New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

synzzzer

synzzzer

New member
I've been trying to move out some guitars, but the trade market is better than the selling market. I traded a MIM Fender Standard Strat for a Jackson Dinky DK2M. Now, I've never had a Jackson guitar in 15 plus years of playing. So playing this one has been a little different than what I've been used to.

Here's the scoop. It's serial number is 97XXXXX. (Seven digits) It is Made in Japan (or so I'm told), has Jazz, JB pickups, and a Floyd Rose. (Close up pictures below.)

I tried looking at a serial number lookup, but it was a bit confusing. They said that serial numbers didn't matter on imports, or that the 97 meant that it was made in 96 or 97. It's in insanely great condition, and kind of surprises me that it would be that old.

So any tips, suggestions, insights, etc. would be appreciated. I know the forum has fans of all guitars, so I know that some members will know more about Jackson Guitars than I know about breathing. If you think I got a fair deal please let me know.

As promised, here are the pictures. Thanks a bunch.













 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

I would guess it's a MIJ DK2M.

The licensed floyd rose indicates that it was not made in the USA, but you don't see a whole lot of lower end Jacksons with a maple fretboard, so that's why I think it's one of their mid-level guitars made in Japan. The 2 humbucker configuration is what makes it a DK2, instead of a DK1, the DK1 being an HSS configuration. From what I hear, those guitars are beasts. Congrats on the NGD!
 
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Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

7 Digit Serials
Starts w/ | Type of Jackson Guitar
1 | Performer (MIK)
94 | 1994 MIJ Concept guitars, first two digits denotes year (only made in 1994)
9 | 1996+ MIJ (all MIJ series, even JS MIJ), started with 96xxxxx and went up sequentially (97,98, etc)
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Yes, it is a DK2M. No, it was not made in 1997 - the model wasn't introduced before 2006. The neck heel and its pocket in the body should be stamped with a date, if you need to find out its age.

Not too bad for a first one, at least it's black. ;)
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

You lucky!!! I wish mine had a maple board and neck... HNGGG I sold mine tho... But anyway HNGD! Rip it up!
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

I got one for my nephew - was very impressed with how well it played.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Thanks everyone for the info. I really appreciate it. It's kind of neat finding out all this info on this guitar. I don't think I've held many Jacksons, so it's weird to actually own one. It is really well made, but whoever had it before me really played the heck out of the first three frets. I'm not sure if I will have to fret dress it, or just replace the first three frets.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Those Jacksons tend to multiply at times.... I have a particular soft spot for the Rhoads.

Congrats bro!
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Love them, they should be worth more, especially the with the maple board.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

youngthrasher9 said:
I would guess it's a MIJ DK2M.

The licensed floyd rose indicates that it was not made in the USA, but you don't see a whole lot of lower end Jacksons with a maple fretboard, so that's why I think it's one of their mid-level guitars made in Japan. The 2 humbucker configuration is what makes it a DK2, instead of a DK1, the DK1 being an HSS configuration. From what I hear, those guitars are beasts. Congrats on the NGD!
Click to expand...

Maple fretboards have been pretty popular on the mid-level Dinky models since the option came out; it's on the low-end and high-end production models where you seldom see maple boards on a Dinky.

The DK1 is the USA Select model. Like all Dinky models, it has a bolt-on neck. Quarter-sawn, with a bound ebony board. The DK1 currently comes with two active EMG humbuckers (81 & 85). Like all the other standard production USA models with trems, it has an OFR.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Awesome axe!! Congrats! I love the maple board and black inlays on this model! I liked the white ones tooll
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

BloodRose said:
Awesome axe!! Congrats! I love the maple board and black inlays on this model! I liked the white ones tooll
Click to expand...

It's funny you mention that. The reason the guy traded this one to me was that, he had this exact model in white. I personally would have liked the white one better. But it was a good trade for both parties.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

DK2 doesn't necessarily mean 2 humbuckers. I have 2 DK2s and they're both in HSS configuration.

OP, if you want the low down, just call up Fender's customer service line. When I wanted info on my Eerie Dess Dinky, I called the number on Jackson's site and it turned out to be Fender's customer service line, which makes sense because Fender owns Jackson, and wound up talking to a heck of a nice guy that looked up my serial number and told me everything I wanted to know.

And congrats, I love maple fretboards!
 
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Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

All of the DK2's are Japanese made, that's what the designation -2 means. All of the SL/SLS3's were the same thing, and KE-3 as well. KE-1 was the Marty sig Kelly, then KE-2 was the American model after he left. With the Soloist though, I do believe the -1 is HSS and -2 is HH. This is what I remember from the JCF, might be off a bit. SL2's are now made in Mexico as well, so the old numbering scheme doesn't hold up for newer models aside from -1's all being American I believe. I might be overstepping myself there.

Anyway, nice axe! They are bringing the maple board option back now, on the Mexican made Dinkys and they have a lower end model JS coming out with it as well. I don't think they ever had an American Dinky, or any model for that matter, that had maple boards as a production standard.
 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

Crazy update: (Warning: This might make a few members a touch disagreeable.)

I am actually a big Dean guitars fan. I've been on the Dean forum since April of 2006, and you can find me over there under the same name and picture. I was able to trade the Jackson for a Dean 79 ML Redwood (Korean made in the Unsung Factory.) I still have my 1998 Dean ML Select that I bought back in 1999. So it was nice to get another ML. I know a few members might find this a dumb trade, but the Jackson always felt a little odd. I never really bonded with it. Again, I'm a Dean guy.

Here's an interesting factoid. The guy I traded with said he got this from a Dean rep, and it just sat collecting dust. It still had plastic on the back covers, and I don't think they've made this model for years. The strings were loose and old, so I replaced them immediately. After knocking the dust off, setting it up, and inspecting it, I don't think it ever got played. I can't wait to really crank it in the morning.

So as promised, here are the pictures. (Because we all know the main rule of the internet, pics or it didn't happen.)



 
Re: New Guitar Day, First Jackson Ever

J E C said:
OH.....That is NICE!
Click to expand...

Thank you. I know Deans aren't the most popular of guitars, so I figured I might get a lot of strange looks for this trade. But I have been a Dean fan since 1992 when I actually met Dime before a Pantera concert. They played "The Ritz" here in Tampa, and it was the loudest show I've ever heard in my life. I have been the one and only owner of my 1998 Dean ML Select, and was glad to have another Dean to add to the family. I also own a limited edition Dean Hardtail in silver. The only negative about this new to me ML is that, the pickups leave a lot to be desired, and I will be looking through the Trading Post to find some Seymour Duncans for her.
 
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