(1) Based on serial number lookup, I understand that my bass came out of the Ontario custom shop in 1989. It is a Candy-blue body and headstock, black hardware, neck-thru construction, PJ configuration, rosewood fretboard, pearloid sharkfin inlays, creme binding along neck and headstock. One volume control, two tone controls (treble & bass), and pickup selector toggle (3-way). Bridge appears quite hefty and fully adjustable. Plays and sounds great.

Hardware is all Jackson-labeled but I'd like to get more detailed info regarding pickups, preamp, bridge (looks somewhat similar to a Gotoh 201), tuners (look similar to Gotoh), neck radius. Any ideas?

I bought this used around 1995-96 and everything is original (as far as I know) except I replaced the input jack with one much more substantial than what was in it previously.

(2) Where might I go for parts e.g. tuner parts such as plastic washers or replacement tuners, bridge saddles, etc?

all non USA and import basses that did NOT come with EMGs are Jackson pickups made in USA, with a J-2000 2band preamp. The tuners and old style bridge are rebranded gotoh's

there is nothing on any USA or Jap import that was "made exclusively" for Jackson, the company just bought everything from someone else and put their name on the things.

neck radius 12-16 and everything else on any USA from back in the day with p/j and preamp is just the Jackson version of the neckthru Charvel 3b, which I have had many of.

no fin neck on the Charvls, and the Charvel headstock was longer, but everything else is identical:
I only have 1 anymore for collectible purposes as I have never ever in 25 years seen another rainbow crackle bass. Crackle in different colors yes, rainbow, no:

Thanks for the reply. Very informative. Interestingly, the hardcase I have is a Charvel, that being the only case that would fit my bass at the place I got it.

any pictures of it?
I'm always interested in USA eye candy.

I had trouble uploading pics here, but maybe you can view at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1086439571 ... aSigNnv0AE

Let me know if this works.

b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l

unusual though as I wonder if that had a refinish, since it does not say USA on the headstock.
Does it have a Jxxxx ( J+4digit serial? )

Yes, it's a "Jxxxx" serial number; that's what I used to look up on the Jackson production charts indicating a 1989 Ontario custom shop model.

There is one major ding (chip) on the backside near the tail pin that shows primed wood. This was already there when I got it way back when. Otherwise, minor wear marks and light scratches from lots of gigging. I doubt it was refinished, but no way to know for sure.

Do you (or anyone) know if the Jackson Custom shop still make neck-thru basses? Not that I'm in the market, just curious?

Any suggestion for parts sources? Specifically, one of the plastic washers on a tuner key shaft broke. I'm guessing the others will go eventually. I've been to several local repair shops and could not find a good match (the originals are very thin); I put a much thicker one one; works but may be putting extra stress on what seem to be fragile threads in the tuning shaft. I know I can just replace the tuners, but after all these years they are still very solid and smooth.

Also, is there a special hex-socket tool for truss rod adjustments? The truss access cavity on the headstock has an awkward angle. I've been doing adjustments with a standard socket set & extender, but not ideal; I need to be very careful to get the socket on and off without risk of scratching or damaging the headstock area.

stew-mac tools has the thinwalled socket for the TR,

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Wrenc ... nches.html

and if worse came to worse, you could just buy a tuner and use it, or take the washers out of it and use your existing one.