Input
Jacks |
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Brass
- Thin Square 4 screw |
The thin square brass input jack was commonly found
on pre-serialized (prepro) Charvel guitars that were
manufactured |
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between 1980 and mid 1981. These input jacks are
made out of brass and typically cleared with lacquer. With time however, the clear coat
(lacquer) wore off exposing the brass which subsequently became oxidized. |
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Black
- Thin Square 4 screw |
The black input jacks, which are identical in size
and thickness to the brass square input jacks, were used briefly in mid 1981 |
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and thus found only on pre-serialized (prepro)
Charvel guitars dating from that period. This input jack style is far less common than the
brass version and is most often found on Charvels which also have a black blank neck
plate. This style was phased out with the introduction of the "oval" football
style input jack. |
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Black
Oval - 2 screw |
This is the most common used input jack on Charvels
manufactured during the "serialized" Charvel era, 1981 to 1986. |
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These input jacks are made from thin brushed
aluminum and have a distinct oval shape (they are more rounded on the ends than the later
football style). These jacks were secured with two screws and were used up to late 1985,
at which time the later thicker Jackson style "football" jacks were introduced. |
Scroll down for more detailed info and pics on these plates |
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Black
Pseudo Diamond Shape - 2 screw |
These are made from the same brushed aluminum as
the "oval" style input jack and are extremely rare. It appears that a |
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regular "oval" input jack was simply
recut into this new pseudo diamond shape. I speculate that this may have been done purely
for cosmetics reasons or maybe a specific builder wanted to add his own touch. Extremely
rare but factory original, noting two of the four Charvels I have seen with this style
input jack are still owned by their original owners. |
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Black
Football - 2 screw |
These jacks are similar in shape to the common
"oval" shaped input jacks, but are much thicker and made from steel not |
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aluminum. The shape is more pointed on both ends,
resembling more like a football (hence the football name) than the rounded ends of the
oval input jacks. In contrast to the dull black color of the aluminum oval style input
jacks, the football input jacks were painted a gloss black. This style of input jack was
mostly used in late 1985 to the end of the serialized era (1986) and is still used by
Jackson today. In fact this style of input jack was used on both the 2002 Bulls Eye
reissue and on many of the new guitars made after Charvel guitars were reintroduced in
2004. |
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Chrome
Football - 2 screw |
These chrome plated versions are identical to the
black thick football style input jack and are extremely rare. In fact, I have |
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only seen three examples to date, all having
"chrome" hardware specified by the customer on the work order. This style of
input jack should only be found on Charvels that have chrome hardware (strap buttons, knob
and trem). Extremely rare!! |
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Strat
style input cup - 2 screw |
While most Charvels had the input jack mounted to
the side of the body, some did have the input jack mounted on the face |
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of the guitar a la a Fender Stratocaster. These
"Strat" style input jacks were finished in brass, chrome or black and are
identical to those used on Fender Stratocaster guitars. they were used throughout both the
prepro and serialized era when needed or required. In addition to being used on Strat body
styles, this input jack style can also be found on many of the Charvel V body style
guitars. |
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Gold
- Thick Square 4 screw |
These neck plates were used briefly in 2004 and are
found mostly found on the Charvel guitars displayed at the 2004 |
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NAMM shows in addition to the 25th Anniversary
guitars. The input jack is gold in color and is the same thickness as the Jackson
"football" style jack. |
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Jack plates were oval shaped up to 1985 when they
switched to the football type after Grover started importing the hardware from Japan. |
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From left to right, 1982, 1983, Frets on the Net
reproduction. |

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The 1982 is a very eary one and the
"grain" is so fine, it is almost non-existant. The 1983 has the usual amount we
see. |
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The Frets on the Net part is about 60% thicker than
the originals. |
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Because of the extra metal, this created a deeper
looking countersink with smaller screw hole. |
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Jacks were supplied by Switchcraft and will have
the company name embossed on the bottom. |
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