There are a few delicious deals on used Jackson Dinkys and Soloists (my preferred shapes) on Guitar Center's used trade portal. There are a few for $1000, a couple for $1100, a little too enticing to ignore, given their price in the market when new, and their hand-made-in-USA origin. I am poking (not so much kicking) myself for not having pouched a $900 Soloist hardtail (this is my preferred model). How can I get one to be shipped to my residence in Mumbai, India? The payment method, and shipping options? I'm not too concerned about speed (although it should arrive) as I am about safety, and knowing inflation by customs duty, it can get a tad expensive, so Standard International is preferred. If I'm lucky, I can even have someone carry it across while flying in.

Have you checked out any of these Jacksons? It's a long shot expecting one to turn up here in my country, so I'm left with this option.

GC has a link in their listings for contacting the store.. Send them a message inquiring about the international shipping, and see if they respond.. This would be your best option for finding out specifically what they will offer you..

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Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

I've contacted several stores, but beyond their first reply, they don't get back again- sometimes, they ask for my billing address, sometimes, they say they'll take time to calculate the shipping and handling, but don't get back the second time with the quote. Some of them don't reply even once. I've taken it up with the main feedback section, and hopefully there will be some clarity. There are quite a few SLSMG Jacksons I can choose from, and when rich enough (or offered a return to the Jackson Student line or thereabouts), can then sell in the used Ibanez RG/S market and move up to a Jackson USA.

There are plenty of delicious deals in those shops. However, I don't know what I'm buying- is it MIJ/MIA? made alder/mahogany/basswood? stock pickups/duncan designed/seymour duncan/emg-hz/emg-81/85? and most importantly- dinky or soloist?

For instance, at the GC in Pittsburgh, where my friend works (and can possibly carry one overseas), there's this Jackson Professional in purple, offset dot inlays, RW fretboard- but doesn't look very refined. Then there's a delicious Jackson Soloist Performer, and with it, I can swap all three pickups and the tremolo, and change the inlays, but my concern is the body wood- I hope it's not bah-sswood. Then there's this odd soloist with a maple fretboard- is that a DK2M? I wonder. Anyway, I will try to get the serial numbers of all of these, and hopefully I can get full information- is there any guide for it? I'm still looking for one.

The second one is a DK2M, yes.. And the Performer is a PS 4.. Both of those are alder bodies with rock maple necks.. The DK2M would probably have significantly less play wear, though, as the PS 4 is 11 years older.. As for country of origin, the DK2M is made in Japan, and the performer depends on the serial number (if it starts with a 9 it is made in Japan, if it is a 1 it is made in Korea).. The DK2M has the Duncan JB in the bridge position and the Jazz in the neck position.. The Performer has Jackson J70 humbuckers and a J135 single coil..

As for GC, they are notorious for not having the greatest customer service, and when it comes to overseas stuff, the scam flag flies pretty high unless you can prove that you are serious, so you may need to message them repeatedly to get a response.. You may have to use your friend as an insider, by sending him the money and having him do the shipping to you.. They can ship any guitar to any GC location, so you are not limited to what he has at his store..

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Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

Thanks for the hints. I'll keep that in mind. If they're so indifferent about information and quotations, I'd be very careful about sales.

Here's one slightly suspect listing- Jackson SLS3 'USA MIA'- transparent blue. Hang on, it looks a little too PRS for comfort. Look closer- is that bottom flank broken? Something's not right with this piece.

That one does look a little odd, unless it's a custom shop build. The SLS is supposed to be string through, not a stop tail piece, and the pickup switch it supposed to be a blade, not a toggle...

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Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

Here are a few more odd listings-

• Jackson Soloist Performer Dark Red- is this a real Soloist? And body wood? ElX/HW will need an upgrade.
• Another Soloist - Orange Flame
• Another Performer at Matthews, North Carolina- They don't know if it's black or blue, but it appears to be HSH. Dinky or Soloist? Body wood?
• Yet another Burgundy performer HSH- based in Durham, North Carolina

1) Soloist PRO = Made in Japan.. Is also a bolt on neck.. Soloist refers to the body shape..

2) Appears to be a modified DX10D to me.

3) Same as #1

4) Same as #1 and #3..

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Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

Thanks for the info. Now I know exactly what not to pick up. Modified DX-10Ds are quite disappointing, if listed as Soloists.

Then, there's this curious case of the SDK1. I find several listed under $700, including a couple under $500. The headstock says it's made in USA. It also has decent pickups and bridge. How does the cost stay so low? Is there a catch?

I don't think the SDK1 turned out to be quite as popular as anticipated.. They are slightly smaller than the standard Dinky body, and don't have jumbo frets (if that is a factor).. And, to be honest, I don't think the "smurf hat" headstock really proved to be all that popular with the die hard Jackson fans.. That price seems to be in line for that model..

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Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.