BUDGET METAL GUITAR FULLY UPGRADED - New Bridge, Pickups, Electronics...

This is the 3rd video I've made about this Jackson JS32 Series Rhoads V that I bought used for $220. I finally have the guitar in its final form with new pickups, new wiring, a new bridge and nut, and even new strap locks!
Anything else I should add? I think it might be done!
Link for Floyd Rose Special with titanium upgrades: ebay.us/Lic8QG
Link for stock guitar: amzn.to/2UQyefV
GFS pickups: www.guitarfetish.com/KP--GFS-...
Perfect Lock Bolt Strap Locks: ebay.us/ozbdsl
Amp: amzn.to/2PaHk4c
Backing Tracks by Tim Channel: / backingtracksbytim
Hellraiser T-shirt: ebay.us/WOIVX0
My instructional programs and NEW MERCH: sellfy.com/maxcarlisle
---
LINKS ABOVE may be affiliate links!
Social Media -
Facebook: / maxcarlislemusic
Twitter: / maxxxwellc
Instagram: / guitar_max_carlisle
Want to release your own music? Sign up on DistroKid and save 7% with this link: distrokid.com/vip/guitarmax
www.guitarmaxmusic.com
Rubric: -5 points for Danzig references. -5 points for not reading the description. -5 points for not watching far enough into the video to answer your own question. -5 points for misquoting me in your comment. 20 points possible. Everyone starts with an A!

[@OnAir21]

Enjoy it. Keep it as is. Don’t overcomplicate it with kill buttons/switches and coil splits. Let it shine as what it was designed to do: Metal.

[@TheWolvesCurse]

this!

[@3badthebad]

true, but a killswitch doesn’t sound half bad now that u mentioned it 🤔

[@MainPrism]

I was also thinkin about a killswitch. I just love em the option, especially on a guitar with a floating trem.

[@mercilessforever]

Do u have one? I do and he wasnt wrong with upgrading the pick ups lol im doing emg 89-85 on mine

[@alanpicazo]

Why not? Middle position with split neck plus full bridge is the best clean metal tone I've ever had

[@iksoknivek4056]

Hey max. I had to scroll a bit to find this video. I got a similar Jackson but in lefty. It's the gun metal grew one. I added a Lefty Gotoh 1996t, Black Winters, a right handed Jackson neck from a King V, which I sanded and added a new Jackson logo, Gotoh nut and tuners. It's now a budget, kinda shred machine. You inspired me to make what I wanted.

[@fuckingcadillac1]

Seeing and hearing the before and after is like swapping out a small block Trans Am to a big block Trans Am. Killer sound.

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

I like your analogy!

[@Jeymez]

small block are faster generally being lighter weight

[@fuckingcadillac1]

@@Jeymez what does any of that have to do with the sound?

[@danielshafer3227]

I blocked my green quilt top JS32 dinky a while ago. This has given me the inspiration to overhaul my tremolo and bring my Jackson back to life! Thank you Guitar Maxx.

[@richszmal1653]

I put a set of those pickups in an epipphone sg 5 years ago and i have loved them ever since for their midrange.

[@Apache-pp9ok]

You rock! Love all the descriptions ! Thank you!

[@HughesGarageSCA]

Great video. Great upgrades. That guitar is now next level (and beyond). Awesome work! 😎👍

[@lempuujjj2877]

I too love using budget guitars more than expensive ones . I had a squier standard Stratocaster, slapped a Floyd on it and Seymour Duncan JB and some locking tuners plus refrets and quite surprised 9,5 radius necks are really really comfy and fast ! Wow

[@rubberthe3]

Hi, if you don't mind, could you tell me what you did to throw a floyd in it? Was it a direct drop at the bridge (and the routed nut ofc)?

[@lempuujjj2877]

@@rubberthe3 I let my luthier friend route for the tremolo system but I didnt change the nut and instead just installed locking tuners in it. Locking nut just gives the guitar more complexity to handle and use but without the nut and only the locking tuner u can not only keep ur guitar in tune but also drop d and restring easier. Got idea from Guthrie Govan .

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

@@lempuujjj2877 sounds really cool 😎

[@jcb355]

@@lempuujjj2877 I scratch a graphite pencil into the nut with a drop of 3-in-1 oil, work the trem aggressively, then tune up. The graphite-oil lube keeps the strings from snagging in the nut and it stays in tune even after full-sag dives.

[@Earthshaker1965]

Beautiful Jackson Max!!! You got a great deal on it! Those GFS pickups sound amazing!

[@mommy251]

Dude I love your channel this is such a beautiful upgrade on that guitar God I’m so happy I found your channel you have completely turned me on to this guitar I will be purchasing it and upgrading it just like you did keep up the great work man you’re doing the greatest thank you!!!!!

[@suetruett3812]

love what you did with this guitar. I have a less expensive guitar that I want to upgrade..you have given me tons of ideas about what I might do. Thank you so much for this..

[@radtats6899]

I've been going back and forth on getting this axe. You just sold me man. Lol. Love the videos.

[@DisruptedSinner]

Man, every time I watch your chops are bad-ass!

[@tankdarla637]

You and a few other KZbin guitar guys are the modern day guitar heroes in my opinion, pretty freakin cool.

[@eddiesalva890]

Always a pleasure to listen to your play Max von shred love the channel 🎸🤘

[@layol692k7]

what a fantastic that guitar turned into with a little bit of TLC great job Max

[@timothypotter2137]

Sounded dynamite! I love GFS. Rock on, Max!

[@lostreb]

I think what you've done with this one is outstanding. Of course, instead of tweaking more on this one, you could always come across another great project guitar (or two or more) and upgrade it!

[@user-rg5vt3gf5o]

That thing sounds AMAZING!!!

[@johnramsey2480]

I say leave it as is with the upgrades you have already done. I looks and sounds AWESOME!!! I LOVE to grab budget friendly guitars and mod/hot rod them up just like you did here.

[@Zombie_13x33]

Hey man I really like your channel. Thank you and keep having fun!

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Hey, thanks!

[@jahbrake9791]

What a fkn badass guitar and a wicked build Max!!

[@Kratos370]

Fantastic video Max! Got the guitar after watching your videos and love it!

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Excellent!

[@fuzzcous]

The Floyd upgrades look killer too

[@nhlkoho]

I just did the same thing with a cheap Rhoads I've had for almost 20 years except repainted it too. Only thing left that's stock is the wood. Plays soooo much better. Looks a hell of a lot better too

[@Godeseternal1]

Nice picking and sound review on the upgrades. Looks like you made out pretty good on the axe.

[@scottjackson4743]

And I stand behind my previous comments you are the best guitar reviewer on KZbin

[@SunsetO-kr5ru]

loved the solo over backing track

[@NSPowerlifter]

I just did the same with a king V! Floyd Rose original, nut with screws from the back side, and the KFK EMG pickup set. And WOW , I'm super impressed, it sounds so good, and I got a decent guitar for a fraction of the cost of buying an upper level jackson with the same hardware, plus it was fun to do👍

[@chrismeadows4216]

I like to imagine Randy Rhoads is looking down on this video and smiling... 🙂💜 The only thing I don't like very much, and this is purely a stylistic thing, is the set of Kwikplug pickups you have installed. They sound extremely saturated to my ear and not to allow a lot of bass or mid-range, or any particularly warm response. It all sounds unusually Line 6 Spider V, especially with delay over top. Honestly, I feel the stock pickups were a lot more muscular, lacking character though they may have. I appreciate you giving people an idea of how easy they are to set up and an idea of how they sound, of course. You've done the lord's work, and this channel is unerringly important, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

[@thebaldshredder]

It's funny that at the same time that I decide to take a short break from uploading new videos, you go on an absolute uploading frenzy! Keep up the good work buddy! Loving all the new videos.

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks!

[@muaythaikid4706]

Thanks I am really looking into buying this guitar. You did an amazing job

[@lfader]

Your Hellraiser Tshirt is as "Legendary" as a dialed in Jackson!! 🌟

[@arsenaultgilles4557]

Rounded off the edge on my Jackson dinky archtop with a wood file no more sharp edges against my forearm also quick run on the high E side of the neck with a rubber sand paper block no more sharp edges play's like butter.As for you my friend great upgrade on the flying V nice pics for hardware like it alot cheers

[@alexprowse3581]

I had one of the JS30 Rhoads and I miss it a lot. What I did to help with the neck dive was to move the strap button to the outer most top neck bolt, and that evened it out a lot

[@DavidLozano]

I did Duncan's on my JS32 Warrior. Invader bridge and Full shred neck. Push/pull coil tap. Special saddles. Dunlop 360 strap locks. Hd noiseless springs, Trem-Endous trem stabilizer, EVH D-tuna. And my favorite upgrade.. My Stone Tone granite trem block. 😁

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

I love the neck that's on my Jackson JS32 Dinky (2006). Seriously, These guitars are no B.S. metal machines.

[@fredlazr]

I just bought a lefty version of this axe. I’m gonna upgrade every piece on there. Thanks for the videos broski

[@ChronicMetamorphosis]

These are a great guitar series for learning! I wanted to learn how to setup a Floyd Rose, and put stickers on my fretboard, but I didnt want to use a $1k Schecter or even a $500 guitar. I bought a used JS32 Dinky for $200 and swapped the Floyd to learn how to set one up (replaced with a Gotoh bridge). I dont feel bad for using fretboard stickers on a $200 guitar either, and I get that awesome shreddy Jackson neck to practice on. This was one of the best guitar buys Ive made, and I wish I had this when I first started out.

[@shadowviper957]

Sweet those upgrades really turned it into a super shredder!! Been tossing the idea around of swapping my js Kelly pickups with the sd Loomis pickups. Love the look of those will make the Kelly pop

[@peyotepete4903]

Dig it. Jackson guitars are excellent!

[@p4cbassman]

Done…good job!

[@neospawnkiller6586]

Kick ass guitar. I just got the Schecter E-1 FR in TPB a few weeks ago. The guitar is awesome, and I got turned onto it by your video. Only issue I had with the guitar is that the fine tuners are very rough, but they work.

[@500erider]

@ 5:11 Hellraiser really starts to get into the groove, and has that seething metal face.

[@ninop.r489]

I wish I could get a guitar like that and upgrade it! Awesome content!

[@AGuitarNinja]

I ordered the js32 warrior version today with the same plans! That bridge reminds me of the fr “1500” schecter users with the upgraded titanium parts

[@engineliew3131]

Wows sound amazing tone.. Good job

[@damonwolf7222]

Man, if anything, slap 2 little mini toggle switches between the 3 way switch and the volume and tone controls for coil splits, coil taps, or series/parallel (whichever you prefer to get nice single coil tones). Those ultra hot pickups will really surprise you how true they sound to real single coils since they are basically equal output to true single coils when split down to half power. Aside from that, I wouldn't change a thing! You nailed it, man! 🤘

[@zoomzoom3950]

Always find great information in your vids, your playing and tones are great too! IMO. I have a JS32T Rhoads, the stock pickups sound very good, but thinking about getting the GuitarFetish wiring with coil tap, unfortunately many of their pickups are out of stock... I also have Jackson X Series CDX22 Concorde with the strat trem which is also amazing. Sold my JS32 Warriors, now I plan to get another. I agree the JS32 series guitars sound great, and are very comfortable to play, at a great price, and can be upgraded while keeping your total cost down. I play my Jackson JS32 more than my more expensive guitars. Cheers!

[@xavierdavid6038]

I love the Jackson js 32 series and I have a js 32 dinky in neon orange.Its neck is amazing and the pickup are hot.I absolutely love it . Great value for the money 😂😂🤘👍👍

[@jcb355]

You do the same thing I do, upgrade lower price-point, decent quality guitars with improved parts and electronics turning them into excellent tools. I've learned the hard way that gigging is brutal on guitars and it's painful when a $3000 guitar is abused. (I had a lighting rig fall on one and that was the last straw!) My upgraded axes hold up against guitars 3-4 times the price.

[@dldissolving2005]

I have the exact guitar. At this dude's advice I upgraded the locking nut to a Floyd Rose 1000 series nut. The Jackson branded bridge is fine for me but now I'm curious about the titanium hardware. Mine is natural finish with gold hardware so when I upgrade the pickups I'm going gold Fishman Fluence classics. Also this dude is spot on regarding the neck and frets. $400 and the neck and frets quality easily rival my $1,400 Schecter.

[@gregk.9855]

What size nut did you use? R3 or R4?

[@smh8632]

that guitar is 🔥🔥!!

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks! And great first comment!

[@Living_EDventures]

I did the exact same thing to my new $500 Jackson soloist except i still have to change the nut. I did put a titanium spring claw, brass claw screws, brass block, noiseless springs , string saver saddles and changed pots also.

[@philrohtla6458]

A couple of suggestions for further mods: one, a regular Floyd brass block. A big block would be overkill, and this will be better than the zinc one you have. When you add the block, head down to a place that sells fasteners and replace the screws that hold the block with hardened steel screws. They make a difference for literal pennies. Then replace the neck screws with stainless equivalents. The guitar will ring out better, and the neck will move less.

[@mikehurley5052]

Brilliant.

[@jackflowers2944]

The one thing that I want as just a tiny aesthetic choice would be tuners to match the silver accents of your bridge and pickups.

[@2livedrew337]

I really liked seeing this. I did a pickup swap on my RR JS32 and added Seymour Duncan Thrash Factors. I also changed the nut for the same reasons mentioned here, but kept the stock FR and the guitar plays and sounds insanely good now. I love Jackson’s JS32 line. Really good guitars for the price and with a little TLC and a few upgrades, you’ll get a super fast playing guitar that sounds killer. I bought everything new and spent around 600 bucks total. So worth it.

[@carlosroubert8646]

What’s the size of the nut R2 or R3? Thank you

[@Melkor0410]

600 bucks still like any other affordable guitar :)

[@edwardippoliti626]

It's absolutely radical, the only thing you could do now is put some pinstripes like Randy Rhoads had on his ,but honestly it's over the top just the way it is !

[@patrickshannon4516]

Good looking Floyd Rose on there it doesn't always have to be an original Floyd Rose a Floyd in general are pretty good. It's really decent i think and it really amazing what Jackson has to offer since they are that cheap. They get the metal done! I do know that...

[@sonnic1995]

I'm doing the same modifications on the same guitar (except it's a black body with white bevels) i got the body, just the V shape part for around $80 usd, and i had a Jackson JS32 neck lying around, so far, with the hardware i wanted, minus the pickups, this guitar's been around $230 usd, i might try the GFS pickups and wiring, which will rise me up to less than $330 and i think for a "customized" guitar is an absolute win.

[@b6y8n]

looks cool

[@markrandall2668]

Looks great and sounds awesome. The only thing I'd add would be a stabilizer. Bar stabilizers work very well, but the slingshot and double spring stabilizers are probably better for back bends and down tuning. Peace

[@weedyguitarstudio1715]

I have the same one in Satin Gray in Lefty I like the pickups and the rest I have no problems with mine and I have a 1000 dollar Jackson so this cheaper thinner sound on my V is cool!!

[@rev.j.chriswallace642]

Those pickups look EXACTLY like the ones in a 1986 Ibanez Rhoads I had many years ago!

[@effingclexiss1337]

Cool! Now all your axe needs is a RR custom engraved truss rod cover from eBay or Etsy for less than ten bucks for the full Randy Rhoads experience.

[@Zombie_13x33]

Dunlop checkered black and white strap. I have one on my white jackson king v and everyone always says how cool it looks with the guitar. Yeah I know it's just a strap but it goes with it perfectly. My v has emgs and black beveled edges

[@thomasmozelt585]

I live the dimebucker Form the bringe!ist the heavymetalpickup !

[@DizJakeOG]

I love budget guitars!

[@577buttfan]

I love my js 32 man great guitar.Best feeling neck Ive had in a while.Almost feels as good as my old model 6 velle. Only thing I can think of changing is adding the black white polka dots lol :)

[@SirLoin187]

Floyd rose 1000 saddles and a big brass block is the only thing I would upgrade from here!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I love when you just chug a long. Nice Vee.

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

Its a Good Thing. Leave it alone. Dont Fuck it Up!!! Great Job!

[@jimsinister13]

Looks finished to me sounds great, looks great. It makes me want to take that old warlock out of the closet and upgrade it. It has a Floyd Rose style bridge and the bridge tuners we made out of cheap metal so the secrets are totally stripped.

[@xlr8r2010]

I'm really thinking about buying a set of those blade style pickups, for my JS32 Rhoads. I just installed a Floyd Rose Special in it...it is a great guitar, the neck is unbelievable when setup properly. \m/

[@derekhensley4145]

Enjoy it as is bud

[@russellzauner]

Slugs for the win FAT BLADES!

[@edwinstovall3334]

I have one suggestion for you: Try one of Guitar Fetish's brass and steel Floyds!🤘 I have two of them, and yes, they do make for a heavy guitar ... but together with those titanium parts, it should be a real killer! Should be a real improvement over the zinc in the Floyd Special!😎❤️️🎸‼️

[@jwguitar]

GFS always seems to make really good quality guitar parts. I have always liked their pickups and their tuners are really solid.

[@symbolicacts6056]

How well does the GFS floyd hold tuning?

[@edwinstovall3334]

@@symbolicacts6056 They seem to do a decent job. Of course, I've had to change the entire system, meaning the locking nut also. I'm not sure what the nuts are made of, and I was not able to use the units that came with the GF Floyds because they top-mounted and my guitars use the OG rear-mount method. They hold tune better than my old Kahler Spyders, though!

[@ericbgordon1575]

I just got a V guitar kit. I like it (for the moment) better than the name brand versions. I dig the Jackson version, though I don't think I would like the Jackson headstock if I were in the market.

[@donwilson9939]

SOLD!!! I love the Jackson speed neck. Infinitely comfortable

[@bacongl]

I much prefer the Dinky. But It's basically the same guitar. Love these cheap Jacksons. Bang for the buck is incredible with those upgrades.

[@worgothcgd]

Hell no ! You did an excellent job. Stop where you are at !

[@Anshul1614]

Since the last time i commented. I split the stock Jackson hbs. You gotta listen to the split sounds, super tasty. Obviously the full humbucker is less than ideal but the split sounds are on point.

[@AlFontana-km9ir]

cool tee shurt

[@tacolightningyt3639]

I have a jackson dinky archtop js32 black flamed top and I'm putting a floyed rose special and seymour duncan blackend black winter pickups in it and it's gonna be awsome

[@christopherwoods6]

Stainless steel spring claw and noiseless springs if you don’t already have them.

[@unclestubs8377]

I'm doing the same thing with an Epiphone SG. I got it for $80 on an online auction site. I kept it in my work truck for about a year to noodle with on my lunch hour, somehow the neck didn't warp or twist from the heat. I'm keeping the original bridge as it just doesn't go out of tune! I'll probably just change out the electronics. (Pick ups, controls, etc)

[@RustyGunn7]

You should upgrade on it's ownership - I'll take it. Lol This is a very nice guitar. I enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@luther_beckett]

Good job, Max. I'm definitely going to find tit-tanium parts for my Wilkinson Floyd. Sure it will take the slight annoyances out of it. But about your playing and tone. You always sound the same. Really awesome. You could probably shred on a wash-tub bass.

[@rowanmurphy5239]

Can't find that bridge anywhere. Shame. Great value.

[@greevar]

Decorate it with some custom art on the body! And add the ability to switch between active and passive!

[@honigdachs.]

I have to second Max regarding the necks on these things. I got three JS32 guitars - a Kelly, a Warrior and a Dinky and on all three of these, the necks are really damn fine. A real highlight among budget guitars. Extremely comfortable , solid and very playable. I swapped the pickups and the nut and exchanged the stock trems with the Gotoh GE1996T-B. Really enjoying these axes now.

[@metalhead8338]

What pickups did you put in?

[@honigdachs.]

@@metalhead8338 I got the passive EMG Marty Friedman set in the Kelly, Fishman Fluence Moderns in the Warrior and DiMarzio Crunch Lab/Liquifire in the Dinky. They're all different, but I like the variety.

[@metalhead8338]

@@honigdachs. Very colourful pickup-palette! Good choices

[@ernestoortiz8672]

Was the gotoh a good fit for the jackson Floyd replacement? No extra mods needed?

[@honigdachs.]

@@ernestoortiz8672 Yes, in my case it was a direct drop-in, no dremel required or anything.

[@D.Guitar]

A Floyd Rose special is great. It's just the saddles. The blocks. The zink block on the bottom. .. they all need to swapped out to original/1000 series (original is forged in Germany,. 1000 is forged in Korea. Both to same spec's) this Special with the titanium upgrades is Awesome. The only thing I would do is make sure the block on back is Brass. Or some special have brass with nickel plate on it.. Sweet Axe. I'm thinking of going for a JS32kelly I also have the titanium string locking blocks in saddles. The difference between them and the standard is night and Day.

[@BazonBlades]

After spending tens of thousands of dollars on equipment over the last 30+ years I have come to the conclusion that expensive guutars are a total waste for a hack like me. I now use a couple of JS32 series Jacksons as my core pieces. Although both my Dinky and Rhoads are TOM bridge rather than Floyd equipped. They are definitely "budget" guitars but are super solid mod platforms. As you have seen. The Jackson "speed neck" profile is an absolute joy to play on.

[@marks9197]

Great video! What's the actual block like on that FR special? Is it substantial? If not, maybe an upgrade from guitarfetish either steel or brass? Great playing,btw.

[@scottbagwell9144]

Looks great! In my humble opinion if you want to kick it up a notch, perhaps adding a custom wrap (ex. inzane skins). Perhaps Pinhead theme (Hellraiser), kitty cats, or something.

[@darlenemcmillan5802]

I like the kitty cat idea😸

[@shakebabyhitler]

Another awesome vid! Did you install all the upgrades yourself, or do you have a go-to guy for that work? Just curious about any additional labour costs.

[@normbarrows]

Looks like you're down to kill switch and cosmetics. I had a RR1 back in the day. Didn't like the jumbo frets, or the 22 vs 24 frets. Pawned it, a strat, and a fender bullit. never bothered to get them back. The bullit is the only one I miss. I bought it to use the neck for a build. Took it totally apart, and it was absolutely perfect - flawless. So I put it back together.

[@al23x56]

Hey Max, cool video and upgrades! Did you have to replace the posts when swapping the tremolo or you just re-used the original posts? Also, the FR special (ebay) looks like no longer avail., any suggestions where to get one with titanium part upgrades, US or UK? Or, any other tremolos which would be a direct swap, like perhaps Gotoh GE-1996T could work as a suitable replacement?

[@colboysigmax]

For passive I'd recommend Seymour Duncan Invader or if you prefer active, Fishman Fluence. I have these in my 1988 Tokai VC-75 and 2020 BC Rich Shredzilla Mockingbird respectively.