esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

[Shooter.556]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

What Jackson custom shop is cheaper than an ESP? You will have a hard time finding any new custom shop Jackson under 3k. Standard USA models under 3k sure... customs... not so much.

I wasn't really talking about new Jacksons.. I was talking second hand in mint shape. I see them around here in Louisville and in Nashville for under $2k from time to time. Ebay and Reverb also have a few as long as you're not getting into custom paint on them. I'll spend $3k on a guitar if it's going to be an investment.

 

[jmh151]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

Jackson Custom Shop is supposedly same quality as USA Jacksons, the difference is custom specs. You can find used USA Jacksons for $900-$1200

 

[1b4n3z]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

J Custom for sure, I have two from different eras and they are beyond amazing instruments. I have only bad experiences with USA Jacksons, so I won't recommend one unless you have time to thoroughly test and inspect the guitar before committing to it. E-II are not quite in the same league as Ibanez J Customs are. I'd rather compare J Customs to ESP Custom Shop stuff.

E: The only reservation I have about today's Ibanezes concerns the Edge Zero bridge. It's not quite as good as previous Edge Pros or Original Edges (and Lo-Pros). Get one with earlier Edges or hard tails and you're set for life

 

[Chazzy]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

Well how much better is a custom shop vs a usa standard? They must both be relatively similar quality wise no?

 

[Chazzy]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

Bad experiences with a usa jackson? First I have heard of it, sure you werent playing one of the higher end indonesian models, those can go as high as 1.5k

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

Well how much better is a custom shop vs a usa standard? They must both be relatively similar quality wise no?

Bad experiences with a usa jackson? First I have heard of it, sure you werent playing one of the higher end indonesian models, those can go as high as 1.5k

The Japanese and USA Jacksons I've played were beyond incredible! A custom shop instrument will have more attention to detail simply because they are individual builds, not a line of guitars made to certain blanket specs.

 

[1b4n3z]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

Yep three USA Soloists, one from 2005 and two 2008s. Those two 2008s were new - the first one had all routes horribly misaligned and way too big. I haven't seen a route job as bad since then. I sent it back and got a better one. That one had the bridge too close to the treble side. The first string would slip off and no amount of adjusting the nut and bridge would help there, so I sold it (sending guitars back and forth over continents is not cheap either).

After a few years I tried another SL2H, this time I made sure the strings align with the fretboard. They did, but at the expense of floyd movement. The bridge was mounted all the way against the bass side of the route, rubbing the edge. Also it was mounted too much forward and wouldn't intonate.

I see that all the time - for example this SL2H-MAH I was looking at http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/cerca/jackson-sl2h-mah.html

That's not the worst, but way too many of these have serious issues with the bridge and at the price point it's unacceptable.

That said I'm always looking for a great Soloist, I loved the neck and finishing was pretty great on those 2008s (not so with the 2005). It's just that I would never buy one without checking it out extremely carefully.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: esp e2 vs ibanez j custom vs jackson usa

I'd have to say the two Jackson USA Soloists I've picked up are top notch in all aspects - awesome players and phenomenal build quality. :headbang:

1988 & 2005