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I’ve had my eye on the X series Kellys ever since they were first released. But now the JS series has become more appealing (with basswood bodies, binding and shark fins) and there is a smaller difference between it and the X series so now I am trying to decide between the two guitars.
I have owned a KV JS32T (2011? about when they added the shark fins), a DKMG and currently have an Epiphone Explorer. The V was decent but I mainly bought it because it looked nice and to have a backup to my DKMG. I put EMG 81/85 set in it and it played pretty well. The DKMG was awesome. It was really well built, had a fast neck and looked amazing (trans red on flame maple with the inverse headstock) the only thing was I didn’t really like the strat shape. The high frets sat to far across my body so it was hard to play them. Whereas the high frets are more accessible on a V or explorer shape because the front strap button is right behind the high frets.
From Jackson’s website the specs between the KEXMG and JS Kelly are pretty similar the main differences being:
-pickups (EMG 81-85 set vs Jackson high-output)
-neck construction and finish (neck-through and gloss or bolt-on and satin)
-tremolo type (Floyd Rose Special or Jackson Licensed FR)
Other than that both guitars:
-are made from basswood
-have maple necks
-have rosewood fingerboards
-have binding
-have the same tuners
-and have similar quality of electronics (I’m assuming if anyone could comment more on this that would be great)
The pickup difference is not a big deal as I can just buy different ones for the JS Kelly. Probably EMGs but there is still an option of choosing something else.
The neck-through construction definitely would feel better on the high frets and gives the guitar a nicer look but I’m concerned about a few things. Any neck damage to a neck-through guitar is going to cost a lot to fix, or the guitar is completely wrecked (should be a low chance of this happening though). My second concern is the gloss finish on the KEXMG neck is slower compared to satin on the JS. Apparently you can sand down gloss necks to make them satin. Finally the front strap button on the KEXMG appears to be in a better location than the JS Kelly to prevent neck dive and be more comfortable to play.
Now in the case of trems my DKMG had a Jackson LFR JT-580LP and I thought it was pretty good. I shimmed the trem arm get rid of the wiggle and for the most part it stayed in tune and didn’t give me any problems. However, I never wailed on it super hard or had anything to compare it to. I have done a bit of research and keep getting mixed reviews about the two trems. What I have gathered is that the FR Special is a good trem just made out of cheaper material than the OFR but all parts are interchangeable (changing the sustain block is mentioned a lot). The Jackson LFRs have mixed reviews, mainly due to there being so many variants, for the most part sound like they are lower quality than the Special but from my experience do the trick.
To sum it up I am looking to get something that feels as good as my DKMG did so I am leaning towards the KEXMG because it is in the same price range. But, from the specs it seems like the JS Kelly could be nearly as good as the KEXMG with a few upgrades if the build quality is there. I have yet to get my hands on either to test them out but no stores near me have them in stock. Obviously this would be the best comparison but it is what it is. I play a few hours or so a day and don’t have a band, just occasional jams, but would still like to have something that looks and performs well. So let’s hear it is the X series the obvious choice or could the JS series stack up and save me a bit of cash.
Thanks!
I have owned a KV JS32T (2011? about when they added the shark fins), a DKMG and currently have an Epiphone Explorer. The V was decent but I mainly bought it because it looked nice and to have a backup to my DKMG. I put EMG 81/85 set in it and it played pretty well. The DKMG was awesome. It was really well built, had a fast neck and looked amazing (trans red on flame maple with the inverse headstock) the only thing was I didn’t really like the strat shape. The high frets sat to far across my body so it was hard to play them. Whereas the high frets are more accessible on a V or explorer shape because the front strap button is right behind the high frets.
From Jackson’s website the specs between the KEXMG and JS Kelly are pretty similar the main differences being:
-pickups (EMG 81-85 set vs Jackson high-output)
-neck construction and finish (neck-through and gloss or bolt-on and satin)
-tremolo type (Floyd Rose Special or Jackson Licensed FR)
Other than that both guitars:
-are made from basswood
-have maple necks
-have rosewood fingerboards
-have binding
-have the same tuners
-and have similar quality of electronics (I’m assuming if anyone could comment more on this that would be great)
The pickup difference is not a big deal as I can just buy different ones for the JS Kelly. Probably EMGs but there is still an option of choosing something else.
The neck-through construction definitely would feel better on the high frets and gives the guitar a nicer look but I’m concerned about a few things. Any neck damage to a neck-through guitar is going to cost a lot to fix, or the guitar is completely wrecked (should be a low chance of this happening though). My second concern is the gloss finish on the KEXMG neck is slower compared to satin on the JS. Apparently you can sand down gloss necks to make them satin. Finally the front strap button on the KEXMG appears to be in a better location than the JS Kelly to prevent neck dive and be more comfortable to play.
Now in the case of trems my DKMG had a Jackson LFR JT-580LP and I thought it was pretty good. I shimmed the trem arm get rid of the wiggle and for the most part it stayed in tune and didn’t give me any problems. However, I never wailed on it super hard or had anything to compare it to. I have done a bit of research and keep getting mixed reviews about the two trems. What I have gathered is that the FR Special is a good trem just made out of cheaper material than the OFR but all parts are interchangeable (changing the sustain block is mentioned a lot). The Jackson LFRs have mixed reviews, mainly due to there being so many variants, for the most part sound like they are lower quality than the Special but from my experience do the trick.
To sum it up I am looking to get something that feels as good as my DKMG did so I am leaning towards the KEXMG because it is in the same price range. But, from the specs it seems like the JS Kelly could be nearly as good as the KEXMG with a few upgrades if the build quality is there. I have yet to get my hands on either to test them out but no stores near me have them in stock. Obviously this would be the best comparison but it is what it is. I play a few hours or so a day and don’t have a band, just occasional jams, but would still like to have something that looks and performs well. So let’s hear it is the X series the obvious choice or could the JS series stack up and save me a bit of cash.
Thanks!
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