Cheers people,
so I finally get to post this here. Like the title says this is a very belated NGD, in fact I got this guitar around Christmas last year, but due to lack of time I haven't been active in the forum for a long time...
This is a Jackson Randy Rhoads Elite FSR. Part of the last batch of guitars that left the Jackson factory in Japan before they shut down due to bankruptcy. There were some speculations that the factory was affected by the catastrophe of Fukushima, but reading through some threads on the Internet people actually confirmed that it closed it's doors because of financial problems. The FSR stands for Factory Special Run and only 3 models were produced in limited numbers: the Randy Rhoads, the King V and the Soloist.
Now looking at the specs this was a kind of last effort to show people what the Japanese luthiers are capable of, I always loved MIJ stuff and the quality of the instrument is superb, I'd say on par with the Made in U.S.A. stuff.
Specs:
Maple Neck Through
Ebony Fretboard
Alder Wings
Stainless Steel Frets
Silver Sharkfin Inlays
Original MIG Floyd Rose
Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz
Dunlop Straplocks
Jackson Midboost Circuit
The really amazing thing about this purchase was the price I paid for it. I went to my local music store one day, basically getting a new set of strings and having nothing particular in mind, just some window shopping. So I do what I always do, examine a few guitars and see this axe hanging there alongside the newer Made in Mexico and Made in Indonesia Jackson stuff. And there's a big white sticker on it, stating "500€" in big red letters. So I examine it further and suddenly I go nuts. Original Floyd. Pitch black ebony board. I turn it around and it says "Made in Japan". I grab it, get a cable and plug it in. I played it 5 minutes max, took my wallet and told the guy at the counter to put it aside until I return with the rest of the cash for it.
I went to work and begged my boss to give me an advance on my paycheck an boom! A day later it was mine
Up to this day I'm not sure why they sold it so cheap. Maybe because it was a 2011-2012 leftover and they needed space for the new line of Jacksons, maybe it was the fact that the neck pickup had a slack joint or maybe the goddamn thing is really radioactive and I'll die a slow and painfull death, but hell who cares? I already had too many instruments but this was one of those few chances you get in life and can't pass up and honestly: I'm glad I didn't.
The workmanship on this thing is stellar, the stainless steel frets together with the ebony board feel smooth like glass and the Floyd stays perfectly in tune no matter how much you abuse it. The one thing I really started to dig about the Rhoads shape is the way it balances on your body when standing, great if you're used to the classical playing position, not neck heavy at all and do I even need to mention it just looks badass?
The only flaws were the electronics and a stripped out jack plate hole, but that's easily fixable with a soldering iron, some wooden toothpicks and some glue. In fact I decided to throw out the mid boost circuit and use the built in battery cavity to put in an EMG 81/60 set I have lying around before I eventually get some new pots and settle on my Painkiller/Coldsweat combo for it.
What more can I say? I paid 500 bucks for an instrument with Jackson USA specs going new for 1300, it plays great, sounds amazing, is leight in weight and just the tits. Enough talking, time for some pics, cheers!
