Jackson Japan Custom Shop?

[Ricey]

I have an opportunity to buy a mint condition guitar purported to be a Japan Custom Shop Jackson Soloist for $579. I'm not sure, but it might be a scam. I've never heard of the "Japan Custom Shop". It looks like a standard Jackson Japan SL-3 to me, with the same PUPS (neck and middle Duncan Hot Rails + bridge Duncan JB), the same Flame maple Top (veneer?), and the same non-OFR Jackson Locking Tremolo that the SL-3's came with a couple of years ago. The serial number is 032478. It does not have any marking on it indicating MIJ. Is this legitimate?

Thanks,
Ricey

[QuantumRider]

The Japanese factory that makes Jacksons (Chu-Shin Gakki) does make custom guitars to order, at least for the Japanese market.

Legitimate or not, if the guitar plays well and is worth $579 to you, then go for it

Hope this helps,
-QR

[Sunbane]

Hello Ricey,
I'd say that is an SL-3:

1) The japanese custom shop makes custom guitars for the japanese market. They will not make customs that are intended for the western market. You can still call up a japanese dealer and order one, but:

2) The Jackson guitars made for the japanese market say "Jackson Stars" on the headstock (due to some legal matter). Website here: www.jacksonstars.com. Any japan-made guitar saying just "Jackson" on the headstock is made for the western market, and is thus not a custom.

3) It would be rather stupid to order a custom with a JT580LP trem, and with "Duncan Designed" pickups on it.

There's this old proverb that goes: "If it looks like an SL3, walks like an SL3 and talks like an SL3...it most likely is an SL3.

It's laughable what people are trying to pass off their guitars for. If it isn't "custom", it is "rare" or "pre Fender". And it's always "mint", even when not having the original knobs and missing the back plates.

That been said, it's not too bad a price for an SL3, is it? You could try to haggle it down a little I suppose.

[Ricey]

Since its used, $579 is probably a little too high. BTW, this is GC trying to pass this off as a "Custom Shop" Model.

[StukaJU87]

BTW, this is GC trying to pass this off as a "Custom Shop" Model.

That doesn't surprise me at all. While there are some knowledgeable folks at some GC stores, it seems that alot of them don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

[Ricey]

I was just looking on ebay and used SL-3's are going anywhere from $599 to $699, so I guess it is not a bad deal, but the idea of them tagging it as Japan Custom Shop Soloist really bothers me.

[wilkinsi]

sound control tried to pass off my dx10dfs as a "soloist" for £600 before i told them what it actually is. took them over a year to knock it down to a more realistic price so i could buy it.