What model and year Kelly is this?

[isobig]

Just purchased this a few days ago. I suspect import version. Has Duncan Designed pickups. 1 switch and 1 volume knob. I would like to know some info on it if anyone can help.

Serial# 97250XX





Thanks!

[DalyTek]

That's a KE3. Made in Japan, color is Crimson Swirl.
It's a somewhat early model since it has Duncan Designed Detonators and chrome hardware.
The newer ones come with Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pickups and black hardware.
Mine is a 2003 and has the chrome hardware with the Detonators too, so yours should be close to that area.

RacerX should be around shorty with a more precise year confirmation for you.

PS: What kind of stand is that you have it on? It's hard for me to find a stand that will hold the Kelly right and lift it high enough to to keep that upper horn off the floor.

[Twitch]

PS: What kind of stand is that you have it on? It's hard for me to find a stand that will hold the Kelly right and lift it high enough to to keep that upper horn off the floor.

A hanging stand is really the only for sure way to go with a Kelly or V.

[RacerX]

Serial# 97250XX

2004 era

[DalyTek]

I keep my Kelly on a wall hanger and my Fusion on a Musician's Friend stand (that I just got) below it.
Just tried the Kelly on the MF stand, and I'll be damned! It holds it nicely!

Ron, I was actually gonna guess 2004! I guess I am learning a little from your serial number dates!

[isobig]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The pics are from the seller so the stand is not mine. Anyone know what wood the body is made with?

[RacerX]

Alder

[isobig]

Thanks RacerX. Any possible issues I should be aware of with this model?

[RacerX]

Possible neck dive. Do a search.

[isobig]

Thanks again RacerX. I apologize if I was asking too many questions. Never had a Jackson before and just wanted some info. I did search and if that's the worst of the 'problems' I would see with it then I am happy. Rock on!

[DalyTek]

I have the same model (different color though.)
People complain of neck dive like RacerX said. I don't personally have that problem because I play sitting down.
Other than that, the pickups are a little bland. They are DD Detonators, which are modeled after the SD Invader.
I just put SD Dave Mustaine Livewires in mine and they sound really good.
I had a set of GFS Dream 180 pickups in it before that and they sounded fantastic in that guitar.

Outside of that, I don't think you'll find any problems with the KE3 (assuming you like the body shape like I do!)

This is mine (with the chrome pickup rings and the GFS Dream 180s):

[isobig]

Nice axe Daly! Is that the eerie dess paint? I haven't had enough time with it yet to know if I would want to switch out the pickups yet or not. I was going to ask what would sound good in it. I heard a sample of the Dimebuckers on SD's website and think they sound awesome. But maybe too much for this guitar?

[killxswitch]

What do you mean by "too much"?

If it were me I'd get a Bill Lawrence L500XL, that is the actual pickup Dime had in his guitars. And it's cheaper than the Seymour Duncan version.

Love that crimson swirl.

[DalyTek]

Yep, it's Eerie Dess Swirl, my favorite of Jackson finishes.

[isobig]

What do you mean by "too much"?

If it were me I'd get a Bill Lawrence L500XL, that is the actual pickup Dime had in his guitars. And it's cheaper than the Seymour Duncan version.

Love that crimson swirl.

I mean would it be overkill and a bad match for the guitar soundwise. Thanks for the advice on the L500XL's. I will look into them.