Can anyone put a year on this DK2?

[cornstar70]

I bought this beast on ebay last year for a mere $250. I swear this thing had never been played. There was no wear or pick stratches indicating it has every been played and was in immaculate condition. It originally came with the Duncan Design pups, and I didn't hesitate to take that crap out (IMO, that DD bridge humbucker didn't sound half bad). But I wasn't about to leave lower class "Duncan" pups in there. I replaced those with Dimarzio Tone Zone, Air norton, and chopper and this thing is an awesome shredder. The FR licensed bridge isn't all that bad contrary to the complaints i've read in forums. They definately use inferior metal as compared to the OFR, but overall I can dive bomb it all day and it will stay in tune. The real question: Can any of you provide the year(s) that these particular DK2's were produced? Apparently, there is no way to trace Japanese bolt-on neck guitars based on the serial. Looking at the online catalogues on Jackson's site, i've narrowed it down to somewhere between 2001-2004. The earlier DK2s were made of poplar and the eventually switched to Alder and I'm almost positive this is the alder edition. Someone please help.

[rjohnstone]

Hard to tell from the pics, but is the hardware on that Chrome or brushed?
If it's brushed, it had a parts swap. All DK2's from 2001 on had chrome hardware.
The 2000 and earlier had Satin Chrome (Brushed finish)

Post the serial number... there are a few guys here that do keep track of them and can give you a rough idea when it was made.

[Sunbane]

There is only one sure-fire way of finding out when your guitar was made: Take the neck off. The body and the neck will have stamps in the neck pocket/heel, with their production dates.

[cornstar70]

Hard to tell from the pics, but is the hardware on that Chrome or brushed?
If it's brushed, it had a parts swap. All DK2's from 2001 on had chrome hardware.
The 2000 and earlier had Satin Chrome (Brushed finish)

Post the serial number... there are a few guys here that do keep track of them and can give you a rough idea when it was made.

It's not the shiny chrome like on the OFRs. It's not glossy and kinda has a matte texture to it if that makes any sense. I'm pretty sure it's still the JT-580 jackson trem. I'll post the serial as soon as I get home.

[rjohnstone]

It's not the shiny chrome like on the OFRs. It's not glossy and kinda has a matte texture to it if that makes any sense. I'm pretty sure it's still the JT-580 jackson trem. I'll post the serial as soon as I get home.

That is called Satin Chrome (brushed).
If the hardware is stock, the guitar was made before 2001.

[MartinBarre]

I didn't hesitate to take that crap out (IMO, that DD bridge humbucker didn't sound half bad).

If your opinion was that it didn't sound half bad, how come it's now "crap"?
Just interested. I replace all my pickups with real Duncans too, but you've contradicted yourself a bit there.

[cornstar70]

If your opinion was that it didn't sound half bad, how come it's now "crap"?
Just interested. I replace all my pickups with real Duncans too, but you've contradicted yourself a bit there.

Haha, yeah I did. Yeah, it didn't sound that bad, but it didn't sound like a real JB. I actually gave it to a friend and he put it in a lower scaled Ibanez RG. Duncan Designs are just inferior quality and i'm sure they 'cut corners". The two single coils, though, those things were crap. Just constant noise and feedback. And honestly, I was just dissatisfied with it saying "duncan desing". Gave it a cheap vibe. I would rather it say Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio over Duncan Design and wouldn't mind paying the extra money to make that swap. I guess i'm a boutique/name brand guy. The tone zone is definately superior.

[cornstar70]

Alright guys I have the Serial. It's 9615654. Thanks for the help

[DonP]

Haha, yeah I did. Yeah, it didn't sound that bad, but it didn't sound like a real JB.

In what way?

I actually gave it to a friend and he put it in a lower scaled Ibanez RG. Duncan Designs are just inferior quality and i'm sure they 'cut corners".

How did they cut corners?

The two single coils, though, those things were crap. Just constant noise and feedback.

Last time I checked, all single coils had hum.

And honestly, I was just dissatisfied with it saying "duncan desing". Gave it a cheap vibe. I would rather it say Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio over Duncan Design and wouldn't mind paying the extra money to make that swap. I guess i'm a boutique/name brand guy.

Sounds like you didn't listen to your ears and bought into the marketing B.S. Funny thing is, the DD singles are usually highly regarded if you are into strat tones. But as long as you're happy, that's all that matters.

[MartinBarre]

Yeah I gotta be honest, I've never been all that keen on DD pickups, they don't have the mojo of real Duncans. That said, the two singles in the DK2 I had were fantastic. If I'd been keeping that guitar I'd have left those pickups in there, they were that good.

[cornstar70]

To DonP and Barre1, stop busting my balls about DD pickups. I said the Bridge PU was not half bad, not "OMFG it sounds phenomenal!" Second, if DD pickups didn't "cut corners" and use inferior materials, there wouldn't be the Duncan Design name would there? They would probably be added to the Seymour Duncan line. That also goes for the lower price. It's like the same concept of Fender and Squier or the Soloist compared to the DK2. Also, I've been playing guitar for 15+ years, I know single coils have "the hum", but the hum from the SC-101's was rediculous, more than any strat i've ever played. Even with the gain rolled back they still made so much noise I never liked to play with them. I'm not ruling out that it could've been a wiring or shielding problem, who knows? Once, I put the Dimarzio's in there, sound difference was night and day. 10x better than the DDs. I'm not trying to be a dick, but I don't like being put on the spot. Like I said, i've been playing for 15+ years and have owned several guitars, I'm not completely oblivious guitar trends, specs, etc. As for the dating, I decided to change the strings anyway, popped off the neck and discovered it was made in february 1998 thus making it a pre-fender era guitar which makes me feel a little better (not that fender is doing a bad job). Flame away.

[MartinBarre]

To DonP and Barre1, stop busting my balls about DD pickups. I said the Bridge PU was not half bad, not "OMFG it sounds phenomenal!" Second, if DD pickups didn't "cut corners" and use inferior materials, there wouldn't be the Duncan Design name would there? They would probably be added to the Seymour Duncan line. That also goes for the lower price. It's like the same concept of Fender and Squier or the Soloist compared to the DK2. Also, I've been playing guitar for 15+ years, I know single coils have "the hum", but the hum from the SC-101's was rediculous, more than any strat i've ever played. Even with the gain rolled back they still made so much noise I never liked to play with them. I'm not ruling out that it could've been a wiring or shielding problem, who knows? Once, I put the Dimarzio's in there, sound difference was night and day. 10x better than the DDs. I'm not trying to be a dick, but I don't like being put on the spot. Like I said, i've been playing for 15+ years and have owned several guitars, I'm not completely oblivious guitar trends, specs, etc. As for the dating, I decided to change the strings anyway, popped off the neck and discovered it was made in february 1998 thus making it a pre-fender era guitar which makes me feel a little better (not that fender is doing a bad job). Flame away.

How was I busting your balls? I told you I replaced all my DD pups with real Duncans. All I said was I liked the single coil DD pups in the DK2 I had.

So go fuck yourself.

[sixx_ gunner]

" So go fuck yourself."


And welcome to the board!
:ROTF:

[MartinBarre]

Fuck 'im! Ach maybe it was a bit harsh.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]