Cool bro! I have played a number of those and they are nice guitars congrats : .
Jackson DK2M
As mentioned elsewhere on here, on the 19th of last month I sold my old Fender and Floyd to get a Jackson DK2M. Am I happy with my choice, or do I wish for a do-over? Here are the specs on it:
Made-in-Japan
Dinky-style alder body with cutaways on the lower horn and on the back by the neck plate
Maple neck and fretboard with black delrin (read: plastic) inlays and a matte finish, thin neck (maybe a thin C-shape? not as thin as some but not as thick as a standard Fender), compound radius 12"-16", jumbo frets, standard Jackson pointy headstock
Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pickups
One volume, one tone, three-way switch
Jackson JT580LP Licensed Floyd Rose tremolo
One thing that struck me right away is how much better the construction is on this guitar than my Floyd. The paintjob is very nice. The neck sits tightly in the pocket. The control cavity is shielded. Nothing is cockeyed or otherwise out-of-spec. I had been warned that some DK2Ms have their necks slanted in the pocket (i.e. the low-E side is lower than the high-E), but mine doesn't do that. My only complaint is that for some reason the trem springs have this tarnish on them. I can't tell what the deal is with it. If it proves to be an issue, I can swap them out easily enough. There is also the tiniest little bit of fret sprout in places. Since the neck has black binding, I'm loathe to try to do anything about it. We'll see how I feel when winter comes back.
The alder body is much heavier than my old, basswood guitars. It's not Les Paul heavy, but more than I'm used too. It won't be an issue. I had to re-EQ my amp because this guitar is darker than my Floyd was (no surprise since my old Screamin' Demon and Area 61s were quite bright). A quick little treble boost and drop in bass and we're in business.
I really like the Duncans in this. The JB sounds just OK clean, but with any level of distortion it sounds clear and punchy. I thought I'd be itching for another Demon, but now I'm not so sure. The Jazz has been a revelation. I really like it for clean and/or bluesy stuff. I've heard people describe it as a humbucker with the soul of a single coil. I'd agree with that. I also understand now why Jimi likes the middle position on HH guitars so much. Despite the JB and Jazz being quite different in output and tonality, they come together nicely in the middle. I think I can see why Seymour Duncan himself calls this his favorite combination.
The thing that really struck me about this guitar is how low I can get the action without any buzzing. I hate fret buzz, so I usually set my guitars a bit higher than I might otherwise like. This one is set low, low, low. If I could only shred, I could do so on this guitar
The jury is still out on the trem. The GC goons sold the bar with a different guitar and I'm still waiting for it to arrive. It's got three springs with one in the middle and the other two in a V formation. When I had them put on 10s I should have had them put in a fourth spring instead of cranking down the claw. Oh well. I've pushed down on it with my palm and pulled up on it with my fingers and it's come back into tune, but I haven't had the chance to dive bomb with it yet. It certainly is not the quality of the Floyd that was on my Speedloader. There's some slop in the fine tuners--nothing awful, but still noticeable. The block looks somewhat crude and smallish. If it stays in tune, I won't worry about it. If it doesn't, an Original or Gotoh Floyd is a drop-in replacement.
The only mods I would consider doing soonish is adding a Floyd Rose trem stop. Otherwise, restringing and intonating a Floyd Rose equipped guitar is a pain. I'd like to get some black Schaller strap-locks too.
So am I happy with my purchase? You bet! Do I have the slightest urge to have a do-over? Surprisingly, no. This is the nicest guitar I've ever owned by a good margin. Did I mention it's a little bit pointy too?
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
Cool bro! I have played a number of those and they are nice guitars congrats : .
Guitars
Washburn's
Chicago Custom Shop USA's 1995 MG 122,100,102,120, 1994 MG-122, one off 1994 Prototype, 1999 WM-4, 200 3-ST Stealth
Carvins 1990 Pearl Pink reverse headstock X220C, 1991 Sapphire Blue Flame V220R.
Accoustics
LTD 88 Takamine
Amps
Fender Prosonic combo
100 watt custom one off Prosonic head
Fender 2/12 cab
2 Avatar 2/12 cabs- Blond Oxblood with 75's and Red with Black Vin 30's
Yamaha 4/12
Thanks for the review Matt! I am glad that you like it, and it sounds like it was a great deal on a professional quality instrument.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson
Seems like you are in pointy metal heaven at the moment Marnold
I still think that your Fender was awesome!
(btw whats that turtle thing to the left?)
I can't say that I've given up on a flanger cause I've never liked the effect either. I also can't say the same about Tremolo. I hate them both equally. - Tone2TheBone 2009
I agree. I would still have it if it had a neck pickup. I really wanted it to have more flexibility. I debated about having it routed for a neck pickup but I was afraid of wrecking its structural integrity. Since I can't afford to have a huge Spud-esque stable of guitars, I really couldn't afford to have a one-trick pony. If I could have gotten away with just selling my Floyd, I would have.Originally Posted by SuperSwede
That's my kids' sandbox. It doesn't sound like much without the optional 4x10 cabOriginally Posted by SuperSwede
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
Cannot say that I dont understand you, but I do think that these kind of "rare" Fenders will be sought after in the future..Originally Posted by marnold
Did you get a fair price for it?
I can't say that I've given up on a flanger cause I've never liked the effect either. I also can't say the same about Tremolo. I hate them both equally. - Tone2TheBone 2009
Ebony on maple is about the coolest thing around.
played a USA jackson the other day, but it was a secondhand one, machinehead never stock new jacksons or the japanese ones.
duncans?
sweet.
Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive
Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?
Hey marnold excuse my lack of ignorance (and lack of being born) but back in the 80's when they still made charvels wer they pretty much the same thing as jacksons? Because on my step dad's charvel model 88 it plays exactly like any jackson except on the locking nut it has three big screws instead of allen wrench slots
That certainly is a possibility. My guess is that it wouldn't be that way with that guitar just since it is so non-Fendery.Originally Posted by SuperSwede
Relatively. I had looked into selling it when I was hot for that white Jackson RR3 (I'm thankful I waited). Given the prices on evilBay/Craigslist that I saw, people were lucky to get $225 for them. I probably could have gotten a bit more than I got but then I'd have to deal with the headaches of eBay, shipping, hoping the buyer isn't a jerk, etc. If I consider myself having bought the DK2M at its original going price, I got a screaming deal for my guitars. When you consider the sale price, it was just OK.Originally Posted by SuperSwede
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
Yeah, in the mid to late 80s Jackson and Charvel were owned by the same people. The Charvels were all (IIRC) Japanese imports. They shared pickups, electronics, headstock shape, etc., with Jackson. I don't remember when Jackson was bought out by Fender. Since that time, Jackson has remained Jackson and Fender has started producing Charvels that are more like the original San Dimas Charvels that Wayne Charvel himself made in the 70s. I've heard that they are very nice guitars.Originally Posted by pes_laul
For more info on Jackson/Charvel, check out the J/C Forums.
My first electric that I bought about 10-12 years ago was a Charvel Model 7. It was a Telecaster-style with a maple fretboard and reverse-swept pointy headstock. It had been cruelly abused. I was going to refinish and rewire it but someone on the J/C Forums made me an offer I couldn't refuse for it so I sold it and got my Floyd.
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
hey Marnold, this is a bit off topic, but how is that AD30VT? ive seen a couple go real cheap on classified ad sites. the VT30 is like £160 and ive seen AD30VTs go for like sub-£100.
ive heard the AD series had some dodgy things going on with them, was i misled?
Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive
Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?
That is off topic. Better to start another thread. There are tons of ADxxVT related threads on here.Originally Posted by ibanezjunkie
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
lol k, im gonna search, Shiner told me to stop making threads...sorta
Guitars: Ibanez RG420EG, Harrier Mistral Ice White Tele
Amps: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15R (w/ 8" Celestion), Marshall Valvestate Mk.I 8100 Head, Blackheart BH5H Head
Cabs: Marshall 4x12 (4 x Celestion Pro 12")
FX:Line 6 Floor POD, BOSS 7-band GE-7, BOSS Mega Distortion MD-2, Vox V847a Reissue Wah, Danelectro Cool Cat Drive
Just another Rig Sig Jig, Dig?
So is the tremolo your standard Floyd or is like a speedloader or a differnet model?
It's a licensed Floyd, so it's more like a standard Floyd than anything else. The only difference in design is that the screws to hold the strings in place are on the top instead of the back on the bridge. That's what makes it "LP" aka Low-Profile. If you've worked with a Floyd before, you could figure this one out in about two seconds.Originally Posted by pes_laul
It's about the only part of this guitar that seems lower-quality (relative to a real Floyd). I would be concerned about it if I didn't know that an OFR or a Gotoh Floyd are drop-in replacements.
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
That's a sweet ride Marnold,I like the maple neck and the pup choice.I'm gunna have to try one.Very coolSumi
Guitars,Warmoth Tele,90's Fender Strat Plus/Fender CV 50's Tele/Parker p-36/Fretlight/Custom Strat(Fender body/warmoth Clapton neck,tonerider pups)Larrivee L03 mahogany acoustic
Amphs/66 Super Reverb/60's Bandmaster head and 2/12 cab/Blues jr//epi valve jr/supro super/ ZT lunchbox/Mahaffay Little Laneilei 3350/Pignose g40v
Pedals/Voods Rodent/MXR carbon copy/Duncan Pickup booster/Ts9/Rat/ts10/Line 6 tone port uk2
Line 6 M13
Great review, Matt, and congrats again on the new guitar! It looks great.
As an aside, I was going to sell my Floyd after I got my Carvin but decided to keep it to use for alternate tunings. I had it on Craigslist for a week and there was a lot of interest for basically what we paid for it new!
-Steve
Guitars: Carvin BoltPlus-T, Floyd Rose DST-3, Xaviere XV870, Fender Acoustic
Amp: Vox AD50VT 212, V-Amp 2
Pedals/Effects: Wasabi Overdrive, HellBabe Wah, Digitech Hot Head, Danelectro Fab Chorus
Thanks. I was able to get my hands on a tremolo arm yesterday and put it through some abuse. I didn't check with my tuner, but the guitar stayed in tune with itself. Usually if something is set up wrong, one dive bomb will tell you in a hurry.Originally Posted by scgmhawk
Everything's been really slow up here--bad time to try to sell guitars. Plus the population is relatively sparse up here so that limits the number of potential buyers.Originally Posted by scgmhawk
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn
I just found this handy site for the various trems that come on Jackson/Charvel guitars. Here's the section on the JT580LP, including pictures.Originally Posted by pes_laul
Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
"I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn