"A very very excellent guitar for very very excellent money."
Sound:
The stock pickups are good, based on the origional Seymour Duncan Distortion model, I would recommend either a pickup change or put the guitar through a pedal to fully maximize their potential. It sounds good through the studio, naturally producing an ambient Megadeth sound through distortion, clean runs are even better. I've gigged the guitar before, and it plays good through the aid of pedals and a decent amp, plus it looks good. Can't have a naff looking guitar when in the crowd.
Feature:
The hardware is solid, all made in factory by Jackson, the chrome hardware mixed with the aggressive shape makes it stand out, even the pickup selector switch is chrome. One massive feature on this guitar is the Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Bridge, it stays in tune very very well, thinking the whole while that it is actually a Floyd Rose, but it's not. Other good pointers are the sharkfin inlays and the trademark sharkfin headstock make this a true Jackson guitar indeed. No accessories for this one, but I plan on buying a Gator case for it, as I proper look after this guitar, some say I overclean it, but I don't believe in not looking after your instrument.
Ease of Use:
The neck is really good, really thin and really fast. However, it looses points on balance. It's a V, so no like minded guitar player or V fanatic (like myself) would complain, but to a beginner it could become a real nightmare. However again, this problem can be resolved just by simply changing the layout of the strap buttons, as they sit in an awkward place when from the factory. Modification wise it's easy, the neck is a bolt on so that can be changed, the Jackson bridge can be changed with a proper Floyd, the pickups can be change if the user has good electrical skills, the guitar can become a fantastic tool for cheap money, providing you know what you're doing.
Quality:
Like all the X series Jacksons, it's from Japan, so the build quality is beyond brilliant, it's very well put together and it's even set up to a high standard. I have the Cobalt Blue Swirl finish on my guitar, and it's a cool finish I reckon, a nice few coats of paint on it to minimise chipping.I've had no problems with the guitar, nothing has come loose as of yet and I haven't changed anything on it, So it's seems incredibally reliable, considering how cheap the guitar is. I reckon that if it's looked after properly, cleaned everyday, cleaned and maintained after playing and ajusted to road like coditions, then the guitar will last for as long as you want it to.
Value:
Value wise it's good, you can get better guitars with better features cheaper, but you're paying for a Jackson here, so the name says it all really. I paid abit more for the Cobalt Blue Swirl because that's the guitar I wanted, I reckon it's worth the money, but you can get better for a lot less.
The Wow Factor:
It's a sexy guitar, V's usually are but the chrome harware, the aggressive styling and the finish gives it it's most deserved appeal, what's more, the name of the guitar on the Headstock logo makes it instantly envious to anyone that see's it. Jackson.
Overall:
I could never replace a guitar I've been longing for, however I do plan on modifying it with some Seymour Duncans, mabey a Jazz model and a SH-6 or even some EMGs or Livewires, everything else I'm keeping as stock. Mine is insured and alphatraced, so if it were to be stolen I would get it back, that's how much I like it. The only negative thing about it, and it's probably not even work mentioning is the Stock Pickups, but they're not that bad, it's just my opinion. I recommend it to anyone.
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