Why is ESP more popular than Jackson?

[Gartron]

Thanks Blazer

everyday's a schoolday!

[pagemalicious]

ESP's are easier to get over here in the UK. Only a few shops carry Jacksons. You're very lucky if you ever see a USA Jackson in a shop. Where as most shops carry all sorts of ESP's.

[pott]

Hahaha you're complaining because a shop only had 2 RR5s, some dinkies and a JS? In the UK I've never seen a RR5. I've seen one RR3, one SL3. The DK2Ms are doing good though and are easier to find now. They cost close to 1,000 bucks around. The neck's not for me but it's still a better guitar than most things in the same price range.

[AfterForever]

^moreover, I saw a DK1 Snakeskin in a dutch shop which was priced around (if not more than) 3500 USD.. last time I checked that was a lot

[pott]

I did see a second hand SL1 (modified with sustainer and battery clip at the back) that went for 1,000 pounds, i.e 2,000USD.

What Dutch shop was it? Here in Amsterdam, Dijkman have a bunch of Jacksons but they're extremely expensive. They also have some old Performer and JX series that they haven't sold yet

[AfterForever]

I'm not sure but it was probably one of the "Feedback" stores.. I think the one in Eindhoven.

[dangerous_dave]

ESP's are easier to get over here in the UK. Only a few shops carry Jacksons. You're very lucky if you ever see a USA Jackson in a shop. Where as most shops carry all sorts of ESP's.

Hey, try this place www.petercooks.co.uk they're really nice, down to earth people. AND they DO NOT sell ESPs!


I tried a KV2 there and it is where I am going to get a kv2 from unless one pops up on ebay for cheap.

[GodOfRhythm]

Summary of all of the above, which I all agree with:

-Product differentiation (LTD and ESP)
-High profile (and LOTS of) endorsements
-IMAGE aimed at 'young'/'modern'/'edgy' players
-Good price/quality equation (hardware in particular)
-Ease of availability


The main problem with Jackson, other than the above, is, IMO, that most people consider them to be either: "full blown metal machines, only capable of metal" (Jackson's own fault, for slotting themselves into basically a niche market by extensive 'metal' marketing) and/or "antiques" (i.e. 'Do they still make those?!).

[chrisolson]

ESP guitars are only popular with KIDS.. they are popular with nobody else.

I'm 35 - I have 2 (had 3 last week), so you're FLAT WRONG there. Let's ask George Lynch about that as well...

I don't think ESP's are more popular. LTD's are. Let's call it like it is, there are NOT thousands of kids playing actual ESP's. They are all playing Viper 400's, MH400 and the like. For a while they seemed like the only company in the world that built guitars. They also set a standard for cheaply priced imports. Why pay 600 or 700 for an import Jackson with a licensed trem and bolt on neck when you could get a neck through LTD with EMG's and an ebony fretboard. LTD gave more bang for the buck. However they feel really cheaply made to me. I have owned an MII, a Viper Standard (not LTD) and the actual Mustaine DV8, all exceptional guitars, but their LTD counterparts are junk.

You nailed it with the ESP/LTD comparison. What's interesteing though is the fact that so many "pros" are out there with guitars "meant for the masses", and you se them playing them every night, so there must be something to be said about that...they can't be as crappy as they are made out to be. I'd rather take the cheaper guitars on the road anyway - if they get thrashed/broken/stolen, I woudn't lose as much sleep.

FWIW, my LTD's (EC-1000, Viper 400, and Lynch M1 Bengal) do NOT feel cheaply made, nor are they "junk". The Viper is the only one of the three I have ANY reservations about, and so far, it's doing quite well. Probably one of the best players I have.

The 400 series can take on any import jackson imo, great bang for buck...

Yep!

because no one fucking carries jackson........ how can kids play them if there aren't in stores........ how many of you have some other than a few dinkys in your local GC.

When have you seen ESP/LTD in GC? They don't carry it. But they DO carry Jackson... Hmmm...

I can tell you part of it -- the last time I wen into GC and picked up a Jackson, the trem was a DISASTER (you couldn't tune it to save your life!!), and the rest have broken strings, missing parts, etc... They are basically unplayable. A little help from the stores would make a BIG difference in getting them off the racks and into somebody's hands...

I love Jackson (always have), but until they do something that really blows my socks off on the import line, I'll keep playing other stuff that has the bells and whistles I want. USA's are now out of my price range (unless I only want to own ONE guitar), so I'll play the ESPs, Deans, and other "whore" brands for now. I have yet to find the one "keeper" though... Waiting for a Demartini!!! It'll never happen on my budget though...

[KBRR]

Endorsments , Endorsments , lets face it Kevin bond , Chris Beattie and phil collins aren't the most popular guys out there , where as ESP has all the new up and comers a long with the metal kings like metallica, slayer ect. and thats what it all comes down to in the end , plus ESPs quality is very good compared to Jackson which has gone down hill in past years. But im still Jackson till i die

[dangerous_dave]

my LTD DV8-R feels far from cheaply made, it's made much better than my Dean cfh.


After I tried out a KV2 ( and I was blown away by it) I went home, picked up my LTD and it DIDN'T feel like shit.


I could say what else I think but it has already been said in this thread a million times over.

[dangerous_dave]

have jackson imports gone downhill, since the fender buyout??

[stevoc]

have jackson imports gone downhill, since the fender buyout??

To the contrary, I believe most would say the imports quality has gone up. Well, in the Pro series anyways. (IE: DK2M, DKMG, Etc.)

[dangerous_dave]

To the contrary, I believe most would say the imports quality has gone up. Well, in the Pro series anyways. (IE: DK2M, DKMG, Etc.)

I hear a lot of people on the dean forum saying that Fender really did kill the jackson imports, but I couldn't see how. Isn't Jackson still run by the originals- but fender owns it?

[DC_rhoads82]

I'd have to say endorsements. I don't know too many Superjoint Ritual fans myself. Letting Alexi walk was a big mistake. Especially now that Bodom is a household name in america so all the kiddies love it! We will see though, I think people that really know about guitars still look for better quality products and longevity as opposed to which player plays a similar model.