Help with Custom Shop Jackson?

[treeofpain]

Hi,

Newbie here! I just bought a custom shop Jackson Dinky Reverse with a bolt-on neck and a 4 digit serial number starting with 72**. According to the Jackson site, this is a 1989 model.

Is there a way to contact Jackson directly for the specs and history of this guitar? Also, how would I find out what it originally cost and what its current value is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[treeofpain]

Also, I just checked the pickups. The bridge humbucker is a SD Custom and the neck humbucker is a JB. They look stock.

The trem is a Jackson - made by Schaller in Germany.

Ebony fretboard and the finish is blue/black bengal.

[neilli]

Jackson don't answer questions about older guitars anymore, since the FMIC take over, if not before. Difficult to say without pics, but current value is probably 600-900, depending on condition and specs...

[Axewielder]

Blue/black bengal? Oh yes, post pics!

[RacerX]

JCF members will know more about it than anywhere else. Post pics and ask away.

[treeofpain]

I think this is acually called a Soloist, right?

Any info on specs or value would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[diablomozart]

nice score!!...a bolt on is either a dinky (which is what yours is) or a strat...a soloist is only neck thru guitars...d.m.

looking at the trem route it could be an 89...difficult to tell for sure...in 88 (my main soloist is an 88) the floyd sits above the body but the trem route sort of angles back to allow for pullups on the bar...i think 89's were done similar...

[treeofpain]

Thanks for the info. So it is a Dinky after all!

The serial number indicates 1989. I usually check the date code on the pot, but this is a DiMarzio pot, and I don't see a date code anywhere.

Can you guys give me an estimate what this guitar may have cost new? It is my very first USA Jackson, much less a Custom Shop model.

I am mainly a Les Paul and PRS player, but this guitar is quickly growing on me. It doesn't quite have the guts of my LP, but it practically plays itself, and it sounds a lot better than most "metal style" guitars I've owned and played. Nice and light too - well, compared to a Les Paul of course...

[treeofpain]

Oh yeah, is there any data on how many of these guitars were made in the 80's?

[treeofpain]

Oh yeah, here is a picture of the back of the headstock. Some very nice flamed maple on this one!



So this guitar is really only worth $600?

[rjohnstone]

Oh yeah, is there any data on how many of these guitars were made in the 80's?

Roughly 7,000 to 8,000, give or take a few.

Anything made before 1990 is a Custom Shop piece.
In 1990, Jackson introduced their first "production" models.

Nice axe ya got there.
Hopefully you didn't pay too much for it.

[neilli]

So this guitar is really only worth $600?

The only way to know for sure is to list it on ebay. The rev head is cool, so that'll help. I'd still say 900 tops though, but you could get lucky and find someone who's desperate for it....

[stevoc]

I like the placement of the volume knob. I'm guessing that was part of the custom work.

Also, how do the switches separate the pickups?

Welcome in!

[treeofpain]

The single volume knob is in the PERFECT position for swells, etc.

The 3 mini toggles are as follows (from top to bottom):

1. A 3 way toggle for the neck pickup - hum, single, thinner single (maybe reverse phase or something?)

2. Same as #1 except for the bridge pickup

3. 2 position kill switch - nice for those Ace Frehley on/off effects!

There is also a 3 way strat-type switch for pickup selection (neck - both - bridge).

Is it more common to see Duncans in this era or EMGs?

Thanks to all for your comments. They say you should learn something new every day, and I certainly have from this forum!

[Cygnus X1]

I have a little trouble with the $600 value....but I am amazed at how many unique Jacksons and Charvels there are.

There was Model 88 (African Mahogany, 100 made) was dissed at $2,000 on this forum...I have one, I've seen my share, but I'll just sit on it. It's worth it to me, I guess that is what counts.

There probably is no better place to get info than JCF for our guitars...if you like it, play it, enjoy it, but don't hope to make a quick buck. That ruins a lot of other opportunities. I've picked up some great guitars and gear because they were "underrated", and enjoyed most all.

Nice looking Jackson...I'll give you $500...

Cygnus X1