The Right Jackson

[nvranka]

Im having trouble choosing the right jackson for me. Ive been playing my friends kelly for a while, and i like it alot, but I dont want a kelly style.

ive been looking at the KV2, RR1, DKMG Dinky, maybe a soloist, I dno.

i cant come up with more than $2000, and id rather stay in the 1500 range (meaning id consider some of these used).

If you own one of these, or have an opinion on one, let me know, Id love to hear all about your experiences and anything youd like to share.

Thanks

[petez0r]

you will never own a better guitar than a KV2, not much else to say

[nvranka]

well I mean there must be some reason why people drop around the same amount for a soloist etc...i am really just curious why you guys chose whichever model you did.

Jacksons are really my favorite, so I like them all, but yeah, you know how it is making a large monetary decision. I only get one choice, and I want it to count

The KV2 is pretty sweet.

[Bri]

You have to go with what feels right for you. Back in the old days, Explorers just felt the best to me. When the Kelly came out I thought that it looked even better and I grew to like a wider, thinner neck. So I've known for over 20 years my next guitar would be a USA Kelly. I've never cared for playing V's, or strat type bodies. The Rhoads may be an exception, but I've never tried one. You just have to try all those yourself. Some of them are neck-thru, some bolt-on. I can't stand bolt-on. Some prefer them. It's your two grand.

[roodyrocker]

My favorite is the Rhoads but that doesn't mean you have to go by that. With your budget being in the $1500-2000 range you can get any of the body styles you want. In fact you can get it new or a REALLY nice used one. I have RR's, Kellys, KV's, Soloists, Warriors, even a PC1 and SLATQH. You can't go wrong with any of them. Have you played the others besides the Kelly?

[Special-K]

Try them and then choose

[ezbprimerib]

yup, its subjective. you'll have to play as many as you can get your hands on. I grew up on super-strats so I naturally love both my Soloists (SL1 & SL2). I had a Kelly (KE2) and found the body shape a pain for my style of playing with regard to my picking hand.

the new holy grail for me, in theory, is the Mahogany Soloists. I love mahogany tone wood warmth, but still haven't found one of these for sale in my area. SIGH.

[DC_rhoads82]

You rally do have to try whichever ones you are considering. I have an RR1 and love it. It's my main guitar and my favourite, but my next Jackson will be an SL1 or SL2 just because the body shape is a bit more traditional and I always worry about the tips of my V

[nvranka]

hehe I know what you guys are saying, and I have tried most of them, just wanted a little input from other people. I know it all comes down to me, but its just nice to hear you all have had good experiences with them.

[Gabriel Raphael]

hehe I know what you guys are saying, and I have tried most of them, just wanted a little input from other people. I know it all comes down to me, but its just nice to hear you all have had good experiences with them.

Peace and Happy holidays!

I love m RR5 for a practice guitar, its just string through but the sustain and action blows my Les Paul out of the water.

I avoided to get a RR guitar ever since Randy died in 1982., just did not seem right and also the guitars as i heard where never finished to his specs or general recomendations, but close i guess.

So it was one thing that Randy had guitars for him and another that he was one of those dedicated players who played his guitars 8 hours a day and knew what was needed to build a solid guitar both for performer and studio musicians.


NOTE how fragile the RR and KV guitars are!!!

BUT--> keep in mind that Randy was a teacher and a Classical guitarist., So with his guitars you are required to be a student and fallow the rules to get the most out of your instrument,

- You have to sit like a classical player (recommended for all styles to improve while avoids laziness)...

- You also have to be careful and and take care of your guitar not to bang it around and chip the fins....

Benefits from RR guitars:
- Great action,
- Great sound,
- Easier to sit with then KV guitars.
- Easier to take care of hen KV guitars,
- Close to Les Paul neck,
Most guitars out there do NOT combine with Les Paul or Gibson Marshall or other amp settings well, you will need to adjust your amps to the guitars to get close to fat tones.

Over all you need to try any guitar you buy, but i can tell you this, Randy made the guitar not just to play live but to play it period, most players who despise metal music and the guitars will admit that the RR guitars are incredible, beautiful and inspiring., rarest thing i hear from Jazz and even funk musicians after they actually try one., you be the judge.

Happy holidays

[Gabriel Raphael]

.

[Kendorob]

Hi

I bought a RR1 and a DK1 this year and I have a 15 year old Japanese Soloist that I also love. I expected the RR1 to be a monster but its quite laid back, I didn't research the pickups I guess. It sounds great and I even use the neck pick up. I can't get over how easily it plays and how good the tone is. One thing I didn't know was how easily it plays when standing up. Its easily the most comfortable to play of all my guitars, the lower horn tucks onto the thigh and anchors really well. I don't really get on well with it sitting down though. I bought the DK1 for more metal rhythm playing. Its in drop C tuning with heavier strings and a higher action but I still can't put it down. The EMGs are more metal but still sound ok on clean just rolled back a little. The heavier strings definately make a difference to the sound IMO.

Well my vote would be for an RR1, you can always add more gain on the amp. Happy Shopping.

[Newc]

Peace and Happy holidays!


BUT--> keep in mind that Randy was a teacher and a Classical guitarist., So with his guitars you are required to be a student and fallow the rules to get the most out of your instrument,

- You have to sit like a classical player (recommended for all styles to improve while avoids laziness)...

Sitting to play = laziness unless you're playing a Classical (because standing with an acoustic simply looks bad).


You are not required to be a "student" to own a Rhoads - opinions are nice to have, but statements like that are simply snooty and ill-informed.

I once saw a photo of a guy in a country band playing a pink Rhoads with black bevels flipped lefty. Play whatever you want, however you want.

[j2379]

you cant go wrong with a soloist. its comfy, versatile & just a great all around guitar.

[Axewielder]

If you play aggressively and/or a certain way with your right hand, some players find the volume knob on some models is placed in the way. The ones that have the issue are KE's and WR's and SL's, and the ones that are non-obstructive are the KV's and RR's. The other issue is balance. I've found that all of the USA models are well-balanced (i.e. no neck dive) with the exception of the Kelly.