If you’re searching for some of the best Jackson guitars suitable for beginners and metal genres, don’t worry – you’re in the right place! In today’s article, we’re going to highlight some of their most affordable models.
Undoubtedly, Jackson is one of the leaders of today’s guitar industry. Their gear is not only inexpensive, but it’s also really reliable. Out of my experience, all of their guitars have extremely comfortable necks. And that’s a massive advantage if you want to shred and play some fast solos.
Here’s the list of some of the coolest and top recommended Jackson guitars. Check it out below and if you’re interested to read more details about each of these models, go to the next section. There will be a lot of sound demos included too, so you’ll be able to hear how they all sound.
1. | Jackson JS22 | See on Amazon |
2. | Jackson JS32 | See on Amazon |
3. | Jackson JS32 King V | See on Amazon |
4. | Jackson X Series DK3XR | See on Amazon |
5. | Jackson JS24 | See on Amazon |
6. | Jackson Monarkh SC JS22 | See on Amazon |
7. | Jackson SDX Adrian Smith Signature | See on Amazon |
8. | Jackson X Series RRX24 | See on Amazon |
9. | Jackson X Series Soloist SLX | See on Amazon |
10. | Jackson X Series Kelly KEXM | See on Amazon |
1. Jackson JS22
The JS22 model is one of the cheapest Jackson guitars available on the market right now. You may think that the low price affects the quality of this guitar, but the truth is that it’s really good! It will be a perfect entry-level guitar for any beginner who wants to play metal riffs.
The guitar features a poplar body, which is really lightweight. I recently wrote an article about this type of wood, so feel free to check out how it affects the guitars tone. In addition, the Jackson JS22 is equipped with two humbuckers, which offer a really nice and punchy tone.
Here’s the sound demo, I highly recommend checking it out!
2. Jackson JS32
In comparison with the previous model, the JS32 is slightly more expensive. The main difference between these models is that this Jackson has a Floyd Rose tremolo. If you’re not familiar with that, it’s a type of a locking vibrato arm and it’s frequently used by metal guitarists.
If you’re a beginner, you probably don’t need to worry about it. These bridges tend to be tricky for amateurs. Nevertheless, the JS32 is an extremely good guitar that deserves a lot of attention. The humbuckers used in this model offer a unique tone which is perfect for shredding.
Here’s the demo.
3. Jackson JS32 King V
Another beautiful model which is ideal for all metalheads out there! This is a classic V-shaped guitar and as you can imagine, it’s great for shredding. Also, it looks really aggressive, especially in real life.
The guitar has a lightweight poplar body and a comfortable maple neck. Similarly as two previous guitars, it sounds absolutely fantastic when you plug it in. In my opinion, it’s one of the best and most affordable V-shaped guitars available on the market right now.
Feel free to check out the demo below.
4. Jackson X Series DK3XR
Time for something even better! This model is a bit more expensive than all previous guitars, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention. The DK3XR model has a HSS pickup setting, which gives you a lot of versatility when it comes to tone.
Whether you want to shred or play some clean melodies, this Jackson is the way to go. I think that more intermediate guitarists will enjoy this guitar A LOT! Nevertheless, it’s still a great choice for beginners who never had guitars in their hands before.
Feel free to check out the demo below. Sounds great, right?
5. Jackson JS24
The JS24 is a really interesting guitar which features a mahogany body and a maple neck & fretboard. Undoubtedly, this model draws a lot of attention. It’s not too expensive and in my opinion, it’s one of the best looking Jackson guitars.
Two humbuckers and a slim neck will be perfect for all metal players out there. Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced player, I’m sure that you’ll enjoy using this model. At this price level, it will be tough to find something better.
Here’s the demo.
6. Jackson Monarkh SC JS22
Another interesting guitar manufactured by Jackson. As you can see, the company makes guitars in all shapes – Superstrats, Flying V’s and even Les Pauls! If you’re digging this kind of vibe, the Monarkh SC JS22 will be a great choice for you.
This Jackson model will be great for beginners and playing metal. It features a lightweight poplar body and a slim bolt-on maple neck. Again, there are two humbuckers which offer a really nice and punchy tone. There is no tremolo, so it won’t cause you any problems with going out of tune. Undoubtedly, The Monarkh is a really good and reliable choice!
Feel free to check out the demo below.
7. Jackson SDX Adrian Smith Signature
This is a signature model of Adrian Smith, the guitarist of Iron Maiden. As you can imagine, this guitar will be perfect for shredding! I think that it’s one of the best Jackson guitars for playing metal.
The guitar looks like a regular Stratocaster – the body shape and even the headstock reminds of a classic Fender guitar. Nevertheless, this model is much more powerful than regular Strats – it has a Floyd Rose tremolo, noiseless pickups and a really thin maple neck.
Undoubtedly, it’s an amazing guitar suitable for all-level players. And if you love Iron Maiden, that’s even better! I highly recommend checking out the demo below.
8. Jackson X Series RRX24
The RRX24 is an absolutely killer guitar. The aggressive look and powerful tone makes it one of the best Jackson guitars for metal. I have to admit that it’s one of my favorite guitars from today’s list!
Undoubtedly, this model is made for shredding. The slim neck and lightweight body both make this guitar extremely easy and fun to play. In addition, there’s a Floyd Rose bridge and two amazing humbuckers. If you want to become a rockstar, this is your weapon!
Here’s the demo.
9. Jackson X Series Soloist SLX
Another extremely good Superstrat made specifically for metalheads. I have to admit that it’s one of the coolest looking Jackson guitars. There is something really interesting about that unusual design. But even if you don’t like these colors, you’ll be amazed of the tone that this guitar produces.
The Jackson Soloist SLX features a basswood body equipped with two humbuckers and a Floyd Rose Special Vibrato. Undoubtedly, it will be a good choice even for the most demanding guitarists out there.
Here’s the demo. Sounds awesome, right?
10. Jackson Kelly KEXM
An absolutely amazing Jackson guitar. This powerful, eye-catching look and fat tone won’t leave you disappointed. The KEXM model is equipped with two humbuckers and a Floyd Rose tremolo. The guitar is surprisingly lightweight and looks like a real weapon. It’s not cheap, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention.
I encourage you to check out the demo below. You’ll see how great it sounds on clean and more distorted channels.
FAQ
Are Jackson guitars good?
Absolutely! Jackson guitars are really good and they’re also perfect for beginners. The reason behind it is very simple – most of these guitars are made for shredding, so they have pretty slim necks. As a result, they’re are really comfortable to play, which enhances the playability and comfortability.
What are Jackson guitars known for?
Their guitars are made for playing powerful riffs and fast solos. Also, their thin necks and eye-catchy designs are loved by rock and metal community. Most of the time, their guitars are equipped with great humbuckers and Floyd Rose tremolos, which are ideal for playing metal.
Who uses Jackson guitars?
There are a lot of great guitarists who use Jackson guitars. That includes such musicians as Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Derek Green (Sepultura), Phil Colleen (Def Leppard), Mick Thompson (Slipknot), Scott Ian (Anthrax) and many, many more! If you’re interested to read more about artists who represent Jackson guitars, check out their official website.
Are Jackson guitars only for playing metal?
Absolutely not! Jackson guitars are really versatile and although they are mostly used by metalheads, they still sound great in different genres. It’s totally fine to play blues, jazz or indie rock with a Jackson guitar. In the end, it’s all about having fun, right?
Does Fender own Jackson?
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) owns a few of the really popular guitar brands – and that includes Jackson as well. They also own such brands as Gretsch, Squier, Charvel or EVH Guitars.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of awesome Jackson guitars out there. Whether you decide to choose the cheapest or more expensive models, you will definitely be satisfied with their sound and quality.
Which Jackson guitar would I choose? Well, I really like the JS32 model – it’s not overly expensive and it’s perfect for beginners and playing metal. I think that it’s a really safe choice for anyone who’s looking for a good Superstrat, so I’d probably stick with that option. Nevertheless, all of the guitars listed above are really cool too!
Thanks for checking out today’s blog post, I hope that it was helpful! If you enjoyed this article, you may also like: