So what would be considered the bang-for-the-buck Jackson?

[NextInLine]

If you can add a bit more to your budget these could be nice choices

Fusion pro. Check this thread

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69139

Since the lack of sharkies doesn't matter to you you can also grab a soloist professional standart.

http://www.audiozone.dk/CatalogScans/JC1993/pages/JC1993Page18.htm

And although people don't seem to like them much you can grab a slsmg crazy cheap. Check this one;

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jackson-SLSMG-Light-Soloist-w-Upgrades-Custom-HSC_W0QQitemZ180108952358QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33044QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck!

[evolutionised]

i would say check out the x or mg series. anything japanese will be good so the cheap japanese ones are quite worth it. i would avoid the indian ones though.

[Yoder]

Thanks guys. So far I freakin' love the DXMG! I thought it was an arch top so I never looked at it closely. I like the DX10D too, but that chrome hardware kinda ruins it for me :-/ I'd still consider one, though...

Nextinline, those are great guitars too. The Fusions are perfect but I've never played a 24.75 scale. Is it problematic to go back and forth between two scale lengths? I'm still learning and I'm afraid I'll over-bend, etc on a shorter scale-length.

The Soloist standard is beautiful too...that would definitely fit the bill. Yeah, I saw that SLSMG in the ebay forum here...$330 is insane for that thing! I can't believe the dude who won offered that low...he probably thought he was lowballin' ;-)

Man, these Jackson guitars are beautiful! Gonna be a fun hunt! Thanks again, guys.

[Robotechnology]

DR3's are great and they only run about $300.

[Yoder]

DR3's are great and they only run about $300.

Hmm..those are nice too. Flame finishes available in those. One auction with an earlier model states that it retailed for $1475 Maybe that was MSRP, but it still would have sold ofr $1000 in stores if that was the case.

[technogumbo]

Consider the JRS-2, also

I picked up a lightly used JRS-2 some time ago and it has become one of my favorites. Single humbucker with volume control, Wilkinson VS50 tremolo, reverse headstock, maple neck with maple fretboard and black markers. The JRS-1 and JRS-2 were only offered in 1997, I believe, with the JRS-1 being the USA-made version and the JRS-2 model being the Japanese-made version (aka "Professional" series). The ash slab body was modeled after the Model 1.

The only thing I do not like about the JRS-2 is the placement of the volume pot. The JRS-1 has the pot further away from the line of action.

Used, you should find a JRS-2 for $150 to $250. I hope to find a JRS-1 someday.

http://audiozone.dk/CatalogScans/Jack1997/pages/Jack1997Page03.htm

[Yoder]

Yeah, those do look like Model 1s, pretty cool.

A DR3 just ended and went for $190 with case...seems like a great deal...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jackson-DR3-Guitar_W0QQitemZ200101960841QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like these were $600-700 new...not a bad deal...

[Super_shredder]

you could get a blemmed 2006 Dk2

[Yoder]

True. I only see the lefty's at MF right now, but they do have a DXMG blem and it's like 25% off or so...pretty good deal.

[RacerX]

Welcome, Yoder! Interesting thread!

Keep us apprised!

[Yoder]

Thanks, RacerX! It's been super-helpful so far!

I'll surely keep you guys posted if I decide on something. I've already convinced my wife that I need a guitar to replace my older Ibanez, so the groundwork has been laid ;-)

[RacerX]

I also vote for the DXMG, as I have one...check out this thread

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66437

they're very well-known as a quality axe.

Make sure you get the Japanese alder models though (2002 through 2006) - serial # will start with 9 and the alders go up to ser# 972xxxx or thereabouts.

[Yoder]

Awesome...I'll check out the link.. Thanks for the heads up on the alder deal...

[T@rgetDrone]

WOW! This has been quite an educational thread!! I had no idea of the body wood changes on the new(er) MIJ imports. Not that basswood is a bad thing. Depends.... Also, the various options for bargain Jacksons listed in this thread made me re-examine what's out there. Many fine choices for many different tastes.

[Yoder]

Yeah, there are a lot of choices. I'm amazed how you can pick up a DK2 for as little as $225 in good shape. Those guitars are $600+ new. I like the DXMGs better, but I don't see as many of those around...