Tell me about the Jackson DK2S

[wrightdude]

The sustainiac system is intriguing to me looks like a fun diversion. The DK2S is not too pricey... am thinking about picking one up. Never owned a Jackson... question is, is the DK2S a solid stable reliable platform that will hold up a few years?

What else can you tell me about them?

Thanks!

I like the red:
http://www.jacksonguitars.com/images...1003890_xl.png

[Dave L]

Those Jackson Professionals are good guitars, nice and consistent workmanship and QC at that price point. I´ve owned several. The only flaw is the licensed Floyd, which wears out a lot easier than an OFR, a Schaller or a Gotoh.

Sure, they´re not neck and neck with the US models or the old first-generation Professionals, but I don´t think anyone expects them to be either.

[jpxplayer]

Buy one... They are a really good guitars. The neck thru soloist aren't better. They're different and are supposed to be. The Dinky is not a low end Soloist.
There is a Red SSH on ebay for 649 or Best Offer.. Looks like the seller wants to move it. Make him an offer. Sweet Guitar.

[Blue4Now]

I am always amazed at how nice these Jacksons are. MIJ for about 600 or 700 bucks. You can even put a real Floyd on there and still have a killer value. I have seen these used in great chape for 300 or less at GC and i am always tempted.

[Elmer]

I've got a DK2M, and it's a very nice playing guitar. The licensed Floyd is OK, but not great and I'm not in love with the pickups - but again they're pretty good, just not great. I'm thinking about popping in some different pups and an OFR, and it should go from "pretty good" to "freakin' sweet".

For the price though, they are pretty solid guitars even if you keep them stock. I say go for it.

[wrightdude]

Cool.... appreciate the input!

So when you say floyd is not great but "ok" what does that mean? looks? sustain? intonation? durability? just curious.... I only have (or have ever had) one guitar w/a floyd so I am admittadly not an expert on those....

Thanks again.....

[JohnSykes]

Good guitars. The neck is awesome. But you could find a used DK1 for $800-$900 or even a Charvel.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by wrightdude

Cool.... appreciate the input!

So when you say floyd is not great but "ok" what does that mean? looks? sustain? intonation? durability? just curious.... I only have (or have ever had) one guitar w/a floyd so I am admittadly not an expert on those....

Thanks again.....

Looks are fine, sustain and tone is pretty darn OK but not up to Schaller or OFR standards... and performance and tuning is very good until, you guessed it, durability comes into play. The knife edges and threads for the intonation screws will wear a lot faster than on the OFR (which in all honesty seems indestructible after 30 years and counting), causing tuning issues down the line.

A while back they did in fact upgrade the JT580LP, but to which extent I don´t really know. I doubt they have addressed all the weak points, because that would basically make it an OFR.

All in all, the good news is that the JT580LP might last you a lifetime if you´re lucky and careful, and if not the OFR is a direct drop-in replacement.

[wrightdude]

Originally Posted by JohnSykes

Good guitars. The neck is awesome. But you could find a used DK1 for $800-$900 or even a Charvel.

Cool... but its more the sustainiac thing that driving a DK2S choice....

[wrightdude]

Originally Posted by Dave L

Looks are fine, sustain and tone is pretty darn OK but not up to Schaller or OFR standards... and performance and tuning is very good until, you guessed it, durability comes into play. The knife edges and threads for the intonation screws will wear a lot faster than on the OFR (which in all honesty seems indestructible after 30 years and counting), causing tuning issues down the line.

A while back they did in fact upgrade the JT580LP, but to which extent I don´t really know. I doubt they have addressed all the weak points, because that would basically make it an OFR.

All in all, the good news is that the JT580LP might last you a lifetime if you´re lucky and careful, and if not the OFR is a direct drop-in replacement.

Excellent... thanks for the explanation... I have never owned a guitar w/this fret board geom too.. (I play mostly 9.5" radius) so if it turns out I really like it, maybe I'll step up one day.... for now I just wanted to make sure it was fundamentally sound.... and "toy" w/the sustainiac..... thanks!

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by wrightdude

Excellent... thanks for the explanation... I have never owned a guitar w/this fret board geom too.. (I play mostly 9.5" radius) so if it turns out I really like it, maybe I'll step up one day.... for now I just wanted to make sure it was fundamentally sound.... and "toy" w/the sustainiac..... thanks!

I think the japanese Jacksons are 14"-16" compound, so they are pretty flat. The necks aren´t wafer thin, though, pretty much comparable to a modern strat although the back shape itself is a little flatter... if that makes any sense.

The Sustainer is pretty awesome, I haven´t tried that version but I believe it functions much the same, and has the same controls, as the one on the PC1. It´s obviously real fun when used as a special effect, but the real strength lies in having that wrecking-ball feedback and sustain in situations where you can´t stand in front of an amp and crank it. The upper harmonic mode is killer.