The Jackson King V
The King V is a guitar that many of you might recognize. It is loosely based on the Gibson flying V, which is a guitar known for its radical styling and hard-rock/metal roots. The shape is defined by a symmetrical V shape at the bottom of the guitar that brings it to two sharp points. Many guitar players have called the Jackson V their own, but the trend was started by Robbin Crosby of the band Ratt.
Robbin Crosby made the style popular during the 80s, but Dave Mustaine of the band Megadeth is perhaps the most notorious King V axe wielder in guitar history. He sported the radical design beginning in 1986, and from then until the early 2000s, the Dave Mustaine signature Jackson King V became one of the hottest selling Jacksons on the market.
Ironically, it was only a short while later in which Dave Mustaine sold his entire collection of Jackson guitars and signed endorsement deals with ESP and Dean. However, the legacy was already embedded in Jackson history, and the Jackson King V would forever be considered one of the hardest-rocking models in their repertoire.
One of the newest members of the Jackson King V family is the Demmelition King. This guitar was the first signature model of the King V to be produced since the KV1, and it was inspired by the Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel. Among other features, this guitar sported:
- an Alder body
- a Maple neck
- a 24 fret ebony fretboard
- mother of pearl inlays in the shape of a sharkfin
- original Floyd-Rose tremolo
- two EMG pickups, one an 81 and the other a 60
It came available in three different color schemes. The first one was black with silver bevels, the second was white with black bevels, and the third was red with black bevels. Most of the Demmelition King V guitars came factory tuned to drop B, which is the tuning used by Demmel on most of his Machine Head songs.
There is no doubt that the Jackson King V is a hard-core guitar for hardcore guitar players. Though some might find the looks a bit retro, it still fits in completely with most styles of hardcore music, especially metal. But the screaming sustain and killer tones that come out of this guitar are only one dimension of its greatness. The legendary looks also serve to make it a favorite with pros and semi-pros alike, as well as with novice players.
So, if you are looking for a radical, tried and true guitar style that can handle your tunes and your playing style while still delivering top notch quality, then the Jackson King V is an obvious contender. Jackson builds guitars to make them last, and that is what this guitar will do for you. That is why so many touring metal guitarists have made this guitar their staple choice for the demanding life of the road. .
