I have an Ibanez Prestige which used to be my favorite, an Ibanez Jem Premium, and this one blows both out of the water. Not worried about the FR1500. This guitar is solid as can be. I got the green one, it’s my 6 string Hulk.
Awesome video, I've ordered a Platinum pearl and still waiting for it, I should receive it this week, and I just can't wait anymore :P Keep it up and wish you the best :)
I have one, love it. I think in line with Oli, no issues with FR1500, no headstock binding, no SS frets (agree with the analysis in the vid)...the neck profile/thickness just suits me, nice fret polish and ends, max upper fret access, tone has punch with clarity. No regrets. Everything he says 100% except the middle p/u doesn't get in my way unless I dig in too deep for pinch harmonics occasionally.
I think I'm gonna grab a green one next week. I played a blue one today and loved it. At £1699 I really don't think it's a bad price. The list price is way OTT but the street price is closer to a usa Strat.
-no crazy figured top -no binding -Korean Floyd -no ss-frets -hell, not even a case! Price here in the EU: €2,399.00 I dunno what they're smoking over at Fender/Jackson but must be good stuff....
@biohazard8295 Ibanez RG550 Genesis Series, Thomann has them new for 950 €. Made in Japan by Fujigen, build quality is top notch, has an Edge tremolo by GOTOH which is a superior design to the OFR, the stock pickups are great and if you don't like them, you can swap them out for whatever aftermarket models you prefer and still pay way less than for this here. Or get a ESP/LTD Deluxe Series Snapper or M -Series. Or a high end Schecter , like the Sun Valley. The LTD's & Schecters come also with Korean Floyd's, but they don't cost you over 2000 € and are usually built very well. The QC of Jackson is pretty inconsistent.
look at the ibanez 5320 and 5440 models, SS frets, 17 radius, Ebony fingerboard that looks like ebony, japanese hardware (gotoh tuners and the best floating trem with locking studs) a hard case, binding, dimarzio pickups and EMG mahogany body, and the list goes on and on, at only 2000 and 2200 dls.@biohazard8295
Bruh a real jackson USA is around $4-5k at least. This a very affordable American Jackson lol Binding sucks, that floyd is flawless (but does need MINOR upgrades that are cheap). SS frets are on some of the newer models they released (every guitar should have SS frets, I AGREE 100%, that's unexcusable). Other than that I agree, Ibanez is a better deal for the money. I prefer Charvel So Cal USA. They shouldn't compromise on frets, that;'s lame and doesn't save money, they just say it does and jack the price up. It barely adds any time to a refret.
I own 2 of these, Platinum Pearl & Slime Green. Both with Upgraded FU Bridge Blocks. Titanium Brigde Hardware and Noiseless Springs. Spent $1350 for one and $1500 for the other. Love them both, solid construction, no complaints!!!
I've been playing an ESP George Lynch Signature Series Kamikaze for two decades, which I love, but this beast, with a 5-way selector blade has me lusting for all of its expansive tonal possibilities. And the stainless-steel bits on the bridge and nut are making me giggle like schoolgirl. What? Locking Gotohs? Omg chubby!
You need to do these all the time man , a great watch . Boy you can shred too ! Personally I agree with you spec wise about the gripes , but I understand both sides . The floyd isn't a big deal . How's QC on it ? I've heard even USA Chris Broderick models have had some errors lately .
Thing seems pretty badass. There’s a lot of trash talk on the Jackson guitar owners forum where basically the difference between being a great guitar and trash is whether or not it actually says made in USA on the headstock 🙄. Always amazes me how elitist we can be as guitarists. Can’t wait to try one of those out. My DK2FR7 pro series is my favorite guitar I’ve ever played, even over my custom. Curious to see how a USA production model compares.
@@OliRoyer 😂exactly! They’ve only just been released, hardly anyone has even had a chance to see one in real life yet, but everyone is an expert and can definitely say for sure they suck… 🤦♂️. No, it sounds really good, and judging from the ring out, sounds like the frets/fretboard is really comfortable and well made.
I've got 2 Jacksons. 1 made in Indonesia, the other is USA Select. One was perfect straight out of the box, The other was the USA model which needed a full fret level, crown and polish before it could be set up.
Can't put made in USA. Every Part on the guitar has to be actually made in USA to put that label. the old ones got away with it because it was before companies met lawsuits for having an overseas part like a potentiometer. I remember Carvin got hit with that because they had components not made in USA. so had to say assemble in USA. But I agree with the snobby Elitist being so petty. But then they are the ones who drown in the rain for having their noses in the air.
@@jgmopar hmm, didn’t know that about the made in the USA thing. That seems really petty itself. If a guitar “made in USA”, I would think it refers to the guitar meaning the the parts that a luthier would make. Like if it was entirely made in the USA, but the fret wire itself was made in Indonesia or something, but the frets were cut, mounted, and crowned by a USA luthier, I would still consider the finished product made in USA. Yeah, the elitism is so prevalent these days. With the internet, everyone has an expert opinion on things they’ve never even seen IRL, ya know? Lol.
What’s your opinion between the platinum pearl and blue finish? Torn between these 2 colors… Also, do you see any streaks on your ebony fingerboard? Thx
This guitar plays sick the neck is the fastest neck ive ever played my only complaint is no stainless steel frets but nickel is fine and has a good tone. And the frets can be replaced. Id rather have one with a fixed bridge anyways so i dont care about the korean floyd. But for the tone and playability and the look its totally badass. I got mine for 2300$ since my dad got me a 10% military discount. Im happy with it and love how easy it is to restring and play. This is the most badass guitar ive ever played
the issue i have is that an original Floyd cost the same as the 1500 or even a gotoh so i dont get why everyone is saying cost savings. Tho the springs and claw are super cheap on the 1500 so i guess mass produced may be way cheaper for them to buy,
i went with the Jeff Loomis Kelly vs one of these as it had all the same features but also binding and Duncan Blackouts and they can be gotten for under $1200. Im finding the 1500 trem acceptable but again its clear its no original i dont care what people say. Oh, mine had that string SNAPPING that a lot of people have gotten on various jacksons from the crappy locking nut. i am loving the way the trem arm can be tightened and theres no play in it. No flutter from it tho.
Great review. I agree with you on the stainless-steel frets and Floyd. However, it really should come with a hard-shell case. How much more would that have cost them? $50? $100. Now you have to pay $200 for one and throw the case it comes with out. Waste.
The price has been lowered by some retailers from £2400 to £1799 at that price point you could buy an original floyd rose, hard case and get a stainless fret job bringing it to the original price so now it’s a steal!!! In my opinion. I mean a myles Kennedy prs doesn’t have stainless frets or a hard case and it’s over £3000… it’s just opinions if people don’t like it they don’t have to buy it I guess
I picked up the Green one on clearance for $1,500 at my local Guitar Center. Brand new, never played and nothing wrong with it. It’s the most solid guitar I have ever played.
There were Jackson US factory models made before they were bought out by fender, and they were not made in the custom shop. These are most definitely not the first made in the US.
This feels more like a pro-series korean level guitar rather than a USA model. I understand that they are "trying" to keep the costs down for a made in USA craftsmanship instrument but still, they could at least use binding on these and DEFINITELY should have sold them with high quality hard cases for that price.
A huge plus on the neck finish on the back… necks that never match the paint job in the back look pathetic cheap. It would have been nice if they had added a pearlescent finish to the paint to make it pop out more
You do a great job with your videos man, so thanks for the detailed review. My opinion isn't based on that. But this is a BIG nope from me. This guitar is $2600, and they couldn't even give us an original Floyd or stainless frets? It's not really about whether or not the 1500 will do the job. I can buy a Ford Focus that will more than likely get me to the gig with no problems. But I'm not going to pay the price of a Ferrari for a Ford Focus. And fair enough if you don't like stainless frets, but I feel like objectively most people would prefer them on a guitar. And they're more expensive, so if just feels like another thing Jackson cheaped out on. And lastly, not even a fucking hard case? Bro, even Gibson is giving us hard cases with US made guitars and stainless frets for a guitar that's $1000 cheaper! Granted that's a different style of guitar, but you can't even begin to tell me a $2600 guitar doesn't warrant a hard case. It really feels like Jackson just held specific higher end features to put on their "high end" models just to have something to sell those more efficiently. Tons of US and Japanese guitar makers are offering guitars with much better specs at a cheaper (or equal) price. Jackson missed the mark big time, imo, with this guitar. They're putting way too much stock in that "made in US" on the back of the headstock, and that's coming from someone that loves buying US made stuff.
Why does this guitar look exactly the same as the Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSS ? Is it actually the same guitar ?? The only thing that's different are the shark inlays. I realize Charvel is or was Charvel/Jackson at one time, but I think Charvel is now owned by Fender. WTF is going on here ?!
@@trevor4533 - The weird thing though is, the Jackson is more expensive, but the Jackson sounds like crap next the Charvel. I've tried them both in-store and that was my conclusion. What's even weirder is, most cheaper Jacksons sound even worse the expensive Charvels ! lol I guess that makes sense ?
@@ShadovvV Not that weird, really. Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes a dud. String age and preference for the Charvel's pickups could also play a factor. I have an Orange Charvel Dk24 myself. Pretty slick guitar.
@@trevor4533 - Yep, I have the infinity blue DK24. Can you recommend some decent strings for recording? I tried the stock Fender strings they come with, but they seem a bit too edgy or tinny. I also get a bizarre 'knocking' or 'woodblock' type sound when doing chugs. Is there a solution for that? Are the stock pickups crap ??
Imagine being so gullible you pay $2600 for a guitar that comes with a 1500 series floyd rose and no hard shell case.... Edit: holy shit, you only have 2k subs, Jackson is REALLY desperately trying to get these out there lol Edit Edit: Fender*
@@AmericanNationalist852 my only reference is I bought a Japan made ESP (Yes!) George Lynch Signature Series Kamikaze around the year 2000 for less than 1500$ They now sell for 3500$ plus lol?!?!...
I have an Ibanez Prestige which used to be my favorite, an Ibanez Jem Premium, and this one blows both out of the water. Not worried about the FR1500. This guitar is solid as can be. I got the green one, it’s my 6 string Hulk.
Awesome video, I've ordered a Platinum pearl and still waiting for it, I should receive it this week, and I just can't wait anymore :P
Keep it up and wish you the best :)
I have one, love it. I think in line with Oli, no issues with FR1500, no headstock binding, no SS frets (agree with the analysis in the vid)...the neck profile/thickness just suits me, nice fret polish and ends, max upper fret access, tone has punch with clarity. No regrets. Everything he says 100% except the middle p/u doesn't get in my way unless I dig in too deep for pinch harmonics occasionally.
I think I'm gonna grab a green one next week. I played a blue one today and loved it. At £1699 I really don't think it's a bad price. The list price is way OTT but the street price is closer to a usa Strat.
-no crazy figured top
-no binding
-Korean Floyd
-no ss-frets
-hell, not even a case!
Price here in the EU: €2,399.00
I dunno what they're smoking over at Fender/Jackson but must be good stuff....
@biohazard8295
Ibanez RG550 Genesis Series, Thomann has them new for 950 €.
Made in Japan by Fujigen, build quality is top notch, has an Edge tremolo by GOTOH which is a superior design to the OFR, the stock pickups are great and if you don't like them, you can swap them out for whatever aftermarket models you prefer and still pay way less than for this here.
Or get a ESP/LTD Deluxe Series Snapper or M -Series.
Or a high end Schecter , like the Sun Valley.
The LTD's & Schecters come also with Korean Floyd's, but they don't cost you over 2000 € and are usually built very well.
The QC of Jackson is pretty inconsistent.
look at the ibanez 5320 and 5440 models, SS frets, 17 radius, Ebony fingerboard that looks like ebony, japanese hardware (gotoh tuners and the best floating trem with locking studs) a hard case, binding, dimarzio pickups and EMG mahogany body, and the list goes on and on, at only 2000 and 2200 dls.@biohazard8295
@biohazard8295 Check out the ESP E-II line.
Bruh a real jackson USA is around $4-5k at least. This a very affordable American Jackson lol Binding sucks, that floyd is flawless (but does need MINOR upgrades that are cheap). SS frets are on some of the newer models they released (every guitar should have SS frets, I AGREE 100%, that's unexcusable). Other than that I agree, Ibanez is a better deal for the money.
I prefer Charvel So Cal USA. They shouldn't compromise on frets, that;'s lame and doesn't save money, they just say it does and jack the price up. It barely adds any time to a refret.
I own 2 of these, Platinum Pearl & Slime Green. Both with Upgraded FU Bridge Blocks. Titanium Brigde Hardware and Noiseless Springs. Spent $1350 for one and $1500 for the other. Love them both, solid construction, no complaints!!!
@@reverendg5937 Same here. Got the Green one on clearance at Guitar Center for $1500. Best money ever spent. Solid quality.
It would have been awesome if they brought the chainsaw case back for these models. I really like that blue. Awesome guitar
Agreed, the Riviera Blue is gorgeous. The matte finish Slime/Hulk Smash Green is hot too.
I've been playing an ESP George Lynch Signature Series Kamikaze for two decades, which I love, but this beast, with a 5-way selector blade has me lusting for all of its expansive tonal possibilities. And the stainless-steel bits on the bridge and nut are making me giggle like schoolgirl. What? Locking Gotohs? Omg chubby!
And thank you for stating the obvious about why they steered clear of stainless-steel frets...
You need to do these all the time man , a great watch . Boy you can shred too ! Personally I agree with you spec wise about the gripes , but I understand both sides . The floyd isn't a big deal . How's QC on it ? I've heard even USA Chris Broderick models have had some errors lately .
Thing seems pretty badass. There’s a lot of trash talk on the Jackson guitar owners forum where basically the difference between being a great guitar and trash is whether or not it actually says made in USA on the headstock 🙄. Always amazes me how elitist we can be as guitarists. Can’t wait to try one of those out. My DK2FR7 pro series is my favorite guitar I’ve ever played, even over my custom. Curious to see how a USA production model compares.
@@OliRoyer 😂exactly! They’ve only just been released, hardly anyone has even had a chance to see one in real life yet, but everyone is an expert and can definitely say for sure they suck… 🤦♂️. No, it sounds really good, and judging from the ring out, sounds like the frets/fretboard is really comfortable and well made.
I've got 2 Jacksons. 1 made in Indonesia, the other is USA Select. One was perfect straight out of the box, The other was the USA model which needed a full fret level, crown and polish before it could be set up.
@@OliRoyer Yeah it's a shame, the frets were polished beautifully, but sadly not level.
Can't put made in USA. Every Part on the guitar has to be actually made in USA to put that label. the old ones got away with it because it was before companies met lawsuits for having an overseas part like a potentiometer. I remember Carvin got hit with that because they had components not made in USA. so had to say assemble in USA. But I agree with the snobby Elitist being so petty. But then they are the ones who drown in the rain for having their noses in the air.
@@jgmopar hmm, didn’t know that about the made in the USA thing. That seems really petty itself. If a guitar “made in USA”, I would think it refers to the guitar meaning the the parts that a luthier would make. Like if it was entirely made in the USA, but the fret wire itself was made in Indonesia or something, but the frets were cut, mounted, and crowned by a USA luthier, I would still consider the finished product made in USA. Yeah, the elitism is so prevalent these days. With the internet, everyone has an expert opinion on things they’ve never even seen IRL, ya know? Lol.
What’s your opinion between the platinum pearl and blue finish? Torn between these 2 colors…
Also, do you see any streaks on your ebony fingerboard? Thx
This guitar plays sick the neck is the fastest neck ive ever played my only complaint is no stainless steel frets but nickel is fine and has a good tone. And the frets can be replaced. Id rather have one with a fixed bridge anyways so i dont care about the korean floyd. But for the tone and playability and the look its totally badass. I got mine for 2300$ since my dad got me a 10% military discount. Im happy with it and love how easy it is to restring and play. This is the most badass guitar ive ever played
SL2MG has SS frets and hardtail
the issue i have is that an original Floyd cost the same as the 1500 or even a gotoh so i dont get why everyone is saying cost savings. Tho the springs and claw are super cheap on the 1500 so i guess mass produced may be way cheaper for them to buy,
I thought that the usa select were the production models back then....
At what price do you think these will retail in perth for?
Is there a rough estimate on when the preorders will come in?
i went with the Jeff Loomis Kelly vs one of these as it had all the same features but also binding and Duncan Blackouts and they can be gotten for under $1200. Im finding the 1500 trem acceptable but again its clear its no original i dont care what people say. Oh, mine had that string SNAPPING that a lot of people have gotten on various jacksons from the crappy locking nut. i am loving the way the trem arm can be tightened and theres no play in it. No flutter from it tho.
I prefer the regular inlays that aren't flipped around like these. Still nice though.
Great review. I agree with you on the stainless-steel frets and Floyd. However, it really should come with a hard-shell case. How much more would that have cost them? $50? $100. Now you have to pay $200 for one and throw the case it comes with out. Waste.
The price has been lowered by some retailers from £2400 to £1799 at that price point you could buy an original floyd rose, hard case and get a stainless fret job bringing it to the original price so now it’s a steal!!! In my opinion. I mean a myles Kennedy prs doesn’t have stainless frets or a hard case and it’s over £3000… it’s just opinions if people don’t like it they don’t have to buy it I guess
I picked up the Green one on clearance for $1,500 at my local Guitar Center. Brand new, never played and nothing wrong with it. It’s the most solid guitar I have ever played.
The guitar sounds just like my Jackson X Series Soloist.....it is heavily modded though.
There is shredding and then there is _soulful_ shredding. This is the latter!
There were Jackson US factory models made before they were bought out by fender, and they were not made in the custom shop. These are most definitely not the first made in the US.
How does it hold up? For that insane price it fucking better hold up. Esp baby!
I could do without the middle pickup. I'd probably just lower it .
I think it's a great guitar but for the price that it's in? No
I disagree. I thinks it’s a great guitar and the right price.
This feels more like a pro-series korean level guitar rather than a USA model. I understand that they are "trying" to keep the costs down for a made in USA craftsmanship instrument but still, they could at least use binding on these and DEFINITELY should have sold them with high quality hard cases for that price.
I played one today. It really does not. It pisses all over my Korean LTD guitars.
USD $ 1,990 would be a fair price.
A huge plus on the neck finish on the back… necks that never match the paint job in the back look pathetic cheap. It would have been nice if they had added a pearlescent finish to the paint to make it pop out more
You do a great job with your videos man, so thanks for the detailed review. My opinion isn't based on that. But this is a BIG nope from me. This guitar is $2600, and they couldn't even give us an original Floyd or stainless frets? It's not really about whether or not the 1500 will do the job. I can buy a Ford Focus that will more than likely get me to the gig with no problems. But I'm not going to pay the price of a Ferrari for a Ford Focus. And fair enough if you don't like stainless frets, but I feel like objectively most people would prefer them on a guitar. And they're more expensive, so if just feels like another thing Jackson cheaped out on. And lastly, not even a fucking hard case? Bro, even Gibson is giving us hard cases with US made guitars and stainless frets for a guitar that's $1000 cheaper! Granted that's a different style of guitar, but you can't even begin to tell me a $2600 guitar doesn't warrant a hard case. It really feels like Jackson just held specific higher end features to put on their "high end" models just to have something to sell those more efficiently. Tons of US and Japanese guitar makers are offering guitars with much better specs at a cheaper (or equal) price. Jackson missed the mark big time, imo, with this guitar. They're putting way too much stock in that "made in US" on the back of the headstock, and that's coming from someone that loves buying US made stuff.
I can’t stand stainless steel frets.
Too expensive for the specs.
Why does this guitar look exactly the same as the Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSS ? Is it actually the same guitar ?? The only thing that's different are the shark inlays. I realize Charvel is or was Charvel/Jackson at one time, but I think Charvel is now owned by Fender. WTF is going on here ?!
No, they're different guitars. The Jackson is Neck through, has a Floyd 1500 instead of a 1000, different pickup set, made in USA opposed to Mexico.
@@trevor4533 - The weird thing though is, the Jackson is more expensive, but the Jackson sounds like crap next the Charvel. I've tried them both in-store and that was my conclusion. What's even weirder is, most cheaper Jacksons sound even worse the expensive Charvels ! lol I guess that makes sense ?
@@ShadovvV Not that weird, really. Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes a dud. String age and preference for the Charvel's pickups could also play a factor.
I have an Orange Charvel Dk24 myself. Pretty slick guitar.
@@trevor4533 - Yep, I have the infinity blue DK24. Can you recommend some decent strings for recording? I tried the stock Fender strings they come with, but they seem a bit too edgy or tinny. I also get a bizarre 'knocking' or 'woodblock' type sound when doing chugs. Is there a solution for that? Are the stock pickups crap ??
@@ShadovvV DR'S, Ernie Balls, Elixir are all solid imo.
Hmmm, I'm not really sure about a knocking or a woodblock tone.
Don't buy this overpriced guitar.
Imagine being so gullible you pay $2600 for a guitar that comes with a 1500 series floyd rose and no hard shell case....
Edit: holy shit, you only have 2k subs, Jackson is REALLY desperately trying to get these out there lol
Edit Edit: Fender*
If you think these won't sell, and that Fender (FMIC) made a boo-boo in their gameplan, I predict you will be mistaken.
@@mwbrada I never said there weren't a shit load of gullible people out there🤷🏻♂️
@@AmericanNationalist852 your grammar is impeccable, I am compelled to love you.
@@AmericanNationalist852 my only reference is I bought a Japan made ESP (Yes!) George Lynch Signature Series Kamikaze around the year 2000 for less than 1500$ They now sell for 3500$ plus lol?!?!...
Have you ever played or owned a neck-through guitar? I have not, always bolt-ons. That already piqued my interest.
Bro 2200$ is so stupid and just wrong yes right for Chinese plastic hell no it plays like a 809$ guiter
They grew the wood in China for this neck through sustain beast guiter? Also, what's a guiter?
this model is adult guitar with childish colors, all 4