KEXMG vs JS32 Kelly

[gnarzan]

UPDATE
So a nearby store which I didn't realize still carried Jackson is going to order in a KEXMG for me to check out, super excited! Really surprised they would order one in without a commitment to taking it home or making a deposit too. Impressed with their customer service to say the least.

[gnarzan]

Haven't got my hands on the KEXMG yet but there has been a recent explosion of Kelly's on craigslist near me. I am pretty sure all of them are KE3s, some have mods. I'm assuming KE3 from the controls configuration (master vol, 3 way toggle) and they are bolt-on with shark fins. Just curious how others would rate the KE3 vs KEXMG. I would like to have binding and neck-thru but I have heard good things about KE3s and the prices seem reasonable.

Links are in no particular order and condition is a pretty big deal for me. Gonna look through a few old catalogs to see what I can find and maybe contact sellers.

These two look legit really like the trans black.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/msg/5058008004.html

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/msg/5052505445.html

This one is good, not too into the chrome hardware though. Not really into the coil split either.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/msg/5017957717.html

Chrome hardware again but I like the EMGs. This one has been around for awhile but they finally added half decent pics.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/msg/5051390682.html

The pickups look like the ones from older JS series maybe swapped? Also skull tuners will check if he has originals.

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/msd/5053802855.html

[Mudlark]

The first two trans black guitars would be my pick. Both have black hardware and real Duncans. (2006-11 black hw, real Duncans)
One has a new $150? setup, but the bridge is blocked and the volume knob is missing.

Keep an eye on Kellys with chrome hardware (the pre-2006 models) as they came standard with Duncan Designed pups. The bridge pup in the '90s model looks like a DD.

The EMGs are nice, but the chrome hardware would ruin it for me on the fourth guitar.

Stay away from the last one. Those may well be JS pickups and the neck has black and chrome hardware. The chrome nut with black blocks leads me to believe the chrome is original and the black was added. Neck swap no doubt with the pups robbed and replaced with crap.

I'd go for the $400 guitar and start at $300 and hopefully meet him in the middle. $400 for that guitar in good shape with case wouldn't be a bad deal, though. It may be as new as 2010-11 with minimal fret wear.

[MartinBarre]

I had a KE3. I also had an RR3 and an RR5. I sold them and got a KEXTMG, RR24XT and KVXT. Honestly, if you like binding and neckthrus leave the KE3s alone.
I also felt the KE3 had poor upper fret access.
The X series guitars I've had have been just as good quality wise as the old Japanese Jacksons (of which I still have 3 I think) but you're getting binding which was always a big turn off for me on the KE3 and RRs.

[Mudlark]

+1 for binding.
Even my JS3 bass has neck and headstock binding.

[gnarzan]

Thanks for the input Mudlark. I'd be in for one of the trans black ones and then the chrome EMG one. I didn't even notice the missing volume nob on the one guitar. E-mailed about the two trans black ones to find out a bit more.

The 90's one seems weird because in all the 90's catalogs the shark fins are reversed on the KE3 and KE3R unless they made them with standard fins as well.

I'll probably wait until the KEXMG comes in and check to see how I like it. If it is everything I've ever dreamed of and more I'll probably get it. If not, I'll have a better look at these ones.

[gnarzan]

Good to know the quality on both models is similar. I'll take a look at the KEXMG. Thanks Martin!

Deffinitely +1 on the neck binding! Although, the trans black with black hardware still looks pretty snazzy.

[Mudlark]

The '90s may actually be a '98 or a 2000ish model. The serial 985xxxx can mean both years depending on the particular model. 1997-1998 was the time the 'Professional' logo was dropped from headstocks of the KE3, RR3 etc. and the black hardware was changed to chrome.

EDIT; I forgot, I'm 99% sure I read on this forum many times some of the early KE3s came with non-reverse sharkfins, even though the catalogues don't show them. The catalogues actually contain a number of errors.

[gnarzan]

Well, Fender sent the wrong model... The box said KEXMG gloss-black but they sent a JS32T Kelly in flat black so not sure what happened. Regardless, I played it and really love the Kelly shape, feels just like an Explorer but looks way cooler and fret access is great! It was nice to get a look at the JS kelly so I can compare it with the X series. The JS Kelly felt solid and looked amazing, binding and sharkies just add so much, I was really impressed. The basswood body is way better than the old indian cedro, and it was finished well (no sharp frets, paint defects, etc. that I noticed). The neck was perfect and the action/relief were good, love the thinner Jackson necks and the 12"-16"compound radius is nice. Definitely feels way easier to play more technical stuff on it than my Epiphone Explorer. I thought it sounded good and should be able to produce the tone you want from amp/effect choice. Pickups seamed to get everything and had enough bite for metal/rock. I had it through a Roland Cube, fiddled with the settings a bit but was more concerned about how it played. For me, most guitars sound similar enough that it doesn't make too much difference especially when you have distortion. Just to confirm the JS are made in Indonesia. There was a sticker on the headstock.

Now I wait while Wentworth contacts Fender to get the correct guitar sent. Bummed that I didn't get to see the KEXMG and possibly have a new guitar to play. I wonder if Fender or the store will do anything for the inconvenience? I feel like Fender probably won't and it wasn't really the store's fault. Although, the store didn't really check to make sure that it was the right model when they received it, probably someone just saw a black Jackson Kelly and thought it was right. Haha oh well.

[wrldeatr7]

Good to hear that JS is a decent guitar. They still get such a bad rep elsewhere. Strange that they would send a wrong guitar. Sounds like something that would happen at the factory, since Cort makes both JS and X Kellys they probably just boxed the wrong one. Most guitar brands don't touch their imports. They come from overseas to some giant distribution center and from there to stores. Most internet stores also don't check their products. Had some poor customer placed this order online he would have ended up paying for an X and getting a JS.
But only the JS Kelly is made in Indonesia, the other JS models are made in China.

[gnarzan]

Ya it makes more sense that the factory packed it in the wrong box, or they put the wrong label on the box. Hopefully it comes quickly. I have heightened standards for the x series one now because the JS was so good.

[gnarzan]

Thanks guys for all the help the KEXMG is amazing! Check out the NGD!

EDIT: Link for NGD http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/146372-NGD-Black-KEXMG