Jackson Serial Number Formats
US + YY + digits(2002-present)USA production under Fender ownership.
IJ + YY + digits(2000s-present)Indonesian production.
MX + YY + digits(2000s-present)Mexican production (Fender facility).
Where to Find Your Jackson Serial Number
- ▶On the back of the headstock
- ▶On the neck plate
Tips
- ▶Jackson was acquired by Fender in 2002, changing the serial number format.
Spotting Counterfeit Jackson Guitars
Jackson counterfeits target the USA Custom Shop and higher-end models. Since Jackson was acquired by Fender in 2002, serial number formats changed — be sure to check for consistency.
Serial Number & Origin▼
- ▶Post-2002 Jacksons follow Fender-style serial prefixes (US, MX, IJ). Verify the prefix matches the claimed country of origin.
- ▶Pre-Fender Jacksons used sequential numbering from the San Dimas and Ontario, CA shops. These are harder to verify but can be checked with Jackson customer service.
Hardware & Build Quality▼
- ▶Jackson's distinctive pointed headstock shape should be precise and symmetrical. Misshapen or asymmetrical headstock points are a giveaway.
- ▶USA Custom Shop Jacksons have exceptional build quality. Any visible flaws in finish, fretwork, or hardware installation on a claimed Custom Shop model are suspicious.
- ▶Check the Floyd Rose bridge — USA models use genuine Floyd Rose Original units, not licensed copies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year is my Jackson guitar?▼
For modern Jacksons (post-2002), the prefix indicates origin and the next 2 digits indicate the year — for example, US05xxxxx means a 2005 USA-made guitar. Pre-Fender era Jacksons (before 2002) used sequential numbering from the San Dimas and Ontario factories, and these can be dated by cross-referencing with Jackson's serial number registry or contacting customer service directly.
What is the difference between Jackson USA and import models?▼
Jackson USA guitars are handbuilt at the Custom Shop with premium materials, hand-selected tonewoods, and extensive quality control. Import models (Japanese Professional and Indonesian Student series) use similar designs at lower price points with varying materials. Pre-Fender San Dimas and Ontario USA Jacksons are particularly prized by collectors.
Who plays Jackson guitars?▼
Jackson built its reputation through 1980s metal endorsements: Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), and Marty Friedman are the most historically significant. The brand remains closely associated with metal and hard rock, with current endorsers including Gus G. and Scott Ian.
Jackson Links & Resources
Jackson Gallery
More About Jackson
Jackson Guitars traces its origins to the Charvel Guitar Company, a parts and repair shop established in San Dimas, California by Wayne Charvel in the early 1970s. Grover Jackson purchased the business in 1978 and began building custom guitars. The company's defining moment came in 1980 when Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist, commissioned a custom guitar with an offset V-shape body — what became the Jackson Randy Rhoads V. It was the first guitar sold under the Jackson name.
The 1980s established Jackson as the definitive heavy metal guitar brand. The Soloist, King V, and Rhoads models became the instruments of choice for the decade's most technically demanding players — Dave Mustaine, Kirk Hammett, Adrian Smith, and Marty Friedman all played Jacksons at peak periods of their careers. The San Dimas factory's custom shop work set a standard for shred-ready guitars that competitors spent years trying to match. Features like through-neck construction, compound-radius fretboards, and scalloped upper frets became Jackson signatures.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation acquired Jackson in 2002, moving production and restructuring the line to include USA Custom Shop, Japanese-made Professional, and import Student models. While some longtime fans lamented the changes, the Fender era brought broader distribution and consistent serial number formats. The brand remains headquartered in the USA and the Custom Shop continues to produce instruments to the standard established in San Dimas.