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no pics, i tried but no luck posting. sorry, i really wanted to put pics up. :-/
CHLORINE BURST
first let me say that it's been years since i've played a USA or even a DK2, so i wont be making those sort of comparisons to USA made models or previous DK2 models. this is strictly a testimony to this particular model and my experience as a first time buyer of a mexican made jackson.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
i'm pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied with this instrument. i've read lots of negative things regarding buying mexican made guitars, not just jacksons, but i have since dismissed them. everything is just the way it should be. the knobs were perfectly perpendicular to the top, and upon turning them from zero to ten, the tiny gap is consistent with no rubbing (something that bothers me about my ibanez RG 421 and every other guitar that had that issue). the switch feels stout and is quiet when switching / repositioning. the string spacing was perfect. the gaps between the top and bottom strings and the edge of the fretboard were equal (i always check for this first since i bought a JS32 indonesia made guitar that was WAY offset and unplayable, with the bottom string even with the edge of the neck!) the tuners are great and allow for fine adjustment, unlike my JS22, it has tuners that are more geared down. the pickups are installed properly and the pole height is optimal. the frets are nicely dressed, but my hands are leather so girly men may complain, lol. seriously they aren't sharp or even noticeable. the neck feels fantastic. the guitar is pretty light and i can play for an hour or more before noticing any fatigue. everything was on par, to sum it up.
SOUND
as good as anything i've ever played. i absolutely love the JB / 59 combo and plan on getting a set for my beater (JS22). plenty of sustain, and extremely versatile. clean sound is brilliant and i can spend hours changing pickup selection and knob positions, but for distortion / overdrive it's most appreciated at full neck or full bridge. i really don't know what else to say about the sound besides that it is hard to stop riffing and chugging once you power up.
APPEARANCE
the color was pretty much as it looked online, but jackson advertises it as a AAAA quilt, and honestly, i have to disagree. it is beautiful, no doubt, but i feel like they were a bit generous on that grading. i have seen quilts with more definition and three diminsional quality. nevertheless, it is stunning and looks even more beautiful in sunlight. the burst seems to transition from a bit more on the 'aqua' side toward the center, and more of a 'true blue' toward the edges. the headstock matches perfectly. the fretboard is very light in color and complements the body color perfectly. all the edges were flawless and it came free from scratches or belt rash or dings, and this was an open box mint (previously returned), just for informational purposes. flawless hardware bits, no corrosion or dull spots.
PLAYABILITY
i doubt many of you will believe me, but this thing was perfect out of the box. for the first time in my life, i ordered a guitar online, and when i got it, all i did was tune it and the rest was as if i had set it up myself. yes, perhaps the previous person who ordered it had set it up, but after looking the guitar over and considering its condition, i came to the conclusion that it never was played, perhaps barely taken out of the foam wrapping before it was put back in the box and returned. i can only assume that someone felt that the quilt was unsatisfactory or perhaps got the completely wrong guitar (like I did!! first time i ordered it they sent me a DK2M in electric blue with a floyd) the flat sawn neck is a dream and i love when there is no palm bite when changing spots. my palm rests easy on the bridge and while the volume knob is close below, i have no issues with it. some folks may have a gripe here, but my hand stays tucked against my pic, not flared out with space between fingers like i've seen lots of people do. bends are a breeze, pinch harmonics are so defined and there doesn't seem to be a hard breaking point in the volume or the tone knob, instead pleasantly even adjustment throughout the range like it should be. it stays in tune with the stock strings still on even at a 1.5 whole step bend, haven't really pushed it beyond that. (yes im changing to d'addario's soon, lol)
OVERALL
extremely satisfied with the $747 i spent on this thing. i would buy another mexican made guitar in a heartbeat. another awesome jackson and i have zero complaints. i hope this review provided some insight for anyone considering one of these.
CHLORINE BURST
first let me say that it's been years since i've played a USA or even a DK2, so i wont be making those sort of comparisons to USA made models or previous DK2 models. this is strictly a testimony to this particular model and my experience as a first time buyer of a mexican made jackson.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
i'm pleasantly surprised and completely satisfied with this instrument. i've read lots of negative things regarding buying mexican made guitars, not just jacksons, but i have since dismissed them. everything is just the way it should be. the knobs were perfectly perpendicular to the top, and upon turning them from zero to ten, the tiny gap is consistent with no rubbing (something that bothers me about my ibanez RG 421 and every other guitar that had that issue). the switch feels stout and is quiet when switching / repositioning. the string spacing was perfect. the gaps between the top and bottom strings and the edge of the fretboard were equal (i always check for this first since i bought a JS32 indonesia made guitar that was WAY offset and unplayable, with the bottom string even with the edge of the neck!) the tuners are great and allow for fine adjustment, unlike my JS22, it has tuners that are more geared down. the pickups are installed properly and the pole height is optimal. the frets are nicely dressed, but my hands are leather so girly men may complain, lol. seriously they aren't sharp or even noticeable. the neck feels fantastic. the guitar is pretty light and i can play for an hour or more before noticing any fatigue. everything was on par, to sum it up.
SOUND
as good as anything i've ever played. i absolutely love the JB / 59 combo and plan on getting a set for my beater (JS22). plenty of sustain, and extremely versatile. clean sound is brilliant and i can spend hours changing pickup selection and knob positions, but for distortion / overdrive it's most appreciated at full neck or full bridge. i really don't know what else to say about the sound besides that it is hard to stop riffing and chugging once you power up.
APPEARANCE
the color was pretty much as it looked online, but jackson advertises it as a AAAA quilt, and honestly, i have to disagree. it is beautiful, no doubt, but i feel like they were a bit generous on that grading. i have seen quilts with more definition and three diminsional quality. nevertheless, it is stunning and looks even more beautiful in sunlight. the burst seems to transition from a bit more on the 'aqua' side toward the center, and more of a 'true blue' toward the edges. the headstock matches perfectly. the fretboard is very light in color and complements the body color perfectly. all the edges were flawless and it came free from scratches or belt rash or dings, and this was an open box mint (previously returned), just for informational purposes. flawless hardware bits, no corrosion or dull spots.
PLAYABILITY
i doubt many of you will believe me, but this thing was perfect out of the box. for the first time in my life, i ordered a guitar online, and when i got it, all i did was tune it and the rest was as if i had set it up myself. yes, perhaps the previous person who ordered it had set it up, but after looking the guitar over and considering its condition, i came to the conclusion that it never was played, perhaps barely taken out of the foam wrapping before it was put back in the box and returned. i can only assume that someone felt that the quilt was unsatisfactory or perhaps got the completely wrong guitar (like I did!! first time i ordered it they sent me a DK2M in electric blue with a floyd) the flat sawn neck is a dream and i love when there is no palm bite when changing spots. my palm rests easy on the bridge and while the volume knob is close below, i have no issues with it. some folks may have a gripe here, but my hand stays tucked against my pic, not flared out with space between fingers like i've seen lots of people do. bends are a breeze, pinch harmonics are so defined and there doesn't seem to be a hard breaking point in the volume or the tone knob, instead pleasantly even adjustment throughout the range like it should be. it stays in tune with the stock strings still on even at a 1.5 whole step bend, haven't really pushed it beyond that. (yes im changing to d'addario's soon, lol)
OVERALL
extremely satisfied with the $747 i spent on this thing. i would buy another mexican made guitar in a heartbeat. another awesome jackson and i have zero complaints. i hope this review provided some insight for anyone considering one of these.
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