I recently bought my first Rhoads, an 85 student model s/n RR1040. It has a chrome OFR & R4 nut with screw in posts, the plastic headstock overlay, and “TM” Jackson logo. The guitar has minimal wear, was well cared for, and looks to have been a case queen. All hardware and solder joints appear to still be original.

While doing a full cleaning I found the humbuckers didn’t have foil Jackson stickers or embossed frame. They also didn't have the expected J-50N & J-50B ID stickers either. The bridge bucker has a white label with “dist” written in pen, and the neck pickup has a piece of masking tape with “neck” written on it. Both labels are still under the wax potting that looks original. Both pickups have 3 conductor wiring (red, black, & bare) and it’s the same 3 conductor wire used for the output jack lead (a long run in the RR). Bridge reads 13.78 ohm while the neck 8.13 ohm, neither reading is close to a "production" pickup.

I know early on you could get any brand pickup you wanted in your Jackson. But when they started winding their own USA pickups, did Jackson ever use a plain frame without Jackson embossing, ID or model sticker? What about the DC resistance readings?

Thanks for your help!