how do you guys make your JS series play better?

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I'd think a good setup and some fretwork ought to do it, as far as playablility. I've never touched one of those, but have had a couple of cheap jap charvels that were amazing players after a nice setup.

[Jr_vw2]

Well I put the oem pickups back in it last night. I think I'm just going to sell it. Either get another guitar or put the money twords a new cab.

I think even if I did get the bugs worked out I still wouldn't like it. My king v has been pretty hard to beat for me latley. The Kelly just didn't "feel" right it was neck heavy when standing up and wanted to walk back on my leg when I was sitting. So it's time foe it to find a new sucker.....I mean home.

Thanks for all the help guys.

[metalmania408]

If you haven't yet, I'd check that your frets are nice and level. Different guitars have a different feel, for sure, but you should be able to dial in the Kelly to the specs you're used to. You mentioned string height settings along with relief; are there any other issues? Does the neck shape work for you? Body work for ya? If so, I'm sure that your guitar can be dialed in to how you want it. Will it be on the level of a custom shop? Probably not, but I'm pretty sure you knew that going in.

Sully

+1

Picked up a JS32T Warrior in black (new, $299). Love the shape and can't afford the higher-end models right now. Black'd all the hardware out and slapped in 81/85 pups with spare parts i had laying around. Pretty nice player. These days, for around the $200 mark, you could get some really nice MG or Pro series used gear. In hindsight, I'd never have gone new for a JS (or used for that matter) for what your $ can get you today. My .02.

[Newc]

Well I put the oem pickups back in it last night. I think I'm just going to sell it. Either get another guitar or put the money twords a new cab.

I think even if I did get the bugs worked out I still wouldn't like it. My king v has been pretty hard to beat for me latley. The Kelly just didn't "feel" right it was neck heavy when standing up and wanted to walk back on my leg when I was sitting. So it's time foe it to find a new sucker.....I mean home.

Thanks for all the help guys.

The two things that will greatly improve a Kelly are to relocate the front strap pin to the front edge of the neck pocket (works better with a DiMarzio Cliplock because it's narrow) or to the neckplate bolt closest to the high E, and reloacate the rear strap pin closer to the top end of the tip of the body.

I did have a JS30WR for a time and it did take some setup work to get it playing great. Part of it is the overly-fat neck IMO. If it had been a FLoyded model instead of TOM, I'd probably still have it.

[wanthairspray]

Bit of a necrobump here dudes.

I love the JS series. I am using them one to gig with (and a Socal) instead of my Vigiers for a while. Saves damaging them at gigs, in transit. If one gets knocked over then "meh". Beer spilt? "Meh". All they need is maybe pickup change and jobs done. Two point trem is fine, as stable as a floyd if set up right. Neck's nice and thin and shreddy. Set the string heights individually for a customised play-feel. What's not to love?

[rebar71]

I have a 2003 MIJ JS30DK. I picked it up used for $130 after not having a guitar for 12+ years. When I got it, the set up was totally out of whack. The Floyd wasn't tensioned right, the neck relief wasn't right, action too high, etc. You name it, it needed adjustment. After several times tweaking everything, in terms of playability, I'd seriously put this guitar up against instruments that cost twice as much. The neck is straight, action is set around 1.4mm, and the JT580LP stays in tune no matter what I do to it. I have also since upgrade the pups to a set DD HB103's that I got cheap off CL.

Do I want to upgrade? Yes - I still do. But I'm no hurry. And I won't get rid of this JS when I do.

I don't any experience with the type of bridge you have - so I can't give you any tips there. I guess I'm just saying that, when set up properly, even a JS can be a great player.

[BenoA]

So, the trem is decent on these, now guys, you are tempting to get a KV!!! Always wanted one... And these have the input at the right place compared to the X series.

[algeriet]

Lose it.

[BenoA]

Lose it.

:think::think::think:

[rebar71]

So, the trem is decent on these, now guys, you are tempting to get a KV!!! Always wanted one... And these have the input at the right place compared to the X series.

as far as I know, the trem is the same LFR you'd get on any other model.

[metalmania408]

Bit of a necrobump here dudes....

LOL....Yeah, I realized that I brought this one up from the grave, once I had posted my reply.

[Tekky]

Necrobumps and debates over USA vs Import aside, this could honestly be a really good thread-turned-article on improvements for the JS Series.

We all know that these are, for all intents and purposes, starter guitars. And I'm sure we can agree that the bones of a good guitar are the body and neck. What's to say that, with some amount of tweaking, these guitars can't be a really good workhorse for the stable. (tweaking these items on your own also opens you up to the world of building/tech/maintenance)

So, given the standard configurations (v-trem / TOM / Floyd) what would you suggest to upgrade? What type of replacement v-trem fits without any muss or fuss? TOM? Floyd?

[Newc]

The TOM mine had was the standard big-hole Gotoh style. Budman can make small-top posts for better ones to fit.

[wanthairspray]

My two JS20s have two point trem like on USA Fenders. Now, if USA Fenders are supposed to be workhorses and jack-of-all trade guitars, the trem has to be pretty good, right? And if the JS series uses the same type, the trem is probably pretty good, right??

In my experience it really is, with tweaking. You may have to lube the nut with graphite paste or vaseline/pencil graphite mix, but after that, no problems. I even thought of uploading a video where I'd totally abuse the trem and film the tuner and display the stability. Returns to pitch very well. Maybe compare to a Floyd.

Only other thing I'd improve was the bridge humbucker (both are HSS). I shoved a Duncan 59 in one, and an EMG81 in the other (kept the single coils passive, with two vol knobs mod). Wiring's neat and tidy, even held neatly with a kind of tinfoil strip which grounds it to the switch I think? Also sporting shielded paint like I said earlier, and the good old "grounded wires go on a plate screw into the body" thingie like on older Charvels.

Love the necks on them. Great feel. Fit the hand well. I'd urge people to try em out. The one I bought new ahd a terrible set up. After literally 1 hr of sitting there abusing the trem and finally getting it more stable in store, I decided to buy. Got that and a JS Rhoads. Gig the Rhoads bone-stock a lot. Great value axes IMO....

[RacerX]

Lose it.

:think::think::think:

I think algeriet was answering the OP question...