Input Jacks
 Brass - Thin Square 4 screw
The thin square brass input jack was commonly found on pre-serialized (prepro) Charvel guitars that were manufactured 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.
 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 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.
 Black Oval - 2 screw
This is the most common used input jack on Charvels manufactured during the "serialized" Charvel era, 1981 to 1986. 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.
 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 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.
 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 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.
 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 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!!
 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 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.
 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 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 input jack.
|
