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late '80s Jackson bolt-on - help with details please

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  • late '80s Jackson bolt-on - help with details please

    Hello,

    I am the original owner of this late 1980s bolt-on 22 fret Jackson, purchased around 1988 (can't remember the exact year). I played the heck out of it in junior high/high school and it has been resting ever since for the last 25 years or so in my parents' basement. I am hoping to bring it back to its original glory and start playing it again!

    The serial number suggests Jackson Custom Shop Ontario build from 1987-1989 era. I am hoping the experts on this forum might be able to deduce some more details about this guitar. Questions that come to mind:

    What wood is used for the body and fretboard? (I'm assuming alder or poplar for body and rosewood fretboard?)

    What pickups are these originals and are they considered good quality by today's standards?

    Is the OFR whammy bar worth sticking with? (seems to still hold a decent tune)

    Other thoughts/comments on bringing an old Jackson back to life? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...FaMUhGY3ZrcUpB

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...p5ckFYSWpZRkF3

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...5QQmlsbXlDOUNn

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...d3V3FpV0lueU5n

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...FCdUV5aWJTTmJB

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...EydVlzUmh0blhB

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...J4QWloLS1QRWJB

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...hQdmdjMU53czhn

    https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...d3NUU0aUN0TFl3







    Last edited by PNWmusic; 06-26-2021, 05:29 PM.

  • #2
    can't see the photos

    the most likely suspects for wood are going to be poplar/maple/rosewood. but anything is possible, it's a custom shop. can deduce the fretboard wood from photos once you fix them. the body wood can potentially be identified by looking in the neck pocket, but without the build sheet it's really just guessing.

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    • #3
      Photos should work now, thanks!

      Comment


      • #4
        that's a jt-6 bridge. if it stays in tune and none of the screws are stripped out you should stick with it. worst case you can swap it for an OFR.

        the pictures are too blurry to tell if that fingerboard is rosewood or ebony.

        pickups are probably original. if you pop them out of the body there should be markings with the pickups models on the backs.


        awesome xsxtxrxaxtx dinky!
        Last edited by metalhobo; 06-27-2021, 07:54 PM.

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        • #5
          photos - if signed in, it wants me to click to verify that I am me. if I am not signed in, it asks me to sign in. Therefore, I am not seeing them.

          But, as previously stated, it sounds like a Strat. Most likely it would be rosewood.


          Also, we don't call them 'Custom Shop' from back then. They didn't have production guitars, they were all Custom Shop guitars then.
          And more to not using 'custom shop' - if you custom ordered your guitar, you'd already know what pickups were in it.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by PNWmusic View Post
            Hello,
            Other thoughts/comments on bringing an old Jackson back to life? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

            After 25 years of sitting in your basement -------
            change the strings

            in fact, take it to your local shop and have them give it the once over.
            Don't be cheap about it. Do it right. My guy is 32miles away, and I use him instead of any of the dozen places that are more local.
            You are looking at a minimum of $100. And depending on what it needs and how much you actually want to do (stainless steel frets are worth every penny), could be as much as $700.


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            • #7
              Another link for the photos, in case google photo isn't working:

              https://imgur.com/a/XdQqouY

              Thanks!

              Comment


              • #8
                I can see the pics. Body shape is a Dinky, not a Strat. It's a 22-fret Dinky body shape, similar to a Charvel 375 or 475.

                Killer guitar. Definitely worth cleaning up and bringing back its former glory!

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                • #9
                  It's an 88 or later usa dinky. It would be a custom because of the graphic but they were all customs then. Necks rosewood. I have to say that neck plate is the cleanest thing on it. I personally like the JT-6, gives your hand something to rest on. It's really a cool guitar.
                  PM me if you want to get rid of it
                  I know the old saying that the value of an opinion is generally inversely proportional to the strength with which it is held.

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                  • #10
                    I must be going blind to have called that a strat instead of a dinky! sorry, guys!

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                    • #11
                      Thanks everyone for the great info, looking forward to getting her back in action soon!

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                      • #12
                        Bump to give an update on my late 80's Jackson.

                        I cleaned it up and did a stainless refret. Also installed a new jack as the original was a little rusty.

                        It plays sweet, I love the low action and the easy-playing neck!

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