Jackson RR3 opinions?

crguti

Active member
what is your opinion about this guitar? is the low end of Jackson's guitars?

RR3_Rhoads_md.jpg
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

Yes it's the low end. I wouldn't buy it but I'm spoiled.

Save your money and buy a USA.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

this was my dream guitar when I was a kid. I have seen a local ad selling this guitar with a gator hardcase but somehow I knew it was one of the low end Jackson. I'm gonna pass it. Thanks H8red.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

The quality of MIJ Jacksons can vary a lot. Some of those can be surprisingly good while others are not worth it. I'd recommend to check it out, sometimes they can go for really low prices.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

You can get RR5s for the same price, used. Get an RR5.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

Same here, got one for $300 used last fall with OHSC. The decal under the headstock states that it was made in Japan. I think these retailed for $999 street when they came out.

I haven't done a full setup on it yet, but I did restring it with DaD 9.5's; I need to adjust the truss rod relief and dial in the intonation on the Floyd as well as its height. I like the neck, feels pretty good to me - doesn't feel cheap. I do experience a nagging slip-off once in a whlile when fretting a note on the Low-E string. The string spacing at the nut is wider than any other guitar I own.

I was also able to make the neck slip a tad in the pocket, but tightening the four screws pretty much handled that. It has a real SD 4-lead Jazz/JB combo for pickups, though I'm still deciding if I like the sound. The Jazz is OK enough, but the JB has a sort of screech/snarl to it that I'm still deciding if I like or not.

The pickguard-control plate is made of metal but it can flex upwards if you pull on a knob since there are no mount screws in the middle edges of the plate.

If I decide to give it my full workover, I'd:
-Look into changing the nut, it seems wider than an R43
-See if the frets were over-radiused too close to the fretboard along the low E string
-full setup on truss and trem
-maybe swap in two push-pull pots to split the pickups and add middle mount screws to the control plate
-Try a 250K or 300K vol pot for the JB, or…
-swap in my Custom Trembucker for the JB
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

These guys piled on the MIJ Jacksons a while back when I was asking about them too, and my Kelly XLR is one the of the best guitars I've owned, I'm glad I didn't listen to them. They don't command a lot of money, I can't help but wonder if that doesn't have something to do with why people bash them like they're crap, they're not. For ~$300 I'd like to see these guys top one, hell, for $600.

I remember a time when Kramers and 80's Charvels were "crap" you could buy for 2-300 bucks too, just sayin'.

That said, you'd be best served playing it and deciding yourself, rather than listening to interweb experts, including myself.
 
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Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

These guys piled on the MIJ Jacksons a while back when I was asking about them too, and my Kelly XLR is one the of the best guitars I've owned, I'm glad I didn't listen to them. They don't command a lot of money, I can't help but wonder if that doesn't have something to do with why people bash them like they're crap, they're not. For ~$300 I'd like to see these guys top one, hell, for $600.

I remember a time when Kramers and 80's Charvels were "crap" you could buy for 2-300 bucks too, just sayin'.

That said, you'd be best served playing it and deciding yourself, rather than listening to interweb experts, including myself.

Clarification: I wasn't one of 'These guys' that you mention above.
Thank You.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

That said, you'd be best served playing it and deciding yourself, rather than listening to interweb experts, including myself.

It always amused me listening to the people that basically say 'It's junk unless you spend $5,000 on it', not just with guitars either. REALLY? I bet you can take an Epi/Gibson or Fender/Squier, take all the markings off them and these people screaming 'it's junk' couldn't tell which one is the Gibson/Fender and which is the Epi/Squier. Price and name brands doesn't equal quality. I just heard in a conversation that the CEO's of these companies know this but they still sell you a $1000 for $5000
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

I have one. They're great for the price you can get them for used. As far as "low end", while I'm sure it's not USA quality it is on par or better than some mid-range quality guitars I've played.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

The RR3 isn't low-low-end Jackson; that's the stuff to avoid. RR3 is lower mid-level, or upper entry-level, depending on how you look at it. I've played some nice ones over the years; they can be a great value on the used market. It's bolt-on, so it's not the same sound and feel you get with a neck-through model -- especially the USA models, which have quartersawn necks and ebony fretboards. But it's good for what it is. Get a good one, and it'll be a great player.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

...while I'm sure it's not USA quality it is on par or better than some mid-range quality guitars I've played.

The $4,000 ESP Signature stuff is made in Japan. I've read that they are quite competative, and sometimes prefered. 'USA' only makes stuff expensive.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

The $4,000 ESP Signature stuff is made in Japan. I've read that they are quite competative, and sometimes prefered. 'USA' only makes stuff expensive.

I think he's specifically comparing it to the USA Jacksons, which in this case are (currently) the best guitars Jackson is making. Everyone knows ESP and Ibanez make their best guitars in Japan.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

No, I was specifically looking at h8 and Varg...

I've owned the KE3 and the early King V which was a KV2 at the time but Jap made. I even had a Jap Dinky back in the day. They were all **** and I hated them. They were unfortunately the best thing going at the time. Having never played a USA guitar in my life before owning any of the above, I knew they were garbage and I never understood the hype behind Jackson. They felt like **** to handle and I could never get a decent set up off them. They weren't worth the money even at the few hundred dollars I spent on them. In comparison the Schecter C1 Classic I had for a short time a few years ago was miles ahead in quality and playbility than any of the those three Jackson and cost the same.

It always amused me listening to the people that basically say 'It's junk unless you spend $5,000 on it', not just with guitars either. REALLY? I bet you can take an Epi/Gibson or Fender/Squier, take all the markings off them and these people screaming 'it's junk' couldn't tell which one is the Gibson/Fender and which is the Epi/Squier. Price and name brands doesn't equal quality.

That's absurd. A Squire plays the same as a high end USA Fender? Are you retarded? Actually with Fender I might believe that. But a low end Epiphone would play the same as a Gibson Les Paul Custom? Get your head out of your ass.

The only Jap guitar I owned that was equal to a USA was my ESP Custom.

You pull all the markings off an import Jackson and a USA Jackson I'll easily be able to identify which one is import. If you can't there's something wrong with you.

I just heard in a conversation that the CEO's of these companies know this but they still sell you a $1000 for $5000

I'm sure you did.
 
Re: Jackson RR3 opinions?

No, I was specifically looking at h8 and Varg...
Jackson-Blankenship.jpg

The RR5 is MIJ. The difference is, its neck through. If you can get an RR5 for the same price as an RR3 - and you can - get the RR5.

I have 3 Jacksons - all are MIJ. I had an RR3, didnt like it. Same with the KE3. Those guitars just dont feel right as bolt ons IMO.
 
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