I was happy and did not know

[maltomario]

I had a DK2M, a DK2-Pro. Sold them both when I got my SL1. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I thought the SL1 is easily 4x the guitar the DK2/DK2M was. And not just aesthetically speaking but tone/feel of guitar as well

The DK2's both had sharkfin inlays that weren't not adequately glued in - the larger ones (5th fret on one, 1st on other) were coming loose. Had to wick some CA glue and clamp down to fix it. I thought about keeping them but they just wouldnt have gotten play time vs my SL1.

I will say that the JT580LP trems were good, and the SD pups from factory are nice touch. I actually snagged a 2nd DK2M for my nephew - GC had a used one (mint condition but needed a setup BAD) in crimson red metallic for $199 (!!!!). That was a no-brainer! I blocked the trem and gave it to nephew for christmas present last year. he loves it and still plays it to this day.

Here's the DK2M I had. Bought brand new from GC fro $259. Sold the original body to a dude in Hawaii (while I was there on vacation) for $250. replaced with a 90's DR3 body I bought off ebay for $120. Ended up selling the guitar for $700 when I picked up my SL1. SHe was purty though, I will say that.. but not in same league as my SL1

[P I K A]

I agree with the OP too. My dk2ms are as good as my USA'a in terms of sound and playability so easy decision. I sold all the USA'a and bought more dk2m's and some amps. win win . I also made a mutt of 1 with an amber sunburst dx10 body looks killer. Other is the best trans blue top Ive ever seen with some white pups. They both look killer and play killer so more room for mts modules.

[Trussrod]

I had a DK2M, a DK2-Pro. Sold them both when I got my SL1. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I thought the SL1 is easily 4x the guitar the DK2/DK2M was. And not just aesthetically speaking but tone/feel of guitar as well

The DK2's both had sharkfin inlays that weren't not adequately glued in - the larger ones (5th fret on one, 1st on other) were coming loose. Had to wick some CA glue and clamp down to fix it. I thought about keeping them but they just wouldnt have gotten play time vs my SL1.

I will say that the JT580LP trems were good, and the SD pups from factory are nice touch. I actually snagged a 2nd DK2M for my nephew - GC had a used one (mint condition but needed a setup BAD) in crimson red metallic for $199 (!!!!). That was a no-brainer! I blocked the trem and gave it to nephew for christmas present last year. he loves it and still plays it to this day.

Here's the DK2M I had. Bought brand new from GC fro $259. Sold the original body to a dude in Hawaii (while I was there on vacation) for $250. replaced with a 90's DR3 body I bought off ebay for $120. Ended up selling the guitar for $700 when I picked up my SL1. SHe was purty though, I will say that.. but not in same league as my SL1

Of course you would own the nicest looking DK2M ever made, Mario--lol. Nice quilt! GC is a great place to pick up $600 guitars for around $200 used. I've done it four times this year and three were DK2's.

[pro-fusion]

None of the recent Japanese Jacksons I've played compared with the USAs. It seems like the quality of the hardware, lumber and fretwork on those isn't what it was, say, in the early '90s. Your mileage may vary, obviously.

[Krymson86]

I am also a believer that the PRO series are great guitars. I've never owned a USA Jackson, but I've played a few. And while there was a certain "wow factor" it was mostly because as others have said, these were the guitars I aspired to play when I was 11 years old and just started playing. Now that I'm 24 I can say that I'm letting my ears do a lot more of the decision making instead of my eyes. My imported Soloist STD is more than enough and honestly sounds every bit as good as the USAs I've played, it just doesn't have all the aesthetic touches like binding, or a nicely flamed maple top with a transparent finish etc.

Frankly, I think if you take a PRO series guitar and get an OFR and set the guitar up properly (and swap out the Duncan Designed and/or EMG HZ pups) then you have a guitar that is as functional and great sounding as just about any USA out there minus the USA aesthetics. The thing is you can get TWO PRO series guitars and swap in OFRs for the price of one USA (Depending on the model. you can get a plain black USA soloist for around 1200, but if you want a nice transparent finish or graphics you're looking at 1600+ for a new one.)

I think there CAN be big differences with the Custom Shop guitars though, simply because you can get different wood combinations than are available on the PRO series.

[pro-fusion]

I'll just have to disagree with you about the more recent Japanese imports. They do not play as nice or sound as good acoustically as the USA guitars. Believe me, I've owned about a zillion Jacksons over the years. If an SL3 could get me where I need to go, I'd have a fleet of them. But they don't.

[tcwil8]

I really like my J/C imports but I usually reach for the USA Charvel pointy when noodling around. I love that thing.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I'm sure the US and CS guitars are great, but for as good as you can get for well under $1000 compared to what you get for $2000 and up...I'm not buying it. Emperor's New Clothes, LOL!

I was sold on Jap vs US back in the 80s. Just like cars and trucks, I'll never buy "American" again.

[Grim]

I'm sure the US and CS guitars are great, but for as good as you can get for well under $1000 compared to what you get for $2000 and up...I'm not buying it. Emperor's New Clothes, LOL!

I was sold on Jap vs US back in the 80s. Just like cars and trucks, I'll never buy "American" again.

Crazy talk.

I'm still not understanding your motive here... You do not NEED the money, so you don't have to sell the USA, but you do, and then replace it with a DK2M, even though you were not unhappy with the USA? Get real.

[DrJackson]

Now I´m happy Again

Now I´m happy Again, Nothing more to say

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

Nice. I'm also finding absolutely nothing wrong with the stock trem. It sounds and works just as good as the OFR and Schaller I've had.

[straycat]

I just can't get past the black sharkies or I would have one of those.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

Same here. I much prefer maple but the black inlays put me off a bit. To each their own, though.

[Spivonious]

I was sold on Jap vs US back in the 80s. Just like cars and trucks, I'll never buy "American" again.

Hey now, Ford has been making fantastic cars for 10 years.

[RacerX]

Hey now, Ford has been making fantastic cars for 10 years.

Well, 5 years anyway