New to Jacksons; Where do I start?

[Carbuff]

Thats really nice. But for me its not $1k nice. Im assuming its a mexican import.

[thembones]

Thats really nice. But for me its not $1k nice. Im assuming its a mexican import.

It is MIM. I wouldn't be paying that much but not too far off.
This is why we ask these questions!

[DonP]

I started in 2005 with a DK2 but my budget was $300.

I take it you do not want used since you are looking at retailers?

[thembones]

I started in 2005 with a DK2 but my budget was $300.

I take it you do not want used since you are looking at retailers?

I don't have to get new at all, I just don't know what to look for and don't want to get "taken" as it were
I don't know what is "real" what isn't etc etc

[Number Of The Priest]

Feel free to post ads or listings you've found and ask questions about them (value, authenticity, etc.).

There aren't too many counterfeits out there, but it doesn't hurt to ask. We're here to help everyone.

For now, enjoy playing as many guitars as you can, and enjoy looking at listings and photos to start refining the idea in your head of what guitar(s) you want to target (and their respective prices).

[thembones]

Hmmm
This isn't too far from me
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Jac...r-113203238.gc

[Number Of The Priest]

That's a JS30 Dinky. For that price it's high. A deal would be 1/3rd of that price. I forgot that some JS Series Jacksons were made in Japan because the current ones aren't (they're made in China).

I know I seem gung-ho about prices (or more correctly, value for dollar), and I don't apologize for it. Just want to ensure you get a great guitar for the price.

Another suggestion is taking a look through the E-fraid of E-bay forum for "Deal alert" threads that I've started: https://www.jcfonline.com/forums/16-E-fraid-of-E-bay I share and track prices for used guitars in Canada that are good-to-great deals, but also include conversions to American Dollars in every topic. You'll get a great idea of what are considered deals and most of the content is focused on Jacksons/Charvels.

[thembones]

That's a JS30 Dinky. For that price it's high. A deal would be 1/3rd of that price. I forgot that some JS Series Jacksons were made in Japan because the current ones aren't (they're made in China).

I know I seem gung-ho about prices (or more correctly, value for dollar), and I don't apologize for it. Just want to ensure you get a great guitar for the price.

Another suggestion is taking a look through the E-fraid of E-bay forum for "Deal alert" threads that I've started: https://www.jcfonline.com/forums/16-E-fraid-of-E-bay I share and track prices for used guitars in Canada that are good-to-great deals, but also include conversions to American Dollars in every topic. You'll get a great idea of what are considered deals and most of the content is focused on Jacksons/Charvels.

I will go check that part of the forum.
Are you saying since that is MIJ the price may be ok?

[Number Of The Priest]

I'm saying that since it's a JS Series without much of the fancy trimmings, it is personally (to me) not worth that price. However, it may be worth USD$200 to the right buyer. There's certainly nothing to stop you from going to try it out though!

For commonly found models, below are examples of what USD$300 (give or take USD$100) may get you on Craigslist:

Charvel http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/char...apan_1986-1991
-Model 1 and sub-variants
-Model 2 and sub-variants
-Model 3 and sub-variants
-Model 4 and sub-variants
-375
-475

Jackson
-Any of the Std. variants in the Professional Series of the early 1990s (examples: Rhoads Std., Soloist Std., Dinky Std.) http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/jack...ries_1990-1995
-Many of the mid-to-late-1990s Professional Series (check the catalogs: https://www.jacksonguitars.com/suppo...hived-catalogs)
-Pro Series of the 2000s (as mentioned before, DK2, DKMG, and similar guitars) (check the catalogs: https://www.jacksonguitars.com/suppo...hived-catalogs)

All Japanese, all great valued guitars.

As mentioned previously, your budget of USD$1000 is used USA Jackson territory, if you're willing to wait for a deal to show up on Craigslist, Guitar Center Used, eBay, etc.

[Black Shadow]

So I have been playing guitar off and on (mostly off) for 25 or so years.
I have always had a love for metal mostly the stuff i grew up with the 80s even "hair metal" or what people may not consider metal like Poison etc, I know... anyway.
I grabbed a '91 Ibanez RG770 and like it but would like to get a Jackson or possibly a charvel.

I don't mind MIM I don't have a budget in mind (sub 1k if I had to name one), I would rather get something good/quality than go super cheap and be disappointed.

Thanks in advance

This screams early '90s Soloist Pro MIJ! You can get a very nice one at or slightly under your budget with some online stalking and patience.

[thembones]

This screams early '90s Soloist Pro MIJ! You can get a very nice one at or slightly under your budget with some online stalking and patience.

What model # should I be looking for?

[Number Of The Priest]

It's literally called the Soloist Pro. You can find the specs on one of the databases I've linked throughout this thread: http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/jack...ries_1990-1995

It's basically a USA-spec Jackson Soloist, but made in Japan. Pretty much a top-tier Japanese Soloist. Getting harder to find on the used market these days, and they command high prices.

[777]

What model # should I be looking for?

For a $1000 dollars, this one............https://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear/...d-purple-phaze

[thembones]

I ended up getting this one.
It seemed like a really good deal for an early 2000s MIJ model.
https://reverb.com/item/6967828-jack...duncan-pickups

[Number Of The Priest]

Congratulations! At USD$300 you did well for a 2006-2011 Japanese DK2. During this time, they had black hardware and Seymour Duncan pickups.

Early 2000s to 2006, they had chrome hardware and Duncan Designed pickups.

If you post the serial number, someone will be able to pinpoint the year. Better yet, if you disassemble the neck from the body, you'll find date stamps on the neck heel and neck pocket.