New Jackson American series guitars - Same crazy prices!

i don't get why the news cost 200-300 more than the previous with EMGs. I guess Jackson is already preparing for the tarifs ;)
 
When FGW had a bunch of those SL3s for sale at $1,100 it took them like half a year to sell them.
Also, don't understand why those foam cases aren't form fitting. What else is FMIC going to put in them?
And the stupid routing for the bridge that pretty much only fits a few TB pickups. Yeesh.
 
While I´m glad that Jackson seems to be thriving, they´re almost approaching ESP level of brand confusion with these high-end and high-mid lines. A couple of years ago it seemed like they launched the MIJ and the more affordable American standard models with basically the same specs and pricing at almost the same time. Pro Plus and Pro seem to be about the same thing as well 😄
 
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NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
When FGW had a bunch of those SL3s for sale at $1,100 it took them like half a year to sell them.
Also, don't understand why those foam cases aren't form fitting. What else is FMIC going to put in them?
And the stupid routing for the bridge that pretty much only fits a few TB pickups. Yeesh.
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I bought one of those in blue from them. For the money it's a good buy. I replaced the JB with a SH5 Custom, and I like it. However, there's no way in hell I would spend over 2k for these. In my opinion these are $1,600 guitars at best.
 
Dave L said:
While I´m glad that Jackson seems to be thriving, they´re almost approaching ESP level of brand confusion with these high-end and high-mid lines. A couple of years ago it seemed like they launched the MIJ and the more affordable American standard models with basically the same specs and pricing at almost the same time. Pro Plus and Pro seem to be about the same thing as well 😄
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Yeah, and alot of the Pro Plus is made in CHYNA.. Some Korea. Can't wait to see the Tariffs force them to rethink Chinese, as the prices will jump to levels that people just won't pay! I know I have to live with my Chinese phone, laptop, TV, and other essentials, but I refuse to buy Chinese guitars. Fuck that.

Atleast they went to SS frets on these new ones. I think a German Floyd would make it a better value, (Hell, a Gotoh 1996 is cheaper and Id prefer it over the German), as would a case that actually makes sense. Fender does it with their Ultra Series Strats? Nice cases, too!

I know you can't please everyone...
 
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My Jacksons (Rhoads and Warrior) are some of my favorite players; I just get the X series, Made in Indonesia, neck thru, painted neck (which I like), FR special; at least the Rhoads get a set of Duncan Blackouts (Active), unlike the Warriors with Jackson branded pickups. I darken the Laurel boards with India ink.

No issues with fit, finish, intonation, set-up, or the FR specials.

I buy these new when on sale from MF in the factory sealed boxes; change strings and do a setup; future string changes are quick and easy for a FR, now that I learned to block the trem in place when changing strings.

Sure I'd like to have USA or MIJ, but the X series work fine for me, at the price, new and on sale, I get to have more guitars. wish they offered more colors especially for the Warriors; body shape is more comfortable than the Rhoads.
 
Gitfiddler said:
are the Charvel MJs a better buy for the $?
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Honestly after owning a recent American SL3 (Jackson), a handful of MJs (Jackson), and a handful of MIM (Charvel). I would promote MIM over both. Not just for the money saving, but would go as far to say they're all on par fit and finish wise. Though the MJs have better Ebony and Bridge than the SL3 (and probably better than MIM unless you like streaks). Many MIM Charvels pop up new for $500-700. Would recommend the savings on either a stainless FR kit or a Gotoh 1996 and a set of your fav pickups. 🤷‍♀️
 
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I dig the yellow one also.

I have one of the previous models with the EMGs and satin orange finish. I like it for what it is -- replaced the EMGs
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Honestly after owning a recent American SL3 (Jackson), a handful of MJs (Jackson), and a handful of MIM (Charvel). I would promote MIM over both. Not just for the money saving, but would go as far to say they're all on par fit and finish wise. Though the MJs have better Ebony and Bridge than the SL3 (and probably better than MIM unless you like streaks). Many MIM Charvels pop up new for $500-700. Would recommend the savings on either a stainless FR kit or a Gotoh 1996 and a set of your fav pickups. 🤷‍♀️
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Fgw has had some good prices on the MIM
 
Fiesta Red said:
I dig the yellow one also.

I have one of the previous models with the EMGs and satin orange finish. I like it for what it is -- replaced the EMGs
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I have been looking at the hard tail version of that. I dig the orange, and thought I would want the EMGs. Not sure I can pay $2500 though. What pick ups are in it now?
 
Gitfiddler said:
Fgw has had some good prices on the MIM
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Def, I picked up two new in the box Pro Mods for $500 each a few months ago.
Strange that they ask more $ for their used/returned guitars, though.
Maybe it's to recoup time an employee has in going over it?
If you haven't bought from them, Mint=New and send them a message if there's a model/color you are after.
Have a few times and sure enough they had them.
Honestly don't feel like you can go wrong with a MIM.
It's not a custom shop heirloom, but def on par with most anyone else's mass production lines in US or Japan, imo.
Am impressed with them for the $ and just in general.

Gitfiddler said:
I have been looking at the hard tail version of that. I dig the orange, and thought I would want the EMGs. Not sure I can pay $2500 though. What pick ups are in it now?
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JB/59 with a Proprietary bridge routing. So you're stuck with specific SDs or baseplate swapping/routing.
 
Honestly these prices aren't bad given the build and quality .......

Overall anywah I think these are solid and still amazing guitars.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Honestly after owning a recent American SL3 (Jackson), a handful of MJs (Jackson), and a handful of MIM (Charvel). I would promote MIM over both. Not just for the money saving, but would go as far to say they're all on par fit and finish wise. Though the MJs have better Ebony and Bridge than the SL3 (and probably better than MIM unless you like streaks). Many MIM Charvels pop up new for $500-700. Would recommend the savings on either a stainless FR kit or a Gotoh 1996 and a set of your fav pickups. 🤷‍♀️
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Damn honestly makes me appreciate my MIM Charvels that much more with comments like this.

Have seen other players who own both MIM, MIA, MIJ and even Custom Shops say pretty much the same. Also when you have dudes like Jim Root pretty much using production MIM Charvels on tour........


Went to GC Hollywood once and after checking some Suhr, Charvels and Fender guitars in the private room all costing on average 5,000 dollars or more back in 2022....... I walked off appreciating the MIMs even more build wise and quality wise with the stuff in the private room but yeah you'd be surprised just how much an MIM Charvel stacks up vs those guitars in Hollywood and I'm just going to say you get a whole lot of guitar and then some for what they are.
 
Zado said:
Explain pls
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They aren't bad, there's just no wow factor. I love my country and support it to a level where it makes sense and often beyond that, but you're paying the difference to have US on your waterslide, imo. Would go as far to say that even some Indonesia/Korean production aren't far behind sans hardware/electronics.
 
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