Hard choice between two guitars

[Holy Diver]

I have a chance to purchase a Jackson DK1 or an ESP MII maple board/SDs both in black, brand new, and around the same price. I know what the Jackson's like, but I have never played an ESP. How do guys think these two guitars compare? Just so you know, I would change out the EMGs in the Jackson for SDs. Thanks in advance.

[Shwayman11]

get the ESP
its different

[Axewielder]

I'm a Jackson fanboi all the way, but I feel that in the bolt-on category the M-II might be a better guitar. The M-II has a neckplate which is angled in all the right ways. However, many DK1's come with an OFR and a neck binding. Decisions decisions.

[bonghits]

DK1. Just because I favor the sharkies, ebony board and binding.

[Axewielder]

One advantage of buying the DK1 is you get to keep hanging around the JCF. If you buy a M-II, you'll have to hand around the ESPee forums (that place smells like piss).

[Robotechnology]

You can make the decision by neck profile. The DK-1's is thinner. The M-II's is thicker. If your idea of a perfect neck is an Ibanez Wizard, get the Jackson. If you're comfortable with a Gibson LP (thinner 60's profile) or a Jackson PC1's neck (but wish it was a little thinner), get the ESP. I have an M-II and I assure you it KILLS!

[Axewielder]

Also, older M-II's have ESP brand pickups which aren't bad, but probably aren't as well-rounded as Duncans.

[bonghits]

If you buy a M-II, you'll have to hand around the ESPee forums (that place smells like piss).

I like that.

[themisfit138]

most new M-II will have EMG's

[thetroy]

I vote for get either one in any color but black. The world has enough boring black guitars

[NextInLine]

You can make the decision by neck profile. The DK-1's is thinner. The M-II's is thicker. If your idea of a perfect neck is an Ibanez Wizard, get the Jackson. If you're comfortable with a Gibson LP (thinner 60's profile) or a Jackson PC1's neck (but wish it was a little thinner), get the ESP. I have an M-II and I assure you it KILLS!

Well I haven't played a bolt-on M-II recently but I wouldn't think Jackson necks are similar to Ibanez wizards, maybe some of the necks on the early professional dinkies but nothing else

I'd guess the DK-1 has the thicker neck...

As for the choice between two I think a Dk-1 would be a better guitar but if you already have one or more Jacksons and if you like maple boards go for the M-II

[levantin]

I'd say try them both out if you can because the ESP neck profile is different. Cool guitar though.

[destructin_od]

I vote for get either one in any color but black. The world has enough boring black guitars

MII comes in black. No other options avaliable.

If i were you i would get the mII. I love dk1 but i just can't resist superstrats with maple boards. I also prefer duncans over emgs. MII got a befier neck. Try both and make your desicion. And please post pics when you buy it.

[Holy Diver]

Thanks for all the responses. Yeah, the MII only comes in black and it already has real Duncans, so it is a hard choice. They are too far away to play before hand. How hard is it to change the Jackson EMGs to Duncans?

[1trussell]

If you change the EMGs to Duncans, you'll also have to change the pots and the jack. Not a big deal, but an extra little step.