Jackson DK2M what are they like?

D

drjones

New member
Guys,
seeing as the Aussie dollar is rather strong against the USD at the moment i've been considering adding a jackson to my small arsenal of guitars. I am really liking the look of the transparent black DK2M with maple neck and two SD humbuckers. The only other jackson I have ever played is my old Jackson Performer, PS-2 I think it was. I thought that was a great guitar at the time.

So how does the DK2M compare to the PS2, I think the PS2 was an entry level jackson? The playability of the PS2 was tops, pickups not so great, but for entry level you can't expect to much.

Whats the quality like on the floyd rose? will it stay in tune? I had issues with the PS2 trem not staying in tune towards the end of its life. Any feedback is appreciated, for less than half of what it would cost me here to own it I thought I should suss out whether its a good idea or not.

Thanks.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

All i can say is I love mine.
The jt-580 lo-pro has never given me any trouble. The body should be alder, which is heads above the chepo basswood Js-2 and also the trem on the JS-s2 was crap.
The pickups werent that great either. Sure it wasnt a bad guitar with a few changes, but nothing compared to a DK2. Go for it , youll never regret it. If you like jacksons that is.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

How do they 'rank' in the scheme of the Jackson line? What I mean for example is that Fender strats go, Squier, Mexican Strat, Hwy1 then American series. What would the DK2M equivalent be? Mexican? Hwy1?
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

The DK2M would rank about the same as a Hwy1 in the Fender Line. It is Jackson's top of the Japanese line. After the DK2 series are the DK1s and Soloists (and a few other more radical models, likes Vs) in the Signature (U.S.) Series.

They are excellent guitars, but will usually require a good setup.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

They are excellent value for money, better value than the Highway 1 for sure.
The JT-580 trem can stay in tune for up to 5 days, if you don't use the trem arm, 3-4 days if you use it, and by that, I mean even after the 5 or so days, the guitar is only so slightly out of tune you can just tune it via the fine tuners anyway.
The natural sustain in not that great IMO, not necessarily bad as such, but seriously, just save up a few hundred bucks more for the DK2S. The DK2S is an extremely versatile guitar, in fact one of the most versatile guitars for its price.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

I'd just hop straight to a DK-1 and be done if you're a fan of the Dinky series.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

I've had several Jacksons over the years (mainly USA Soloists) and they all came with JB's in the bridge and '59s in the neck. The JB's NEVER sounded good.....no crunch, somewhat farty and in some guitars a little muddy. The '59s have been hit and miss sounding the best in my SL2H-Mah. The Jazz is brighter than the '59 and in a 24 fret guitar, just not to my liking. But hey, everyone's idea of good tone is different. I have not checked out the Pro series guitars since Fender took over but if they were like the Akai versions, the electronics blow and the JT-580 has a much different tone that an OFR. YMMV.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

slightly_rude said:
I've had several Jacksons over the years (mainly USA Soloists) and they all came with JB's in the bridge and '59s in the neck. The JB's NEVER sounded good.....no crunch, somewhat farty and in some guitars a little muddy. The '59s have been hit and miss sounding the best in my SL2H-Mah. The Jazz is brighter than the '59 and in a 24 fret guitar, just not to my liking. But hey, everyone's idea of good tone is different. I have not checked out the Pro series guitars since Fender took over but if they were like the Akai versions, the electronics blow and the JT-580 has a much different tone that an OFR. YMMV.
Click to expand...

I read somewhere that the Soloists have a 500K vol. and a 250K tone control - that would account for some of the reason why the JB would sound muddy and undefined (I had that same thought when I got my Soloist - I should have metered it before I gutted it and re-wired with other pups).

The JB is a great match in the Pro series like the DK2M, and the electronics are more than adaquate in the Pro series. The Pro series Dinkies are just a little brighter than than the U.S. Series. I really think Fender has done well for Jackson.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

slightly_rude said:
I've had several Jacksons over the years (mainly USA Soloists) and they all came with JB's in the bridge and '59s in the neck. The JB's NEVER sounded good.....no crunch, somewhat farty and in some guitars a little muddy. T YMMV.
Click to expand...

:wrf: man i have the Sh4 and SH2n in my Jackson DK2 and its a sound i wouldnt ever trade for anything.The sound is, in a word-"golden" In fact I would never ever get rid of that guitar for any reason at all.
With those DK2's with the SH2/4 combo you an find a absolute jem that looks, plays and sounds killer.
Seymour didnt put his favourite pickups in ther for nuhtin IMO>
Thats a great great guitar.
One of the best overall values on the market.
Im not sayin dont put different pickups in it( i hink a DiMaz SuperD would sound great) but that JAzz/JB set is just golden in an Alder DK2.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

They're killer guitars for the money. I've been gassing for a DK2M for a while, myself.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

I tried a jackson that had EMGs and a fixed bridge, DXMG i think it was? Anyway i liked the way it played, so i doubt i'll have any issues with the playability of the DK2M. I have an Epi Les Paul, a Hwy1 Strat, and an Epi 335. If this Jackson is as good as the Hwy1, I'll be more than happy.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

drjones said:
I tried a jackson that had EMGs and a fixed bridge, DXMG i think it was? Anyway i liked the way it played, so i doubt i'll have any issues with the playability of the DK2M. I have an Epi Les Paul, a Hwy1 Strat, and an Epi 335. If this Jackson is as good as the Hwy1, I'll be more than happy.
Click to expand...


The Jackson would devastate the Hwy1, for sure. The Jackson is more versatile than you would think.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

drjones said:
I tried a jackson that had EMGs and a fixed bridge, DXMG i think it was? Anyway i liked the way it played, so i doubt i'll have any issues with the playability of the DK2M. I have an Epi Les Paul, a Hwy1 Strat, and an Epi 335. If this Jackson is as good as the Hwy1, I'll be more than happy.
Click to expand...

Fixed bridge would be a DKMGT probably. Thats an MG series, one step below the Pro series DK2. My main guitar is a DXMG, which is a reversed HS with JT580.

I love me some dinkys. Ive never played anything I like as much as a dinky in fact, not since I got my first Dinky Reverse way back in 93.

And the DK2M has a maple baord with black sharkies and binding :drool:
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

drjones said:
I tried a jackson that had EMGs and a fixed bridge, DXMG i think it was? Anyway i liked the way it played, so i doubt i'll have any issues with the playability of the DK2M. I have an Epi Les Paul, a Hwy1 Strat, and an Epi 335. If this Jackson is as good as the Hwy1, I'll be more than happy.
Click to expand...

When I stated earlier that the DK2M would be like the Hwy1, it was meant to show where the DK2M would sit in the Fender model scheme. The Jackson is much nicer than the Hwy1, you will be very happy.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

Binnerscot said:
When I stated earlier that the DK2M would be like the Hwy1, it was meant to show where the DK2M would sit in the Fender model scheme. The Jackson is much nicer than the Hwy1, you will be very happy.
Click to expand...

I think the hwy1 is about equivalent actually. But you gotta put duncans in the hwy1 and then it really rocks. Also a great axe. dont underestimate it. It is a great value like the JV ,Cray and lite ash (which already has Duncans-what a great value) Strats. All great values.
I do think the DK2m has the edge though , I would agree.
 
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Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

How would the DK2M compare to the DKMG? I've always wanted to try a guitar with EMG's and the DKMG looks pretty dam cool in trans black as well.
 
Re: Jackson DK2M what are they like?

The DKMG is not a lot different from the DK2M. Same size neck I believe, basically the same specs, except color, pickups, and the DKMG is arch top, but otherwise not radically different.
 
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