NGD (a month late): WRXMG - Plain old black

[Anders]

Hey guys!

I got myself a WRXMG a month ago, and I've just been setting it up.

Some of you might remember my thread on the KVXMG ( http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/126032-NGD-KVXMG-Snow-White-(large-pics)?highlight=ngd+kvxmg )

Most of what I said about the KVXMG goes for the WRXMG as well, with one big exception; the fret ends. Not sharp at all on the WRXMG, which was nice!

The finish could have been a bit better, some slight swirling going on from polishing (I guess), and they've been a bit careless around the binding. However, once again, I don't really care. Sure, I would've loved if it was perfect like a $2-3000 USA, but making that comparison is just wrong. I'm not that anal about guitars looking flawless... they're meant to be played, and as soon as you take a guitar on the road, it will definitely cease being in flawless condition.

This has got to be one of Jackson's better moves for some time, because it's just a hell of a guitar for the money. People that can't/don't want to spend thousands on a guitar have a real solid alternative in these guitars. And it's not hard to upgrade whatever component you'd like, should you feel like it.

I'm just really stoked with the two X-series guitars I own. The neck feels super sweet (and dead straight), and the guitar resonates nicely.

I've swapped the zinc block for a brass one, and swapped the trem arm assembly for an OFR. I've also attempted to ebonize the fretboard using the steel wool and vinegar method (I might make a thread on that), but it didn't really come out the way I wanted it. But that's why the fretboard looks considerably darker in the last pic.

Here are a couple of pics, and the last ones have the WRXMG standing besides my CS Warrior (Chris Cannella's old axe)

[Anders]

Oh, and regarding the serial #'s of the X-series, the first two digits specify build year.

The KVXMG was built last year, and the serial starts with 11, while the WRXMG was completed this year and starts with 12.

[veemagic]

Congrats. Looks pretty nice, and thanks for the review. So with the two side by side are there any other noticeable differences? Weights, neck shape, etc...

[RacerX]

Oh, and regarding the serial #'s of the X-series, the first two digits specify build year.

The KVXMG was built last year, and the serial starts with 11, while the WRXMG was completed this year and starts with 12.

It starts with 12, or NHJ12 ?

[jdr94]

Looks nice. I haven't looked into the new x series much. Do they have a neckthru Kelly w reverse headstock and binding?

[stevieb91]

Looks nice. I haven't looked into the new x series much. Do they have a neckthru Kelly w reverse headstock and binding?

No X series Kelly at all...

[Anders]

It starts with 12, or NHJ12 ?

Ron, it starts with NHJ on the hang-tag, and on the box that the guitar came in. However, no NHJ stamped on the fretboard. So I'm not sure what to make of the NHJ... but if you go by what's on the guitar itself, it starts with 11 and 12.

[Anders]

Congrats. Looks pretty nice, and thanks for the review. So with the two side by side are there any other noticeable differences? Weights, neck shape, etc...

Thanks man!

If you don't consider hardware specs, they are actually very similar, with the WRXMG being just slightly lighter. I think the neck shape is more or less exactly the same. The feel of the neck is one of the best bits on the WRXMG! I'm happy to say that the WRXMG balances just as well as the CS Warrior. They're both perfectly balanced. Considering what I've read, I think that there might have been a few X-series guitars that got through the QC that should'nt have, but that should hopefully be less and less ocurring as time goes along. But if you get a good one, they have amazing potential. You might have to spend a few hours, and possibly a couple of bucks to get it the way you want it, but it's well worth it IMO.

[veemagic]

Thats really awesome to hear. I would really hope the same consistencies can be expected across the versions of this line. This is really cool news.

[RacerX]

I've also attempted to ebonize the fretboard using the steel wool and vinegar method (I might make a thread on that), but it didn't really come out the way I wanted it. But that's why the fretboard looks considerably darker in the last pic.

Cool, you tried that, eh? I always wanted to myself.

Well, it sure looks good in the pics - what about the deal are you unhappy with?

[Dannibal Corpse]

Hey, thank for the review. Did you have a specific article that you felt covered the ebonizing process well?

[Anders]

Ron and Dannibal - I'll put together a good post in a couple of days with all the good info I found! I think I must've read almost everything about it on the web, at least it felt that way haha.
I dug through most articles I found, and some of them were awesome!

[wilkinsi]

Warriors FTW

[Anders]

wilkinsi - You know it!!

I found a video on youtube where I'm playing the guitar about 3 weeks ago in Czech Republic (where I did a gig with Vomitory as a stand-in). I can't say enough good things about this guitar (considering the price). It played awesome! Like I said before, you have to spend some time setting it up to your liking, and you might replace something. But that's not unique to these guitars... People swap stuff on $3000 guitars as well.

I know it's not the most detailed video, but still.

[micha]

I've also attempted to ebonize the fretboard using the steel wool and vinegar method (I might make a thread on that), but it didn't really come out the way I wanted it. But that's why the fretboard looks considerably darker in the last pic.

Oh, please do!
I was always curious about that...

Nice guitars! Congrats!
Gotta love the warrior shape...