Review of my white DK2M

[Adam]

1. It's a nice and cleanly done electronics installation.

We'll agree to disagree. I'm not bagging on the guitar - I love it - but I've seen cleaner wiring jobs on more complicated guitars.

Let me clarify: The wiring job in my DK2M looks like my own work, which is, in comparison to that from most US-based factories, not too pretty.

2. They are simply reusing the routing templates (optimizing workflow) and what a joy it is to see, that they left a lot of wood there, instead of routing the whole cavity full depth. Good job, Jackson.

I too am glad they left all that wood in there. Without it my guitar would be neck-heavy for sure. As it is, it's balanced very nicely. I just found it strange, that's all. I've looked under the covers of many guitars and never seen anything like that.

[Mr.C]

I really like the playability of these guitars, Jackson should toss maple necks on every model as an option, I'd sure like to snag a Kelly with a maple board....

& as far as the wiring on mine they look great no problems..

[wilkinsi]

dang. i was hoping the cavity would only be slightly smaller than the plate itself. not much room to add mods in there then.

[soc_monki]

hmmm maybe the reason they have such a big plate is because they use the same plate on most guitars and have the machine only route as much as necessary for the electronics? therefore, they could route more for EMG installations (or whatever else is active and needs batteries) and less for passive pickups...and use the same covers (cost cutting!) to cover them all? not a big deal i think...like others have said, you can route some more out if need be later, and you wont screw up the appearance of the guitar! however, to me the appearance is moot...i like nice looking guitars, but they will all get banged up if you play them regularly (especially at gigs!)...you should see my 94 CE22!!! LOL so i really dont worry about aesthetics...just how it plays and sounds

[jwoods986]

First off, congrats on a sweet guitar! I just played one today on my lunch break. I went to my local shop and they finally have one in (it's white). It looks great! I didn't play it through an amp so I can't comment on the tone. The neck is the most important thing to me on a guitar so I always like to play unplugged first to see how it feels. The maple felt great but the width threw me off at first. I know these are 1 11/16th nuts but it sure felt like a 1 3/4 to me. But after a few minutes getting used to it (and getting warmed up) it felt really good. Congrats again on yours and hope you enjoy it

[QuantumRider]

I think I might get one of these next year. I think I might also drop an OFR in it because its seems like the only major upgrade for it and I'm going to abuse the bridge on it!

Hey Adam and other DK2M owners-

Is the trem cavity routed to accomodate the string locking screws of an OFR?
The stock trem is the JT580LP, which doesn't have string locking screws protruding from the rear, right?

Thanks in advance for any help!
-QR

[Adam]

Hey Adam and other DK2M owners-

Is the trem cavity routed to accomodate the string locking screws of an OFR?
The stock trem is the JT580LP, which doesn't have string locking screws protruding from the rear, right?

Thanks in advance for any help!
-QR

I don't think so. It looks like the standard string locking screws would protrude past the route, but you can buy the short, thick screws which would solve the problem.

There's always the Floyd Rose Pro option too - excellent bridges in their own right. That should be a direct replacement for the JT580LP and drop right in, even though the plates are shaped slightly differently.

I just picked up a Floyd Pro from a friend, but I don't have the allen wrenches that go with it. The string locking screws take a fatter allen than a standard OFR or the Jackson bridge. I have a trip to the hardware store in store for me before I can put it on.

[QuantumRider]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm starting to jones for a DK2M after seeing the reviews from other JCF'ers.

However, my wife made a "buy one, sell two" rule regarding guitars, so I have to pick out which of the herd will have to be thinned first

I should have her agree to a similar rule regarding shoes, but I think that depreciation on resale for shoes would be much greater than for guitars

[Adam]

"Buy one, sell two?"

What kind of jacked-up rule is that?? What ever happened to equivalent exchange?

[TheBarr]

Hey Adam and other DK2M owners-

Is the trem cavity routed to accomodate the string locking screws of an OFR?
The stock trem is the JT580LP, which doesn't have string locking screws protruding from the rear, right?

Thanks in advance for any help!
-QR

Yes it will work just fine. Check out these pics from one at Splawn Guitars.

http://www.splawnguitars.com/amps_charvel.htm

[RacerX]

However, my wife made a "buy one, sell two" rule regarding guitars,

[khabibissell]

I actually ran into one of these at a store around here. The guitar looked and played great, but what's up with the painted on inlays and binding? That is kinda cheap IMO.

And OFR's will drop right in to the standard import route as shown above. I would use the posts that come with the Floyd though. The trem doesn't move as well on the import posts IMO as they are shaped a bit differently. (I had a Charvel Model A that I had an OFR on a while back).

[Mr.C]

the inlays are not painted on they are delrin the same material as a guitar pick as is the binding. & yes an ofr drops right on no problem.

[QuantumRider]

"Buy one, sell two?"

What kind of jacked-up rule is that?? What ever happened to equivalent exchange?

You two guys are obviously not married...

[Adam]

You two guys are obviously not married...

This is true, but I do live with my long-term girlfriend, and she does manage the bills, etc. (I'm far too right-brained to do it without screwing it all up), but a rule like that would get laughed at around here!

"Is that right, baby? In that case, the bread maker, toaster oven, and rice maker are going back too."

Seriously, I'm not telling you how to manage your marriage or criticizing you - I don't know your situation and your wife is probably a real cool lady, but "buy one, sell one" seems perfectly reasonable unless you have like 30 guitars around the house.