Are indonesian jacksons any good?

[Open lane]

Considering getting a budget guitar and swapping the pups with a set of blackouts. I read that the blackouts come stock on a couple imported jacksons. My current experience has told me to stick with korea if not getting japanese or usa. The made in Indonesia attribute scares me. Should it?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I can't speak for the build quality and playability of Indonesian Jacksons as a whole, but one of my guitar amigos has a JS22, which I believe is made in Indonesia. He put an EMG 81/85 set in it and it sounds just like any other guitar with that set that I've ever heard.

I haven't used the Blackouts in enough guitars to tell you hard and fast about their transparency, but in my limited experience they have sounded good in every guitar I've played them in.

This particular JS22 plays way better than a guitar that cost sub-$300 should, and it is this guy's #2 guitar for thrash and metal, his #1 being the American version of the same guitar.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I had an Indonesian Parker at one time. Build quality seemed ok.....and it set up without much hassle.

 

[Lovegun]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I bought a Jackson JS 22 and put 81/85 set in it. The only work I put into it was a small amount of chiseling in the control cavity so I could fit the Emg quick connect 3-way switch. Nothing wrong with the build quality. It is very good guitar for the price.

 

[daenius]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

Tried a couple in Guitar Center, so do take it with a grain of salt because Guitar Center does NOT take care of their guitars

They seemed alright, haven't played any amazing ones but haven't played any atrocious ones either. I suppose with a setup and maybe some fret polish if you're unlucky, they should be good.

I'd try to snag a second hand Japanese Jackson though, those are real great bangs for the buck!

 

[greekdude]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

My Indo ibb (UV70p) had good woods/pups and good main hardware, but assembly and minor parts were crap. My tech had to redo the neck join with extra dowels in order to take the beating of the edge zero ii-7.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I currently have 2 Indonesian built Ibanezes and used to have another. All have been good guitars with no issues.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I have a cheap, Indo made, kinda super strat hardtail. It's just ok. But again, it was cheap. I've played a Raven West LP copy that I'm almost positive was made in Indonesia. Not a fan of the "bling" but it was a pretty nice guitar. I'm sure I've played some other Indo made guitars but that's all I can recall. I think Indonesia, China and Korea can all churn out good guitars if they want to.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I've only had positive experiences with the Indonesian Jacksons. Really loved the necks on every MII Jackson Adrian Smith model I've played.

 

[Diego]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I don't think I've ever played an Indonesian Jackson.
All Jackson cheapos I've tried all came from China, where my Kelly was made.

They're alright for the price, I've tried a Dinky and my Kelly and I liked them both, and I also tried a 7 string Jackson that was atrocious.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

It's not about where a guitar is made. The Korean/Japan/Indonesian owned factories in Indonesia just make guitars by order from American/Japan guitar companies. You get what you pay for from a budget guitar. I'd say get MII mid-level guitar and you'll feel better.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I've owned a couple RR made there, after a pup swap they were all super guitars for the money.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I own two X Series Jacksons, made in Indonesia. Haven't had any issues with playability, tuning stability or excessive fret buzz. But those guitars are not really "cheap" ones. Jackson recommends $816 for them (like this one https://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear...ds-rrxt-dark-rosewood-fingerboard-satin-black). I didn't test them in a shop, just ordered online and was not disappointed. I even like the stock pickups in them (Duncan Designed 102). Can't say anything about JS series though, or generally guitars worth less than the pickups you want to throw in.

 

[RB522]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

Don't know about Jackson, but I do have an Ibanez made in Indonesia, and it's a great guitar. I'm in process now of getting better pickups and pots to upgrade the electronics. When I'm done, I'll have a budget guitar that plays as well as one twice the price.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Are indonesian jacksons any good?

I’ve got an neck thru Indonesian Ibanez and it’s absolutely solid, neck feels great and bridge was very ergonomic
Dunno about Jackson’s much though
Played an Indonesian jackson rhoads and that was pretty killer too