New to the Forum -- First Jackson coming up and looking for advice.

[jeffcon0]

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome and all the responses! The more I read about the more I lean heavily towards the DK2M. It seems like an incredibly popular model and quite versatile. A DK2M in snow white may very well be what I end up bringing home.

Wondering what you all think of the LFRs on the DK2M. I hear so many bad things about pretty much all Licensed Floyd Roses but I have to wonder how much of it is group psychology and how much of it is actually true. What are your experiences? Do the hold tune well? I don't expect to be getting crazy on the tremolo non-stop (and I'm also considering a hard tail because of this) but if I do get one I would hate to have to fuss with it constantly. What do you guys think?

As far as amps go it's pretty much a Line 6 Spider III (15w or 30w), Vox AD15VT, or a Roland Cube 30 watt. Out of those options which would you choose? Problem is I want it all out of the sound -- from great metal crunch to half decent cleans so I can experiment with styles.

Thanks again everyone!

[levantin]

Wondering what you all think of the LFRs on the DK2M. I hear so many bad things about pretty much all Licensed Floyd Roses but I have to wonder how much of it is group psychology and how much of it is actually true. What are your experiences? Do the hold tune well? I don't expect to be getting crazy on the tremolo non-stop (and I'm also considering a hard tail because of this) but if I do get one I would hate to have to fuss with it constantly. What do you guys think?

I've never had a problem with Jackson licensed trems. Will they stay in tune? yes. After a string change and a decent set up I don't need to tune them much. They may not be as high quality as an original floyd though. The Jackson web site says the DK2M comes with a 580lp trem. More info on Jackson licensed trems over at Henrik's site here.

[RacerX]

As far as amps go it's pretty much a Line 6 Spider III (15w or 30w), Vox AD15VT, or a Roland Cube 30 watt. Out of those options which would you choose? Problem is I want it all out of the sound -- from great metal crunch to half decent cleans so I can experiment with styles.

Thanks again everyone!

Welcome Jeff! Forget the Line 6. The VOX is pretty good (why not get a 30w?), but if you want a really nice clean along with great distortion modelling, go for the Roland Cube 30. I have one & love it, and the clean channel is basically the guts from a JC-120.

[QuantumRider]

Wondering what you all think of the LFRs on the DK2M.

The JT580LP works fine. Stays in tune without any problems, even after dive bombs and pull ups.

The only thing I didn't like about it was the trem arm. The shorter part of the "L"-shape is a little longer than on my Schallers and OFR's, so the arm floated above the body more than I am used to.

I swapped out the arm/socket with those of an OFR, though, so now I have no gripes whatsoever

[caesar81]

Welcome Jeff !

[DonP]

Jeff,

I was just like you. I always loved Jacksons but never owned one. I had built up a family of Gibsons when I discovered in Feb. 2005 that Jacksons are a hell of a lot cheaper. Now I have 10-15 J/C guitars.

I think the DK2M in snow white is a great choice. Other than that, I'd go shopping for classic used Jacksons.

For amps, I'm sure the suggested ones are great, but my practice amp is a 1980's Silver Jubilee Micro Stack. I have 3 Micro Stacks from the 80s, but this one just has something special. I have never played the newer ones so I can't comment on those. I also have a Line 6 POD 2.3 and I'm happy with the tone through headphones. Can't quite get the same effect through amps yet. My main rig is a DSL100 1/2 stack that while very unpopular on these forums, it sounds wonderful to me.

[stevoc]

Jeff,
I think the DK2M in snow white is a great choice. Other than that, I'd go shopping for classic used Jacksons.

It seems lots of people prefer white over other colors. I don't particularly care for white myself, but I wonder if I'm missing something...

[VEGETATHEPUPPET]

Well a DKMG is a great choice....

[mhalsey]

It seems lots of people prefer white over other colors. I don't particularly care for white myself, but I wonder if I'm missing something...

It just looks so classy with the black hardware. I used to be like you and thought white guitars were boring to look at but all that changed when I bought one of the DK2LE's. Now I love white guitars. Two of my Jacksons are white along with my Gibson Studio. I'm also in the planning stages of my next project which will include a refin done in alpine white. I guess it's something that grows on ya.

[Sunbane]

I think white looks great with any color hardware, but the DK2Ms look especially awesome in white with the black sharkies + black hardware!

I used to prefer black guitars, but now I really dig whites. Not just "white-white" either; there's nothing cooler than a nice, creamy, faded white on an older guitar.

[DonP]

It seems lots of people prefer white over other colors. I don't particularly care for white myself, but I wonder if I'm missing something...

I'm not saying to have a flock of white guitars, just one. Black hardware as mention also goes great. I have a snow white RR1 with black hardware, but it's my only white guitar.

Another nice thing about white guitars is that it's a great starting place for a graphic finish, like tiger stripes.

[sk8boardbob2]

As far as an amp goes I'd definitely lean toward either the Vox Valvetronix 30or the Cube 30. I have the Vox and love it to death. The best part is that it has a power knob thats lets you crank the actual pre-amp up and turn the power input down you can get good tone at low volume.

[jeffcon0]

Thanks again for all the replies guys. Have a couple more questions for you all if you'd be so kind.

I stopped by the Sam Ash on my way home from work tonight. I got there with only about 20 minutes to dick around so I tried a few things out real fast and I'm hoping for some opinions.

I played a DK2 with the H/S/S configuration in a beautiful transparent black finish. Really nice guitar. I'm wondering how you think this compares to the DK2M which is my other main choice. If I'm playing metal I would pretty much just use the bridge pickup, right? So it shouldn't really mater if a guitar has a humbucker in the in the neck position...or should it? This is a pretty noob question but maybe someone can describe how I use pickups in combination or where they come into play seperately. I think I understand that the neck pickup is better for solos and whatnot but what would I use single coils for in an otherwise metal axe? And, especially, what is the middle single coil good for? Oh yeah...and is it the same bridge pup as the DK2M?

I got a chance to play the Vox AD30VT but didn't get to screw around with the settings because of the time limits. How is the "crunch" on it? Can it play really heavy distortion?

I also played a Cube 30 which had some great heavy sounds. I really liked the Triple Rectifier setting which I guess is based on the Mesa Boogie (?).

Lastly, and I hope I don't get flamed on this one (seeing as it's a Jackson forum), I played a Washburn X50FE and thought it was a FANTASTIC value. Great looking plain flamed maple top, EMG 81/85, set neck (which was a lot faster than I expected), and really felt great for $479. This guy:

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=7&TempID=8&DepartmentID=1&STRID=213616&CategorySubID=681&CategoryID=681&BrandID=1553&CategorySubPriceRangeID=0&pagesize=10&SortMethod=3&Method=3&PriceRangeID=0&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=&categorysubsearch=true

Anyone have any opinions on Washburn in general? This guitar specifically? Even though this is a Jackson forum I'm confident I can get some objective opinions from you guys rather than the "they suck" or "buy a Schecter" I would get over at the UG forums.

Thanks again everyone!


EDIT: One other thing about the Washburn. It would up my amp budget to about ~$400 range and I know many people express how an amp is more important than a guitar. Opinions? Opinions on amps in that range? Sorry for all the questions.

Aaaaaaand once more: Just thought I'd throw in that I payed 3 different Ibanez's and I am convinced they are totally out of the picture. Not impressed in the least.

[stevoc]

If I'm playing metal I would pretty much just use the bridge pickup, right? So it shouldn't really mater if a guitar has a humbucker in the in the neck position...or should it? This is a pretty noob question but maybe someone can describe how I use pickups in combination or where they come into play seperately. I think I understand that the neck pickup is better for solos and whatnot but what would I use single coils for in an otherwise metal axe?

Here's all I can answer with my opinion...

I use the bridge pickup the majority of the time I am playing distorted...even for leads and solos. I can pop harmonics much easier while using the bridge pickup, can slightly from the neck pu, and can't at all while using both. (two humbucks)

I use the neck pickup if I'm playing clean, especially playing a lead or solo...the tone, imo, is just better. More meat to it in clean mode.

[Larz]

The DK2 and DK2M should have the same SD bridge pickup, at least if it is a recently produced guitar. Not sure if models made awhile ago and still sitting on the shelf would be the same.