Jackson King V JS32, Review/Test

Body Material: Poplar
Body Finish: Gloss
Neck Material: 1-Piece Bolt-On Maple Speed Neck with
Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint
Neck Shape: Speed Neck
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12" to 16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to
406.4 mm)
Number of Frets: 24
Fret Size: Jumbo
String Nut: Floyd Rose® R3 Locking
Nut Width: 1.6875" (42.86 mm)
Neck Finish: Satin
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Position Inlays: Pearloid Sharkfin
Bridge Pickup: Jackson® High Output Humbucking
Neck Pickup: Jackson® High Output Humbucking
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup,
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck
Pickup Configuration: HH
Bridge: Floyd Rose® Licensed Jackson® Double
Locking Tremolo
Tuning Machines: Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast

[@pacovl46]

As soon as I saw that black sweatband on your forearm I knew you’re a Hetfield guy! :-)

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@alexmanuelgil9608]

pacovl46 😂 true

[@bigc0ck]

Could be Mustaine too?

[@Test-ml2zl]

Yes and the way he holds his pick

[@MetalMan73100]

@@Test-ml2zl And the distance between his thighs.

[@duncandistortion]

5:34, jackson territory.

[@rmmva]

Sounds great

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

DUNCAN DISTORTION yea this sounded pretty good

[@JeremyNoblitt]

Nice cover of Megadeth's Into the lungs of hell around 8 mins.

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! :)

[@diamonddeuce2288]

Fuck yeah. One of my favorite songs ever.

[@MB-rc8ie]

Very underrated album, kudos to you

[@StrangerE0ns]

That “to live is to die” 👌

[@mrcowlick7537]

Me : Opens review KZbinr: Plays Welcome Home Sanitarium and nails the tone Me : THIS IS THE GUITAR FOR ME Edit : He played Still Loving You we need more people like him on the planet

[@patriziovolpes7237]

He also played Always somewhere..

[@legoclayface2094]

What time

[@gdboy1232]

@@patriziovolpes7237 you mean Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd?

[@ZaktanVR]

Dude you look like James Hetfield with that King V.

[@metalman552]

Jaymz has is axe lower.. YEAH`Ah!

[@rustyshackleford5668]

Fun fact...James used Jackson for a very brief amount of time in 1987

[@aban1066]

Yeah and plays sanitarium too

[@marquitobach7213]

James used the Jackson King V to made Master of Puppets (my english is bad, I'm brazilian)

[@MrMusicopath]

@@marquitobach7213 it was a gibson not a jackson

[@joshuajohnson-nf2mw]

Your the only one so far that shows affter useing the wammy low or high it reternd back to the same tuning witch makes me want to bye one even more thank so much

[@festushaggen2563]

Great selection of songs. Good job. That Scorpions tone was spot on! It jumped out at me in the first few notes. Nailed it. 👍🏻

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks!! :)

[@matdemaz]

Wow, we have the same pick, guitar, audio interface, everything, except the amp. Love Jacksons to death. When they came out with this and the KVXMG/KVMG Pro models, I jumped all over them. 😂 Also, nice playing, dude. Subbed! 👍

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you very much! :)

[@alexmanuelgil9608]

Same man, Jacksons, especially the king v, are the best

[@pavel5283]

@@alexmanuelgil9608 is it hard to keep it in tune?

[@dq7860]

@@pavel5283 late answer and not from the same guy but no not really, the locking tuners on the top keep them from de-tuning when you use the floyd rose, and in turn means they also wouldn't de-tune in general until you take the locking tuners off, and even if it does you have the fine tuners at the bottom to retune while the locking tuner is on.

[@iloveitall]

Let me express my biggest thanks to reviewers like you, who got the balls to share the naked unplugged sound with us, cause for to the people who know, ths is all that matters, when choosing a guitar.

[@megahurtz30]

You're welcome, glad you liked it :)

[@thebigmoist6937]

@@NubsWithGuns I think he was being sarcastic

[@iloveitall]

@@thebigmoist6937 I was honest, not sarcastic.

[@iloveitall]

@@NubsWithGuns I know music store visitiors like you very well. Knowing everthing better and playing guitar for a lifetime without having any clue at all. "Hey man, its only the amp sound that matters ...." Please do your thing and get out of my way.

[@arcy3752]

@@iloveitall why so aggressive? also can u pls explain why the unplugged sound is all that matters?

[@lifeinsaltlakecity4001]

You can mount the strap nut on the lower neck plate screw and improve the balance. You might be able to also add a few fishing weights inside the control cavity.

[@victorstriga]

Hello there, when you're saying "lower neck plate screw" are you referring to the screw in the upper left corner of the neck plate? I think I'm gonna do it, but I'm not sure if I should put the strap nut on the upper left or upper right corner :))

[@lifeinsaltlakecity4001]

@@victorstriga the screw closest to the 24th fret on the treble side. So if you're looking at the back of the guitar it would be the screw on the top left.

[@victorstriga]

@@lifeinsaltlakecity4001 thanks a bunch for responding. Yeah, it'll make more sense if I'm putting the strap nut there. I hope it'll not affect the neck in some way though 🤔

[@BlakeSpohn]

@@victorstriga did you do it?

[@chrstopherthomas6952]

Heck yea man sounds great. Excellent song choices. I just ordered myself one. Thanks dude.

[@javedshaikh1541]

Three years now for this video! But I just had to tell, that this is the best review of this guitar so far that I've come across!

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you very much!! :)

[@gamepad3173]

I'm going to be honest, the King V, it sounds dope and one of the guitars that I"m going to be picking up just for either gigging (alongside my 2004 Squire 51) or just general recording. but I'll take mine in black.

[@blackblooddoll3]

WELCOME TO WHERE TIME STANDS STILL, NO ONE LEAVES, AND NO ONE WILL

[@frieza625]

I saw a Rhoads at a store and tested it. It blew my mind since it sounded better than a Mexican Strat and the Strat sounded no better than my Ibanez GRX70.

[@dasilva207]

Tá boa , sócio!!!!!

[@megahurtz30]

:D

[@ScorpionMaster1224]

How is sitting down with a V feel? I'm looking to get my second guitar and I'm looking at a few and I'm wondering if this is a good option for the price?

[@megahurtz30]

Hi! Well, i got used to it. It ends up beeing comfortable once you get used to it, it was a fast process for me. As for the value for the price, i would say yes, it's a good option.

[@quicksand7474]

megahurtz30 How much did you get it for because I see different prices everywhere

[@vagelaspap5147]

@@quicksand7474 you can find it from 300 to 400 Euros (i dont know how much that is for us dollars)

[@kobaltseven]

It basically sits in the classical position. If you already play guitar that way, it’ll automatically feel comfortable.

[@letsgetrealmedicated]

You have to play in the classical position.

[@anthonyholland2669]

I'd love to here you do the randy rhoads solo from the song Mr Crowley on that guitar - that would be cool

[@_greenfox_6876]

I love that solo

[@scottnorris68]

I just bought one myself... Really nice guitar but needed A LOT of help to sound good... Worth the 300 bucks for sure, but plan on new pickups and the jackson floyd rose sucks ass, will have to replace with a real one...

[@rogeliouzielleijacontreras5127]

nice review and test, you look like hetfield but you play like a Schenker XD such a clean nice tones ups the scorpions :P, but distortion better than hammet used to :P, mustaine must be proud of you men, also im about to recieve an jackson dinky for Christmas this year i cant wait for it :D greeting from mex bro hugs

[@megahurtz30]

Thank You!! :) abrazo

[@allhavesaidtheirprayers3434]

I want into the lungs of hell played at my viewing and to live is to die at my funeral.

[@octaaka4757]

atm i own a Ibanez GRX70QA really good quality guitar but tuning stability isnt great due to no locking nuts just a regular trem and god i love V shaped guitars due to players like Michael and Rudolf Schenker,Dave Mustaine,Kirk Hammet

[@theoutlawtorn]

Portugal 😍

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@snapesnapeseverussnape2015]

Just be a simple kind of man

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@garretthall3372]

That justice tone is beast

[@theblackberets3379]

ANGEL OF DEATH! MONARCH TO THE KINGDOM OF THE DEAD!

[@judemisura4323]

I have 3 of the JS series King V's. This is the last one I need fory collection. Although I do wish they would introduce new color options to this series. Until then, I plan to buy a bunch of ones just to have them custom painted. Awesome review btw 🤘💀🤘

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! :)

[@Zombie_13x33]

I just bought this exact same guitar. I also ordered the 81/85 set as well. The emgs are here already and tomorrow the guitar comes. Also got stainless floyd screws and a l shaped brass block.

[@megahurtz30]

nice upgrades!

[@javiparis04]

I wasn´t expecting To Live is to Die, nice cove man

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks :)

[@WalkMannMusicOfficial]

BADASS. I will be getting one in a few weeks! This video makes me more excited every time I see it!!! Thanks so much!!! I will be posting my own Review on it on my channel!!!!

[@marioguti9887]

Did you purchase it? Thinking of getting one myself, what's your KZbin channel?

[@Fruzzio1]

When you watch these video, if you like the sound, buy the the ampli, not the guitar.

[@StarvingMorlock]

I remember when I was younger and I used to think JS stand for Joe Satriani 🤣

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@machineworx692]

I play in a cover band called Machine Worx (Machine_Worx_rock_band) and this guitar quickly became my #1 choice when playing Metallica or Megadeth songs. Actually, pretty much any metal from Iron Maiden to Judas Priest, Sabbath, Ozzy and anything in between! Rock on!!

[@megahurtz30]

Nice! :)

[@estilomoonblood3738]

Kick ass review of King V! That King V is a narcotic looking beast! Njoyd bro 🎶👍🎸.

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! :)

[@mattyshredz1071]

You should put some duncan distortion humbuckers in there. Jackson guitars are great but their pickups suck.

[@megahurtz30]

Well, i put an EMG 81 and an EMG 60 in the guitar. I have that comparison video as well

[@mattyshredz1071]

@@megahurtz30 oh thats dope dude. Rock on!

[@sld67869801]

I have a JS32 Dinky and it is great! I want one of these and a Soloist now. Awesome demo too!!!

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! :)

[@santanajackson8829]

I'm most likely going to get the black one but I'm gonna put the EmG 81 and EMG85 in it just to get a more full sound . But the Jackson stock pickups do sound pretty good. That's that shitty part of being a poor nigga . But I am good at working on guitars so that's a plus. But hell for the price you really can't beat it

[@megahurtz30]

There are a few interesting budget guitars out there. Just keep looking, reading reviews and trying them if you get the chance. Yeah the stock pickups, to me, sound good enough for several purposes. I liked how they sound in solos, there seems to be a mid range warmth to them

[@yvond6444]

Excellent review. Well done. I now know everything I need to know for an informed purchase.

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you! :)

[@mrshady223]

Thanks for being the only one making a review on this guitar that ive seen. It good 👍

[@demonkillerr]

What is the name of the tapping solo you played? Awesome vid btw!!

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you very much! It's from a Megadeth song called: Into the Lungs of Hell

[@peterbagosi3862]

The only thing i hate about these guitars is that you cant actually play it while you standing up. :(

[@andrewinwood3502]

I thought it was just mee

[@pereirajonhson7048]

My only concern about this guitar is the plug jack entrance placement but overall, it's a guitar I would really like to have.

[@randomboi9161]

I knew this was a good review when he started playing sanitarium

[@csj9619]

Dig the intro to "Still loving you"

[@niilonevalainen2884]

7:13 may I get the amp settings? The sound is awesome and I have a King V now, I play with a 65 watt Peavey combo.

[@megahurtz30]

Hi. Yeah. I used a VST called TSE X50 (v1.0.2) and then another VST called Poulin Lecab2, to load two Slayer impulse responses (slayer_war_sample_IR, and: slayer_blood_rain_R_IR). That's it, and all that is free stuff! The settings on the TSE X50 amp where: Pre gain - 5; Low - 9,5; Mid - 4,5; High - 5,8; Post gain - 2,8; Low End - 8; Presence - 6; Powertubes (on the back) - 6L6; Poweramp - on; Red ch. mode - Mk1.

[@carlitoxb110]

1:23 🎵 love love will tear us apart again 🎵

[@briang8579]

One tip man. Not that much of a critique but I noticed you play alot with your arm instead of your wrist Best to relax it a be smooth when palm muting or it tires you out fast. Also, how difficult is it when playing high frets in this beast?

[@megahurtz30]

Ok, thx for the tip, i try but... still working at it. Playing the higher frets is easy enough

[@briang8579]

@@megahurtz30 nah man, always feel bad about criticising people, but I'm made some much progress so much faster when working on my picking techniques rather than my fretting hand. You will soar fast with a free wrist. Good luck 🤟

[@megahurtz30]

@@briang8579 no doubt, proper picking technique is very important and one of the hardest things to improve, in my case at least..

[@briang8579]

@@megahurtz30 I mostly sailed fairly smooth, had no issue with pick angle. But I need to not anchor my hand as much so I can glide through notes. I always have my middle ring and pinkie resting below the high e 😂

[@noahdguitar1454]

I really like this guitar good features at a good price

[@jesterraj]

Scorps tone sounds great

[@reganmacneilexorcist]

Jackson Guitars 4 Life ❤👍

[@elevenAD]

Wow super rare Jeff Waters V! Those things are not cheap these days, if you can even find one.

[@megahurtz30]

Yes indeed, and signed by the man himself! :)

[@elevenAD]

@@megahurtz30 Effin sweet! i have always loved those!

[@eamonahern7495]

For the balance, I'd move the strap position from the body to a strap holder you can put an extended neck joint bolt through. The top bolt closest to the neck. Then I'd put on a leather strap because they slide less. That seatbelt style material makes straps too slippery. I'm speaking from experience of having a guitar one time that had the strap holder at the neck joint being attached by one of the body/neck joint bolts. I need a high headstock playing position standing up and that guitar was comfortable to play standing up. In that Jackson (which I forgot to say looks awesome btw) resting your right forearm on the body is a good counter balance should there be any small drop after these changes. I'm considering doing the same to my js32 rhoads

[@kj4ilk]

my jackson js12 dinky man if i go play some iron maiden or metallica that darkish tone it makes on bridge or neck it's MADE for the heavy shit

[@diogobarata6346]

A guitarra é fixe mas a bandeira é melhor :)

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@izdethdethizthebassist]

4:52 Still loving you JACKSON!!!!!!!

[@EuPolemico]

name of the song plase

[@izdethdethizthebassist]

@@EuPolemico still loving you scorpions.

[@EuPolemico]

@@izdethdethizthebassist thanks

[@joelgillies7825]

Is that a Jeff Waters sig model I spy in the background?

[@megahurtz30]

Yes it is :)

[@Balamurugan-cg1fi]

7:17 fuckinn slayeeeerrrrrrrr

[@snapesnapeseverussnape2015]

I'm saving up for this one btw

[@JupiterKnight]

sus

[@AwomeD]

Just ordered it 😈🎸

[@joshuajohnson1351]

To fix that neck dive just move the neck strap nobes up or down tell it stops dropping or you can shorten you neck strap on right side tell it stops dropping but I still want to bye the black with wight Bevels king v love Jackson guitars

[@patternillustration-iii15f77]

Best review I've ever watched \m/

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you very much! :)

[@rodrigomiranda9698]

Una belleza de Guitarra!🤩

[@patrickshannon7287]

I like it. It sounds great it's got a wild metal look. The balance of isn't perfect. Buts it does got enough bad ass qualities to overlook the balance issue.

[@HCkev]

A trick is to move the strap button to the leftmost bolt on joint screw

[@cardo_theonly]

WHAT SONG DID YOU PLAY AT 4:53 ???? I LOVE THAT

[@megahurtz30]

It's Still Loving You, from Scorpions

[@cardo_theonly]

@@megahurtz30 oh thank you friend! And great video btw you taught me everything i wanted to know about that king v!

[@megahurtz30]

@@cardo_theonly Thanks!! Glad you liked it :)

[@sigori4672]

is it just me or is this guy trying to look like james hetfield?

[@altermann1ify]

Ha. Lol. That's what I was thinking too

[@maximoyanez7922]

04:00 simple man de linyrd skynyrd 🤘🏻

[@LuisSanchez-qp8ki]

Is that default bridge good or You recomend to change it for an original Floyd rose?

[@megahurtz30]

The default is ok, but of course, original Floyd Rose is the best, but also expensive

[@LuisSanchez-qp8ki]

@@megahurtz30 i have Review that the gotoh is cheaper than Floyd rose and is Even better, it is japanese

[@megahurtz30]

@@LuisSanchez-qp8ki Is it? Ok, cool to know. The original Floyd is supposed to be made in Germany. There is also the Schaller version, also made in Germany and probably cheaper than the OFR. I guess the important thing is that the baseplate and posts are made of really good quality steel, as not to wear down

[@shawnbogstie2827]

Playing a little b-ball. Nice sweatbands, Jamez. ROFLMAO

[@llla_german_ewoklll6413]

Bro idk if playing blues licks on a guitar like this is even legal. If you're playin that shit, play some van halen or randy rhoads.

[@Marzen216]

Thanks for the audio review. If you had to choose either this or the Richie Faulkner V for your first V which would you pick? Also how's the tremolo? Rock on!

[@megahurtz30]

Well.. 2 very different instruments. The Faulkner V is double the price, i expect it to be very good quality, but i haven't tried one yet, sadly. I think for a first V, it's probably wiser to go for a cheaper one, in case you don't adapt well to it. The tremolo is good, does the job, it's not as good as a Floyd Rose Original of course, but good enough for the price range of the guitar.

[@fernandoeliasarteaga645]

I hate the balance of this guitar and it's a pity, because in general it is not a bad instrument 👍. Sometimes it is uncomfortable for me to play :c

[@tommycarmichael3198]

Hey I know this is an old video but had a question. With this being a bolt on neck do you have trouble with getting to the higher frets (17 -24) when playing lead? Nice video. Thanks

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! The access to the higher frets is ok, but yeah, there is more volume inside your hand playing those, a neck-through or set-neck guitar would be better, but i can still play those frets

[@jamdalf4343]

🤘

[@romanshredz]

Cool video thanks for that 👍 thinking about getting one and swapping out the bridge and pickups. How u find the build quality? Is it still holding up well after all these years ?

[@megahurtz30]

Thanks! Well, it's made in China, but the quality is ok. The only thing i notice after these years, is the neck binding, near the neck pickup, is a little loose from the wood of the neck, but not too serious, a drop of glue will fix it easy, i guess... i don't even bother with it. Also, it would be great if the frets were stainless steel, as not to wear, but that is very unlikely to come stock at this price point.

[@romanshredz]

@@megahurtz30 cool sounds like the guitar is pretty solid build wise from the neck stability to body. That’s awesome… I think I might pick one up. Yeah I own a bunch of guitars and must say the Stainless frets are awesome… have them on only one of mine … a Solar V 1.6FRC+. Also have a Jackson Pro series Brandon Ellis and it’s very solid… just wasn’t sure about the JS . Thanks dude 🤘 and cheers 🍻

[@asterionuniverse607]

1:24 truly? can you have the bridge arranged that way? He is totally unbalanced but what the fuck! it would have to be fully aligned!

[@megahurtz30]

Are you referring to the baseplate, whether it's parallel to the body or not? Or the finetuners? Or something else?

[@Psypher169]

King Vs and Rhoads Guitars will always be head heavy.

[@H.E.M.]

Is it worth the it? I’m about to buy one I swear. I always wanted a V and this one is pretty cheap and looks cool

[@megahurtz30]

I think it's worth it yes

[@atchoum5472]

actually i have two guitars, a stratocaster and a epiphone sg and i was looking for in like one year a new guitar, then i saw that jackson, is it worth it and just im really nervous about the floyd... cuz a jackson floys at that low price i know that they are not that good but does this one is nice ? i mean does the guitar get out of tune quickly or it's acceptable ? btw, i really enjoyed that review/test songs were amazing and everything

[@megahurtz30]

I'd say it's good enough to maintain tuning. After a couple of years or so, i put a Floyd Rose Original, that i already had on another guitar. I probably wouldn't buy one just for the guitar, given how much they cost, but there are some other supposed good ones out there, like the Gotoh or the Schaller...

[@Otsantos5]

Força Portugal!!🇵🇹

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@Balamurugan-cg1fi]

Great appreciation for the unplugged sound

[@ricardohuitron1343]

I have that exact same guitar

[@donwilson9939]

Love your music keep it up

[@megahurtz30]

Thank you very much!! :)

[@etherlords88]

thank you for the video; 2:10 gives me all the reason not to go for this one... Just like the terrible experience I had with Ibanez Xyphos...

[@megahurtz30]

You mean the balance?

[@chickenboyyyy7860]

You Can USE a strap that holds it

[@Dave-Kaz]

Sounds awesome!

[@eduardoibarra4641]

Looks like Sanitarium is the only clean riff that most review channels know

[@kidnamedalaska]

Like seriously, where’s the Call of Ktulu or the MOP interlude?

[@itsaayushpoudel]

Hey man!! Awesome playing, do you live in Portugal? If u live then can you please tell me where can I get this guitar. This is my one of the favorites and thanks for the video man. Appreciate it!!!

[@megahurtz30]

Yes, i live in Portugal. Here is a link of a portuguese store: www.egitana.pt/jackson-king-v-js32-electric-guitar-white-w-black-bevels/p/10495?kk=a4c6294-18813f43298-e7889&kgclid=CjwKCAjw6vyiBhB_EiwAQJRoplmmCqpBe5AaRb8T-wPYbm2gPi3dwtxVrvONRnjHXv4D2l9qF4hdWBoCkvMQAvD_BwE&Jackson+King+V+JS32+Electric+Guitar%2C+Whi&from=kelkoopt

[@megahurtz30]

Tell them i sent you the link, maybe they will thank me or something :D

[@kemerios1]

8:32 was some Darrell Dimebag staff

[@EATHEREAL_]

I really want a jackson and this review helped me out alot on whether i should get this guitar or not. Thank you so much

[@megahurtz30]

I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@ciaindeed8657]

Cool Portuguese Flag Sticker.

[@megahurtz30]

:)

[@raspberryjuiceentertainmen719]

Ah yes the guitar Hetfield used to track master of puppets

[@megahurtz30]

Yes a King V. His had a "Kill Bon Jovi" sticker, a fixed bridge (tune-o-matic) and Seymour Duncan Invader humbuckers (at the time)

[@raspberryjuiceentertainmen719]

@@megahurtz30 that’s good to know, thank you 🤘🏼

[@jeppyjep]

@@megahurtz30 "Kill Bon Jovi" sticker? Thats freaking dope.

[@zackwatson755]

Nice I just ordered the King V JS32T

[@dice4923]

português?

[@megahurtz30]

Sim !

[@Brad143]

Thanks for the review,this is the correct way how to review or demo the sound of the guitar,honestly review without mix any effect 🤟

[@megahurtz30]

glad you liked it :)

[@Вадим-з7к7н]

Похоже, что эта гитара сильно фонит, не так ли?

[@davehoang-ve1xn]

Hey, is your guitar heavily stained? Can you make a new clip for me to see?

[@megahurtz30]

Stained? No, it has a normal glossy polyurethane finish on the body, and a satin type finish on the regular looking maple neck

[@adammarshall1011]

Just ordered it in satin black

[@ognjen-im1ym]

Does it stay in tune and would you recommend it? (as an intermediate guitarist, i can play Master Of Puppets solo, etc...)?

[@megahurtz30]

It stays in tune. Intermediate? Well.. maybe save a few extra bucks and get the next price line (the X series , i think) But mostly, try to get a bridge of Floyd Rose Original quality

[@Possiblyclinicallyinsane17]

Do you know what songs you played in the distortion part of the review?

[@megahurtz30]

the first riffs were just something i came up with, then: Metallica - To live is to die; Slayer - Angel of death; Megadeth - Into the lungs of hell; And at the end a bit of Guns N Roses - Sweet child o' mine solo