My 2 cents on Jackson trems

bringer of torture · #1 09-09-2007, 11:24 AM

I purchased a Jackson DK2 about 4 months ago or so. It's not really the type of thing I would normally play, it was more of an impulsive buy for me as I liked the Trans-blue finish. Anyway, the thing has got far less play than any of my other guitars (save maybe my newest RG), but the trem is already showing serious signs of wear! I took it off last night, as it wasn't returning correctly to zero, and I noticed that the knife edge on the low-E side (anyone have a technical name for the two sides of the trem

?) is already showing metal! Now, I know that this isn't a USA made Jackson or anything but I did pay 700$ for it with a case and I find this to be totally unacceptable! Is this trem the Jackson answer to the LO TRS II or what? After a thorough setup I did finally get it to return nearly to neutral (I suppose the next step is to do the old chapstick fix, heh!); can't say that I'm very pleased though. I've got about 900$ into this guitar, what with custom pickups and such. How do you guys feel about stock Jackson trems? I've still got a Floyd Rose Pro laying around that I pulled out of my RG450; I'm tempted to shave the tremolo cavity a bit and drop this in instead!

markg5150 · #2 09-09-2007, 11:35 AM

If it's only 4 months old take it back to the store

C.Thep · #3 09-09-2007, 11:46 AM

indeed, jackson trems are horrible

i guess the kind of people who buy jacksons usually don't know any better. You can feel it's cheap-ness just buy tapping on it, and wiggling it a little.

i was however, impressed by their fret work quality.

crevis · #4 09-09-2007, 11:59 AM

I think you have to spend a little more for a decent (non ibanez) trem.

Davey · #5 09-09-2007, 12:56 PM

My nephew has a DK2 and the trem is brilliant for staying in tune, but does indeed feel cheap.

Lefty Robb · #6 09-09-2007, 01:12 PM

yeah the DK2 trems suck balls, thats why I locked mine down with a tremol-no and never looked back.

**jaxadam** · #7 09-09-2007, 01:18 PM

Licensed Jackson trems suck. The higher end model Jacksons have OFRs.

sugizo_esp · #8 09-09-2007, 01:37 PM

never liked jacksons in the first place, not just the trem that feels cheap, the guitar feels cheap. MIJ models i m refering to.

Davey · #9 09-09-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugizo_esp

never liked jacksons in the first place, not just the trem that feels cheap, the guitar feels cheap. MIJ models i m refering to.

Yeah they do actually. I really like the neck profile on them though and the body is comfortable. If you can actually get one that's aced quality control then they aren't bad at all, but I'd never buy a brand new one (unless it had an eerie dess swirl *drool*)

C.Thep · #10 09-09-2007, 02:17 PM

And they still use rectanlgle neck plates. For a metal guitar, that is kinda lame.

**jim777** · #11 09-10-2007, 10:15 AM

I would have gotten a used one and put in an OFR and been done with it. I love Jacksons, but I wouldn't get a new one unless it had a stop tail or OFR. If you like everything about the guitar but the trem, then just put a Ping in it and be done. Lots of the stock Jackson trems are crap, but its tough to argue those necks.

finstah · #12 09-10-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Thep

indeed, jackson trems are horrible
You can feel it's cheap-ness just buy tapping on it, and wiggling it a little.

MIJ maybe but not the earlier USA models. I've owned (and still own a 90 Fusion) pre-Fender USA Jacksons and they kick ass period.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Thep

i guess the kind of people who buy jacksons usually don't know any better.

I've been playing for 26 years and have had Jackson's for half that time. I tend to think I know crap guitar versus a well built guitar.

The Fender Jax' or cheap low end one's do suck, but not the early USA one's

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #13 09-10-2007, 02:14 PM

I have never had any issues with the Jackson trems and I have owned tons of Jackson and even though I have a huge I banez collection I like MIJ and USA Jacksons. I don't know what most people are babbling about here, I bet you guys haven't even owned 1!

stop being such Ibanez fanboys, there are other things out there!

Dee · #14 09-10-2007, 04:06 PM

I've played a lot of Jackson's and all of them were unimpressive. Cheap ones, expensive ones, you name it, none of them were worth what the price tag said.