Jackson Performer PS-1

Introductions

I have always had a soft spot for Jackson guitars.

It likely stemmed from my teenage years with bands such as Bullet for my Valentine, and Trivium paving the way for '00s metal. I recall one standout moment hearing BFMV's cover of Crazy Train on the Kerrang High Voltage album, followed by countless images of Matt Tuck playing a gorgeous Jackson RR5 in cream and ivory live. This all led a new journey of discovery as I immersed myself in the Randy Rhoads era of Ozzy Osbourne.

My days as a metal musician were numbered at the age of 16, with a second place finish in Battle of the Bands, and a revised interest in modern country, blues, and mainstream rock. I did have a brief attempt at a resurgance in 2018 with the purchase of a beautiful Jackson Soloist with Koa top - but I never clicked with this instrument (stiff thin neck, heavy body, floyd rose, eughhh) and it was promptly sold to fund another guitar project learning experience.

Until today... Cue an endless wait to move house, some mindless browsing, and the imminent sale of a Google Pixel Buds Pro charge case and right earbud only for a surprising about of ££ (please God, don't say the left one was in my pocket all along), and I managed to score this beauty on eBay for £95 😏:

 

 A mid-90's Jackson Performer PS-1 (MIK)

Sit-Rep

Obviously as this was an eBay spares or repairs deal, I didn't quite know what I was letting myself in for. But im pretty sure at this stage we're dealing with:

• A truss rod firmly super glued in one position
• Half a nut sitting on 2-3 mm of super glue shelf
  
• 11/12ths of a truss rod cover superglued onto the headstock
  
• A lot of dust
• A lot of rusty screws
• A neck that looks like it has been bolted on with some spare screws from last summers pergola

 

Acetone Nightmares

I measured 2mm height of superglue underneath the half remaining nut, and thats not including a huge blob enveloping the truss rod adjuster.

Some jewlers pliers, craft knives, a double cut file, and a LOT OF ACETONE later and we can finally see some bare wood and move the truss rod. The previous luthier has left us with some nice scores in the maple, but we should be able to fill these in with some wood glue and filings.

Thankfully the acetone didn't react with the paintwork.

I'm feeling pretty jolly right now, but I'll let you know how I feel about the neck once the acetone has worn off...