Jackson vs. ESP
- Thread starter Metalman_666
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RGN
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
i don't get real worked up over this question b/c I have owned both guitars (only high-end models of each) and liked all of them. I could care less about the less expensive stuff each company makes. my favorite guitar right now is an ESP Custom Shop M-II which has a killer evil graphic. for years i played a grey or black SL-1. Right now, I don't own any USA Jacksons but would buy one in a hearbeat if I saw something that I really dug. For the most part Zerb is correct. Jackson is the orginal heavy metal guitar in my book. Back in the 80s there was an ad for Jackson/Charvel that had EVERYONE in it: Jake E Lee, Steve Vai, Warren DiMartini, etc... It had like 20 dudes holding some of the coolest guitars on the planet. The ESP ads used to feature Ron Wood back then??!!?? There is no question which guitar is the orginal. ESP wasn't really on the map until George Lynch/Metallica came along. Both companies make world class rock guitars. To me it more depends on the dealer involved and how each individual guitar actually plays and sounds. You can have a crap USA Jackson (albeit very rare) or a crap ESP Skull and Snakes (rare but not as rare).
i don't get real worked up over this question b/c I have owned both guitars (only high-end models of each) and liked all of them. I could care less about the less expensive stuff each company makes. my favorite guitar right now is an ESP Custom Shop M-II which has a killer evil graphic. for years i played a grey or black SL-1. Right now, I don't own any USA Jacksons but would buy one in a hearbeat if I saw something that I really dug. For the most part Zerb is correct. Jackson is the orginal heavy metal guitar in my book. Back in the 80s there was an ad for Jackson/Charvel that had EVERYONE in it: Jake E Lee, Steve Vai, Warren DiMartini, etc... It had like 20 dudes holding some of the coolest guitars on the planet. The ESP ads used to feature Ron Wood back then??!!?? There is no question which guitar is the orginal. ESP wasn't really on the map until George Lynch/Metallica came along. Both companies make world class rock guitars. To me it more depends on the dealer involved and how each individual guitar actually plays and sounds. You can have a crap USA Jackson (albeit very rare) or a crap ESP Skull and Snakes (rare but not as rare).
Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
I guess Jackson beats ESP out... twice over! Thanks guys, I think I know where I'll be putting my money!!
On a side note, TORONTONIANS, have you seen the yellow bengal tiger finish on one of the Jackson USA RR1's at Steve's? I WANT THAT GUITAR SO BADLY!!
I guess Jackson beats ESP out... twice over! Thanks guys, I think I know where I'll be putting my money!!
On a side note, TORONTONIANS, have you seen the yellow bengal tiger finish on one of the Jackson USA RR1's at Steve's? I WANT THAT GUITAR SO BADLY!!
Bob Zombie
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Esp makes some nice stuff but Jackson is more consistant for making a quality instrument. I voted Jackson.
Esp makes some nice stuff but Jackson is more consistant for making a quality instrument. I voted Jackson.
Stringmachine
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
I've had both brands, and they are both VERY good.
However, I'll have to go for a Jackson here as I want one bad myself nowdays.
I have never played a bad one.
I've had both brands, and they are both VERY good.
However, I'll have to go for a Jackson here as I want one bad myself nowdays.
I have never played a bad one.
wixedmords
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Jackson's set the pace.
But, it is more important to get the right guitar for you.
An ESP is a fine machine also.
Jackson's set the pace.
But, it is more important to get the right guitar for you.
An ESP is a fine machine also.
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YJM_Rocks
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
I thought that was Vai. One of the only ones i reckognize there. I played some jacksons and i didnt like their neck, but others were really fast. I played a DK2FF (i think) and i didnt like the neck at all. But i played one of those real cheap Rhoads models(the 300$ one) and i loved the neck. On the Jackson website it said the neck was a little thicker on the rhoads.
I'm gonna vote Jackson because i like their selection better and they have good guitars.
All of the ESPs i have played were great but not my style
I thought that was Vai. One of the only ones i reckognize there. I played some jacksons and i didnt like their neck, but others were really fast. I played a DK2FF (i think) and i didnt like the neck at all. But i played one of those real cheap Rhoads models(the 300$ one) and i loved the neck. On the Jackson website it said the neck was a little thicker on the rhoads.
I'm gonna vote Jackson because i like their selection better and they have good guitars.
All of the ESPs i have played were great but not my style
Pierre
Stratologist
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
ESP have more models to suit more tastes and more wallets.
They look very good and have decent building quality, and really good one for the higher end Korean models.
Jacksons have all this, plus some more Mojo due to the name
I do prefer ESP's reverse headstock though. beautiful thing.
On another messageboard I'm on, the war seems to be more Jackson vs Ibanez as there are LOADS of Ibanez owners, 4 or 5 Jackson/Charvel owners (including me) and pretty much 1 ESP/LTD player
I wouldn't be able to say which I prefer. I love the wizards necks and the Edge pro trems (for the comfort it gives) but I've never played any ESPs, and my Charvel's neck is simply the best profile I have ever encountered.
ESP have more models to suit more tastes and more wallets.
They look very good and have decent building quality, and really good one for the higher end Korean models.
Jacksons have all this, plus some more Mojo due to the name
I do prefer ESP's reverse headstock though. beautiful thing.
On another messageboard I'm on, the war seems to be more Jackson vs Ibanez as there are LOADS of Ibanez owners, 4 or 5 Jackson/Charvel owners (including me) and pretty much 1 ESP/LTD player
I wouldn't be able to say which I prefer. I love the wizards necks and the Edge pro trems (for the comfort it gives) but I've never played any ESPs, and my Charvel's neck is simply the best profile I have ever encountered.
Dirtbagg
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
alot of artist not only Mustaine are leaving Jackson.
Scott Ian left for Washburn I saw reacently and ESP is getting more of the metal Artist. I have a old Jap Chavel and am thinking about buying a ESP LTD MH-100QMNT. I like the look and the strings through the body. but I have not played one. It is the lower end model but I like the color and that is the only model other than the high end that has that color. I would replace the pups before I ever played it also.
So I can't choose either yet
alot of artist not only Mustaine are leaving Jackson.
Scott Ian left for Washburn I saw reacently and ESP is getting more of the metal Artist. I have a old Jap Chavel and am thinking about buying a ESP LTD MH-100QMNT. I like the look and the strings through the body. but I have not played one. It is the lower end model but I like the color and that is the only model other than the high end that has that color. I would replace the pups before I ever played it also.
So I can't choose either yet
frigginalex
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Vinnie Vincent looks like Liza Minelli.
RGN said:Any of you guys remember this great ad!
Vinnie Vincent looks like Liza Minelli.
shreder75
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
I don't like jackson guitars...never really liked the feel of the necks or their hardware or the general look..
that being said, I like ESP's..not LTD's...my skulls n' snakes is an authentic ESP, not the lower build LTD and I love it...I had an LTD for awhile and hated it...the pups were crap and the finish on the fretboard would rub off and get all over my fingers! lol...it was horrible...it looked nice, but played and sounded like crapola
I don't like jackson guitars...never really liked the feel of the necks or their hardware or the general look..
that being said, I like ESP's..not LTD's...my skulls n' snakes is an authentic ESP, not the lower build LTD and I love it...I had an LTD for awhile and hated it...the pups were crap and the finish on the fretboard would rub off and get all over my fingers! lol...it was horrible...it looked nice, but played and sounded like crapola
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Ian left because he wanted to work with Chewie (Dime´s graphics artist) and J/C refused... compounded with the discontinuation of the JJ-1 becauwse of the Gibson DC shape and it just kind of pissed him off, which I can understand...
General consensus is that Mustaine left after J/C refused to let him biy the company... WHile I can´t comment on Mustaines academica or degrees, I do have the gut feeling that that was a smart thing to do... At the latest when I look at his new ESP Sig and Imagine a Jackson Logo (others may have other opinions, but for me that thing looks like stabbed poo)...Uagh...
One thing that´s also to note is that until about 10 years ago, there was no such thing as an "artist discount" on Jacksons unless you were a big name like Mustaine or Collen.... In that ad RGN posted, EACH PLAYER paid for the guitar out of their own pocket... THAT should speak volumes, unlike the endorsement-whoring of many Japanese companies... And J/C iseems to be slowly returning to the "we don´t pay them to play them, they just buy them anyway" strategy, which is IMO great... AFAIK the current deal is similar to Duncan, if you´ve got a sig you´re getting small royalties, but you´re still paying for most of your guitars....
Dirtbagg said:
Ian left because he wanted to work with Chewie (Dime´s graphics artist) and J/C refused... compounded with the discontinuation of the JJ-1 becauwse of the Gibson DC shape and it just kind of pissed him off, which I can understand...
General consensus is that Mustaine left after J/C refused to let him biy the company... WHile I can´t comment on Mustaines academica or degrees, I do have the gut feeling that that was a smart thing to do... At the latest when I look at his new ESP Sig and Imagine a Jackson Logo (others may have other opinions, but for me that thing looks like stabbed poo)...Uagh...
One thing that´s also to note is that until about 10 years ago, there was no such thing as an "artist discount" on Jacksons unless you were a big name like Mustaine or Collen.... In that ad RGN posted, EACH PLAYER paid for the guitar out of their own pocket... THAT should speak volumes, unlike the endorsement-whoring of many Japanese companies... And J/C iseems to be slowly returning to the "we don´t pay them to play them, they just buy them anyway" strategy, which is IMO great... AFAIK the current deal is similar to Duncan, if you´ve got a sig you´re getting small royalties, but you´re still paying for most of your guitars....
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JammerMatt
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Heh heh. That ad is so 80's... luv it. Wait till I photoshop that, you'll see a new endorsee in there.
Heh heh. That ad is so 80's... luv it. Wait till I photoshop that, you'll see a new endorsee in there.
Rotten Guitar String
New member
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
I am still undecided about which company I would go with for a high-end axe. I am tossing up between the ESP Horizon FR II and the Jackson SL-2.
From my experience, I have liked the feel of LTD's more than Jacksons (have only played the MIJ ones). The LTD's offer much better specs for the price than the MIJ Jacksons (which all come with crap pickups).
I don't care if the company has been ripping ideas, to me it just comes down to the guitar in your hands and how it sounds and plays. I prefer the way ESP's play and sound, but that is just personal preference. I am yet to play an MIA Jackson, but for now, my vote goes with ESP.
I am still undecided about which company I would go with for a high-end axe. I am tossing up between the ESP Horizon FR II and the Jackson SL-2.
From my experience, I have liked the feel of LTD's more than Jacksons (have only played the MIJ ones). The LTD's offer much better specs for the price than the MIJ Jacksons (which all come with crap pickups).
I don't care if the company has been ripping ideas, to me it just comes down to the guitar in your hands and how it sounds and plays. I prefer the way ESP's play and sound, but that is just personal preference. I am yet to play an MIA Jackson, but for now, my vote goes with ESP.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Jackson vs. ESP
Not quite true...
The SL-3 comes with a Duncan JB and 2 Duncan singles I´m not familiar with
The RR-5 comes with 2 Duncan JBs
The Kevin Bond Rhoads comes with a Duncan CUSTOM SHOP Iommi Humbucker
The Christian Olde Wolbers 6 and 7 strings come with an EMG 81 and 707 respectively...
Rotten Guitar String said:
Not quite true...
The SL-3 comes with a Duncan JB and 2 Duncan singles I´m not familiar with
The RR-5 comes with 2 Duncan JBs
The Kevin Bond Rhoads comes with a Duncan CUSTOM SHOP Iommi Humbucker
The Christian Olde Wolbers 6 and 7 strings come with an EMG 81 and 707 respectively...
