It is almost impossible to do without proper lighting.Man I gotta learn that technique to flutter on a hardtail.
It is almost impossible to do without proper lighting.Man I gotta learn that technique to flutter on a hardtail.
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These look absolutely Bussin'
I would do terrible things for a multiscale Charvel bass. I doubt it would ever happen, but it would be awesome.
To be fair for the specs and price these things are solid work horses.
Jackson has to compete with their own models on the used market now, haha. At least over here, you'd be hard pressed to find a 15 year old SL1, SL2H, or DK1 for the same price or less than the American series.But would a 15 year old USA Select with some wear be a better workhorse?...
Thats where my brain currently is.
They do pop up for reasonable prices on occasion. Especially if you're willing to do some refurbishing yourself!Ha! Apologies that was more myself thinking out loud! I've been looking at SL2s and there's a players condition one for under $2000 on reverb right now.
I love mine too but how that fat fretboard transitions into the neck shape was a little weird for me at first. I don't feel it so much going down the board but holding a position around the 3rd frets makes it obvious, especially if I get lazy and hang my thumb over it. Otherwise it's a light guitar, with a lot of tonal options (great split tones!). What I did notice the other day looking at it and my MJ Dinky side to side with an old DK2M is that the headstocks seem to be a little different. Maybe it's just a visual impression due to the missing trussed cover but they look a little more tilted and pointy. Almost more sleek. The reverse headstock on my MJ is one of my favorite headstocks ever.Got my Virtuoso in today and Holy. Lord. I am absolutely in love with this thing. Next is incredible and the build is fantastic. Review and pics to come.
Jackson has been making subtle tweaks to headstock shape since forever.I love mine too but how that fat fretboard transitions into the neck shape was a little weird for me at first. I don't feel it so much going down the board but holding a position around the 3rd frets makes it obvious, especially if I get lazy and hang my thumb over it. Otherwise it's a light guitar, with a lot of tonal options (great split tones!). What I did notice the other day looking at it and my MJ Dinky side to side with an old DK2M is that the headstocks seem to be a little different. Maybe it's just a visual impression due to the missing trussed cover but they look a little more tilted and pointy. Almost more sleek. The reverse headstock on my MJ is one of my favorite headstocks ever.
I have found it impossible to keep track of the different lines from Jackson going back all these years. People complain about the nomenclature for Ibanez guitars but I've always been able to diagnose what I was looking at with them way more reliably than with Jackson. You always bring up new bits of information I had no idea about. Thanks!Jackson has been making subtle tweaks to headstock shape since forever.
The old MIJ pro series actually used an older headstock, too. Older than the contemporary USA Selects. You can tell by the fact that your DK2M's headstock has sides that are not perpendicular to the top surface. If that makes sense.
As they moved to increased CNC processes in the custom shop and for the American Series, templates were digitized and likely tweaked somewhat. There are subtle differences between my SL2H/SL1 (2006 and 2005), my custom select SL2 (2014, more CNC), and any of my MIJ pro/X series (DK2, DXMG, DX10D parts caster).
Let's not even talk about 7 string headstock variations. That's even crazier.
I feel like the difference with my DXMG isn't so subtle, that thing sticks out at like a 45 degree angle.Jackson has been making subtle tweaks to headstock shape since forever.
The old MIJ pro series actually used an older headstock, too. Older than the contemporary USA Selects. You can tell by the fact that your DK2M's headstock has sides that are not perpendicular to the top surface. If that makes sense.
As they moved to increased CNC processes in the custom shop and for the American Series, templates were digitized and likely tweaked somewhat. There are subtle differences between my SL2H/SL1 (2006 and 2005), my custom select SL2 (2014, more CNC), and any of my MIJ pro/X series (DK2, DXMG, DX10D parts caster).
Let's not even talk about 7 string headstock variations. That's even crazier.
No problem. I like to think I know a bit, but there are definitely members more in the know than I am.I have found it impossible to keep track of the different lines from Jackson going back all these years. People complain about the nomenclature for Ibanez guitars but I've always been able to diagnose what I was looking at with them way more reliably than with Jackson. You always bring up new bits of information I had no idea about. Thanks!
I would say you know quite a bit based on past interactions.No problem. I like to think I know a bit, but there are definitely members more in the know than I am.
The model numbers themselves are pretty easy to understand once you know the abbreviations. However, they're mixing country of origin and factories within the product lines now making it hard to know what kind of quality level to expect for a given model. They aren't there only brand doing this though.
In the past it was easy. Very cheap stuff (JS series) was made in India and (later) China, anything else not USA-made was Japan and usually solid (Pro Series, X, etc.). Now, pro series is made in Indonesia (at least 2 different factories), China, or Korea, X series in Indonesia or China (was India for a hot minute in the 2010s). Concept/Limited Series is Korea. But hey, MJ series is Japan and American Series is US-made. At least that's easy, haha.
I trust their stuff built in the USA, Japan, and Korea to be good or great. Indonesia is completely a crapshoot in my experience. Though, people seem to have better luck with then recently. The Chinese stuff is probably more consistent than Indonesia.I would say you know quite a bit based on past interactions.
I think the names make sense. My criticism was aimed at what you're pointing out: the fact that the model used to correlate with a certain quality. I understand that we get used to things and they change but with Jackson I am going through a bit of a re-learning process that's been going on for a long time.
I am sure there are some MIC models that are great. I just haven't picked one that I liked yet. The poplar and dry Laurel boards have not been pleasant in my experience. I still want to try the Brandon Ellis Kelly.
Currently I don't have any older MIJ ones anymore. I might get another DKMG eventually. I loved those for the mod potential and like the necks they come with.
At the moment I have a MIK, an MJ and the Virtuoso. The Virtuoso is all around the best sounding out of the three. It's also a very smooth player. The build quality on mine is amazing. I'd say it's on par with my Caparisons if not better. The MJ however is built with higher attention to detail. It's built cleaner but doesn't sound as well and plays a little rougher. The MIK is amazing but was more expensive than the MJ (has the Everyone).
I would rank them as follows and think that's pretty consistent for the ones I have played until I settled on these:
US VIrtuoso – less detailed than the MJ – plays great – punchy and cutting with more tone possibilities.
MJ – more solid build – plays well – softer sound.
MIK – good build, somewhat unpolished – plays great – very snappy with the longer scale.
I'd say the winner is the Virtuoso for how versatile it is but I seem to gravitate more towards the MJ. It's probably because it's featherlight and I favor the lightest guitars. But I also love the reverse headstock.
Jackson is making great guitars nowadays. I have been really curious to try a Gus G model (both he stars and the red Strat). I have heard great things about the cheapest bottle-on star with the pinstripes (the one that started in the X series) and less great things about the neck through. I have only heard great things about the Strat and am dying to try one just haven't found one in a shop yet.
Mine is similarly extreme. Great guitar for the money though! The old MIJ stuff are fantastic platforms to mod.I feel like the difference with my DXMG isn't so subtle, that thing sticks out at like a 45 degree angle.