Marty Friedman back with Jackson - Officially

[Hellbat]

Why sad? That's EMG's branding for their non-active pickups.

[toejam]

Why sad? That's EMG's branding for their non-active pickups.

Exactly. And these new HZs for Marty are supposed to be like a cross between active and passive.

[Number Of The Priest]

USA SIGNATURE MARTY FRIEDMAN MF-1

http://jacksonguitars.com/series/artist-signature/models/usa-signature-marty-friedman-monarkh-sc-rosewood-fingerboard-gloss-black-with-white-bevel/

OVERVIEW
Coming May 2017.

One of the most influential and respected players in the world, Friedman’s impactful and game-changing contributions to heavy metal and guitar in general continue to inspire generations of musicians and music fans to this day. He defined modern guitar playing with Jason Becker in Cacophony, was a key element in the wildly successful rise of thrash pioneers Megadeth, and with his “Marty-esque” improvisations and exotic fusion of Eastern and Western music, has achieved global success with his 12 solo albums.

Jackson is incredibly proud and honored to continue a longstanding relationship with Friedman by collaborating with the virtuoso on the all-new USA Signature Marty Friedman MF-1.

This 24.75”-scale signature guitar is loaded with premium features to match the demanding needs of an elite and intricate player like Friedman.

Premium features include a mahogany body with 3/4” plain maple top, one-piece mahogany set-neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, and a bound 12” radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium wide jumbo frets and mother of pearl block inlays.

Dual Marty Friedman EMG® MF signature humbucking pickups power this single cutaway, delivering a sound that sings as well as screams. Also equipped with two volume and two tone white speed knob controls as well as a three-way toggle switch to wrangle all of the subtle nuances out of your guitar tone, while a TonePros™ adjustable Tune-O-Matic Style bridge with Gotoh® stop tailpiece and Schaller® locking tuners provide state-of-the-art tuning stability and sustain.

Available in Gloss Black with White Bevels, black hardware and Jackson’s reversed 3+3 (3 over, 3 under) AT-1 headstock. Comes with a hardshell case.

GENERAL
Model Name: USA Signature Marty Friedman Monarkh SC, Rosewood Fingerboard, Gloss Black with White Bevel
Model Number: 2803333801
Series: Artist Signature
MSRP: $4353.73
Color: Gloss Black with White Bevel
BODY
Body Shape: Monarkh
Body Material: Mahogany
Body Finish: Gloss
Body Top: 3/4" Plain Maple Top
NECK
Neck Material: 1-Piece Mahogany Set-Neck with Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint
Scale Length: 24.75" (628 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 1.69" (43 mm)
Neck Plate: NA
Neck Finish: Painted
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Position Inlays: Mother of Pearl Blocks
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: EMG® MF Signature Pickup
Neck Pickup: EMG® MF Signature Pickup
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge And Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Pickup Configuration: H/H
HARDWARE
Bridge: TonePros Adjustable Tune-O-Matic Style with Gotoh® Stop Tailpiece
Tuning Machines: Schaller® Locking Tuners
Orientation: Right-Hand
Pickguard: None
Control Knobs: White Speed Knobs
MISCELLANEOUS
Strings: NPS, .010-.046 Gauges

[toejam]

I really like the white speed knobs on that; it really ties everything together. I'm still not that crazy about the SLS headstock on an LP shape, but it's not bad.

[Number Of The Priest]

How long before Gibson goes after Jackson for this Monarkh? I imagine Gibson went after ESP for their Eclipse (the Les Paul one, not the original Telecaster-shaped Eclipse) which originally had four knobs and an LP cutaway (first photo below). The revised Eclipse (second photo below) has 3 knobs and a reshaped cutaway, and is often found with 24 frets (though the example I have below has 22).

[skorb]

Marty tore shit up the other night at The Whiskey in LA. He was on fire. His 2nd guitarist is a whiz kid too.

Super heavy show!

[MartinBarre]

Exactly. And these new HZs for Marty are supposed to be like a cross between active and passive.

Not HZ's on the USA models I've seen photos of.

[TKEblue]

Is there a Star model with a Floyd ?

If there is, it isn't likely to be a Gus G sig as he doesn't like Floyd's. He likes stop tail toms.

The Friedman looks cool, not a fan of the Gus G. Love that they're expanding the models though. My next Jackson could very well be one of the new teles or the juggernaut pro series. I want a kind of cross between the two. Like an sls Tele. Love the contours on the juggernaut.

[TKEblue]

How long before Gibson goes after Jackson for this Monarkh? I imagine Gibson went after ESP for their Eclipse (the Les Paul one, not the original Telecaster-shaped Eclipse) which originally had four knobs and an LP cutaway (first photo below). The revised Eclipse (second photo below) has 3 knobs and a reshaped cutaway, and is often found with 24 frets (though the example I have below has 22).

The monarkh looks more like the eclipse than an LP imo. The cutaway is more similar to the esp.

What about the Gus G? change the flat part at the point of the headstock, add some pin stripes, change the writing on the headstock and you've gone from ESP to Jackson.

[MartinBarre]

I can't see the appeal in the ESP Eclipse. They just look like one of those really cheap beginner Les Pauls that come with a shitty 10w amp, lead and plectrum, all for $50. Even Gary Holt can't make them look cool.