Jackson Kelly KE2 Review

[thomasterrible66]

Hey, I got a KE-2 back in 2007 with a graphic Cemetery Paint finish. Looks much like an Ozzie Album cover, I should post it. Have not read all reviews but here are a few things worth mention, I don't have enough room for much but,. Original pups were a SD SH2N neck and a JB bridge No mention of wiring and pots etc. Quality of USA FAR superior to other Kelly models You can use push/pull pots to wire independent volumes BTW without drilling holes. You should have pro luthier set up. Cheers!

[juggaloskinsheep420]

i want that exact thing with tabaco burst with korina wood and dimarzio x2ns

[hendrixslashmay]

i prefer not to have a floyd rose, fixed bridge gives me MOAR SUSTAIN :D

[xxxmetalist666xxx]

I hate my kelly which made in japan and I crushed it but this one is super !

[trashmetal12]

dear santa in this 21 december...

[EspLtdguitars4life]

the spoon trick is the best and quickest way to set up a floyd rose works every single time for me

[38decembers]

@EspLtdguitars4life I own a ton of guitars but just recently bought an Aria Pro ZZ with a Floyd Rose on it and it gave me fits trying to tune it and tried a whole bunch of differant ways but the spoon trick was the fastest and easiest way of them all.

[thechargerthz104]

how long have you been using the guitar?

[CaptainChaos88]

I should not seen this vid....now I want both, rhoads and kelly....

[godlikecharacta]

loosen your springs in the back for drop c

[TheMproductions]

you did a very nice job reviewing it, keep it up!

[Aenskyd]

Marty Friedman?!

[SpicyDragoon]

@Aenskyd He actually sounds like Nick Menza

[War2011Machine]

EPIC

[SinisterSysko]

So Sexeh! droooool!

[Hrledood911]

@Friday13thTaurus It's a review. Some people who don't know much about guitars may find the info useful.

[pancerota]

this is not a reversed headstock..but anyway, thanks for the video! I'm planning on buying one :)

[Swedguy97]

I dont really have the budget to get a KE2, would you suggest a KE3?

[Hrledood911]

@Swedguy97 the KE3 is not a bad guitar. The feel is different than the KE2. Also the construction of the guitar is different which will certainly change the sound. If it's all you can afford then go for it. This is an expensive guitar.

[evilpancakeman]

I didn't know Ray romano did guitar reviews.

[Hrledood911]

@evilpancakeman That's funny cause some of my family members say that and they even say I look like him...

[garrettlee9512]

Does that have a licensed floyd or original

[Hrledood911]

@garrettlee9512 Yes!

[garrettlee9512]

@Hrledood911 really?! no seriously realy?

[Hrledood911]

@garrettlee9512 Ok, what are you questioning? Confused...

[garrettlee9512]

@Hrledood911 you no what ,just never mind

[IzzyBoyadzhieff]

@Hrledood911 Its Original Floyd Rose...

[LTDusersince99]

@garrettlee9512 seems to ben an original

[garrettlee9512]

@LTDusersince99 thanx for the strait answer ,haha

[EspLtdguitars4life]

@garrettlee9512 its original

[BoBz013]

Kellys are really easy to play.

[spikeman316]

Shit...Marty Friedman had one when he was in Megadeth...the guy love this guitar so much than his fist faded the paint with use!

[hairflipsandcoohwip]

where did u get the case and how much did it cost u? plz i'd like 2 know cuz i have a jackson kelly n i'm currently looking 4 a case

[DanaKap]

which emg's did u put in

[TheYostinator]

I can picture my future custom shop kelly now... neckthru, unfinished neck, fixed string thru bridge, fireburst flamed maple top

[TheYostinator]

The japanese jacksons are good guitars too. I prefer bolt on necks because I dont like painted necks. One day ill get a custom shop neck thru with the neck unfinished

[DickLodge68]

I'm not extremely familiar w/ the Kelly but I do know guitars! First up, it's not a reverse headstock. I know Jackson gave a lot of options so the Duncans then switched out to EMGs is fine. The back plate to the pots might hold the battery for actives....I dunno. The whole "I have it to dropped C" and "the truss rod"deal is crap. This thing prob needs a truss rod adjustment to kill the buzz. The "set" neck is crap - this is a neck thru body...they perfect set up. Do you know any of this stuff?

[magicthunder666]

great review man.. can you make a video playing it? i`ll be great to watch....

[44xtreme]

I have one stupid question.

I'm quite skinny, and I know everything about that axe (sound, hardware, neck and stuff) but only thing that is bothering me is it's size..

It looks very big, and as I want from it to sound good, I also want to look good with it :P

Imagine "guitar is bigger than him" :O

[mars390020600]

cool !

[redneckredemption246]

badass guitar but thats not a reversed headstock

[pivetlord13]

so if you wanna tune, all you have to do is turn those circle things?

[pivetlord13]

hey man i gotta question. if you wanna tune the guitar, do you just loosen the locking nut and tune it with the tuning heads? or is it more complicated than that?

[GuitarFreakCroatia]

that is not a reversed headstock,Dinky has a reverse headstock,but a like from me anyway :) btw, i got it :),it is perfect for metal and clean :)

[setogenico2]

i want that guitar : (

[smittybang]

i stopped listening when you said reverse headstock. learn 2 guitar please.

[FireboltAce]

@Hrledood911 Im considering this or the Rhoads V which would you reccomend?

[Lordraven29]

@FireboltAce i have a randy rhoads v, and i love it..its a pain to play sitting down. I have a rx10d, and a rr3, which I bought second hand for a good price. love jackson guitars. I went for the rr model beause of rhandy rhoads and his style of playing i've got into.

[zzzhuh]

ya man, CiscoMcLovin is right, your floyd rose should be perpendicular to the neck. It happeneds occasionally when your changing strings. Btw, is this thing coil tapped?

[CiscoMcLovin]

ur pickups are too low... and ur floyds messed up... from wat i can see

[dragythuno]

@CiscoMcLovin It seems that he's got the floyd rose set up for slightly higher gauge strings and he's compensated for this by lowering the pickups. Pretty bad. You should raise both pickups up so they're nearly at neck-wood height and then screw out the plate a bit further behind the floyd rose to lift the back. it'll make bends a lot bigger, too. but you don't have the whammy bar. you dont even know where it's at.

[contiutube]

if you switched to emg`s , where did you place the battery ? i also have a kelly ke3 and there is no space in the back for the battery

[Hrledood911]

@contiutube I had a technician do the upgrade for me and he put the batter behind the body in the electronics. It's a great fit and you can't even tell it's there because it nice and tucked away.

[contiutube]

@Hrledood911 behind the wires and the potentiometer? if so, when you need to change the battery, do you have to take away the wires and all that stuff? my wires were poorly soldered and one of them broke off one time. so it`s kind of uncomfortable to take them out all the time. if you could explain to me again or send some pictures to this email address : sleifer_dh@yahoo.com , i would be very thankful :)

[bleed767]

hello friend.i just bought a kelly.im pretty sure its an import but thats all i know about it.its right nice,set up right and everything.the serial is 99101371.can you help me find out what model it is and how old it is anyway thanks.

[jipoo666]

Dude! Just Play!!! stupid american...

[volt]

@jipoo666 It's a review not a sound demo.

[sapanarithvideos]

what is the price for this guitar, i have a les paul jr. guitar special model and i kind of getting borded of the guitar . i am thinking of buying the jackson kelly. but i would like to know the price.

[Hrledood911]

@sapanarithvideos this guitar was $2200 new with the EMG pickup upgrade it came out to close to $2400 -$2500. There is a Japanese made version of the kelly body and it's not bad but the feel is much different from this KE2. Good luck.

[kingv911]

@Hrledood911 the Japanese version? Are you referring to the discontinued KE5FR? I am looking into getting one of those. If you have played on one, what did you think?

[blackassassin656]

2000 dollars?? You kidding?? I got mine for €160.

[volt]

@blackassassin656 you probably got the JS series not usa select.

[gnsumas]

Your Kelly doesn't have the reversed headstock, mate ;)

[givemeajackson]

hahaha, if this is a reversed headstock i'm steve vai

[lacrosseguy123419]

thats it! i am selling my king v, and getting a kelly

[SAMUELZ004]

whats the neck like

[thekcor]

@SAMUELZ004

The neck feels very comfortable and easy to maneuver around

[tabmaster66]

im gonna buy one or the other....but i just cant fukking decide!!

js32 king v? or js32 kelly?

please would someone tell me which is better?

[givemeajackson]

@tabmaster66 they are both with the same specs, but the kelly has more wood (thicker tone) and is more comfortable to play while sitting. on the other side, the kv has better acces to 24th and 23th fret. i would take the kelly, but its a matter of taste (btw, i ordered a white js32 kelly, and i cant fucking wait to play it)

[guitarplayer605]

I am going to buy the Jackson JS32 Kelly its just as nice but way cheaper its around $350.00 for a black one and $390.00 for white wich is weird because white is the base for colors. But its just as nice and its got two high-output Jackson CVR2 humbucking pickups wich is nice. Floyd Rose-Licensed JT580 double-locking 2-point tremolo.

[Ristridi]

This isn't a reversed headstock lol ;D Good review anyways ;D

[JoeySw337]

Can you tell me more about the neck? Is it the guitar that's more rounded at the top and flatter at the bottom like Jackson makes them now?

[givemeajackson]

@JoeySw337 yes, it is

[Mazz211]

Oh just gonna say this, It's a neck through, not a set neck, Set necks are glued, Neck throughs are built like that... lol

[chrismfoster14]

i have a kelly :D

[DarkerThanLucifer]

That my friend, is not a reverse headstock...

[MrPhorick]

Dude it ain't reverse headstock and the buzzing just means you intunation is off and you could get more than just one tuning if you know how your floyd works I didn't before just look up guitar tech vids and they will show ya. Ps awesome guitar and its a neckthru not set neck like you said

[PetropoulosGeorge]

Can you list of what is this guitar? I mean, it's body type, fretboard and the whole thing of what should we know for the guitar ?

[yasanceko]

ummm u really need to loosen the springs. ur Floyd is diving down that's why ur strings buzz, get it in line with the body and it will be much better

[andresml5]

Jackson Kelly KE2 or Epiphone Explorer?

[Mazz211]

@andresml5 KE2 is a high end USA beast, Epiphone Explorer is a chinese made sorry excuse for a cheap gibson.

if you can afford the KE2, get it.

[guitarplayer605]

@Mazz211 But if you cant afford the KE2 then get the JS32 its the same as what he has but already has two high-output Jackson CVR2 humbucking pickups and its around $350.00 but its not U.S.A made. So i would buy that if you cant afford the KE2.

[Mazz211]

@guitarplayer605 It's really not the same trust me, JS32s are made out of Indian Cedro (Which is a horrible body wood) and they are bolt on, they lack binding, they don't have a floyd, Jackson CVR2 pups are absolutely horrible aswell, I'd go as far to say EMG HZ's are better, also the JS32 is bolt on, the only similarity is the body and headstock shape, if you can afford to go a bit higher the lowest (unless you're a beginner) i would go is the KE3, mid range pro series are great guitars imo.

[givemeajackson]

@Mazz211 the problem is that the js kelly is the only one without tremolo, and if you want a kelly with fixed bridge

there is nothing else, except customs ( $ 3500-5000 is too much for most guys)

[mychem1914777]

@Mazz211 Dude, I own a JS32R. Its one of the best guitars I`ve ever bought. It does have a floyd rose (licensed) and it never gets out of tune, and I do some really brutal stuff. The guitar takes a whole bunch of abuse from me, and the sound is absolutely incredible. I don`t know what shitty version you`ve played, but honestly dude, from my experience owning one, its a great guitar for a great price. And I`ve owned about 9 guitars, I only have 4 now, so I can reasonably say it competes

[Mazz211]

@mychem1914777 What other guitars do you actually own?

[mychem1914777]

@Mazz211 I own a Epiphone Les Paul Special 2, A Davison Les Paul copy (fairly decent but needs a little work done) And an Yamaha F-310 acoustic. I owned two strats (both of which had faulty input Jacks and the wires snapped), A Ibenez Rg (forget what number, but when I got it, the nut was sawed to hell), and an Epiphone Les Paul Special 2 GT version (which had the worst intonation and tuning problems in the world, unlike the normal Special two which is great)

[SpicyDragoon]

Marty Friedman!

[richogem]

its not a reverse headstock

[xxgdkxx]

blah blah blah play it already

[chapametal08]

im thinking of buying a ke2, but i had a very bad experience with floyd rose on my last guitar, it isn't stable, i couldn't play without getting out of tune.

how does react your floyd rose on dive bombs or abusing movements? it is still on tune that?

sry for my bad english

[TangeClown]

it would probably do really good in drop d

[LordJereth]

Reverse headstock? What? *facepalm*

Sell it, you don't deserve it.

LJ

[xero724]

where can i get that hard case

[ChugachAviator]

is it actually a set neck i thought all usa jacksons are neck thru

[dbsk8r92]

personally i really dont like the 81 i LOOVEE THE 81TW though. its the coil tapping 81 but it doesnt sound so shrill like the 81( i have an 81 85 setup in my schecter) the 81TW and the 89 i have are in a prs paul allender. the prs is best purchase ive ever made

[FatKidCookie]

SEXY!!

[JaguarKinG95]

Was ist der unterschied zwischen ner ke2 / 3 ??

What is the difference of the ke2 / ke3 ?

ke2 2.000€

ke3 700€

plspls answer!!thx :)

[b44a55]

HELP !!! Jackson Dinky vs Jackson Kelly, which one is better ?

[xXxM0rbidxXx]

@b44a55 Personally, I think the Kelly is more comfy and looks cooler

[mckfchicken]

Im considering buying a Jackson JS30 KE Kelly, are the KE guitars the same as KE2?

[Hrledood911]

@mckfchicken Hey dude, the JS series of Kelly guitar are Jackson's lower end model of guitar. They are more than likely made over seas. I can personally testify that the USA made series of jacksons are incredible. If you pick up a JS series and play it and then play on of the USA model Jacksons you will be hooked! I know I was and they is why I invested in my KE2 Jackson. You will hear a lot of people of criticize me and other people for investing in more expensive guitars. They're jealous! LOL!

[mckfchicken]

@Hrledood911 Thanks heaps dude, I live in australia and the Jackson JS30 K Kelly is available here, are they any different to the KE2 though?

[MrThrashKing]

@Hrledood911 The JS series is good for what its worth. Id rather pay £300 + than £2000 + for something thats pretty much the same. But all the series are cool

[RapeAllRayPaul]

@mckfchicken You should get the js32t its an up to date version,also there is a version with a floyd rose for $350.00

[gnsumas]

@mckfchicken The Indian (JS) and the Japanese Jacksons are far inferior to the American Jacksons, and it is obvious the minute you pick up an American made Jackson.

The JS series is decent enough for someone starting off, though. I myself bought a JS series for the fun of it, and with active pups, the thing doesn't even sound too bad.

To summarize, the JS series is good for beginners and as back-up guitars. Not to mention how tough Jacksons are.

[crazylocoguitar]

it doesnt have reverse headstock. god if u own at 2500 dollar guitar u should know that!

[resisteosirve]

Hi I have a jackson is equal to that of the video only that the pills says jackson where you put the batteries??

[deadpool971]

hey guys i need an ew guitar my strat aint heavy enought for thrash metal like what i play im wondering should i get this guitar a kelly a jackson randy rhoads a deand vmnt or a esp kh 202 if you guys have ever used these guitars can you tell me which one i should get or how they feel

[sanjinator17]

isnt the Ke2 the $2000 one?

[88mpny]

@sanjinator17 yep, 1999.00.

[DropC09]

Reverse headstock?? haha I hate when that happens...

I really like this guitar... But i have to decide between this one and a Kelly ke5fr... Advice anyone?

[CaCestChill]

@DropC09 Ever heard of Yamaha guitars? Thats the SHIT!!!! Lol :P but I don't know, im also looking for a kelly, so you might just want to look at a bunch of reviews and then try some out at a dealer?

Cheers.

[1jack369]

@DropC09 demmelition king v

[Riotstarter100]

You have to change the tension of the springs of thw floyd rose to get better tension with other tunings!

[wanso452]

Dude I'm getting a js32t king v, it my first electric guitar. should i buy it with or with floyd rose D: and why or recommendations

Thank you.

[RyanMartinIsForYou]

@wanso452 depends on you're style, if your a soloist, you might benefit from it, if your more rhythm then you might not want it... then again this is your first guitar so you might not know, id say go with out the floyd rose, cause it'll be a cheap one and you might get bad tuning problems :) can always upgrade if you decide you want a floyd rose guitar though

[gokuhatake]

dude, it sounds like your about to cry just looking at your head stock..i was too but i manned up real fast.

[saltgamer]

that is a sick kelly. i was going to buy one but got a rr3 instead

[swisseragonplayer]

It looks so fucking sexy with the emg's..

[CyValkarion]

@swisseragonplayer it may look good but those EMGs will ruin the tone. Passives are the ONLY way to go. Actives have ruined many good guitars. I'm biased shut up.

[swisseragonplayer]

@CyValkarion I just sayd that it looks damn good, so where is your problem^^

[MMbass420]

Ok I'm sorry but my last comment was partially wrong. If the bridge is recessed than you need to loosen the tension on the springs. If the bridge is risen then theirs not enough spring tension in which case you may need to add another spring or two. Let me no if you have any questions. Sorry for the confusion

[MMbass420]

They buzz because you have to set up the floyd and or get a thicker guage of strings. message me if you want help

[Hrledood911]

@MMbass420 That is what I know I need to do. But I am not very good at it. So, it's just a process that I need to learn so I can don't have to pay someone. I want 12G strings and I can't get the floyd to balance. Any suggestions?

[MMbass420]

@Hrledood911 OK well if when you put the 12 guage strings on and the bridge wont level out it could be one of two things. you have to tighten the springs in the back and re tune the floyd at the headstock every time you tighten it until the bridge is flush with the body. if you tighten the springs all of the way and the bridge is still recessed into the body you may need to use four or five springs instead of the usual three. let me no if i was unclear. hope this helps.

[CamperCarl00]

@Hrledood911

It's pretty easy to look up online, usually it might have something to do with the truss rod, I'm not sure how tremelos effect buzz, but the learning how to mess with the truss rod might help.

[Kyle072585]

@Hrledood911 its worth it to pay someone to set it up for you, if you plan on keeping the same string gauge and tuning. However, if your one of those guys that changes gauges and us many different tunings, then dont even bother.....your better off learning yourself. You spent 2k on the guitar...just splurge on the $50 to have it set up the way you want it

[morph611]

If your a left handed player check out Gaskell guitars for this type of body.

[xXxM0rbidxXx]

Why are you selling it?

[andres91193]

what do you remomend me a bc rich mokingbird or this one????

[ospbsbll91591]

ive heard this guitar is kinda neck heavy, is that true??

[thecharvelshredder]

I absolutely LOVE the Kelly!!!!!!!!

[eyvenn]

and the most important?!?!!!...the sound!!!

[TIM3TOSHR3D]

I got my KE2 yesterday =) i had an eargasm.

[MetallicaforlifeCro]

Damn , why there is no lefty models. U ''normal'' people are so happy!!!!

[destinyrider22]

theres about 1 step between the fine tuners being all the way out and all the way in so if youre like me and like to use D and E standard tune to Eb with the pegs halfway in and turn them the rest of the way in

[metalhead9167]

yeah dude i have a Jackson RR and the case is huge for the guitar

[loolooloodoo]

i got 1 its so great i love the tone

[ClassicIron15]

MARTY FRIEDMAN!!!

[MrDarkess]

one question...can u tell me how much are you wanting for that guitar??

[VonHendrixTV]

i played a jackson js32t kelly at guitar center, and holy shit, it was fucking badass!!! It felt so natural in my hands, it played like butter, and it just screamed Death Metal. So as soon i get enough money, im going to buy it, install some emgs, tune it to Drop B or A# (whatever the fuck its called), hook it up to my Crate GT3500H amp, and fucking roar out some brutal death metal!!!

[SSJ2Starscream]

this guitar is so beautiful OMG

[SatansBitch555]

omg someone that actually has a clean black guitar! :D

[coltong400]

your bridge is really off. it should be almost flush.

[mikem376]

Daaamn your bridge is so rusted

[symphx1]

not reverse headstock!

[DylanBStringer91]

My Dad Bought A Jackson Kelly Yesterday For $180.00!!! He Got Ripped Off!!! It Doesn't Balance, The Neck Is Wide, It Has Active Pickups And It Won't Stay In Tune For Anything!!!

[alexjguevarra]

god thats my favorite guitar but it looks like ill be settling for a ke5fr

[DowntownTB13]

awesome review!!!! im getting one when i save up enough, hopefully in like 3 or 4 weeks!!!! but the one im getting is only $300. by the way that is not a reversed headstock!! again great review, thanks!

[screamingtrashcans]

thats not a reverse headstock!!!.....wth?

[andriaga]

Jackson or Esp ???

><

[Hrledood911]

@andriaga Jackson.....

[GingerCrashDummy]

@andriaga retard

[thanatos71209]

@andriaga it only says jackson in 20 places, and he also says it

[EldubeG25]

@andriaga ESP

[gearsofpizza2]

@andriaga

Jackson

[ap51999]

im getting mine for $600-$700 dollars not two thousand dollarsbut im getting mine from sweet water

[James57433]

I have a Ibanez RG 350M that I have had for a month is there anyway of making it drop c when restringing it? thanks

[Hrledood911]

@James57433 Yes, just tune the guitar to drop C tuning..... low to high, C - G - C - F - A - D

[zeldadevideos]

@James57433

lawl

funny...

[guitarist1443]

How much was that case?

[Hrledood911]

@guitarist1443 Came with the guitar so I couldn't tell you how much it would cost just by itself.

[guitarist1443]

@Hrledood911 Okay thanks