glip22
Well-known member
Anybody play or own one? They were 24 fretters. USA made. These were right before the production San Dimas models came out in 96 I think. How are they?
neilli
New member
Define prototype? I have SD1s in both lacewood and koa, both Jackson plated with Schaller bridges and blade switches, but I'm not sure that they're prototypes as such, as there are a fair few around. The later guitars had the pressed Charvel plates, OFRs and toggle switch (I had a mahog SD1, plus an SDIII and SDIV as well).
I love them - they are awesome guitars, and the necks are just perfect for me (pretty thin, and not like an original SD Charvel at all). IMO, they should never have called these 're-issues' because they're nothing like an SD Charvel, and that naming just confused people and kind of made people look down on these guitars.
This is my pair - the lacewood has really shitty pickup rings on it which I need to swap out, when I actually get around to it! Also, I think someone dyed the fingerboard because it's supposed to be pau-ferro but it's really, really dark
I love them - they are awesome guitars, and the necks are just perfect for me (pretty thin, and not like an original SD Charvel at all). IMO, they should never have called these 're-issues' because they're nothing like an SD Charvel, and that naming just confused people and kind of made people look down on these guitars.
This is my pair - the lacewood has really shitty pickup rings on it which I need to swap out, when I actually get around to it! Also, I think someone dyed the fingerboard because it's supposed to be pau-ferro but it's really, really dark
glip22
Well-known member
They are it. 
Jackson plates were before the production SD-1's. I think they made only 400 in total of the three woods combined. What is a fair price for a Lacewood with the JT590 licensed floyd, 5 way blade in nice condition? Killer BE neck and nice Pau ferro board.
Thanks
San Dimas reissue history:
--mid-late 1994: prototypes made including a trans red V with a lacewood body, a I with a natural alder body, and a III with a natural ash body as well as other prototypes.
--late 1994: production of I, II, III, IV, and V begins.
--October 1994: Guitar for the Practicing Musician ad runs promoting the I, II, III, IV and V.
--Late 94/early 95: V is discontinued, replaced by the Traditional.
--1995 San Dimas catalog: Standard and Traditional models are introduced. The photo of the prototype trans red V from the 10/94 ad is used in this catalog for the Traditional. That is why in this catalog the printed description of the Traditional doesn't match the photo next to it.
--1995, months unknown: IV and Standard are discontinued.
--1996 San Dimas catalog: TL-1 model introduced and photo of Traditional model is corrected.
--early 1997: production for series ends
Variations:
I’m sure there are more, but here are some I’ve seen:
--Initial ones made have Jackson backplates.
--Some of the same models have scalloped body contours by the backplate, some don’t.
--At the least, the following models can be found with OR without a skunk stripe: I’s, II’s, III’s and Standards.
--I used to think that the skunk stripe, or lack thereof, and the type of neckplate corresponded, but I’ve seen a couple of examples where they don’t.
--Seems like the earlier III’s have pao ferro boards and then rosewood after that.
--I had 2 V’s. One had pao ferro, the other was rosewood. (wish I kept those!)
--At least one later III has a black painted back, instead of gloss natural and also has the perfect oval type of single coil route without the lip.
--Some have a “Made in USA “ logo, others are “MADE IN USA”
--The SP-1, a variation of the Traditional with h/s/s and a Wilky, was made in 1996 for Sam Ash and not a part of this series. Don’t think they had locking tuners either.
Jackson plates were before the production SD-1's. I think they made only 400 in total of the three woods combined. What is a fair price for a Lacewood with the JT590 licensed floyd, 5 way blade in nice condition? Killer BE neck and nice Pau ferro board.Thanks
San Dimas reissue history:
--mid-late 1994: prototypes made including a trans red V with a lacewood body, a I with a natural alder body, and a III with a natural ash body as well as other prototypes.
--late 1994: production of I, II, III, IV, and V begins.
--October 1994: Guitar for the Practicing Musician ad runs promoting the I, II, III, IV and V.
--Late 94/early 95: V is discontinued, replaced by the Traditional.
--1995 San Dimas catalog: Standard and Traditional models are introduced. The photo of the prototype trans red V from the 10/94 ad is used in this catalog for the Traditional. That is why in this catalog the printed description of the Traditional doesn't match the photo next to it.
--1995, months unknown: IV and Standard are discontinued.
--1996 San Dimas catalog: TL-1 model introduced and photo of Traditional model is corrected.
--early 1997: production for series ends
Variations:
I’m sure there are more, but here are some I’ve seen:
--Initial ones made have Jackson backplates.
--Some of the same models have scalloped body contours by the backplate, some don’t.
--At the least, the following models can be found with OR without a skunk stripe: I’s, II’s, III’s and Standards.
--I used to think that the skunk stripe, or lack thereof, and the type of neckplate corresponded, but I’ve seen a couple of examples where they don’t.
--Seems like the earlier III’s have pao ferro boards and then rosewood after that.
--I had 2 V’s. One had pao ferro, the other was rosewood. (wish I kept those!)
--At least one later III has a black painted back, instead of gloss natural and also has the perfect oval type of single coil route without the lip.
--Some have a “Made in USA “ logo, others are “MADE IN USA”
--The SP-1, a variation of the Traditional with h/s/s and a Wilky, was made in 1996 for Sam Ash and not a part of this series. Don’t think they had locking tuners either.
neilli
New member
G
gtrwun
Well-known member
I had a Koa and it was a great guitar. Still haunts me that i sold it.
stanbog
Active member
I have one of those. Koa one piece (!) body, I believe it's the SDII version, because I have the Wilkinson tremolo. Neck is awesome - birdseye maple and I have never seen a thicker rosewood fingerboard.
This my plate, I was told it is Ontario made in the Jackson custom shop. No idea if true?
Oh, and Alex was playing that one during his Savatage-days
This my plate, I was told it is Ontario made in the Jackson custom shop. No idea if true?
Oh, and Alex was playing that one during his Savatage-days
glip22
Well-known member
Very cool. What is fair cost for one? The fretboards are very thick which can be a good thing in adding stability to a figured maple neck as the are prone to being unstable, especially a flame neck. I think these might be hard rock Maple so they should have no issues and the figuring isn't too much. From what I read these are on par with Custom Shop or are considered Custom Shop as the same guys built them on the same machinery. They will not all be alike as they were custom made. That Lacewood was the earliest version with the skunk stripe and JT590 Floyd without the saddle hardened steel inserts which are prone to stripping.
P
paulyc
Well-known member
I've ALWAYS wanted a Koa one...LOVE THEM, except for the "ballsack" headstock...
neilli
New member
I've had zero issues with neck stability on the ones I've had (5 in total) and some have been very highly birdseye'd. They tend to go for prices which make them very good value IMO. Assuming no issues, to get that lacewood for $875 is a LOT of guitar for the money..