A USA J series serial number will always have 4 or 5 digits later, but any more means that it is an imported guitar. Archtop Soloist models have a JA + 4 digit number serial number. For the 1980s custom era, the two standard classifications are the Student and Custom model. I'm not a Jackson expert and I'm trying to find out the year of a guitar I just acquired. It's a soloist SL1T. The serial number begins with U16XXX.
Posted by5 years ago
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I've looked through all the information I can find and absolutely none of it seems to be any help whatsoever identifying exactly what kind of guitar I have.

Jackson Guitar Serial Numbers

When I received it as a gift, it was from Musician's Friend circa 2000, and the catalog said it was a 'Jackson Pro Dinky Reverse'.
I've always gone with that, but Google searches don't turn up anything if all four words are used together ('Jackson Pro Dinky Reverse'). Unfortunately, I'm on hard times, catching up on paying debts, and I have to sell it, but I don't want to sell it without knowing how much it's worth.
Looking up serial numbers has been the source of my frustration, as all of them suggest they have 6 or 7 digit serial numbers... mine has 9. The Jackson website itself was no help, and the only number I can find on it whatsoever is on the back of the head.
Maybe I'm just not hitting the magic number with my Google search string, but I've dug through countless websites, message board posts and the like, and I can find absolutely NOTHING helpful after searching for over two hours, and I must acquiesce to those smarter than me.
Help me identify what is possible with this guitar (make, model, year, country of origin, etc). The serial number (or, really, the only number whatsoever I can find on this guitar) is 650012676.
11 comments

The Serial Number Charts Refer to USA-made
Jackson & Charvel instruments only.

The below information was taken directly from Jackson Guitars website.

On Neck-Thru Body Models: The serial number is stamped into the fingerboard at the last fret.

On Bolt-On Neck Models: The serial number is stamped into the neck plate.

Models that are sold outside of the continental United States cannot be tracked using this serial number inquiry system. These models are shipped directly from the manufacturing plant to the distributor in your country and are not tracked here in the United States at Charvel. The history of these instruments are not known to Jackson since the were not shipped thru their facility and therefore cannot be tracked by Jackson's service staff in the United States. Please contact your country's distributor for more information regarding these instruments.

>><< Newsflash >><<
For All You Charvel San Dimas Lovers!

Manyof the San Dimas Guitars I have seen are fraudulent. I mean how easy it it to make a copy of a Fender copy? Oh you checked yours out with Jackson, so you are confident that yours is real. I've got sad news for you. The principal forger of the San Dimas guitars who shall remain un-named, If I say his name, he will sue me, because it is hard to prove.

Here's the sad news. This SOB, who pretends to be mister know it all on Jackson/Charvel is actually acquiring original Charvel guitars. When he is 100% satisfied that they are original & real he will make a number of exact copies of it. In this way when you call Jackson to check out the guitar you will find that all the colors and numbers match. Theoretically you could buy a perfect copy right down to the serial # and color. buyer beware. I have purposely stayed away from the old San Dimas Charvel guitars because I knew that someday this would come out and every one of them will come under suspicion.

There is only one way to get a real one and be 100% sure. If you find an old Charvel at a Tag Sale for $150.00 I will bet it's real. The minute any dealer has had it, I would immediately doubt it's authenticity. The high price taints the originality.

The FENDER Issue

As many of my customers know I have never been the biggest corporate guitar supporter on this planet. However in the case of Jackson Guitars, Ed Roman is very impressed by what Fender is doing. They are pumping money & R&D dollars into the company they are bringing in new & modern tooling. They are keeping the price structure quite low for a guitar of that caliber.

When I first heard that Fender had bought the company, I was afraid they would do the typical Gibson thing and destroy it quickly. I am surprised & happy to say that Fender is really trying to beef up the quality & clean up all the problems that existed before when Akai owned Jackson. I am watching their movements closely and it looks like they have nothing but good intentions for Jackson/Charvel.

If they change their tactics, I will be the first to bring it to your attention. At this time it does not look like they are going about anything the wrong way. These actions have caused me to look at Guild & Gretsch which are other Fender owned guitars. I have now decided to carry both lines.

It would be very cool if Fender reissued the old San Dimas model Charvel, They could actually do it with the real headstock that it came with and many peoples dreams would come true.

Who knows, (They did do It and I have some still left that are available, I bought the first 12)

Ed Roman

02/12/03This Chart refers to USA-made Jackson and Charvel instruments only.

Year & FactoryRandy Rhoads Neck-thru bodyOther Custom Neck-thru'sJackson ArchtopJackson USA Neck-thru
1982 San DimasRR 0000 (Mrs. Rhoads)
1983 San DimasRR0001-RR0294J0001-J0034
1984 San DimasRR0295-RR0996J0035-J0406
1985 San DimasRR0997-RR1754J0407-J1539
1986 San DimasRR1755-RR1929J1540-J2799JA0001-JA0011
1987 OntarioRR1930-RR2115J2800-J4072JA0012-JA0036
1988 OntarioRR2116-RR2274J4073-J5007JA0037-JA0087
1989 OntarioRR2275-RR2527J5008-J5657JA0088-JA0149
1990 OntarioRR2528-RR2664J5658-J5842JA0150-JA0169UO0001-UO0852
1991 OntarioRR2665-RR2683J5843-J5923JA0170-JA0175UO0853-UO1750
1992 OntarioRR2684-RR2706J5924-J5974JA0176-JA0177UO1751-UO2070
1993 OntarioRR2707-RR2724J5975-J6079JA0178-JA0179UO2071-UO2527
1994 OntarioRR2725-RR2744J6080-J6171JA0180UO2528-UO2941
1995 OntarioRR2745-RR2756J6172-J6238End of SeriesUO2942-UO3211
1996 OntarioRR2757-RR2784J6239-J6300None ProducedUO3212-UO4005
1997 OntarioRR2785-RR2801J6301-J6379None ProducedUO4006-UO5247
1998 OntarioRR2802-RR2823J6380-J6444None ProducedUO5248-UO6904
1999 OntarioRR2824-RR2844J6445-J6506JA0182-JA0185UO6905-UO7626
2000 OntarioRR2845-RR2860J6506-6568JA0186-JA0191UO7627-UO8969
2001 OntarioRR2861-J6569-JA0192-JA194UO8970-
NOTES: All Randy Rhoads neck-thru's were given 'RR****' serial numbers from 1983 to the spring of 1990. After that point, only custom Rhoads guitars were given 'RR****' serial numbers; any production Rhoads guitars were considered 'USA' models and given 'U0****' serial numbers. Any neck-thru body guitar that was not a Randy Rhoads model was given a 'Jnnnn' number. This included Soloists, King V's, Kelly's, Concert Basses etc. After the spring of 1990, only custom neck-thru's were given 'J' numbers; any production Soloists, Kelly's, King V's etc. were also considered 'USA' models and given 'U0****' numbers. There are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes you will find production neck-thru's from the 90's with 'J' or 'RR' numbers instead of 'U' numbers; this usually means it was a prototype of some kind made in the custom shop. There are a scattering of Rhoads guitars out there with 'J' serial numbers instead of the traditional 'RR' number (oops!).
Year & FactoryEarly Charvel Bolt On (note 1)Jackson Custom Shop Bolt On (note 2)Jackson Junior (note 3)Jackson USA Bolt On
1981 San Dimas1001-10095
1982 San Dimas1096-1724
1983 San Dimas1725-2938
1984 San Dimas2939-4261
1985 San Dimas4262-5303
1986 San Dimas5304-54911001-1505
1987 Ontario*End of Series*1506-7303
1988 Ontario1506-7303
1989 Ontario1506-7303
1990 Ontario7304-7498000001-000900
1991 Ontario7499-7761000901-001563
1992 Ontario7762-7814001564-001739
1993 Ontario7815-7898001740-001931
1994 Ontario7899-79730001JJ-0091JJ001932-2324
1995 Ontario7974-80130092JJ-0105JJ002325-002687
1996 Ontario8014-80550106JJ-0256JJ002688-003370
1997 Ontario8056-80890257JJ-0422JJ003371-004676
1998 Ontario8090-81380423JJ-583JJ004677-004923
1999 Ontario8139-81580584JJ-0605JJ004924-004974
2000 Ontario8159-81760606JJ-0643JJ004975-005050
2001 Ontario8177-0644JJ-005051-
NOTE 1:There were approximately 750 Bolt-on Charvel's made from 1979-1981 without serial numbers. The first serial number used was a Strat-style guitar with the Heineken beer bottle label painted on it, November 9th, 1981. These neck plates say 'Charvel PO Box 245, San Dimas, Ca, 91773'. The last Early Charvel was #5491, built in January of 1986. Neck plates with numbers 5492 and up were supposedly destroyed but some of them do turn up from time to time...BUYER BEWARE!! These are not real Jacksons!
NOTE 2: From 1987 to 1989 Jackson Custom Shop bolt on neck guitars were not assembled in strict serial number order. Serial numbers 5234 to 5999 do not exist (due to an error in the stamping machine). These neck plates say 'Jackson, 4452 Airport Drive. Ontario, CA 91761'. They are still in use today.
NOTE 3:Since the Jackson Junior (JJ) is the only Jackson bolt on without a neck plate, these serial numbers can be found stamped into the fretboard.
Other Note:Charvel bolt ons were discontinued and replaced with Jackson bolt ons in 1986. This coincided with the introduction of the Japanese Charvel's. In the spring of 1990, the four digit Jackson neck plate was reserved for custom instruments only. All production bolt on instruments were given the six-digit USA series neck plate.

FENDER ® CREATES MANUFACTURING SUBSIDIARY
JACKSON/CHARVEL MANUFACTURING, INC.
New Family Of Products Brings Diversity To FMIC Distribution

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 10/29/2002- Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud to announce the creation of a new manufacturing subsidiary, to be called Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc. Consequently, Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc. has signed a deal to purchase specific assets of the Jackson/Charvel Guitar Company, which was a division of Akai Musical Instruments Corporation (AMIC). The acquisition, effective as of October 25, 2002, will include all existing inventory of products and trademarks relating to Jackson and Charvel.
The industry’s leader in manufacturing and distribution of electric guitars and amplifiers with the Fender ® and Squier ® brand names, FMIC has continually sought to develop diverse and innovative products. With the addition of Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc. into the Fender fold, the company has the opportunity to produce and distribute new products, and to welcome a core consumer base geared more towards heavy metal and hard rock styles.
Says Bill Schultz, Chairman and CEO of FMIC, “Throughout our history, we’ve embraced musicians of all styles by offering products to suit their needs. Jackson and Charvel products appeal to musicians that are not traditional ‘Fender’ players, but who want a quality instrument made by people who know what their needs are. We are musicians, we know guitars, and we know how to get them to the guitarists of the world.”
Jackson Serial Number

Jackson Serial Number Nhj

“Both the Jackson and Charvel product lines consist of quality instruments with strong brand recognition and a rightful place in musical instrument history,” adds Schultz. “Many innovative product features and cutting edge artists are associated with these fine instruments, and with the creation of Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc., we are committed to exceeding their expectations in the areas of quality, service and market support.”
Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc. will immediately begin to produce Jackson and Charvel products utilizing its existing production facility in Ontario, California for all American-made Jackson and Charvel guitars, as well as its custom orders. Additionally, Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc. will continue to produce guitars with its overseas manufacturing partners.

Jackson Serial Numbers Japanese

FMIC will then sell and distribute the products through a new inside telesales and field sales department under the direction of Jeff Cary, Vice President of Specialty Sales, and will utilize its existing network of global distributors and direct sales offices. AMIC product manager, Donnie Wade, will join Fender and will head up the marketing efforts.

Jackson Serial Number Data Base

“This is great news for fans of Jackson and Charvel,” says Marketing Manager, Donnie Wade. “The guitars will remain with one of the most prestigious American manufacturers ever, one that is a progressive company and that will maintain the integrity that Jackson and Charvel has built throughout its years.”
Jackson and Charvel’s existing retailers, which number around 400 in the United States, will still be able to carry the products and will be contacted directly by FMIC to ensure a trouble-free change over.

Jackson Serial Number Lookup

“We have worked very hard over the past seventeen years to build a worldwide distribution network that offers quality instruments and excellent service to retailers and consumers,” says Schultz. “We are all very excited to have Jackson and Charvel within our family, and we look forward to working with the retailers that have supported these instruments throughout their history.”