Jackson Serial Numbers

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

The below information was taken directly from Jackson Guitars website.

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!).

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.”

“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.

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.

“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.

“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.”