Jackson basses Quality Control/Manufacturing issues?

Let me first preface this by saying that i own a Jackson Ellefson CBX that is about 10yrs old. After a few mods it is still my main bass and still is nearly perfect. That being said i have noticed what appears to be fairly significant manufacturing flaw and quality control problem on their newer basses just based on marketing photos alone. looking at Jackson's website, and Sweetwater, specifically the Spectra bass line, i have noticed that the machine heads are not at all aligned with each other or are at a consistent angle with the headstock. look at the view looking at the back of the headstock. Am i just blind and seeing things? Too much psilocybin? I cant imagine how any of these made it out of the factory. Sad, as i was actually in the market for a new bass and had decided on going with another Jackson. I think i will look elsewhere if these obvious issues are overlooked by Jackson and the manufacturing and QC has slipped this far.
 
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I see it, too. Hopefully it doesn't affect functionality. The nice thing about SW is that you can choose one that doesn't have that problem. In any case, if I were SW I'd sell them as B-stock and knock the price down a bit. Better yet, return them to the factory and tell the factory it's going to have to do better if it wants to continue to use SW as a storefront.
 
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I see it, too. Hopefully it doesn't affect functionality. The nice thing about SW is that you can choose one that doesn't have that problem. In any case, if I were SW I'd sell them as B-stock and knock the price down a bit. Better yet, return them to the factory and tell the factory it's going to have to do better if it wants to continue to use SW as a storefront.
 
  • Yessir. I actually called SW today and pointed it out to them using examples by specific serial# listed in stock on the website. Knowing in advance that my rep would not knock down a manufacturer they carry over a phone call..lol..the word he used was "Peculiar"...Also, i went to multiple "guitar" forums (as opposed to bass specific) and people were commenting on QC issues with Jackson going back to Covid 2020-21. Post Fender buyout issues? Unrest in Indonesia? Who knows, but i wont buy another any time soon. Reminds me of 20 odd years ago when Fender lower end stuff moved production to Mexico. Lots of stories about how you might get a good one or you might get a piece of garbage.
 
Let me first preface this by saying that i own a Jackson Ellefson CBX that is about 10yrs old. After a few mods it is still my main bass and still is nearly perfect. That being said i have noticed what appears to be fairly significant manufacturing flaw and quality control problem on their newer basses just based on marketing photos alone. looking at Jackson's website, and Sweetwater, specifically the Spectra bass line, i have noticed that the machine heads are not at all aligned with each other or are at a consistent angle with the headstock. look at the view looking at the back of the headstock. Am i just blind and seeing things? Too much psilocybin? I cant imagine how any of these made it out of the factory. Sad, as i was actually in the market for a new bass and had decided on going with another Jackson. I think i will look elsewhere if these obvious issues are overlooked by Jackson and the manufacturing and QC has slipped this far.
Do it!
Looking elsewhere can be a big surprise.
 
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ESP LTD Surveyor 87 Black. Its a P/J but i think i can make it work with an EMG upgrade to active pickups and eq. What are you playing currently?
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They say.."Why do you need another bass?"...Bassists say..."Why not? I need it. I want it. Its shiny and new and very slightly different for the other 5 basses i already have." Our addiction keeps Gibson, Fender etc..in business and employs thousands of people all over the world. At least that what I tell myself.
 
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