Jackson vs. ESP

Jackson vs. ESP

  • Jackson

    Votes: 79 69.9%
  • ESP

    Votes: 34 30.1%

  • Total voters
    113
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

I used to own a Charvel Mark 2, until the headstock broke off @ a gig, and I had an old Jackson at one point ...

Never got into those guitars!! I currently own 2 ESPs ... but, my official vote is still WAYNE!!!! :D
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

I have 2 Custom Shop ESP MKII Deluxe guitars and love them. I've had a Jackson USA Soloist and it wasn't for me. They are both great guitars but I just prefer the neck on the ESP to the Jackson, however, my overall choice is Custom Shop Hand Made BC Rich's. I love the playability of the necks.
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

Whatever suits the individual. That's why both companies exist and thrive. Besides, my LP can do all that stuff, too.

But, I voted Jackson. :D
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

I think it depends on the price range.

If you're granted say $600 I'd probably side with ESP and pickup a LTD EC-1000 over a DKMG or something like that...

However, if you're given $1600, I'd make it a USA Jackson simply for the fact that they are consistently the most playable guitars that I've had the privelage to doodle with. Hands down.
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

ESP only cause of all the cool japanese models... I'd love one of their old Seymour Duncan fender clones (discontinued for being too close)

Navigator/Edwards LPs are great too from what I gather... looks good anyways

slade
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

ESP makes Great guitars, yes.

But they´re still THE Ripoff-kings of the guitar world, and have been for 25 years. All these people complaining about companies ripping each other off, then turning around and buying an ESP, LTD, Grass Roots or Edwards just make me laugh so hard. I find it amazing that these people can take themselves seriously, I definitely can´t :D:D:D

So it´s a simple question: Do you want the original? Or do you want a more expensive(!!) Ripoff, with no noticable Benefit in quality or materials? Jackson hands down ;)

BTW: On a recent tour of the Custom Shop, a dealer friend of mine took a few photos, and Mike Kotzen explained to him on site what exactly makes a Jackson so different.....And I can tell you, there are a LOT of things. For example from the way they´re painted to the way they´re dried to the way they´re buffed, there is not one step in the finishing process where you could say "(Insert Manufacturer here) does it the same way", the feared "Fenderization" has definitely NOT happened, as the Fender USA Plant isn´t that far away and it´s´instantly obvious that they work totally differently. I´ll see if I can get a small report out of him, or actually just permission to post some of the things he noted ;)

*note* When I say Jackson and ESP, I mean Jackson USA and ESP Japan. I do not care for the cheapo lines of any manufacturer, and even Jackson is for the most part no exception ;)

lex666 said:
I voted for ESP's because that what I've got. For the $$$ I think they're great guitars. Honestly, I haven't played any Jacksons.

Whats the difference? What makes Jacksons so much better? I thought ESP's were made by the same guy who orginally made Jacksons?...

Wayne Charvel now runs Wanye guitars, and IIRC Grover Jackson is currently working for Abstract /(Ed Roman?)....neither have ever had anything to do with ESP with the exception of constantly signing the Cease and Desist notices that they have to send out because ESP is ripping them off AGAIN (Sharkfin Inlays, Concorde Headstock, now they went after the Rhoads shape with Alexi´s Stabbed Poo and stole the Scythe Inlays of a NAMM DeathWarrior for it...) :D:D:D

ESP will never stop stealing. And until they do, I will never buy one, nor will I ever take on a dealership again should I reopen a shop. And I could go nuts, all the "lawsuit models" (incl. Amott´s Flying V, which is THE purest Gibson ripoff I´ve ever seen) are available in Europe without restriction (except for Hanneman´s Soloist with the "SS-Inlays", which is also not being produced anymore). But for me, it would be tainted cash, I´d rather have drug money ;)
 
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Re: Jackson vs. ESP

I went into a music store and I Played an ESP LTD model, I forget the name of it, but it looked and felt exactly like my soloist. It was even a neckthru, which I thought was kinda weird for a 300.00 and some priced guitar.

It had crappy EMG HZ's in it and it had a Floyd copy, but it played really well, and it didn't sound good thorough a line 6 modeling amp at LOW volumes.

But aside from the fact that it said LTD on the headstock ,which I do'nt like, I found out it was made from Agathis, which a ton of you guys told me is basically like Pine wood.

SO I'll just stick with my Jacksons.
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

JB_From_Hell said:
The reason I went with ESP is strictly because of the more affordable instruments. More specifically, the sub $400 stuff. The cheap Jacksons don't compare. I honestly think that the stuff a company puts out as it's "introductory" line speaks volumes about it.

I've never thought about that before, but that's a really good point. It really does tell you a lot when a company pays just as much attention to the lower end models as the higher end ones.
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

This thread has been the lats nail in the coffin.
My next guitar will be a USA SL-1 Soloist in black with reverse headstock
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

Question: Why hasn't Zerberus posted here yet? This thread's been open for a few days...... and I'm curious to hear the dude's opinion!
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

TwilightOdyssey said:
... but, my official vote is still WAYNE!!!! :D

hmmm i wonder why you like wayne so much lol...

i never had the pleasure of playing one but i gladly would if i could get a good deal on one...the ones i like are far overpriced IMO for a strat-like bolt on guitar so i never bother with them.

-Mike
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

Zerberus said:
So it´s a simple question: Do you want the original? Or do you want a more expensive(!!) Ripoff, with no noticable Benefit in quality or materials? Jackson hands down ;)


Are you certain about that in Europe? Why don't you tell me where I can find a DK1 for 1350 euros brand new here in Finland? I'll be sure to buy that next. That's what they cost here. A jackson is 2750 euros. That's more than 2x the price.
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

Johtosotku said:
Are you certain about that in Europe? Why don't you tell me where I can find a DK1 for 1350 euros brand new here in Finland? I'll be sure to buy that next. That's what they cost here. A jackson is 2750 euros. That's more than 2x the price.

Are you talking about a REAL (not Ltd) esp?
 
Re: Jackson vs. ESP

Johtosotku said:
Are you certain about that in Europe? Why don't you tell me where I can find a DK1 for 1350 euros brand new here in Finland? I'll be sure to buy that next. That's what they cost here. A jackson is 2750 euros. That's more than 2x the price.

I´m also in Europe. IIRC the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland) all have pretty big import taxes......and that´s where most of your cost is generated, because that ends up in the dealer wholesale price, which the dealer obviously has to knock up a bit to make a profit.

I don´t buy inside Europe either, but online from US dealers. That way, the import taxes (and other customs charges) end up on top of MY price, which in most european situations is just under dealer wholesale price (i.e, you´re paying LESS than the local licensed dealer is). The downside of course is that warranty issues and other "problems" have to be sorted out with someone on the other side of the Atlantic. Upside is that Jackson rarely has such issues ;)

www.mattsmusic.com
www.eastonguitars.com
www.vwallguitars.com
www.wildwestguitars.com

Do NOT assume that the price that you see on the site is what you´ll pay. Jackson has a MAP rule (minimum advertised price). You (the dealer) can sell it for less, but you can lose your dealership if you advertise it (Ie post the price on a website) for less. Just contact the dealers via e-mail ;)

You should save quite a bundle, and notice that you soon have dozens of guitars that all scream "PLAY ME, YOU IDIOT!" :headbang::D

To be honest, I´ve not paid more than 1000€ for ANY of my USA Jacksons, the one that almost hit 1000 was used in Germany. Used you can get a US Jackson in Mint condition off ebay or over at the JCF (you have to be a regular member, though, so don´t race over thinking "COOL, cheap Jacksons!"". Junior members can´t see the classifieds) for well under 1350,- € shipped incl. customs. FOr example, I´m working on getting the 16th bolt on Production Jackson, an Reverse EDS Fusion, and it´s looking to cost me about 750 euros grand total ;)
 
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Re: Jackson vs. ESP

XSSIVE said:
hmmm i wonder why you like wayne so much lol...
I love Wayne guitars b/c they are the finest solid body guitars I've ever played; it's that simple! :)
(The fact that I can get em at a good price is merely coincidental lol)
 
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