Import Charvel & Jackson Identification

Charvel Models
1986  
Model 1 No neckplate gasket, on the neckplate next to the Charvel logo there will be a "TM" (trademark).
On the head stock there will also be a TM.
Model 2-4 Kahler Falcrum Tremolo
No neck gasket, and the same TM on the neckplate and the headstock.
1987  
Model 1 Neckplate has the gasket, neckplate still shows TM.
Model 2-4

JT-6 tremolo.
Neckplate has the gasket, also has the TM logo'd neck plates.

1988  
Model 1 Neckplate gasket, but now the neckplates have the "R" (registered trade mark) instead of the "TM". Same with the headstocks.
Model 2-4 Same thing neckplate gasket, "R" on the neckplate and the headstock.
   
Neckt-Thru Neck-thru guitar Logo trademarks should be the same as the bolt-ons. The serial number that starts with a "C" is followed by a number which usually tells the year. For example, an C8XXXXX means it "should" be a 1988 model. In 86, the serial number is on the back of the headstock in a plastic type label under the clear. Later on, they stamped the number after the last fret.
   
Model Logo / Toothpaste Logo Comparison Chart
Model 3
375DLX
  1. Tremolo - The Model 3 started with a Kahler Standard tremolo and then had the JT-6 tremolo. The 375DLX had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
  2. Neck - The 375DLX had an optional maple fretboard
Model 3DR
Predator
  1. The Model 3DR had the JT-6 tremolo.
    The Predator had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
  2. Pickups - The Model 3DR had a J80C Jackson USA Humbucker and a slanted J100S Jackson single coil. The Predator had the Jackson J90C humbucker and a slanted J200R Jackson single coil.
Model 4
475DLX / 475 DLX-Exotic
  1. Tremolo - The Model 4 started with a Kahler Pro tremolo and then had the JT-6 tremolo. The script logo'd version had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
  2. Pickup switching - The Model 4 utilized 3 on/off toggle switches. The 475 had a 5-way blade switch.
Model 5FX
550XL
  1. The 5FX had the JT-6 tremolo. The 550XL had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
  2. Pickups - The 5FX had a J95 Jackson USA Humbucker and a slanted J100S Jackson single coil. The 550XL had the Jackson J90C humbucker and a slanted J200R Jackson single coil.
Model 6
650XL
  1. Tremolo - The model versions started with a Kahler Standard tremolo and then had the JT-6 tremolo. The script logo'd version had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
  2. Pickup switching - The Model 4 utilized 3 on/off toggle switches. The 475 had a 5-way blade switch.
Model 7
Legend
  1. Pickups - The Model 7 had a J120 Jackson USA Telly single coil and a J100S Jackson single coil. The Legend had the two Jackson J120 Jackson USA Telly single coils.
Model 8 :: Spectrum
  1. Tremolo - The Model 8 had the JT-6 tremolo. The Spectrum had the JT590 Schaller tremolo.
   
Jackson Import Guitars
Professional
Neckthrough
Japan 		J0xxxxx = 1990
J1xxxxx = 1991
etc.
Professional
Bolt-on
Japan 		1xxxxx = 1991
2xxxxx = 1992
3xxxxx = 1993
4xxxxx = 1994
5xxxxx = 1995
96xxxx = 1996
Professional
Bolt-on
India & Korea 		Starts with 0 or 1 regardless of year of production. Total number of digits I don't know
Rhoads Models There have been at least three versions of the Rhoads Pro neck through Jackson. The originals (from 1990 through about 1994) were simply known as the Rhoads Pro. They were maple neck through body guitars with poplar sides, 22 fret necks on ebony fingerboards, mother of pearl logo and sharkfin inlays, active Jackson electronics, JT-590 Schaller termolo, and three control knobs on the pickguard. Very, very high quality instruments that rivaled the USA ones of the era. By 1993-1994 the pickups were uncovered and the truss rod covers began to say "Rhoads Pro" but the model remained the same. Also during this time the "Standard" came out. It was a neck through but had dot inlay, rosewood board, passive pickups/electronics, JT-580 termolo, and no pearl inlays. The RR-5 is the modern Pro version which is a string through with gold hardware. All three are nice, but the first are the finest of the series.