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Alright, you guys wanted one, here it is.

First off, the case alone is the size of a freakin tabletop it's gigantic!

I got the guitar yesterday, and I have to admit; just looking at it, I wasn't that impressed. Rusty strings, some grime on the pickup rings, and a bunch of crap on the fretboard. Inspected it a little... looked good, but definately needed a good setup.

The finish: My god. Just looking at it, it looks plain white. Cool color, the bevels look great painted black, but it's just plain black. Come up close, move some light along it...it's the most gorgeous pearl color I've ever seen on a guitar. The finish itself is strong as hell. This is a '99 model RR-1, and It had literally no dings what so ever. The only thing wrong with it was that on the front, on the lower wing, there's a straight line that goes underneath the pickguard. I think someone dropped the pickguard accross it while doing wiring or something, but you wouldn't notice it unless you were a foot from it, and knew what to look for. No headstock nicks, and what surprised me the most, no wing-tip damage. Those wings are usually what get messed up (and pretty badly from what I've seen). Perfect condition.

I held off doing anything to it more the most part of yesterday, besides disconnecting one of the tone pots and making it master volume/master tone. Just a preference, nothing big. Left the other knob as a dummy knob. The main reason I didn't want to do anything to it was because I knew I needed to remove the damn D-Tuna, and figured I'd just wait till the replacement screw for it arrived. Didn't arrive that day...so I adjusted the action a bit, unblocked the trem, and played it as-is.

Great feeling neck, the finish is superb. Doesn't get stick or slow me down at all. The binding work is spot-on, no finish bleed or anything of the sort. Fast playing, and ebony feels great on the fingers, expecially for bends and slides. Upper fret access is great, as there's literally no heel.

I got antsy. I wanted to set it up, change strings, clean the fretboard, remove the D-Tuna...So I did. Took off all the strings, took the D-Tuna off and put it's extra long screw back in. Took some steel wool to the fretboard and frets.

I have to stop here. The fretwork on this is IMMACULATE. I can not believe how good the frets look feel. There's little to no fret wear at all, despite it being 6 years old. I'm almost at a loss for words, the frets are that good.

After cleaning the fretboard, the ebony feels and looks even better. This is my first axe with an ebony board, and definately not the last. Excellent wood, looks great, sounds great, feels great.

The inlays and headstock logo are MOP, and this is also my first axe with this feature. Gorgeous stuff, and no filler around the inlays. It's a great touch to pearl finish, matches wonderfully.

So I restrung it. The one big surprise I had with the OFR was how solid everything is. I've only had an Ibanez Lo-TRS as far as Floyds go, and now I know why they're so despised. The biggest problem I encountered with the Lo-TRS was stripping the allen parts, as well as the wrench. Not the case here, whatever material they used on it is sturdy as hell, didn't have to overtighten it to make the strings stay, and that's a huge relief for me. No more spending 2 bucks a month on spare parts!

I had some fretbuzz with the new strings, so I raised the action, and reset the trem. Tuned up, locked down, fine tuned, and was on my way. Some fine tuning on the action was needed after tuning up, but nothing major. No truss rod adjustments needed, thank god.

The only thing 'wrong' with it is that the nut I think might be a little misplaced? On the top part of it (part you view while playing), it's pushed down, and there's about a credit cards thickness worth of wood exposed, while the other side is flush with the neck. Is this normal? It doesn't effect intonation or playability in the least bit, but I figured I'd ask anyways.It played and still plays superb. This is hands down the best playing guitar I've ever touched, and I know I've said it a ton already, but it truly is. Nothing holds a candle to it.Now for the sound. Unplugged, it actually rings out really well. It has a very rich and cutting sound, which I like a lot. Resonates beautifully, and has plenty of sustain, even with the Floyd.

Plugged in, it's even better. Jazz neck stock, so I know I'd like it, but I was blown away. The pickup is fatter and richer, but just as articulate as on my Schecter. I'm guessing most of that is due to the 22 frets vs. 24 frets. For chording, it sounds great. Bright, thick, and articulate, but still cuts through very well.

I didn't like the JB in my Dinky much...not as aggressive as I'd like. It sounds a lot better in the RR, but I'm still not quite sure if it's staying. It's more aggressive and rounded than it was in the Dinky, but the Dinky didn't have a tone pot, and this has a 250k tonepot. That was a surprise, as the volume pot was 500k. Does anyone know why they mismatched it? And would I get more treble using a 500k tonepot, or does it matter? The lead sound is amazing, its the rhythm I'm not quite sold on, but I need to try it with the band on Sunday to be sure. Singing, clear, and articulate. Single note runs are very defined and edgy, and sweeps sound smooth and clear.

Powerchords sound absolutely HUGE. The intro to Opeth's Masters Apprentice sounded amazing; thick and round, yet still biting and defined. I'm not used to tone being this biting, but it's something in the mid-mids and lows that make it sound just amazing. My Schecter sounds somewhat 'hollow' in comparison.

The shape didn't take long to get used to at all, and after adjusting, it's even more comfortable that traditional double cut guitars, both standing and sitting. The shape allows me to wear it higher, and puts my fretting hand in a very relaxed, comfertable position. Playing on the low strings at the upper fretting range is no longer a chore, but a pleasure. The guitar doesn't 'hug' my body as much as strat styles do, but it's a nice change. I feel more 'free,' as weird as it sounds.

I'm extremely glad I went ahead and got this instead of getting a cheap Ibanez to fulfill my Floyd gas. It's the best piece of equipment I own, no doubt about that. This is definately not the last USA Jackson I'll own. After I get my XXX Voodoo Modded and possibly a new cab, I'm thinking a King V in metallic black or pearl red would compliment this nicely...

Sounds like a usa jackson to me. The best guitars made! Glad you like it man.

Wooo hOOOO! Awesome makes me want to go to guitar center and try out alot of different axes. I remember I loved the ebony fretboard those Jacksons play fast...Im now getting the GAS for a floyd also...after hearing Dime and Alexi put it to good use! Two of the best guitar players to use it IMO. Glad you like it. I remember my Charvel Rhodes Avenger I miss it. Im really kicking myself that I traded it It had a weird pup configuration though....and they had hardly any oOOMPH...I would have had to route the thing too as it had two single coils staggered...I have been thinking I should have just hotrailed the bastard. Oh well....I got a pic somewhere I got to find it.

Glad you like it.


Originally Posted by HarrisonDavidWooo hOOOO! Awesome makes me want to go to guitar center and try out alot of different axes. I remember I loved the ebony fretboard those Jacksons play fast...Im now getting the GAS for a floyd also...after hearing Dime and Alexi put it to good use! Two of the best guitar players to use it IMO. Glad you like it. I remember my Charvel Rhodes Avenger I miss it. Im really kicking myself that I traded it It had a weird pup configuration though....and they had hardly any oOOMPH...I would have had to route the thing too as it had two single coils staggered...I have been thinking I should have just hotrailed the bastard. Oh well....I got a pic somewhere I got to find it.

Glad you like it.

A floyd is a love/hate relationship. You hate to change the strings and tune them. You hate to try and set them up. You hate that you can't downtune the guitar without horrible string buzz. But then you pull a huge divebomb and you love it!

Bump, as I know a lot more people wanted to read this.

that's a sweet looking axe man..........You are not helping my gas for a Rhoads V any.

Let me know when you get that screw.

Gotta love that guitar. Screams metal. Go the ebony fingerboard, nice buy. Here's my newey
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Sounds really nice, I've been gassing for one of those for a long time too. I think that the thing with the nut is nothing out of ordinary.


Originally Posted by DeadSkinSlayer3I didn't like the JB in my Dinky much...not as aggressive as I'd like. It sounds a lot better in the RR, but I'm still not quite sure if it's staying. It's more aggressive and rounded than it was in the Dinky, but the Dinky didn't have a tone pot, and this has a 250k tonepot. That was a surprise, as the volume pot was 500k. Does anyone know why they mismatched it? And would I get more treble using a 500k tonepot, or does it matter?

i have two guitars setup with 500K volume 250K tone...and yes it does cut a bit of the high end edge off of a pickup...it acts similar to having a 500K tone set to 5 when you have a 250k tone set to 10. so if you want more bite or edge and a brighter sound go to a 500K tone or no tone. if you want it to stay thicker then stick with the 250K...but since pots are cheap it can't hurt to buy a 500k and swap it in and see if you like the change.

-Mike

That axe is on my list of must own! How about some some clips? Glad you're enjoying it.

That's so awesome, good to hear somebody got an awesome metal guitar.

Lemme know if you end up getting rid of that JB

-X