Jackson is out of their minds (and so are used gear sellers)

[BeKindRewind]

Just the latest Jackson rant. You thought people were upset about the fender buyout, but my god have they crapped the bed the last few years with the decisions to get rid of MIJ models and price the USA models out of reach (well.. they still have MIJ models but now they're more expensive than the USA ones used to be.)

I bought a USA KV2 in about 2009 for $1900 CDN and that same guitar is now $4999 CDN.

Now you can get an Indonesian X-Series King V for 1500$ instead with a floyd rose special that's leagues worse than the JT580 and JT590 trems they used to put on the cheaper models. The KV2 is now out of reach for almost anybody to buy that guitar now and it's not like they increased the quality, innovated, or did anything to them - they're the exact same specs and everything that they used to be. They still haven't changed the KV2 from Dave Mustaine's specs for god's sakes, they still use his design of a blade switch, 2 vol\ master tone layout, the smaller frets he specced for the KV1 as well as the neck profile. So it's not like they're constantly innovating and improving the technology or anything.

Best part is, that 1500 indonesian V doesn't come with a case, guess how much the case is? 400 bucks. that's 1900 - the same as I paid for my USA KV2.. which came with a case.

The worst part is the in-between series, the MIJ made Jacksons that were fantastic guitars for the price, are just gone - but oh, you can buy them on ebay, about a thousand bucks for an old bolt-on RR3 (no case, are you crazy? ) that used to be $499 brand spanking new. So it's not just Jackson who are out of their minds, it's the people on reverb trying to capitalize on selling the older MIJ models for nostalgia's sake + the fact that you simply can't get a good deal on a Jackson anymore.

Rant over, they used to be my favorite guitars but I just can't support them anymore

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

Agreed, everyone and everything is outrageous.
Inflation is out of control.

 

[AdrianSD]

Ibanez RG550 Genesis, the quality can not be matched in the same price bracket. Still the real thing. Fender and Gibson are ruining it. But then, if I was a shareholder I'd be pretty happy to be able to sell 5k guitars, wouldn't I?

 

[JMP/HBE]

yep, $1300 epi's & squires are the norm.

 

[RanchManSandy]

yay capitalism

 

[BeKindRewind]

Makes me wish I kept my KV1 and KV2. I sold them both during hard times a few years back. I sold the KV1 for about 1200 USD. I'm seeing them go for over 10,000 now.

At the least, I'm glad I kept what I still have. I do still have 2 neck thru Jacksons of high quality and I'd never, ever be able to afford to replace it today. They are MIJ professionals from the 90s, the ones that had the exact same specs as the USA models, and are now selling for more than the USA models used to be (brand new!) if you can even find one.

I could cash in and sell mine but then I'd never be able to replace them.

I don't mean to be a gear snob. I am a big fan of cheaper guitars and I have a $200 Ibanez that kicks ass. But if I was starting on guitar today it would be a sad sad climate trying to claw my way up to a Les Paul or something.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

yep, $1300 epi's & squires are the norm.

I think Squiers are still pretty bang-for-the-buck, especially compared to Epis. I don't think even the most expensive Squiers cost half as much as the most expensive Epis, yet I'd say they're both on par quality-wise.

I think it's Epis that are priced ridiculously. The really high-end ones are husks on par quality-wise with 400-500 dollar guitars, just with some fancy pickups.

 

[ehdwuld]

Vote with your wallet

Just don't buy the expensive gear for about 5 years and they will change the structure

 

[DankStar]

A freaking small hunk of wood, some metal and plastic shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars.

 

[superpete]

i agree. everyone's pricing is getting out of control, but Jackson has gotta be one of, if not the worst offender.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm glad I've never gotten into Jackson, really.

I like Ibanez necks better as far as shredder necks go.

I'm not into Floyds.

Even if I don't really dislike it, I'm not seeking a guitar that's neck-thru.

I don't particularly love their body shape designs. The Rhoads is killer, but I don't really get along with V's sitting down. Other than that, I don't hate the Soloist, Dinky, King V, or Kelly, but nothing about them makes me go "woah, I need one".

I don't think the mid-priced ones are particularly well-made compared to LTD's or Schecters coming from the World factory, and the "good" ones are super expensive.

I really like their green soloist or whatever that's MIJ visually, and I bet I could get along fine with the neck, but I don't like Floyds, and I wouldn't pay that much on a guitar that I'm not fully in love with.

*EDIT* Oh, that green guitar that I like actually MIA. No wonder it's so expensive. And they do have a version with a fixed bridge. Hm...

 

[beaubrummels]

I bought my Indonesion SL3X used for about $400 with a case. It's neck-through, bound fretboard, shark markers, came with Duncan Designed and Floyd Special (so far so good, but I haven't abused it). My experience with Indonesian guitars in general are they are pretty good workmanship and feel, it's just the finishes feel really thin and fragile. But they are priced about right.

 

[Aceman]

I am slummin' JS32's and SLX's these days. No regrets...Stickers cost extra. Creativity: free.

 

[Mincer]

Have you priced Music Mans lately? Also very very expensive.

 

[BeKindRewind]

I am slummin' JS32's and SLX's these days. No regrets...Stickers cost extra. Creativity: free.

Nice, I've been eyeing that Orange soloist myself. I have an indonesian KVXMG that is actually pretty decent, the fretwork was perfect even if the fit and finish is a little flawed. the floyd rose special is not great but so far no major issues with it and i'll slap something a little more premium in there when it's time to replace. It still doesn't hold a candle to the quality of even the bolt-on MIJ stuff from the 90's or early 2000's though

 

[BeKindRewind]

My Kelly Pro, MIJ KV1 [Mustaine] , 2003-ish KVX10 w\ Black Hardware Swap, DKXMG ( I think that's the model) , and my late model KVXMG

the KVX10 is fantastic guitar, just needs the jack rerouted to the top fin which I'll get around to... someday.

 

[Chistopher]

Vote with your wallet

Just don't buy the expensive gear for about 5 years and they will change the structure

There are far too many goons with more money than sense for that to work. I know people who make less than me who spend more most months on instruments than I do my house

 

[AdrianSD]

Ibanez J-line or Fender MIJ off fleabay as other alternatives, reasonably priced. Now watch their prices going up in 3, 2, 1...

 

[Aceman]

The Jackson necks are simply amazing.

I think the Floyd specials that have problems come from 2 sources:
1. Studs not installed correctly/straight. Prevents the guitar from returning to zero
2. Soft metal on the string blocks. Results in slippage, breaking, maybe you trying to over-tighten and stripping a screw.

One is obviously visible and the other is a cheap replacement.

 

[soulforger]

Are you outside to US? Indo made Pro Series King Vs, Soloists etc. seem to go for anywhere from $999 to $1199 new and come with a Floyd 1000 series not Special, which is equal to an OG Floyd. I know, some say the German ones have smoother fine tuners, but you can buy German tuner buttons if you must. Personally I have zero issue with the Floyd 1000. $1k is not a bad price at all for the quality you are getting imo. Every Pro Series Jackson I have picked up lately has been exceptional.