Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

[VanOsbourne]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

What other guitar company has a spokesmodel?

[1trussell]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

The only thing I can offer that is any different than the others is a shout out to Hamer USA. They make some of the best guitars on the planet. They rival anything from Gibson or PRS and are cheaper. The 80's-early 90's "shredder" guitars are as good as any Jackson I've played (I've owned 3 Hamer shredders). To me Hamers just feel right when the others don't.

I've never owned a U.S. Jackson but have owned 3 Charvels (still have a 650xl and a 750xl). I would put my Charvels up against any other high end guitar out there. Every time I go to a store to try out guitars I always compare them to my trusty 650xl. And every time, they fall short. It could be becuase I've had the 650 since 92 and it has become a part of me, but I just can't find anything better. I was disappointed at a Jackson SL2H I tried because it couldn't beat my 650.

Every guitar company has their high end model(s). As a matter of feel, and this is just my opinion, nothing I've played has measured up to my Charvels and Hamers. And I've tried a lot of different guitars looking for the ultimate one. I would hate to think I already own it. Then what would be the purpose of buying anything else? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

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The Historics and Custom Shop models are amazing guitars pretty much across the board.

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I have several Gibson guitars including assembly line, Historic Division and Custom Shop. I hate to use the word "never," but chances are that I'll never buy another model from the Custom Shop. I have several models from the general assembly line that totally blow away the Custom Shop crap. On the other hand, the Historic Division puts out some damn nice stuff, usually with a damn nice price tag.

[markb]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

My findings:

Gibson - overpriced, marketed as a deluxe item for boomers ('50's and 60's reissue after reissue), really trying to pump the collectability angle with endless mini runs and 'special editions'. They make nice stuff though, and I like the Les Pauls I have played recently. I just don't trust them and their shameless cash grab tactics.

Fender - I think they are making the best quality stuff with the highest level of consistency that they ever have. Everyone should own at least one strat. There are things that only a strat will do.

Ibanez - they make very good guitars. The upper end stuff is flawless. Buttholes like ed roman are reduced to calling them 'soulless' because frankly he just can't find anything tangible to criticize. Their guitars are not for me tho, necks are too skinny and flat, overly dark pickups with too high output. Just preferences.

BC Rich - a mess of a company. I wouldn't buy a US Rich these days.

PRS - flawless guitars. Smart engineering. No other large manufacturer comes close to their consistent everyday standard. Not designed to appeal to shredders though, more of just a regular rock vibe.

G&L - they make really solid guitars, great sounding. They don't really have a Fender vibe though, as some think. they are quite different. I really like them.

Jackson - outstanding playability, also a good value for a US neckthrough. Not always overly versatile, although this is not a concern for me. I'd say they were an innovative company in the 80's, and they are still unique today with some of their methods.

Anderson - nobody does a bolt on electric better, as far as materials and construction, and playability. Tones are unique, a lot of overtones and chime. They don't do metal very well, just not suitable, I have found.

Godin - good for the money

[hippietim]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

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[ QUOTE ]
The Historics and Custom Shop models are amazing guitars pretty much across the board.

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I have several Gibson guitars including assembly line, Historic Division and Custom Shop. I hate to use the word "never," but chances are that I'll never buy another model from the Custom Shop. I have several models from the general assembly line that totally blow away the Custom Shop crap. On the other hand, the Historic Division puts out some damn nice stuff, usually with a damn nice price tag.

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The price on some of them is scary but I got my Historic '54 Goldtop brand new for roughly the current price of a Les Paul Standard at Musician's Friend.

[IrfaanSE801]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

I've actually had a loyalty almost to Jackson because it was my first guitar ever and I loved it's history, but I love high end Ibanez guitars (the Universe), real deal ESP's and Tom Andersons. I'm actually seriously thinking about getting a Caparison to try em out. I've heard so many great things about them and the 27 fret IA model sounds tempting for me. But goddamn, I still love my Jacksons

[MOSHWITZ]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

what... no hondo lovers? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[dtt001]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

My 2 cents on this (perhaps only worth this much)...
- Gibson: The early 1960 Les Paul reissues are very good. I have always been a fan of the V's and Explorer's. The biggest difficulty is price.
- Fender: Owned one strat and did not like it, however the 'one that got away', a 79 anniversary is a guitar I would like to try.
- PRS: Own a nice 92. Great construction, great sound and I just cannot get use to the damn thing. Cost a fortune and is the most beautiful boat anchor I have.
- ESP: I have a 'lawsuit' explorer and it plays better than its Gibson counterpart. Perhaps if ESP came up with original designs....not really sure what to say about these guys.
- Washburn: For me the EC29 does it. Great guitar, super upper fret access. Built in the late eighties early nighties, bit of their answer to Jackson, but none the less a great guitar.
- Robin: Under rated guitars. I have owned two machettes and they are just really cool guitars. Hand made, a little pricey, but I just really like the guitars. Lots of interesting shapes and designs by these guys.
- Jackson: I don't care what any one says....for my money you are always going to come back to these guitars. Price, designs, playability, coolness, sound, you name it.
- Charvel: Mention only that I would like to play an original one some day just to see if I like the playability of them. Prices are just too high for an original though.

[White]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

Everybody else is doing it. . . .

--Fender: Leo Fender had some damn good ideas. Im talking about the Telecaster and the Stratocaster, all the rest I could care less for. The necks are comfortable, the bodies are comfortable too, the pickups. . .well. . I would prefer humbuckers but single coils are a nice change every once in a while. IMO, its hard to beat a strat with humbuckers. But what makes me really sad, is I can pickup a MIM strat and a MIA strat, and its a coin toss about which one is a better cut of wood. I have played some american strats that felt like squiers, and several mexican strats that felt like tanks.

--Gibson: Les Pauls have very good tone, but IMO playability is hindered by the fat neck and the tune o matic bridge. The SG, IMO, Is barely more than a canoe oar. Gibson has meticulous quality standards, which should be applauded.

--Jackson: Excellent guitars, but I get sick of all the black. I may get skinned for this, but I think they need some brighter colors.

--Charvel: A hot rodded fender! originally. Other than that, a very economic way to get a nice jackson style guitar.

--B.C.Rich: Outrageous designs, but all the models $600 and lower are not worth the money.IMO.

--Washburn: Well, back in the 80's they made some nice guitars, im sorry to say that quality has gone to hell lately with them.

--ESP: Nice guitars with excellent desings, but I never found one I liked. They feel sterile to me, cold.

--PRS: Require that you play a mesa, lol, Nice, pretty guitars. The thing I dont like is the price, and the fact that every mainstream guitarist uses them. I would actually prefer a solid color to some fancy flamed maple transparent finish.

[busdriver]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

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--Jackson: Excellent guitars, but I get sick of all the black. I may get skinned for this, but I think they need some brighter colors.

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What do you mean with "all the black"? Jackson offers approx. 70 different colors. [img]/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[White]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

Well, when I walk into GC, all they have is the Black and Dark Blue Jacksons. And perhaps a red thrown in.

I guess thats really GC's problem then.

[toejam]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

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To me there are only 2 guitars worth playing, those are Carvin and Jackson. Granted I'm a Marty Friedman freak and got into those guitars because of him and then was spoiled but I think my carvins and Jackson hold up to anything out there.

I love Gibsons though, but then it's hard to find a guitar player who does not adore at least one Gibson model.

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Jackson, Carvin and Hamer for me. Though, I do own a Les Paul Studio and Fender Double Fat Strat that both sound really great. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

"--Gibson: Les Pauls have very good tone, but IMO playability is hindered by the fat neck"

Just because you played one, two, even a dozen LesPauls with fat necks, that does not mean that all LPs suffer from obesity. I have a '68 Custom that has a neck like a freaking baseball bat. I have a '95 Custom with an incredibly slim neck. Matter of fact, I have Standards, Classics, Historics, Customs, and Supremes and only two have similar necks. In other words, shop around and try many different Pauls. You will find slim necks (not Jackson slim) if you look hard enough. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

[ QUOTE ]

- Robin: Under rated guitars. I have owned two machettes and they are just really cool guitars. Hand made, a little pricey, but I just really like the guitars. Lots of interesting shapes and designs by these guys.

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Indeed. I have a custom shop flamed top Medley with matching neck, fretboard, and headstock. It's loaded with Rio Grande Muy Grande humbuckers. Best neck I've ever played.

[siggy14]

Re: Do other guitar companies compare to Jackson?

There are many things that come into play when choosing a guitar, being that most people here are metal or shredders you have to take that in fair play. You also have to remember the there are many other things, like wood, pickups and neck type (ex. set/neckthru/bolt) Dont believe all the hype, you find a guitar you love dont worry about what other people say, if it sounds good, feels good then play it. Here are my personal takes.

Gibsons- Great guitars for rock and rythem metal players, the les pauls have a tone to die for, nice and thick and juicy.

Ibanez-Probaly one of the fastest playing guitars, and if you love thin necks then this is the guitar for you. I hate all there really really cheap line, but i have some of there higher end stuff that i love. My favorite guitar for shredding

Jackson/Charvel-Also very fast playing guitar, solid guitars, most people get these for metal. But a good all around guitar as well. I love the neck thru designs and wish there were more guitar companies that did that through most of there line.

Fender- I have this peice of crap squire that i bought somewhere between 1991 and 1995. (cant remember, so long ago). This guitar plays awesome, rings out like you wouldnt believe (probaly that wonderful plywood LOL). I have also tried new fenders, but my problem with fenders are that my hand always hits the volume control when i am playing and lowers the volume, so i just really never use fenders. My squire i modded and moved the volume control down and removed one of the tone knobs. I also have a Tele set neck one pickup, nice guitar after i set it up right.

BC Rich-Got a warlock back from like 1988, fire engine red, it is a good guitar, but just not my body style, hardley played, needs little things to get it going again. Selling it if anyone is interested (email me).

PRS-Played one once in the store,not really my thing, even though i live about 30 minutes from where they are made.

ESP-I have a horizon from back in the 80's, neck through, defintly a jackson ripoff, this is one of the best damn guitars i own, plays awesome, ugly color though. I have a m350, great playing guitar, solid feel, got it used will need a refretting eventually or at least a crowning, upper frets are wearing from the guy shredding so much.

I never played Peaveys, or any of the other guitars so i cant comment on them, but like i said if you find a guitar you love, play it hard and play it loud.