Jackson CS vs...

[vector]

Likely a dumb debate but was on a ESP players site and was stunned by the cost of their CS models. (For that matter, their Artist Models & Stds. as well) When inquiring about why so pricey, got the usual brand-loyal rhetoric, chest thumping & flame throwing.
Granted, I get that the exchange rate is a big part, as is shipping from Japan. But in terms of quality, I honestly can't imagine ESP puts out something that superior to Jackson CS as to validate a 2-3 K greater price.
By way of example, in my mad lust for Star shaped axes, I've eye-balled ESP artist models (Lynch Kamikaze, Anchang Star, Roope RS-II) and even priced out a CS Star. YIKES! Long story short- I came back to Jackson CS because the materials, components and presumably, the craftsmanship are equal to the ESP's. Price for my upcoming CS Star is still 1.5 K cheaper than the artists models and 3 K cheaper than a comparable CS from ESP & has cooler features than them (neck thru, sustainer neck pup, custom graphics.)
Bottom line? Even with shitty wait time, dollar for dollar, Jackson CS kicks ass!

[BigE13]

That comment has direction and magnitude! (vague movie reference)...you can't go wrong with a CS Jackson! Great choice!

[RacerX]

direction and magnitude! (vague movie reference)...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/

[BigE13]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323594/

Oh yeah! Squid launcher! lol (This went really off topic!)

[Trem]

ESP was closer to JCS prices before the dollar went to shit though, exchange rate is another grand right there.

[charvel750]

If I had to choose between a USA made Custom Shop Jackson or an overseas made ESPee, I would go for the....duh.

[themisfit138]

I have both custom ESP and Jackson guitars. The quality is very close on both, I would just get Jackson. The prices are lower and the Jackson pointy headstock it better then the ESP. ESP just does copies of US guitars anyways.

[Mazrim]

I love ESPs but Jackson edge it, usually, every guitar is different of course.
I wasnt aware there was that much difference in CS pricing but I havent really been paying attention to exchange rates.
Typically you'd get a standard ESP slightly cheaper over here than a US Jackson so I thought the CS pricing would be similar.

Regardless of price, I would go to Jackson for a CS guitar before ESP. So long as they could complete it within my lifetime.

[Mikey2201]

I have played a few ESP custom shops and yes they were nice, real nice, but in my experience its Jackson hands down.

[xenophobe]

The thing is, ESP does employ really skilled luthiers in factories in really expensive areas. They easily compare to Fender or Jackson master builders. Imagine the cost of living in Tokyo? That's where one of their custom shops are. They have several different shops and you don't get to pick where, so it's luck of the draw. I'm currently in-process of ordering a custom ESP. I don't care about the extra cost because the lead time is 4-6 months from order to delivery...

ESP will also make just about anything you want, except for Explorers, I guess.

And as much as I've liked to make fun of them in the past, all of the customs I've actually played were all pretty amazing in both feel and build quality. Easily as good as Jackson custom.

ESP just does copies of US guitars anyways.

That's kind of a lame statement. Look at ESP or Charvel's history. They both started as companies who supplied replacement stratocaster parts....

[vector]

I don't doubt that ESP has seriously skilled builders and use quality parts and materials. But having their Custom Shop in a high rent locale doesn't exactly make me wanna pay the extra $. I keep wondering how it is that they can keep selling 6 K customs, even with a 4-6 month delivery time.
Endorsements? Admittedly, ESP's got a bunch of high profile artists hocking their wares. Is it hype or is there something they're doing that justifies that kinda mark up?
Ah well, fuck it. Haven't played a CS ESP to compare so I may never know but then, why fuck with what works? (especially at a 2-3K higher cost ) J/C CS's have consistently been killer and at the more reasonable price, I'll take that.

[xenophobe]

CJ custom shop also takes quite a bit longer to produce a guitar. To me that bump in cost is worth not waiting two fucking years.

Jackson is now owned by Fender, but I still can't even get a Strathead Jackson custom order that isn't a minor change from a PC or AS. That's bullshit too.

And if you hadn't noticed, Jackson customs are costing quite a bit lately.

[veemagic]

I had a custom shop ESP Explorer quoted out this past winter, and was blown away at the current pricing. Yeah the lead time was only 4-6 months, which is great, but they pricing came back the same as a Ken Lawrence custom explorer. Of course that lead time will be a ton longer, but ESP's pricing is insane. ESP's custom shop is deliberately gouging people right now with their take it or leave it attitude.

[xenophobe]

I had a custom shop ESP Explorer quoted out this past winter, and was blown away at the current pricing. Yeah the lead time was only 4-6 months, which is great, but they pricing came back the same as a Ken Lawrence custom explorer. Of course that lead time will be a ton longer, but ESP's pricing is insane. ESP's custom shop is deliberately gouging people right now with their take it or leave it attitude.

USA Selects and artist sigs are listed at DCGL or Music Zoo have sale prices listed between $2000 and $3000. Those aren't even true customs. You could get a truly handcrafted Suhr or spend a little more and get a McNaught for those awesome prices Jackson charges... lets not even talk about $1k+ Made in India imports we'll be seeing soon.

Yeah, ESP is expensive. Jackson isn't a bargain brand either. Jackson is giving everyone who is willing to drop $4k+ the middle finger and say "Fuck it, you're waiting two years".

Same shit, different company. I don't want to drop $4k on a guitar I may not even be into two years later. And, sorry... Dealing with the Jackson Custom shop isn't a walk through the ballpark... all the lies, excuses and bullshit that comes out of there. It's getting kinda sad.


Seriously, even comparing a brand like ESP... using Jackson as an example of what a company should do is utter failure.

EDIT: Fuck dude, I've been on JCF for probably close to 15 years now. I'm not really a brand loyalist with anything else in life, but I've been a brand loyalist of Jackson this whole time. They won't make me what I want, they would charge 80% of what my custom ESP would cost, and I don't have to wait 2 years to get it. Their custom shop is far more talented than the Jackson shop. Just go look at the ESP Custom Shop archive. They do shit that Jackson employees would crap their pants trying to figure out...

Have a look (its a far cry from the extreme pablo crap, and not saying I like what they've posted, but it's quite obvious that the skill level far exceeds what the Jackson CS can do....).

http://www.espguitars.co.jp/ordermade/gallery/index.html

Then compare that to stabbed poo, Zoraxe, the Jackson Axe, the VH logo guitar and maybe the VVV. There's a serious disparity in the abilities of the luthiers of both companies.

And seriously, if Jackson made available an expedited service guaranteeing delivery within 6 months for a $1000 upcharge, there would be a lot of people willing to pay it. Either that or wait two years? I'd pay it. I'm sure others here would too.

[vampire dark]

I'll tell you what guys ESP is a great brand all those big artists use their models ,but I would prefer Jackson or Charvel cause they have their unique character when it come to guitars.ESP is copying other brands and I'm not talking about the les paul or the strat that were copied by everyone ,but they have copied the star(charvel) and the RR which is a landmark of Jackson as the RR was the first one to carry the Jackson logo.....also they have copied the explorer and the sg(they belong to Gibson!!!!), with george lynch they copied charvel and with hanneman they almost copied the jackson soloist.Not to mention the headstock!!!!Look at BC Rich or Dean .They are great cause they have their unique and different style and some guitar bodies you can tell from miles away.....it's just this magic that ESP is missing(well if I ever had the money I would buy a Ran guitars copy of a body shape....I'm just against the mass production of guitar copies it's like they don't respect the uniqueness of other brands and they take advantage of the genius people who created them).