What new models would you like from Jackson ?

[veniculum]

The market is different these days because of Internet retailers. Sam Ash and GC have shifted to a business model that relies almost entirely on volume, which means selling tons of cheapo guitars. In the last couple years at GC (we don't have Sam Ash here), I've noticed even a reduced number of "mainstream" high-end guitars like Gibson, PRS, and USA Fender at GC.

People with the money to buy high-end guitars are more likely to shop around online, and online dealers can sell lower-volume items more profitably, since they have less overhead than GC.

This may be the case....but it doesn't make it right. The big chains here in the Tri-State Area have tons of high end Gibbies/Fenders/PRSs...matter of fact, the Guitar Center in East Brunswick, NJ has a $42K 55 Strat (it's either 55 or 57...forgot)...as well as 3 other 20K+ Strats, and at least 2 or 3 20K+ LPs. Their 'behind the counter' walls are absolutely covered in 3K+ Les Paul Customs and ES models...Custom 24 10 tops, and Signature/Reissue Strats. Regardless of their position in the store, if you wish to play one, you can.

I bought a PC-1 online...that's a lot of cash to spend on a guitar you're not even sure you're going to like. Turns out, in my case, I like it. But...and it's a pretty big BUT...since purchasing this guitar, I've seen a 'Mocha' at a store in NYC...and countless pictures of other colors online. Now I'm not saying I regret my purchase...but it's definitely possible that had I seen some other colors in front of me, I may have chosen another. (not that color/finish is the most important part of a guitar purchase...but it still is very important, obviously.)

The problem is not just Jackson/Charvel...the other brands are guilty of littering the chain stores with their bargain models (including Fender, Gibson, and PRS)..but you can actually play the Les Paul Custom. Isn't it realistic to think that if the stores carried some higher end Jackson models that they would sell..and probably fast...faster than online.

About a month ago, I was in the same GC in E.Brunswick, NJ and some woman on line in front of me at the sales counter (I was waiting for my new American Strat to get cleaned up and ready to go at the time and just overheard her)...she was British or something (not that it matters)...but she asked the guy behind the counter..she was there to buy her husband a USA Jackson Soloist for his b-day...the sales guy looked at her like she had three fucking heads. He said.."well..we certainly don't carry these in the store...but we can probably (probably?!?) order one from our warehouse." He proceeded to check his computer and said...we only have one color...(don't remember what it was, but it wasn't what she wanted).

I have to ask myself...how many times does that happen at these stores? 20 years ago, it was almost rare to walk into these stores and not see at least a few top shelf Jacksons, ESPs, Ibanez RG/JEM...even high end BC Rich. Now GC can't even order you what you want? This is just bad business...and it's damaging the brand's name.

At the end of the day...I'm just one guy (out of who knows how many) who has reached a point in my life that I can afford to purchase a (relatively) high end guitar every now and again. I certainly don't like the fact that the only place i can get a PC-1 (insert any USA-made Jackson here) is at musiciansfriend.com. That kinda blows. No disrespect to those online stores. They can offer good deals from time to time..but I wanna see/play the guitar before I buy it. Call me crazy.

[pro-fusion]

The market is different these days because of Internet retailers. Sam Ash and GC have shifted to a business model that relies almost entirely on volume, which means selling tons of cheapo guitars. In the last couple years at GC (we don't have Sam Ash here), I've noticed even a reduced number of "mainstream" high-end guitars like Gibson, PRS, and USA Fender at GC.

People with the money to buy high-end guitars are more likely to shop around online, and online dealers can sell lower-volume items more profitably, since they have less overhead than GC.

[veniculum]

The Jackson USA guys wait for a certain amount of orders before building a "batch" of guitars; at least this is the way the guy at my local dealer told me it worked. Made to order.

But see...that's just my point. If I were a young kid just starting out on guitar...and I was walking through GC or Sam Ash, I'd think Jackson only makes cheap V and Strat style guitars. It's nothing like 25 years ago..when in the mid-late 80s (I was in that 15-17 year-old age range at that time), I'd walk into Sam Ash, and the Jacksons were the guitars I couldn't afford. It made me want to work for that brand...I respected it more...To me, there was nothing worse than what Kramer was doing...they'd have 1 or 2 top shelf guitars, and then 99 percent of the rest was cheap (and I mean CHEAP) Japanese shit. And to anyone who remembers...Kramer was sure able to make some hot steamy pieces of shit (along with their higher end stuff) Those things looked, felt, and sounded Horrible...I know, because I had one.

I guess it just bothers me that Jackson/Charvel, being the guitars to own when I was growing up, have now relegated themselves to the bargain shelf at every major music store. Granted..the cheap guitars today are built much better than they were in the mid-80s. With all the computers, and machinery, automation, etc, they can build Chinese/Korean/Indonesian guitars that actually sound good. They're still not top shelf...but not bad for a kid starting out. Unfortunately, the kid today might buy a JS Jackson...or more likely, an LTD or Ibanez (insert any other budget model/brand)...and when he's grown out of that (which he inevitably will if he really gets into playing), Jackson won't even be on his list of 'maybes'. And forget about Charvel. In NJ, there's only one shop I know of that even sells them....in the entire state! - and that's according to Charvel's website as well.

Perhaps the market is different these days. I get it. The flashy colors, pointy headstocks, etc etc isn't the hip thing. GC and Sam Ash...as well as all other big music stores carry tons and TONS of Strats, Tellys, Les Pauls, PRS...and in the metal arena, the LTDs (once again...very few actual ESPs..drives me nuts), Shecters, Ibanez...but no Jackson...at least no higher quality Jacksons...I'd even settle for Japanese Jacksons...they're great..they could be made and sent to these stores..and they would sell.

Anyway...it just makes me sad. Jackson/Charvel is just one of my absolute favorite brands (not just of guitars...but of anything). I always loved their stuff..and after the 80s heyday, they kinda went away, and I kinda got out of playing electric during that time. It's great to see that if they had to be bought out it would be by a company like Fender. But I just wish Fender had a different marketing plan for these guitars. I'd love to see a whole other generation of guitarists playing and admiring this brand.

I'll stop now

[Mr Metal]

Bring back the Fusion Line Up

Ebony fingerboards on the import models

Thick Slab Ebony fingerboards (to die for ) on Charvel San Dimas Style 1

Real and thick maple tops on import models

Real MOP (instead of MOTO) inlays on import models

A reissue of the Charvel 750XL

[Grim]

Maybe not completely on topic...but I'd like to see Jackson putting their higher end guitars in the big stores...rather than worry about new models...we don't get to see the ones they make now in person..no less play them.
The only place you can get a USA-made Jackson is online...I have yet to walk into a Guitar Center or Sam Ash and see Jackson USA's...they've always got a couple of 150 dollar Jacksons (made in god knows where)...who wants to see that shit? Every other brand showcases their high end stuff...even if it's only a couple per store...where is Jackson. The last time I saw a higher end soloist was at Sam Ash in 2006...and it wasn't even USA made...think it was a japanese soloist. (I did see a bunch of Jacksons at the Sam Ash in NYC...but that's NYC..their flagship store...) How about all the other stores.

The Jackson USA guys wait for a certain amount of orders before building a "batch" of guitars; at least this is the way the guy at my local dealer told me it worked. Made to order.

[veniculum]

Maybe not completely on topic...but I'd like to see Jackson putting their higher end guitars in the big stores...rather than worry about new models...we don't get to see the ones they make now in person..no less play them.
The only place you can get a USA-made Jackson is online...I have yet to walk into a Guitar Center or Sam Ash and see Jackson USA's...they've always got a couple of 150 dollar Jacksons (made in god knows where)...who wants to see that shit? Every other brand showcases their high end stuff...even if it's only a couple per store...where is Jackson. The last time I saw a higher end soloist was at Sam Ash in 2006...and it wasn't even USA made...think it was a japanese soloist. (I did see a bunch of Jacksons at the Sam Ash in NYC...but that's NYC..their flagship store...) How about all the other stores.

[MetalHeadMat]

I'd also like to see some strat headstocks. Charvel can do them. Jackson's Adrian Smith sig can do them. As long as they put that easily removable sticker on the back of the headstock, I don't see a problem.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I'd like to see a bolt-on Soloist with a Strat headstock, 22 frets and a full sized strat body.

Seriously, I'd like to see a neck-through with a Strat headstock and a full-size Strat body.

Just pretend there's a smilie at the end of all his posts!

I have Grandturk's posts set to black text on a black background, it makes the forum seem so much less cluttered...

[alex9152]

I'd like a USA Dinky with a non locking tremolo (like Wilkinson or something similar) and locking tuners...maybe H/S/S...

Yeah, that would be part of the stripped-down USA series I'm suggesting.

[Nagash02]

The chicken in blue, dammit ! nyce idea

[SignoftheDragon]

Easy: A John Fogg (me) signature Surfcaster 12.

Black finish, black binding, black hardware, black strings, black pearloid pickguard, black sharkfins. Everything black except for a marshmallow chicken at fret 12 in yellow or blue.

Yes, I'm serious.

[-olaf-]

I'd like a USA Dinky with a non locking tremolo (like Wilkinson or something similar) and locking tuners...maybe H/S/S...

[alex9152]

Seconding the adding the Warrior to the 5 series and then upgrading the fretboards to bound ebony, as well as merging the JS with the X by upgrading the JS models to basswood.

The 5 series would then be only offered in limited finishes. The USA models would have all the graphics.

Or, a lower-cost USA series that steps down to bolt-ons with rosewood fretboards and dot inlays.

[RacerX]

Just pretend there's a smilie at the end of all his posts!

[VitaminG]

It may be hard to tell with Grandturkey because he doesn't use the emoticons; it seems he prefers the full impact of his dry wit sans smilies.

but how do I know when to laugh if he doesn't tell me?