NGD 1984 San Dimas RR1 Restore Project

[SandyRavage]

So I picked up an 84 RR1 Jackson today that was used hard and put away wet. I probably paid to much for a project of this caliber but a 1984 San Dimas doesn’t come around very often.

I’m debating doing one of three things;
Keeping it as is and just playing the shit out of it (unbelievable neck I’ve owned my fair share of custom shops and production USA and nothing close to this nice)

Sympathetic restoration; fix headstock logo, put a proper locking nut on, swap pickups and botched electronics. Leave cosmetics as is.
Full Restoration;

Fill holes in body (there are several from strap placement I am assuming) clean up the refinish paint job back with GMW proper period pups, updated nut.

Interested in your thoughts!!!

https://i.imgur.com/j05h4r1.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/7yF5nHy.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/e4I0xkj.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/4eyIWeD.jpg

 

[Racerxrated]

I have a similar situation; although mine is not of true 'collectable' value in its present condition..I picked up an 84 San Dimas strat that had been COMPLETELY parted out; only OG hardware is the input jack. But the neck and body are in decent shape. So I ended up just sending the guitar with replacement hardware to a Luthier in LA to restore it-the Kahler route though will be filled and replaced with a Floyd. Without the neck plate and OG hardware it won't be collectable so I figured I'll just get it done the way I want it. Originally it was a V trem but converted to a Kahler.

In your case, I would send it to get a full restoration with correct logo and nut, I wouldn't worry about the electronics too much. Collectors would recommend leaving the finish the way it is and just worry about the logo and nut..but I personally like the idea of a brand new 'vintage' guitar; every one I've owned (4) have all sounded fantastic and played even better. Since mine won't be worth a ton I won't be tempted to trade or sell thankfully and I'll be happy keeping a piece of history. The neck is a thing of beauty.

 

[Racerxrated]

Forgot to say; Congrats on the score! Every one of the 4 83-85 Charvels I've owned have all been amazing guitars. They really were the best of the best back then...and still holds true today.

 

[paulyc]

Let Lee Garver at GMW loose on it. It will be like brand new, you won’t regret it.

 

[John 14:6]

I have a similar situation; although mine is not of true 'collectable' value in its present condition..I picked up an 84 San Dimas strat that had been COMPLETELY parted out; only OG hardware is the input jack. But the neck and body are in decent shape. So I ended up just sending the guitar with replacement hardware to a Luthier in LA to restore it-the Kahler route though will be filled and replaced with a Floyd. Without the neck plate and OG hardware it won't be collectable so I figured I'll just get it done the way I want it. Originally it was a V trem but converted to a Kahler.

In your case, I would send it to get a full restoration with correct logo and nut, I wouldn't worry about the electronics too much. Collectors would recommend leaving the finish the way it is and just worry about the logo and nut..but I personally like the idea of a brand new 'vintage' guitar; every one I've owned (4) have all sounded fantastic and played even better. Since mine won't be worth a ton I won't be tempted to trade or sell thankfully and I'll be happy keeping a piece of history. The neck is a thing of beauty.

I had an 1985 Jackson Soloist that I bought new with a Kahler. I was new to locking tremolos at the time and soon regretted my decision. I had to solder the string windings at the ball end to keep them from unwinding there. I think Ernie Ball ended up making some pre-soldered strings. I also had an 84 Holdsworth model Charvel that I bought used and I replaced the stock standard bridge with a Floyd. I wish I never sold that guitar.

 

[psychodave]

I say get the head stock cleaned up and logo added, then clean up the electronics. Polish up the original finish and play it. You’re more likely to play it as is and not worry about messing up a new finish. I’d have to guess that Lee would charge you around $1,000 since it’s a neck through and requires lots of work. Then consider new electronics, pickups and a new Kahler… you’ll be in for $1,300.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, if you´re not used to Kahlers you need to do some reading, they really only work under specific conditions. But I wouldn´t worry about the body, I would get the headstock restored and add a Floyd nut, redo the electronics and have the bridge sorted out if anything is stripped or seized up. I don´t mind bumps and bruises on an old guitar as long as all the mechanical stuff and the neck are perfectly OK.

 

[Dave L]

... and not to be all too nitpicky in this fun thread, but it wasn´t called a RR1 until the mid 90s, what you have there is a Rhoads Student.

 

[paulyc]

I have an 85 Rhoads out there with Lee now, getting converted from Kahler to Floyd, full repaint, etc. Can’t wait to get it back.

 

[thenine]

I would repair headstock and fresh electronics. I’d leave the finish. The bumps and bruises show it’s pedigree.

 

[ZEEGLER]

If I remember correctly, that would be a RR Student, but definitely not an RR1, because the RR1 came later. RR1s would also have the sharkies. I had an RR Custom which was essentially an RR1 before they called them RR1s.

And yeah, I would give that a full restoration. Make it look brand new!!

 

[SandyRavage]

I learned today the RR Student exists.

I think I’m gonna go the sympathetic route leaving as many artifacts as possible. I always despised Kahler but for whatever reason this one holds time surprisingly well.

Thank you for the input and feedback!

 

[SpiderWars]

I had a Randy Rhoads Custom ordered and built way back when Vinnie Vincent was playing too many notes on them. Red metal flake, sharks, serial number in the mid-high 200s. String-thru V tailpiece. Sold it when I tore tendons in my hand and was giving up the rock star dream. I want it back.

 

[paulyc]

I had a Randy Rhoads Custom ordered and built way back when Vinnie Vincent was playing too many notes on them. Red metal flake, sharks, serial number in the mid-high 200s. String-thru V tailpiece. Sold it when I tore tendons in my hand and was giving up the rock star dream. I want it back.

Vinnie didn’t play too many notes until his first solo album came out, his Kiss playing was awesome.

 

[SpiderWars]

Vinnie didn’t play too many notes until his first solo album came out, his Kiss playing was awesome.

Totally agree! TBH, I didn't even like KISS until Creatures and then only for a couple records. Basically...VV time. Saw them with Vinnie.

 

[brett8388]

Great guitars. Those old RR student models really play well.

 

[mh5150]

So I picked up an 84 RR1 Jackson today that was used hard and put away wet. I probably paid to much for a project of this caliber but a 1984 San Dimas doesn’t come around very often.

I’m debating doing one of three things;
Keeping it as is and just playing the shit out of it (unbelievable neck I’ve owned my fair share of custom shops and production USA and nothing close to this nice)

Sympathetic restoration; fix headstock logo, put a proper locking nut on, swap pickups and botched electronics. Leave cosmetics as is.
Full Restoration;

Fill holes in body (there are several from strap placement I am assuming) clean up the refinish paint job back with GMW proper period pups, updated nut.

Interested in your thoughts!!!





View attachment 81610

















https://i.imgur.com/j05h4r1.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/7yF5nHy.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/e4I0xkj.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/4eyIWeD.jpgView attachment 81613