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Ok... I know I read part of a thread here that was talking about Japanese built Strats.
I've decided that I need one of those, and need a good-to-great deal on one.
I would imagine that these Japanese made Strats were built sometime in the 1980's ?
How do they compare with USA 70's and 60's models?


I would consider trading away my Jackson USA Rhoads (w/ lightning Sky paint job) to a good home, however... not real sure what its worth these days. Did some hunting on the net and the pricing is kind of all over the place.
Not exactly all hot to trade it away because it was a present from my dad, but I've recently become obsessed with hunting down the ultimate tube combo amp and ultimate Stratocaster. ...and I'm not rich.

Any Jackson guitar guys on here?

Depends on the condition of your Rhoades. If it's like new condition then you should be able to get $800 to $1,000 for it on Ebay. All depends on the buyer and if they're a collector or just a player like the rest of us. I've personally played plenty of US and Jap made Fender strats (I own a handmade Yngwie strat that I never play, but it looks good) and to be honest, the Jap ones play like butter. They are the most forgiving electric guitars that I've ever played although I don't like their tone for metal (remember that I don't use effects or processors). I played one of my buddy's about a month ago; clean, crunchy, and full on distortion all reacted the same across the board with effortless playability. Go for a Jap model for sure as the US models are overpriced for what they are.

The ultimate tube combo I would have to say is the new Marshall 410H combo. I now own the 410H head with a 1960 lead cab and the thing is a monster. Expensive, but that's what plastic is for as long as you don't over-step what can be paid back in time.

Back to Jackson...I've had them build me 3 customs over the years and I now only kept the first one that they did for me because it's the best one of the 3 (made in 1991). Fender now bought them out so any new Jackson custom shop that I've played is no better than the cheaper Jap models that you can buy. Even the "Original Jackson Tone" is now gone and they almost sound like any Ibanez (or "I been had") that's out there. They all can sound good I suppose if you've got about $2,000 to spend on effects and processor boards, but it's better to spend it up front and get a decent instrument to start with. Good luck with your hunt brother and with the acquisition of a new killer arsenal!!!!!!!!!

I'd say find a MIM strat. They're popular and can find some with great set ups. Can get a used one for about 250.00. Hear alot better talk about them that the Jap strats.
I traded my made in mexico for a 180 watt bass amp. If I'd kept it I would have gotten noiseless pickups for it. It was a great palying and sounding strat. Was a fat strat and I loved the humbucker pick up on it.

Have a friend with a jap strat. He's not that crazy about it. Sounds OK to me though.

jap strats are nice... all the 60's and 70's reissue stuff was jap made up until 3-5years back when they all went to mexico.

they aren't particularly valuable and will never be collectible. you can get a used amer std for $500 and you're gonna pay $400 or so for a jap strat.
I just don't see it as a good investment considering the small dif in price.

hell we used to sell amer stds for $425 if it was peach or banana in color.

if ya want cheap... go find a tex mex strat (jimi vaughn model) = very nice and you can get em for $300 ($400 new).

otherwise I'd just buy an amer std myself.

Shred9 wrote:Even the "Original Jackson Tone" is now gone and they almost sound like any Ibanez (or "I been had") that's out there.

i can't help but be offended... the ibz jem 77 was the biggest innovation in gtr pickups since the strat/5way. the convention of using a 5way to split the bridge hum in the second position in particular. hands down one of the best all around sounding gtrs ever made. even the prestige comes with dimarzio paf pros. since you don't know... almost all ibz of any value use dimarzio's, granted the ex series and the like sound like crapp.

I'm gonna guess that you are talking about "shred tone" tho... which is essentially a lack of tone all-together(sorry - love shred... but it's a whole lotta saturation).

put an emg 85 on a 2x4 and you'll get the sm 'tone'.

I'm sorry in advance for saying what I know you won't like but...
I can't help myself... I don't think jackson has ever been known for tone... just a fast playing - high quality guitar. (again this is all my opinion so...)

That's O.K. Mike. I shouldn't have said that about Ibanez's because I do like the Jem series and they do sound good. I meant the lower end of the line and same with the newer Jacksons as well. Everyone's allowed to have an opinion which is what makes the world go round.

As far as Shred tone though...EMG's may have started it, but REAL players that can actually pull it off use passives like I do with Caparison's own design or Seymour Duncans for example. Although the Caparison is just a Duncan 5 custom for all intensive purposes and neither are over saturated. They are actually so clean that it makes it even harder to pull off speed and technicality because all the sound is up front and not fuzzed-out. Most people that I let play on my set-up can't even play it because they're used to their own overly saturated sound which covers up missed picks, sweeps, ect. Mine does not...

Anyway I just hope that gt gets what he's after in the end. If you need help gt with selling stuff on Ebay, just let me know and I'll gladly walk you through it bro. I've sold many guitars there over the past couple of years with great success. You'll need alot of pics of the axe and be ready for a crap-load of questions because it is a USA Jackson and all. Good Luck!

hey shred9,
I agree. lower end ibz OR jackson do suck... I was going to comment that the only jacksons I have liked 'tonewise' where outfitted with seymours or chandlers.
afa shred... I guess if u are going for metallica ala '...and justice' an 85 is just what the doc ordered... but that's a one trick pony.

I guess it boils down to what you consider shred too... and I'm getting the impression you are along the dream theatre side of shred... also an ibz user at one pt... also a passive user...
ynwie used passives too... and was clean as a whistle.
I guess I'm a bit out of touch cause shred makes me think slayer...

anywho...

qt may wanna consider craigs list for buying and ebay for selling... if ya know what I mean!
cheers.

Thanks for the info and the offer of help Shred9.
Yeah... the Marshall JVM410H might just be the ultimate. But I couldn't go combo with it. Or rather, couldn't "make" myself combo-ize it -- Id have to go half stack... it would be a crime not to have the extra speaker oomph.
I'm trying to stay focused on the combo search.

*sigh* One of my big problems in life is that I seem to be drawn to whatever is the most expensive stuff. Whether it's art or guitars, or whatever... I can have no clue about the piece or brand or anything and 90% of the time if I'm attracted to it, it turns out to be expensive as all getout.

Not exactly all hot to trade it away because it was a present from my dad

Keep it.

If you're picky you can find both Japanese and Mexican strats that are really nice guitars. I've played plenty of both, most are just another strat but now and then you run across a keeper. I'm playing a Squier strat now, have been for over 10 years and so far none that sound and play as good, several that played as good. Don't know what it is but this guitar just has some great sounding pickups.

Keep your eyes open, I look in pawn shops first, of course usually when I find a nice one it's when I can't afford to pay attention, but some nice guitars are out there if you look and be picky. Play it, listen to it. That's why browsing online is fun but I won't buy a guitar online unless I know I can resell it and not lose money. I can't play or hear it online.

I have 4 strats and have played most variations.

I have a 60th anni silver mex strat. (That is the only good mex strat I own)

I have a righty neck on a lefty body, standard mex strat. (pure crap with those shitty mex pickups that are just 2 magnets and exposed poles in the middle)

I have 2 jap strats.. Both of them out perform anything I can even touch.

One is a 70's RI with a v neck. (my favorite)
Other is a 60's RI with a maple neck. (think it's U shaped)

Played plenty of US strats. (Unless it's old, don't bother)

The MIJ strats just sound better to me at all times. They play better as well.

Captain Scott wrote:
I have 2 jap strats.. Both of them out perform anything I can even touch.

One is a 70's RI with a v neck. (my favorite)

Cool.
Gimmee, Gimmee!!

I sooner shoot you point blank in the face with both barrels. lol


Look on Ebay, plenty of those people have no idea what they are selling.

That's where I got both of mine.

Alternate would be the infamous, garage sale..

LoL
Ok, what do I need to look for? (On ebay)
If they just say it MIJ then I would reckon they know what they have?

not really..

1st, decide what type of neck you really like. (I am partial to the v-shape)
2nd, see who has what.
3rd, decide what it's worth to you (if it's an auction)
then bid.

Some things I noticed with the MIJ stuff. If you should ever get the chance to open her up and look at the pickups, on bottom they will have a rectangular external magnet on bottom. (most often green) THOSE PICKUPS ARE THE SH*T. I have a set I keep just in case. (never get rid of those pickups, should you find some)

The neck sometimes has no skunk stripe down the back. (and wow, what a neck that would be) (definitely preferential)

The fender logo on the front will be silver. (not silver? then probably not MIJ---BEWARE)

The 2 string retainers at head, both are roller and s/b black plastic with what looks like stainless steel rollers. If you see 2 of these on the head, it generally means that it's original.

I generally look for a s-s-s routing with the most basic trem they offer. (I sink it flush with the body anyway, as I don't use a trem bar)

Oh and the MIJ usually come with GOTOH tuners or better.

In short, the black string rollers, gotoh tuners, no skunk stripe, silver fender decal and the neck that feels good to your hand will be the guitar that really surprises you/. (always try to play any guitar you buy first if possible)

I am also partial to serial numbers from E xxxxxx to F xxxxxx, just seem to be better instruments.

One last thing on MIJ strats, some of the squires are MIJ as well. THEY ARE NOT YOUR TYPICAL FENDER SQUIRE. Actually much better than their namesake, but I would caution you when dealing with squires.

You mean pickups like these?



These are in my Korean Squire, never had any idea what they were but they sound great. I think the magnets are gray, not going to open it up and find out...Took this picture when I swapped the pickguard, it's edited from the full view of wiring and all. That way I can refer to the pictures for wiring when it's time to break out the soldering iron.