Jackson JS30KV King V Electric Guitar

July 30, 2007 by Jo Minor 


Looking for an affordable axe that will scorch those metal songs? Look to Jackson to provide just what you need at a reasonable price. The Jackson JS30KV retails for only $442.84. It has a hot “V” shaped body, jumbo frets, and a fast maple neck to facilitate those shredded solos. The two Jackson CVR2 humbucker pickups blister with heat.

The Jackson JS30KV features the compound radius fretboard that makes these rock guitars so easy to play. In fact, Jackson advertises that you will play better on one of their guitars, because the compound neck will allow your hand to be more relaxed.

Jackson Guitars are named after Grover Jackson. He was partners with Wayne Charvel in a guitar repair business called Charvel Guitar Repair. Charvel sold his interest in the business to Jackson in 1979. From 1979 to 1986, Jackson crafted electric guitars at his location in San Dimas, California. Some of these guitars were Jackson brand, and others were Charvel brand. (Charvel went on to found the business, “Wayne” Guitars.)

In 1986, the business became part of the International Music Corporation, and the manufacturing of guitars was moved to Texas. Then, in 2002, the business was bought out by Fender. Jackson Guitars are often associated with aggressive metal rock music, because they are often chosen by those who play this style of music. They feature slender, fast necks, hot pickups, and extreme shapes, like the V shaped body of the Jackson JS30KV King V electric guitar, which was introduced in January of 2004.

Jackson has been commissioned by a number of rock stars to make guitars just for them, and as a result, some are named after these stars. The V-shaped RR models are named for Randy Rhodes, for instance. In the case of the King V, they are named after Robbin Crosby of the band RATT, who went by the nickname, “King.” It was actually first commissioned by David Linsk. Dave Mustaine of Megadeth also has been associated with the King V guitar style from Jackson.

Advantages: This is an affordable, well made electric guitar in an extreme style that is sure to turn heads. It has a good neck, considering that it has 24 frets, which make it good for tapping and solos, and it has the compound radius fingerboard. This means that the fingerboard is more dramatically curved near the nut and flattens out as you move up toward the higher frets.

The JS30KV is an entry level guitar that is suitable for beginners. Pinch harmonics are easy to perform on it and the sustain is excellent. And for a beginner’s axe it has a really radically sharp look. The bridge is low so there are no dead frets. It also sounds pretty good coming through a cheap little starter amp, although it will sound better if you have a good amp, of course.

Considering the looks and the reasonable price, this guitar looks like a pretty safe bet for someone who wants an extreme looking metal guitar that will make some noise.

Disadvantages: The Jackson JS30KV King V electric guitar is reported to be somewhat neck heavy, which makes long standing gigs challenging because you have to hold the neck up even between songs. It can also be difficult to sit and play a V-shaped guitar.

This guitar lacks a whammy bar, which many metal musicians really like to use. The sound is a little heavy on the bass, according to some. One more problem with it is that it is basically just useful for metal. If you like to play soft, ambient jazz or something like that, you will probably want a different guitar.

Specs:

  • Alder V-shaped body

  • Bolt on maple neck

  • Neck dimension .775 inch at the first fret

  • Neck dimension: .910 inch at the twelfth fret

  • 25.5 inches scale length

  • 1 11/16 inches wide at the nut

  • Rosewood fingerboard with compound radius of 12 inches to 14 inches

  • MOTO dot position inlays

  • Die cast tuners

  • 24 jumbo frets

  • 25.5 inch scale length

  • Jackson CVR2 humbucker pickup at the bridge

  • Jackson CVR2 humbucker pickup at the neck

  • One master volume control knob

  • One master tone control knob

  • Chrome hardware

  • 3-position blade pickup selector switch

  • Position 1 - bridge pickup

  • Position 2 - both pickups

  • Position 3 - neck pickup

  • JT390 adjustable bridge with strings through body construction

  • NPS strings in .009 to .042

  • Available in black, dark metallic blue, and deep metallic red

  • Optional deluxe molded case

 

Wikipedia has a bio of Robbin “King” Crosby. He realized a lot of dreams in his short life, but he saw a lot of tragedy, too. It is a sobering read.

Here is a little more information about the Jackson company.

Fender has a part of their forums dedicated to those of you who play Jackson guitars. Access it here.

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