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Jackson/Charvel Basses

M

Mikeyd74

Jul 28, 2007
749
20
#1
I've been seeing more and more people on here with Jackson and Charvel basses. You can't find a lot of info on the web about these basses so I thought that there should be a thread dedicated to them here on Talkbass.

Here are some related links.
http://www.charvel.com/
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charvel
Charvel Catalog link *Thx to The Eristic"
http://audiozone.dk/CatalogScans/JC19901991/index.htm

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/

Post your basses here!!!

Here's my most recent addition to my bass collection.
Charvel Fusion IV
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#2
Here is my 1984 Jackson Concert. Number 39. San Dimas, of course. Pretty "vintage" for Jackson! I've seen older Charvels, but I've never seen an older Jackson. If this isn't the first, it's pretty dang close.

Anyway, it plays better than any other bass I've ever played (and I've played a LOT!). After 23 years, it's still my go-to bass. And I'm still waiting for another bass to surpass this one, but it's been a long wait. . .
 
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#4
Slapped said:
In a lot of thrash and metal bands, I've seen the bassist using one of these, and they all seem to have a similar aggressive, distinctive, biting tone.

Is this a strong inherent characteristic of these basses?
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That pretty much describes my Charvel. My bass sounds kind of like a P-Bass on super steroids. That's with the stock pickups too! The playability is very similar to Schecter and ESP basses but with way more solid construction.
 
#6
I'm not much of a metal player! R&B, pop, rock, and jazz. I get a really warm and rich tone. This bass has EMGs (like many Jacksons), but the bridge pickup is a guitar-sized humbucker. I have no idea what it is, but in combo with the p, it is really fat and clear. No probs sitting in the mix!

I don't really relate to Jackson as a "brand" because they've marketed themselves to the metal crowd. And the pointy headstock is surely a health-hazard to my bandmates! But you can't argue with the TONE!

I play 95% fingerstyle and 5% slappy-poppy. No pick.

When I bought this in '84, I had no idea that I was getting a metal icon! I just walked into Sam Ash on 48th Street. Saw that gorgeous pearl white bass on the wall, and preceded to play it for over an hour! It's been mine ever since.

More pix, please.
 
#7
Had a 1984 or 85 Jackson custom concert bass, gun metal grey, bound neck and headstock, p/j passive combo. Bought it brand new from Colfax Music centers in Denver in '85. Kick myself often for selling that bass. That and the Bich supreme are the two I miss the most.
 
#8
I had a late 80's Jackson Concert bass that was stolen along with 2 Spectors. They were a trio of great basses and if I weren't putting together a P-bass project, I'd be looking for one again. A P-bass on steroids is a great description of the sound.
 
#9
Thanks to Mikeyd74 for getting the word out. I'm glad you found your long lost love. Because of it I found out what it is I actually bought 20 years ago.

This one is a Charvel 2B bought new in 87. Still impressive after all this time. Owner installed custom blue tape graphics.

charvelsmall.jpg


This one is a non USA made Jackson C5/MJ I got 4 years ago. It sounds great but the neck has always been crap. Now it's unplayable. It's now indisposed at a local luthier awaiting it's fate. A new neck or complete replacement under the lifetime warranty that Fender is honoring.
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#10
Sorry for bumping.

I am thinking to trade out my Fender aerodyne bass (Im not a very big fan of the edges, it would be comfortable if i played with the bass lower than i do though..) with a Charvel bass. (or a Status Graphite neck on my P bass, the neck gonna get a new body, but i wouldn't dream of selling it partially.. wouldn't dream of selling it punktum.)

So im thinking searching up a USA Charvel bass, as far as i see they go for very cheap, around 300 dollar or so, would these basses be worth it? So far i havent heard anything bad against em..
 
#12
MrBonex said:
Here is my 1984 Jackson Concert. Number 39. San Dimas, of course. Pretty "vintage" for Jackson! I've seen older Charvels, but I've never seen an older Jackson. If this isn't the first, it's pretty dang close.

Anyway, it plays better than any other bass I've ever played (and I've played a LOT!). After 23 years, it's still my go-to bass. And I'm still waiting for another bass to surpass this one, but it's been a long wait. . .
Click to expand...

I have the Kramer version of this bass, or it could just be a knock off. I'm giving it a setup in the next couple of weeks, it sounds pretty good for it's age with the Spector pups, it's heavy as hell though. I plan on putting it into the rotation soon. IT is a sweet lookin bass though.
 
#13
Here was my 1995 Jackson "Stealth" Bass made in the Ontario Custom Shop. This was a neck thru and had a Hipshot D tuner as well. It sounded great. However, it was very heavy. I eventually sold it to fund for my NYC Sadowsky that I bought from Matt Malley of the Counting Crows.

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#14
My '93 Concert V


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I did a review of it in the reviews section, but I'll say it again here that the only downsides of this bass is the narrow string spacing (which, you can adjust every string individually, but to an extend. It's just a bit of a problem for slapping, IMO) and stock electronics. After putting in Bartolini pickups+Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, it sounds awesome. Very clear sound, it can get pretty growly or pretty [put adjective here] if you want and I think you can play any style with this. I do :) But like you guys said, with stock electronics, this thing works just for metal and stuff like that.

I have played 2 other Jackson basses, they all had comfortable necks, which is a common thing among all Charvel/Jackson guitars and basses, but I didn't like their tone. When I played this for the first time, I felt the potential of this bass and I was able to imagine the sound it'll produce after a pickup change. I'm very glad that I own this old fella, I would recommend it to everybody, but it's a bit hard to find as it wasn't produced for a long time.

By the way, the Jackson headstock is the best headstock EVER!

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#15
I'd recommend one like the 80's Texas made blue one above. I've had it since new and it's quality is comparable to most of the higher end stuff out there now. (Music Man, G&L, Fender, Lakland etc.)

I'd avoid the later Asian models like the sunburst one above. Although Fender did replace the neck and it's better now than it was new.

Thunder_Fingers said:
Sorry for bumping.

I am thinking to trade out my Fender aerodyne bass (Im not a very big fan of the edges, it would be comfortable if i played with the bass lower than i do though..) with a Charvel bass. (or a Status Graphite neck on my P bass, the neck gonna get a new body, but i wouldn't dream of selling it partially.. wouldn't dream of selling it punktum.)





So im thinking searching up a USA Charvel bass, as far as i see they go for very cheap, around 300 dollar or so, would these basses be worth it? So far i havent heard anything bad against em..
Click to expand...
 
#16
Hi everyone, I've been registered on this forum for a little while, but not got around to actually posting anything. I was wondering if you could help me out, I have a Jackson Charvel Bass, I brought it on the spur of the moment and the seller didnt know alot about it. Ie. What model it was! But as it was a bargain (£110) and great to play, I bought it.
I was wondering if anyone knew how to date it, the serial number on the back is: C70****
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I have starred out the last 4 digits, only because this is what I have seen done on the Charvel forum (Which I cant register for because the registration "anti-spam" image isnt displaying!)
Obviously if more digits are needed, please tell me!
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I also have no idea what model it is, here is a picture, any help would be greatly appreciated.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/vulcan5978/07102007039.jpg
 
#18
rowan5978 said:
Hi everyone, I've been registered on this forum for a little while, but not got around to actually posting anything. I was wondering if you could help me out, I have a Jackson Charvel Bass, I brought it on the spur of the moment and the seller didnt know alot about it. Ie. What model it was! But as it was a bargain (£110) and great to play, I bought it.
I was wondering if anyone knew how to date it, the serial number on the back is: C70****
-----------------------------------------------------------
I have starred out the last 4 digits, only because this is what I have seen done on the Charvel forum (Which I cant register for because the registration "anti-spam" image isnt displaying!)
Obviously if more digits are needed, please tell me!
-----------------------------------------------------------
I also have no idea what model it is, here is a picture, any help would be greatly appreciated.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t99/vulcan5978/07102007039.jpg
Click to expand...

I found an updated link to all of the Jackson/Charvel catalog scans.
You should be able to find what you are looking for here.
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#19
Mikeyd74 said:
I found an updated link to all of the Jackson/Charvel catalog scans.
You should be able to find what you are looking for here.
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I'm having a look over that now, not entirely sure what I'm looking for....but I'll have a look! Cheers.
EDIT: I believe mine is a 1986 Model 3B, at least that's what I've been able to distinguish from those records. Thank again for that mate.

Anyone know if I can register my serial number, or if there's a page where I can enter it to find out more?
 
#20
rowan5978 said:
Thanks mate, I'm having a look over that now, not entirely sure what I'm looking for....but I'll have a look! Cheers.
EDIT: I believe mine is a 1986 Model 3B, at least that's what I've been able to distinguish from those records. Thank again for that mate.

Anyone know if I can register my serial number, or if there's a page where I can enter it to find out more?
Click to expand...

Fender bought out Jackson in 2005 IIRC, so it's a little tough doing stuff through the original company, like registering #'s, etc. nowadays.
 

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