What jackson/charvel is this?

[bobthebiker]

Hi all, I've have been looking for a project for some time now and have been fortunate enough to have been given an old jackson/charvel to have a go at fixing up. The guitar is in a bit of a state and doesn't seem to have many of the original parts, i am hoping that one of the jackson fans here can chime in and identify the model. Any other info would be great too eg. parts that it had or potential upgrades. If i remember correctly the serial no. is 29/978 acording to the neck plate and it says it's made in Texas

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer,

Below are the rather blurry camera phone photos


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[Captastic]

I think its a Model 4 with a rare fire-crackle or lava finish. Does it have 3 micro switches? Can't tell from pic. It also looks like someone took off the JT-6 trem...and installed a model 1 vintage style trem.

[bobthebiker]

Yes 3 micro switches, the trem is a schaller and i am pretty sure it's not original as the cavity in the back has been filed away to make access for the springs and block. The springs are still fowling though and the knife edge on the posts are set really high. I think this may be caused by the neck pocket which seem to have been shimmed quite high to make up for the neck pocket being miles out of alignment. the finish looks really good up close but unfortunately has many chips in it and i am considering re-finishing it. The neck has a two or three small screw holes after the nut around the truss rod cover which leads me to believe it used to have a locking nut after the nut?

[eaeolian]

Yep. Model 4 hacked up to have a V-Trem. If it's fixable, they're pretty solid guitars.

[MetalHeadMat]

Very nice. Definitely a Model 4 with the Fire Crackle finish, made for some reason to fit a V-trem. Originally had the Schaller JT-6 which I like a lot, I love Schaller's
Not made in Texas, actually made in Japan, ordered to the Jackson headquarters in Texas.
Between 1987-1988, can't give you an exact year, but if I'm not mistaken I believe the Fire Crackle finish was an '88 option.

Love mine Here are some pics, since I love showing it off, featured on audiozone.dk:

[eaeolian]

Actually, IIRC the JT-6 was made by Gotoh. The JT-590 is the one made by Schaller. Otherwise, you're correct - the "model" guitars were made by Chushin Gakki in Japan. I believe '88 was the only year for that finish, although the serial number will tell you for sure.

[bobthebiker]

Thanks for all the replies

Mat yours is a real beauty
I hope mine ends up like that as it really deserves a good bit of TLC

Does any one know if a floyd rose will fit into the cavity?
also if I were to fit a floating bridge would I need a locking nut? If so does anyone know where I could find one for this guitar as the design seems quite unique and I don't fancy having one fit to replace the plastic nut.

[CapinCripes]

Originally Posted by bobthebiker

Thanks for all the replies

Mat yours is a real beauty
I hope mine ends up like that as it really deserves a good bit of TLC

Does any one know if a floyd rose will fit into the cavity?
also if I were to fit a floating bridge would I need a locking nut? If so does anyone know where I could find one for this guitar as the design seems quite unique and I don't fancy having one fit to replace the plastic nut.

seeing as its a model 4 and started its life with a jt6 a floyd should fit Tremolo Info Project, floating double locking tremolos and guitar bridges on Jackson Charvel guitars as for locking nut if you don't want to replace the nut get a kahler string lock. they sometimes get a bad rap but are pretty reliable if you have the nut lubed right

[MetalHeadMat]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Actually, IIRC the JT-6 was made by Gotoh. The JT-590 is the one made by Schaller. Otherwise, you're correct - the "model" guitars were made by Chushin Gakki in Japan. I believe '88 was the only year for that finish, although the serial number will tell you for sure.

I've heard '88 was the only year for the finish but then again I could be mistaken.

And farts, I thought for sure the JT-6 was Schaller made.

Originally Posted by bobthebiker

Thanks for all the replies

Mat yours is a real beauty
I hope mine ends up like that as it really deserves a good bit of TLC

Does any one know if a floyd rose will fit into the cavity?
also if I were to fit a floating bridge would I need a locking nut? If so does anyone know where I could find one for this guitar as the design seems quite unique and I don't fancy having one fit to replace the plastic nut.

Thanks a bunch man! These bad boys had a behind the nut lock nut like the Kahler, which you can find anywhere online I believe. I'd scout eBay and see if you can score that with a JT-6 as well. For non-recessed routes an OFR will fit, but I've heard that they're pretty tricky to fit in a recessed trem route. Then again I could just be making an ass out of myself