Changes you'd wish stock USA Jacksons had (maybe they'll listen...)

[wakeUPdead]

+1

and reversed headstock + reversed sharkies models!

Reversed headstock would be awsome. The volume knob, I haven't had a problem with its placement at all.

[shreddermon]

I don't enjoy repetitive whining, Tim. I already hear enough of that from my 5 and 2 year olds.

[sl2lover]

Ya move the volume knob!
More reverse headstocks on USA's
Kahlers damn it!!!!

[hippietim]

I don't enjoy repetitive whining

Ironic that you have to whine about the repetition

Well, this will be repetitive then too. Your problem is easily solved: don't read the thread.

Truth be told, I've not heard some of the complaints before so while it may be petty whining to you, it's not for everyone. Heck, I didn't realize the KV2 didn't have a standard 3-way toggle.

[chrisgUK]

EMGs as standard

I agreeh the JB isnt what most jackson players are after, although its a good pick up. The EMGs have a cleaner look i think and fit better with guitars such as RRs

I would like to see more options for bevel finishes across the range aswel

[shreddermon]

Ironic that you have to whine about the repetition

And double ironic that you feel the need to whine about the whine about the whines.

[Sinistas]

SLSMG with sharks and a standard headstock.

[decadentdave]

They need to stop recessing the tremolos. It's just my opinion, but I wish my KV2 had more neck angle so the strings weren't so close to the body. You could still have a rout for pullback.

[delt]

2) They should make the Rhoads standard with 24 frets. (USA, same model, not a "special edition")

+1 !!!!!!!!!!

Why do they even bother making 22 fret guitars.... ??? It's just incomplete and there's a whole bunch of solos i can't play because they use the extra 2 frets.

/* edit */ The only advantage i see is that the neck PU is closer to the middle of the strings, so you get a slightly "rounder" sound.

[markD]

IMHO, there isn't much that needs to change on production jacksons. personally, i HATE EMG pickups, so i would stop buying USA select guitars if they had them. i am not a fan of the JB either, but i like it better than EMG. while the volume COULD be moved and i would be happy, it isn't that bad. i happen to like recessed floyds. i never really understood why people don't. what is so much better about a non-recessed floyd?

reverse headstock would be cool, but again i could live without it....

as far as the 24 fret thing with the rhoads...what is the big deal about that? do all of you actually NEED those extra frets regularly?

a USA fusion would be cool again for those who ABSOULETLY CAN NOT PLAY ON A 25.5 scale guitar....but then and again, if they sold enough of them before it would not have been dropped from the line!!!!

same with single hum guitars. if they sold well enough, they'd make them!!!

i do agree that rear loaded rhoads' look better, but isn't the RR still a signature model? i guess RR didn't want his guitar rear loaded or else it would have been!!!!

people will always want something they can't have. that is why there is a custom shop. while i agree jackson could offer a couple of more variations on their models, i think it would be silly to create "semi-custom" options. the USA select guitars take forever now, as do custom shop guitars....why bog the system down more?

BTW - i DO find these threads interesting....

[LEOKV2]

Have any of these suggestions not been said before? Geesh this has been rehashed over and over.

They make them the way that they do because the majority of USA Select buyers like them that way and/or can live with stuff they'd prefer otherwise.

Otherwise, that's what a custom shop order is for.

That's what I mean, some players like the USA Select series "as is", but, I'm sure some of the changes I posted, if not all, would be VERY much appreciated by most players. So I don't think it would be "fair" to pay like 4500 bucks for a guitar if you want little changes. Sure, if you want like a quilted top, 5 piece neck, LSR tuners, some wild wood combinations, etc, go for it. But, some people usually just change woods and pickups and nothing much.

If they made as an option the oportunity to have mahogany KELLY's, KING V's (not the KV2T, a regular KV2) or RHOADS, for like, 600 bucks more, then I'd think is better.

As far as the pickup change, I think they should add EMG's to the aggressive line I just talked about, or maybe Duncan Distortions, or something more "appropiate", hell, ALL of them have the SAME pup configuration...

And don't forget the crappy hardshells.

[shreddermon]

..but, I'm sure some of the changes I posted, if not all, would be VERY much appreciated by most players.

And that is the fundamental flaw underlying many of the posts in these types of threads. For instance, having a 3 way toggle on the 2 hum KV2. Seems like a no-brainer spec change, huh? Well, you know what? I don't think so. I actually like the 3 way blade, because it provides the flexibility to swap it out for a 5 way for coil splitting. What I mean is that people often assume that others want the same thing they want, when in reality others really don't want it or don't care either way.

The bottom line is this: J/C does it the way that they do because the guitars already sell well, and hit a broad swath of consumers with the existing specs. Is there any value in the suggestions of these threads? Sure. A little. But not a whole lot. (...I suppose the same could be said for a lot of threads, but this topic seems to recur more often. )

Otherwise, many of the posts will be lementing not having some limited custom order-like flexibility for USA Selects. "Let us choose reverse headstocks, hardware color, reverse inlays"...whatever. The bottom line here is you want it, but they don't provide it. But, if you want it bad enough you already have the option: do a custom shop order. ...What's that? Too much money? That's OK - your choice, of course. But J/C already gave you the option to get what you wanted and you choose not to exercise it because of cost. And they still sell well anyway.

Also, if a particular spec change really is popular enough, there's always the possibility of pulling together a special run of USA Selects, and avoiding full custom shop pricing. ex. ER's set of reverse headstock guitars. Go to it.

[LEOKV2]

See? Why would you "like" a 3 way blade because then you'll also have to swap it for a 5 way toggle? I mean, If they are determined on having a blade on the KV2 (while all the other pointy Jacksons don't...) then at least they should have a 5 way blade instead, don't you think? Personally between a 3 way blade or a 3 way toggle, the toggle seems more efficient, BUT, like you said, if you like 5 way toggles, to me a 5 way blade is more "understandable" than a 3 way blade, see? It would be a nice change for them.

That's why I made this thread, not to make complaints, just to point out some advice to Jackson.

As far as the "special run" guitars... I still haven't seen USA 24 fretted Rhoads, or EMG (or Duncan Distortion or whatever) loaded Kelly's or King V's, etc etc, that's why I think they should kinda like upgrade 'em a little bit to go with the NEW higher prices, that's all.

As much as I don't like ESP's they actually have most of their line complete with EMG's and/or Duncans depending on the model's version. It's an example I think.

[NextInLine]

shreddermon I agree with you totally, especially on this part

And that is the fundamental flaw underlying many of the posts in these types of threads. For instance, having a 3 way toggle on the 2 hum KV2. Seems like a no-brainer spec change, huh? Well, you know what? I don't think so. I actually like the 3 way blade, because it provides the flexibility to swap it out for a 5 way for coil splitting. What I mean is that people often assume that others want the same thing they want, when in reality others really don't want it or don't care either way.

[Mario8672]

#1. A choice of pickups on each guitar (EMG81/85, Duncans, etc)
#2. Better Cases!
#3. Choice of hardware colour.