple or spruce, you don't need any fillers at all. However, when using wood with open pores, like mahogany or rosewood, you need to use a filler to fill up the pores before applying coats of color or lacquer. I'd say that all companies, including Jackson, uses fillers on wood with open pores. When building electric guitars this really has no effect on the sound. When building acoustic guitars it's more important to use as little fillers as possible and also not to use too thick lacquer coats that, at least theoretically, could make the soundbox too stiff/dead which could effect the sound in a negative way.

[DenimBrigade]

Re: Introducing Myself and Asking a Few Questions

I know they need to use filler on certain woods to fill the pores, but I was refering to use of it beyond that, like you might find on an ibanez or squier. I know, I know, I should not have compared a Jackson to either of those....