I've placed 10 or 11 custom orders from Jackson, and the last 4 have been under the Custom Select programme, so I figure I have some experience:

Firstly, the custom select process is effectively the same process as ordering a full custom shop (MB) guitar, you just can't select from as wide a range of options.

The big lesson that I've learned is to be very VERY specific of what you want. Leave absolutely NOTHING to assumption, and if you want a specific colour, it's much better to send in a physical sample or actual hardcopy photograph, than to just email something, because (from personal experience), monitor settings and so on can vary, so what looks great to you might look totally different to them, and they'll match what they see, not what you do.

Also, ask for regular updates on the build, with pics if you can get them.

With Ian's help, I ordered 2 CS's at the same time (not -custom select, don't get me going ) via The Music Zoo. Very complicated, detailed guitars built by Mike Shannon. A couple of minor hiccups, (nothing to really speak of) and at my door in 18 months. Kurt Walton and Tim from the Music Zoo were very helpful.

Do it right, get a Shannon build guitar, contact Tim at the Music Zoo - they have a lot of pull with the volume they do.

/ email beatings on the way from Ian in 5,4,3,2,1......... regarding custom select /

Ah, this is because Dave thinks that Custom Select is 'cheating' LOL I just think it's a cool way to get something a bit different without the 1500 MB fee and a 2 year wait

That took 12 minutes - you are getting slow with your old age....And, no email beatings yet

Sorry to derail but is full on Custom Shop STILL two years? I thought the Custom Select was supposed to lower the time the Custom Shop delivered.

I've been told 6 months from Matt, and then 12 months from Music Zoo. I would assume somewhere in there is what the real time is. More than likely closer to 12 months I would guess. I quoted out the same specs to both places and Matt came back with the better price. Just not sure if I want to sit out the 12 months yet. All said and done, it's just a reverse headstock and trans black color that's really the big difference and not sure the wait is worth it.

I ordered my lacewood in August 2015 and it just arrived, so that was 9 months, give or take. But that was a fairly simple build - no figured top, inlays, not even any paint (cavities aside). I believe they still aim for 5-6 months, but I'd prepare for a year's wait and then you're happy if it's earlier!

My understanding was that it was more about getting the more basic builds churned out quicker - any improvement on MB delivery was secondary. I'm fairly sure after the initial wood-working, the processes align anyway..

Full on Custom is 2+ years at least. Custom Selects are coming out really quick. Custom Select is not Custom Shop even though it gets the logo. Custom Select is done by the USA Select team whomever that might be. Their wait times differ because of it.

I'm not knocking Matt, I don't know him. What I do know is low price is not always the be all end all. I received amazing service from The Music Zoo - and I'm a picky SOB

The price I paid was great value IMHO, but I also ordered 2 at the same time - full CS, very detailed specs. All the horror stories of 2+ , even 3 years..... To my door, 18 months. That was not the stars and moon aligning.....

I have ordered two Custom Selects in the past 15 months through Capitol Guitars. My soloist was delivered right around the six month mark and my King V was about six and a half months. I didn't run into any issues with the guitars and they showed up as spec'd. I can't stress enough though to get a final spec sheet from Jackson and go over it very carefully. I can't believe they are still using really simple manual error process that allows for human error. I have a Masterbuild King V on order that will be the first with Schaller Hannes I'm told. Wait time was said to be twelve months for delivery but I fully expect the 18-24 month build time.

Thanks for all the input guys. Thinking I'm going to move forward. Just thinking over my color choice of trans black and maybe adding SS frets. Has anyone seen ebony trans in person?

I wonder why they charge $300 for stainless frets. This is ridiculous, isn't it?

Given its around $300+ to refret to SS I figured it was about right.