Got a used Japanese DR3 from GuitarCenter a few days ago and have decided to hold onto it. Before plugging it in I noticed the intonation was excellent and that this guitar was loud—louder than any electric guitar I’ve played unplugged. It sounds great through my JCM 2000 and is one of the best metal guitars I’ve heard.
The finish is dark trans green. It’s so dark that in low light it looks black and in good light I still have to strain to see the green in it. The catalog scan lists this model as “Poplar (w/Flame Maple Veneer) or Mahogany.” Maybe the dark tint (not the green dye) comes from mahogany? Anyone know how to tell? It has a unique sound even for a Jackson and I’m really impressed with it.
The serial # is 9665202 and it was built around 2000. (Where’s that serial thread?—lol—I can’t find it.) Whoever added the steel pup rings and SD’s signed his name in the neck pocket. The way it’s currently set up I have to remove the steel rings to adjust the pup height. The two SD pups are a nice upgrade—a ’59 in the neck and a JB in the bridge—instead of the usual Duncan Designed stockers. I added a brass L block and plan on changing the pup coil covers to chrome and adding a chrome allen key holder. I think it sounded better with the original block since the big L block only added more overall bass. I’d like to hear a stainless steel or titanium block on this guitar. I’ll probably delete the tone control from the bridge pup setting, too.
I’ve never owned a reverse before and since I’m right handed I’ve found it makes using a string crank a lot easier. Didn’t expect this, but it’s definitely an advantage.
Here are some pics:
The finish is dark trans green. It’s so dark that in low light it looks black and in good light I still have to strain to see the green in it. The catalog scan lists this model as “Poplar (w/Flame Maple Veneer) or Mahogany.” Maybe the dark tint (not the green dye) comes from mahogany? Anyone know how to tell? It has a unique sound even for a Jackson and I’m really impressed with it.
The serial # is 9665202 and it was built around 2000. (Where’s that serial thread?—lol—I can’t find it.) Whoever added the steel pup rings and SD’s signed his name in the neck pocket. The way it’s currently set up I have to remove the steel rings to adjust the pup height. The two SD pups are a nice upgrade—a ’59 in the neck and a JB in the bridge—instead of the usual Duncan Designed stockers. I added a brass L block and plan on changing the pup coil covers to chrome and adding a chrome allen key holder. I think it sounded better with the original block since the big L block only added more overall bass. I’d like to hear a stainless steel or titanium block on this guitar. I’ll probably delete the tone control from the bridge pup setting, too.
I’ve never owned a reverse before and since I’m right handed I’ve found it makes using a string crank a lot easier. Didn’t expect this, but it’s definitely an advantage.
Here are some pics:
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