Questions About The PC1

[slang05]

Does anyone know what year they switched the fretboard on the PC1 from the Quilted maple to the tiger/flamed hard rock maple? I have one on the way, I think it's an 03 or maybe an 02 and I love the quilted! Anyway, what year did Fender destory, i mean buy jackson? And does anyone know how to clean the Au Natural finish? Thanks!

[rjohnstone]

They went from quilt to flame right around 2001/2002.
Fender bought them in 2003.
The best thing I've found to clean the Au Natural finish is Scott's Liquid Gold.
Just spray it on a rag and wipe on to the body to clean it. Never spray it directly on the body. Shit comes out fast.

Here's my 2004 PC1 Au Natural.
Still looks as good as the day I got it.

[slang05]

WOW! That is gorgeous! I hope mine looks that good. I assume they still come unfinished or have they begun to put the gloss coat on them?

[rjohnstone]

The Au Natural is still an oil finish.
Personally, I think a clear coat would ruin it.

[Bengal65]

Email all your questions regarding the PC1 to our resident PC1 expert, RJ
Rick's the man!

[BTB007]

Hey guys, been a long time since I've been around on the forum. Yep, RJ is the man for PC1's! Wasn't the reason they switched from quilted maple to flamed because of the problem of the frets pulling up from the board?
I've been really wanting to pull the trigger on a Chameleon PC1 since they came out. That color(s) is so right for me! Hopefully, very soon...
Brian

[rjohnstone]

Hey Brian!
That was one of the reasons floated around.
The frets on my 97 neck were fine. I never experienced any lifting at all.
The other reason I heard was simply the cost of producing the necks with the quilt boards was getting to high.

[Bryan]

Hey Brian!
That was one of the reasons floated around.
The frets on my 97 neck were fine. I never experienced any lifting at all.
The other reason I heard was simply the cost of producing the necks with the quilt boards was getting to high.

That seems to make the most sense. Every quilted PC1 I've seen and played has been okey dokey.

[slang05]

I have a 98 PC1 that plays like a dream! I just found out that the PC1 I have on the way is a 2001. At least I think it is, the Jackson web site is kinda vague on the serial number, which is, believe it or not, 5150. Thats right. 005150. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to playing it. And, I appreciate everyone chiming in on this. I really like seeing the other PC1's out there. Can there really be a cooler guitar made today?

[rjohnstone]

If it's 005150, it should be a late 2001 or early 2002.
Is the seller including the original hang tags?
If not, you'll have to pull the neck off to get the exact date.

[BTB007]

Hey Brian!
That was one of the reasons floated around.
The frets on my 97 neck were fine. I never experienced any lifting at all.
The other reason I heard was simply the cost of producing the necks with the quilt boards was getting to high.

Yep, quilted maple is definitely more expensive, makes perfect sense. I kind of like the flamed maple better on the board anyways.

[shreddermon]

It was probably both cost and warranty issues. To this day, they even frown upon quilted maple fretboards for custom orders, too. They'll let you do it, but they make it clear that it is very much not recommended. So clearly, it wasn't just a flame vs. quilt cost issue.

[rjohnstone]

So clearly, it wasn't just a flame vs. quilt cost issue.

I agree completely.
I've heard a few different reasons behind the switch.
Costs were the major reason. I do believe the warranty work is included in those cost models.

[slang05]

So can anyone tell me why the neck on my new one (the 02 PC1) has a bigger neck that the 98 one I have? Did they change specs?? Don't get me wrong, I love the guitar but the neck seems wider and fatter. This one does have the flame fretboard compared to the 98's quilted, and damn it plays good. I tried the Scott's liquid gold like you suggest RJ, it did clean the neck up a bit, but didn't "shine" the body up at all. I guess you can't shine wood! lol But the top does look great. As soon as I can figure out how to post a pic I will. I am tempted to switch these necks out, I wonder if that would work.

[rjohnstone]

The necks are hand finished, so I never expect any two to be EXACTLY the same.
As for shining up the body, Scott's won't do that, it's a cleaner/conditioner.
The Au Natural finish is a matte finish. The Scott's product will help bring out the quilt figure. Notice my guitar doesn't shine, but it has depth.