Why is ESP more popular than Jackson?

[Axewielder]

Now go take your medication for your anger disorder and go visit the "Hello Kitty" site. Calm down a bit, spaz...

Odd, "Hello Kitty" only makes me more enraged about stuff.

[emperor_black]

I don't give a flying fuck what its called. It is ten times nicer then the Jackson pointy headstock. I don't care what cork sniffing purists such as yourself think - the old style headstock is Out of Date. From the looks of it, too, it is called the SLS headstock by Jackson so that is the name I'll go with. This "smurf hat" business is an invention of people like yourself, and everywhere but on this forum, you people are in the minority. pssst... the modern ESP pointed headstock is nicer then the Jackson headstock.
And if I remember right, the only other guitar they offered it on was something like the NA-T one, that had a flame maple top and wilkinson trem, and coincidently is one of the nicest Jacksons I have ever seen.

Look at the number of companies that have tried to copy or came out with very popular models containing what you are calling "old style headstock". IMO its the most important thing that's keeping the Metal-look of Jackson guitars alive. ...that and the sharkies

Almost all the ESP/LTD metal-looking guitars have the stupid looking ESP pointy that is just lame looking when compared to the "old style headstock". What are they trying to do? they are trying to come up with something as close as possible to the "Original Jackson headstock". That should tell you something...

BTW, I have a SLSMG and even though the smurf headstock seems fugly, it looks awesome in person. however, its no match for the Jackson pointy.

[wilkinsi]

The only downside I see with Jackson not being as popular as certain other brands is availability, though it seems worth while when my order does finally turn up. I don't care what other people think of the guitars I own. My money, my choice. Fuck everyone else.

[sakeido]

The regular ESP pointed headstock is nasty! It does look better reversed, though. FYI, they ripped off Jackson's headstock in the '80s (wow, what a shock, just like every body style they've made, too! ), Jackson threatened a lawsuit, so they had to change it. The Jackson headstock looks much nicer. Though, I also like the "smurf hat" headstock, even more on 7-string guitars, but it's still not quite as cool as the regular Jackson pointy. Then again, I've got a Mark Morton model and dig that headstock, too.

When it comes down to it I like the headstock on my ESP custom shop SRC-7 more then I like the reverse headstock on my silverburst COW 7. But if they made a SLSMG-7 I would own one the day it came out.

[dangerous_dave]

Regular jackson pointy FTW

i also think the ESP head looks better reversed

[Bengal]

I like ESP's pointy headstock. It was a ripoff of Jacksons though. Several companies ripped off Jackson headstock. Carvin anyone?

I prefer Jacksons pointy headstock though. But I don't like it reversed. I really don't like the COW headstock. 2 things wrong for me. It's reversed, and it's bigger to fit the 7th tuner...

But I'm sure that's why ESP are more prominant than Jackson... The headstock... Yep, that has to be it... Right???

[SEEGERMANY]

ESP's new headstock logo.

[Mikernaut2]

I like both the Jackson and ESP pointy headstocks but really cant handle the slsmg and the so called "smurfhat". Reminds me of the phallic Arby's hat logo

[j2379]

i think its all image at this point. its the same thinking as "you can only play metal on jacksons" that has kept them associated with 80s metal. High profile endorsees seem to be lacking, while ESP's reads like a who's who of modern metal. Alot of them were playing C/J's at one point, but not anymore. The fact ESP seems to have no problem building anything & will for almost anyone with $ is nice. try & get a custom explorer, see whos getting your $. I dont think its the headstocks that really change that many peoples minds. both pointys are similar enough, its those sharkies that we so love that puts these guitars right back into the 80's. ebony board binding & DOTs.... ala Vai... or none at all. Both brands higher end guitars are real nice, but who offer better options at that point. Im pretty sure USA jacksons & ESPs are about the same price. Personally what i dont like about newer jacksons is the fact the neck is like 3 pieces, headstock/neck/body, i know its wastes alot less wood but, its maple not brazilian rosewood, comeon its hardly neckthru more like a smooth setneck at that point.

[toejam]

ESP's new headstock logo.

I love the ESP smurf hat headstock.

[AfterForever]

Actually ESP stole their pointy from Washburn, not Jackson :P

[toejam]

Actually ESP stole their pointy from Washburn, not Jackson :P

Their new standard pointy headstock, yes, they did steal from Washburn. The old one was a Jackson replica.

[Bengal]

Where did Washburn get thier idea for their pointy design from?

[shobet]

Jackson made a good move in the UK by endorsing Matt Tuck from Bullet For My Valentine. Bullet For My Valentine are MASSIVE in the UK, most rock magazines here feature a page advertisement for jackson with matt tuck on the cover. Every kid in the uk has heard of bullet for my valentine and Matt Tuck and his rhoads is a defining image of the new british metal scene. Since bullet for my valentine have got big i bet the amount of rr5's sold has boosted greatly.

Pity they are shit!

Matt Tuck, defining image of British metal, fuck I feel old...
Sorry I keep getting an image of Friar Tuck from Robin Hood.

[toejam]

Where did Washburn get thier idea for their pointy design from?

Most likely Jackson. And Jackson got their pointy headstock design from reworking a Gibson Explorer headstock.