Jackson Kelly 3 (Trans Black) Review
Quick Facts:
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Type/Profile: Bolt-on Maple Neck with Scarf Joint Headstock
Fingerboard: Rosewood (24 Frets)
Overall Rating: 8.5
Body: Alder
In essence, the Jackson KE-3 guitar provided a highly affordable alternative (back then) to a class of Japanese guitars, which were then heavily dominated by the quality provided by Ibanez Prestige guitars, coupled alongside Di Marzio pick-ups. This "cheaper" alternative was met with the highest of qualities in terms of workmanship, finishing, and electronics - and while I do not condone the price hike it has received over the past couple of years - however, it is deserving of the positioning it has received as a premier Japanese made guitar.
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz (SH-2)
This guitar graduated to becoming my most frequently utilized guitar whenever I perform live on stage. The neck pick-up provides a very rounded tone, of which is suitable for most music when coupled alongside the right effects pedal. The bridge pick-up on the other hands provides you with a heavier crunch, and was suitably used for most of my lead work on stage. The beauty of having these pick-ups was how perfectly balanced the guitar was in volume and tone. The difference between the SH-2and SH-4 is somewhat minimal, but prominent at the same time. Only a discerning listener will be able to distinguish the slight difference heard between those pick-ups when the selector is flipped.
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB (SH-4)
Comfort and playability of this guitar also receives 5 stars, and provides the player with a remarkable amount of endurance to keep shredding and shredding. The neck profile allows for the player to seamlessly integrate with the guitar, and once you've warmed up to the idea of shredding and hitting your trem bar at the same time, that would be all you will be doing for the next few days.
Comes with Floyd Rose licensed Jackson double locking 2-point tremelo
The make of the guitar is exquisite, and the Jackson Japanese factory produced a beautiful piece of art, with the bindings and finishing close to perfection. At the point I purchased this guitar in 2005, the Japanese made Jacksons were selling at a remarkably affordable price, making the Japanese made Ibanez and Yamaha guitars look like over-priced fire wood. It was not until sometime in 2007 when Jackson realised the potential to capitalize on the global perception of premium guitars being produced from Japan, and upped the price of their guitars to match that of its Ibanez counterparts. At this point, it is close to impossible to find a Japanese made guitar at the price range of RM2k (while there are some Korean made guitars around this price range, however, the selection is scarce. More about Korean PRS SEs in my later posts).
Make: Made in Japan
The Jackson KE-3 guitar was one of the first guitars I had purchased when looking for a premier heavy metal guitar to use. Equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, a floyd rose trem and 24 fret fingerboard, the Jackson KE-3 was made suitable to play all sub-genres of metal, ranging from Randy Rhoads type licks to blistering solos from Marty Friedman. What I discovered in the later years was that the Jackson KE-3 was highly capable of handling old school rock and pop/rock type music largely attributed to the versatility the Jazz and JB pick-ups provided. Don't let the killer looks of the guitar fool you into thinking it's a one-trick pony, the Jackson KE-3 is able to hack out some bluesy solos with the right effects pedals when called upon.
Review
The Jackson KE-3 guitar was one of the first guitars I had purchased when looking for a premier heavy metal guitar to use. Equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, a floyd rose trem and 24 fret fingerboard, the Jackson KE-3 was made suitable to play all sub-genres of metal, ranging from Randy Rhoads type licks to blistering solos from Marty Friedman. What I discovered in the later years was that the Jackson KE-3 was highly capable of handling old school rock and pop/rock type music largely attributed to the versatility the Jazz and JB pick-ups provided. Don't let the killer looks of the guitar fool you into thinking it's a one-trick pony, the Jackson KE-3 is able to hack out some bluesy solos with the right effects pedals when called upon.
The make of the guitar is exquisite, and the Jackson Japanese factory produced a beautiful piece of art, with the bindings and finishing close to perfection. At the point I purchased this guitar in 2005, the Japanese made Jacksons were selling at a remarkably affordable price, making the Japanese made Ibanez and Yamaha guitars look like over-priced fire wood. It was not until sometime in 2007 when Jackson realised the potential to capitalize on the global perception of premium guitars being produced from Japan, and upped the price of their guitars to match that of its Ibanez counterparts. At this point, it is close to impossible to find a Japanese made guitar at the price range of RM2k (while there are some Korean made guitars around this price range, however, the selection is scarce. More about Korean PRS SEs in my later posts).
Comfort and playability of this guitar also receives 5 stars, and provides the player with a remarkable amount of endurance to keep shredding and shredding. The neck profile allows for the player to seamlessly integrate with the guitar, and once you've warmed up to the idea of shredding and hitting your trem bar at the same time, that would be all you will be doing for the next few days.
This guitar graduated to becoming my most frequently utilized guitar whenever I perform live on stage. The neck pick-up provides a very rounded tone, of which is suitable for most music when coupled alongside the right effects pedal. The bridge pick-up on the other hands provides you with a heavier crunch, and was suitably used for most of my lead work on stage. The beauty of having these pick-ups was how perfectly balanced the guitar was in volume and tone. The difference between the SH-2and SH-4 is somewhat minimal, but prominent at the same time. Only a discerning listener will be able to distinguish the slight difference heard between those pick-ups when the selector is flipped.
In essence, the Jackson KE-3 guitar provided a highly affordable alternative (back then) to a class of Japanese guitars, which were then heavily dominated by the quality provided by Ibanez Prestige guitars, coupled alongside Di Marzio pick-ups. This "cheaper" alternative was met with the highest of qualities in terms of workmanship, finishing, and electronics - and while I do not condone the price hike it has received over the past couple of years - however, it is deserving of the positioning it has received as a premier Japanese made guitar.
Overall Rating: 8.5
1 comment:
Dude,
KE-3 was one of the most wanted guitar in my list dring my "Marty Friedman" days.
I have to agree with you that the market is now forced to accept extremely unreasonable price hike.
That is why, in response to your post on AXL, companies such as them are fast catching up with the "exclusive" workmanship and quality that their branded counterparts claim to offer.
AXL is very "straty" in nature, but with a character. The AXL is rude!!! The comfort and the built is rather exceptional for a guitar that cost less than USD$200. So folks, listen to the man. He favours this guitar as much as his USA Fender and Gibson.
"....making Ibanez and Yamaha look like overpriced fire-wood"
You are absolutely right.
YOur Prestige is more than an "entry-level" Prestige. The workmanship and tone was something to-die-for. And frankly, it is more well built as well as some of the their signature range.
Japanese workmanship is undisputable. Wait till you tell the folks out there about your Japanese Yamaha....
So far, the 3 axes you reviewed are amazing. I have close connection with the Jackson because of the Battle of the Bands gig we did.
I hope all of you folks who read this blog realise that sometimes, the make and model of the guitar are not that crucial in making you a guitar God.
You folks know why?
Because the Boss of SB Influence can easily smoke all the wannabes out there with his AXL.
And watch out when he holds my Squier California Series Telecaster!! The world will end!!
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