My beef with Jacksons

[Knockout]

The rant***
So I used to be loyalist to Jacksons, had about 6 of them (USA/CS only) at all times, however I started branching out and started finding out that I have NEVER had Jackson (USA) that would not have a flaw...again never. I went through 20+ Jacksons and the only one that was perfect was 1991 Japanese RR.
Every USA stuff had something to disappoint.
I am writing this fret as I started noticing one more flaw that is apparent to me to be consistent with USA custom shop. The fret lift at the high E. I think it is because I started playing leads more now days I noticed 4(four) USA Jacksons (one CS and 3 USA) that have that issue. I had SL2H Blue Ghost flame and I remember my high E go off the board and gets caught between the board and the 5th fret, and stayed there. It took me a good 5 seconds to get it out, during the gig it would be a disaster. That I got another Soloist black SL1 that did the same thing on 4th and 5th fret. I have a Custom Shop SL2H and it does the same thing on 3rd, 4th, 5th fret. Also Big Aug is selling here the gun metal SL2H that has the same issue, he told me he took it for regret. It seems to be Soloists of all years get that (my SL2H is Jxxxxx custom shop). I never had this happened on any other guitar, be it Schecter, ESP, (Gibson frets are binded), or any guitar...even cheap ones.
I know that fanboys will always find an excuse, something like 'Well, don't pull the string off brush", well....If kirk didn't pull it off we wouldn't have the Master solo the way it is
That is in addition to the constant de-lamination issue on all Jacksons when the clear coat is lifting up at the headstock, that one seems like 2 out of 3 USA or CS Jacksons will have that shit.
The jacks are loose on many of them...
The switch to neck pick good dead on at least 5 that I had, you have to switch them kinda slow...
So jackson will find a way to disappoint every time, I never had USA Jackson that was perfect.
Even Gibson and Fender in my opinion do not have such horrible track record with their USA product (even though they are in the business longer.
I know jackson has a huge fanboy base, I have a couple buddies that are loyalists...all I tell them is that if they ever try anything else (Suhr, TA, even damn ESP) there is no going back to Jacksons.
The pics are of my current Custom Shop SL2H.

 

[Scarified]

Their custom shop is way over priced and has the most overblown wait time in the business. I know a guy that waited almost four years for his custom order.

 

[JackBootedThug]

never been a big fan myself. some guys love them, but they have never really spoke to me...

 

[RJF]

I have 4 USA selects, 3 CS, and 1 Japan Pro (the good pros from mid 90's). None of them have any flaws that I am aware of. I do think that high E string thing has happened to me on 1 or 2 of them IIRC, but it's also happened on a couple BC Riches of mine too. I just thought, I shouldn't push the string off the fret, simple as that.

Best playing, low action, smooth, best looking guitars I've had.

 

[glip22]

Got a couple of Custom Shops that are 100% flawless and I did not pick through any. Ordered online and they play and sound great. I have had some USA models that had a few issues. If you are interested I can steer you to a couple of great ones.

 

[Scarified]

Anyone ever play a Jackson Dominion? What's the quality like on the pro models? Nice looking guitar.

 

[jc986]

My SL2H has a couple frets where the high E can get stuck under. I got a pretty killer deal on it as I bought it new at a blowout price from a store that was going out of business so I can't complain too much. I love Jackson, but I agree that their USA QC is a disappointment. Funny that my Chinese made KEXTMG has no issues whatsoever while my USA SL2H has that fretwork issue.

I also have a Japanese made SLS3 that is flawless, and an Indonesian JS3V bass with no issues at all. I would not ever consider ordering a USA Jackson without playing it first, but I wouldn't hesitate to go for a Jackson import based on my experiences.

 

[Knockout]

So I guess the fret issue on USAs are rampant...I wouldn't even bring it up if it wasn't on my Custom Shop. I would absolutely go stupid, if I'd have to wait for 3 years to get something with these frets...I never really played BC Richs but I have never had high E string issue with anything, but USA Jackson....that is just fucking sorry, for a brand that used to be regarded as the best metal guitar brand.

 

[IHateRap]

That would definitely suck. On the other hand if I was watching some band and the guitar player had his high E get stuck on the side of his fretboard....that would be fucking hilarious.

 

[snowdog]

My question is, that if you have had issues with many of them, why are you still buying them ?

 

[RJF]

As far as the custom shop, Jackson redid it's operations.

There is the full on master built custom shop that does take a year or so for delivery, and then there is now the custom select. It's cheaper, options are more limited, and delivery is 3-6months. For 9/10 custom shop buyers, the Custom Select is perfect. You choose the factory USA select that closest fits what you want, and can choose options to modify that factory model to your liking.

 

[neilli]

I've had a LOT of USA and Custom Jacksons and I've experienced the fret 'lift' issue on a couple of mine, but it's never been a problem for me. There are traits of other guitars that drive me more crazy. That said, while I am a total Jackson fanboy, I'm not blind to the issues they've had over the years, and QC has been one of them for sure. I've tried (and own) plenty of other brands (Anderson, Suhr, GMP, GMW, Kramer, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez etc) but despite some frustrations, Jackson are still 'my' brand..

The headstock delamination issue seems to have been resolved at least as far as I'm aware. That was a problem of a while ago, and to the best of my knowledge, it was solely on guitars with oiled necks i.e. where there is an 'edge' where the clear stopped and could lift. It happened to a couple of mine and both were fixed under warranty, both after 12 months.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Anyone ever play a Jackson Dominion? What's the quality like on the pro models? Nice looking guitar.

This one is MIJ
Best sounding Dominion of my pros

This one is Made In Indonesia.
Flawless and I'm a nitpicker.
Fretwork is top notch, no issues. no dead frets, no buzzing. Sorry for the huge photos and the hijack. Friend has a Jackson USA soloist. It's not a $3500 guitar, but it's nice. I would say it's a 2k guitar at the most. I would not purchase a USA model. I'm happy with the cheapos.

 

[glip22]

Best to buy one from a good dealer who inspects them. Th exclusive runs are excellent from my experience.

 

[Knockout]

My question is, that if you have had issues with many of them, why are you still buying them ?

Because I'm surrounded by Jackson fanboys, who kept saying throwing those thing at me it's good guitars, if you never played a better ones

 

[Knockout]

I've had a LOT of USA and Custom Jacksons and I've experienced the fret 'lift' issue on a couple of mine, but it's never been a problem for me. There are traits of other guitars that drive me more crazy. That said, while I am a total Jackson fanboy, I'm not blind to the issues they've had over the years, and QC has been one of them for sure. I've tried (and own) ple'nty of other brands (Anderson, Suhr, GMP, GMW, Kramer, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez etc) but despite some frustrations, Jackson are still 'my' brand..

The headstock delamination issue seems to have been resolved at least as far as I'm aware. That was a problem of a while ago, and to the best of my knowledge, it was solely on guitars with oiled necks i.e. where there is an 'edge' where the clear stopped and could lift. It happened to a couple of mine and both were fixed under warranty, both after 12 months.

Negative, on oiled necks. Tonesforyourbones is selling Custom Shop in classified right now, it has the first signs of delam. It's not oiled neck.
I had Bengal tiger SL2H where that thing was bad, and the neck was painted.

 

[neilli]

Really? Damn, I don't recall seeing it on painted necks before. That sucks..

 

[shredi knight]

Speaking of Jackson's QC, wasn't there someone on here awhile back that had ordered a guitar from their custom shop, and when it arrived the guitar only had 23 frets when it should have been 24?




Edit - Here's the thread I was thinking of:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=144890&p=1670082

 

[paulyc]

I have a pile of USA Jacksons, never had any problems. None of them are CS though...from '85 to '13, no issues.

 

[Dave L]

I´ve had about fifteen Jacksons built from 1988 to about 2003 - mostly Soloists and Dinkys, both customs and Selects - and never had a single quality issue with any of them. But I suppose most of the QC issues are of a more recent vintage anyway.