Some Jackson KV2T *odd* specs...

[Dr. Vic]

I like the look of that guitar very much.........  :twisted:

It's a full mahogany body and neck thru design with string thru body construction. - Ebony fretboard - Sperzel tuners. Here it is for those of you who will have a closer look to the specs.
http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/specSheet.php?product=2803041803


First question :
This KV2T has a 24.75'' scale length, whereas, all the other V model (KV2, RR1, RR1T) and even superstrat models (SL1, SL1T, SL2, SL2T, SLS) ALL have a 25.5" scale length.
I think there MUST be a reason why Jackson made that particular choice, but I don't see which one...... :non:

Has someone an idea, and what could be the benefit of it according to you ? As for me I expect a more looser sound, at least compared to the other models, but I don't know if I'm right.

As you guys know the difference between those 2 scale length is less than 2 centimeters. Do you think it will change alot the distance in between the frets, and does it 'really' affect the playing ? All my guitar are 25.5", and I don't have any 24.75" scale length at home to compare with atm.....even if I guess the answer is yes....


second question :
Some of the KV2T I have seen on trans / nat finishes are made with a 3 pieces mahogany neck.  And there are other coming with a one piece of mahogany neck, which I also find quite odd (dunno why Jackson production isn't the same at least for the same model...) Do you have any idea on how a 3 piece neck can affect the sound and sustain compared to a one piece neck, especially in a neck thru design ?

I guess the answer is yes but this is just to have a confirmation.........

I asked the seller of a 3 piece neck KV2T what he thinks about that and he said  « a 3 piece neck, if made properly, would force the wood grain to work «  against the opposite piece » and thereforestress the neck better, ensuring that it will not change / wrap, even after decade of playing. ». He didn't said a word on tone and sustain though.  :?


Any help and opinions highly welcome !  :japon:

Cheers ! 

[dave_mc]

i can notice a difference in playability (and i fancy tone, too, but that could be psychological) between 25.5 and 24.75", especially on longer stretches. I imagine jackson went for the shorter length because it's more vintage accurate, and that guitar, if it's the one i'm thinking of, has a slightly more vintage spec. could be wrong, though. EDIT: yeah, looser sound is about right for the shorter scale length, the longer scale length is tighter and snappier.

3 piece is probably more rigid, again you might hear and feel a subtle difference (which again may be psychological).

I haven't tried a king V, just going by the differences in guitars i have tried and own with similar specs to the specific bits you were asking about.

EDIT: obviously wait until wez, jonathan or another luthier comes along, they know more than me (understatement).

[Dr. Vic]

thanks dave_mc !

if you want to know more on the KV2T specs just go to the link I put on my previous post. - just in case -

cheers !

[Afghan Dave]

I believe the specs of that Jackson owe a lot to a certain Dave Mustaine!

[Dr. Vic]

Na !  :non:

Mustaine uses a 25.5" scale length (indeed his VMNT is the only one Dean with a 25.5" scale with the Batio and steve morse models.) What's more I know he HATED the 3 tuners per headstock side (like the LP) which is why Dean designed a special headstock for him...

On the opposite I'd say he left Jackson since this KV2T has been introduced after his last Y2K signature model...

[Antag]

I think there MUST be a reason why Jackson made that particular choice, but I don't see which one...... :non:

Don't bet on it :lol:  They do this quite often.  Much as I love Jackson guitars, they do seem to make some spec/design/availability decisions that make me think "huh?!?"

If the KV2T was 25½" scale with the standard Jackson pointy headstock, I'd be all over it :)  As it is, I've never played one.

Regarding the scale lengths, yes they do feel different - I have many 25½", 25" & 24¾" scale guitars - but not to the extent that someone who favours one will find the other unplayable.  For me the biggest difference is my right hand position - if I've been playing 25½" scale guitars for a while, it just feels odd (not necessarily good or bad, just different) that my picking hand is ¾" closer to my fretting hand, but I soon get used to it.  I find pinch harmonics easier on the longer scale (the slightly shorter Gibson scale seems a little less forgiving when trying to find harmonic nodes - doesn't seem to bother Zakk though...).  I compensate for the looser feel with a different string gauge.

Some of the KV2T I have seen on trans / nat finishes are made with a 3 pieces mahogany neck.  And there are other coming with a one piece of mahogany neck, which I also find quite odd (dunno why Jackson production isn't the same at least for the same model...) Do you have any idea on how a 3 piece neck can affect the sound and sustain compared to a one piece neck, especially in a neck thru design ?

Yep, I can believe that - I've seen 2 Jackson made at the same time where one came with a scarf jointed neck with rear centre-block, the other 3 piece.  AFAIK, Jackson will decide which one to use depending on the combination of woods being used for a particular guitar & what size/shape planks happen to be available.  I don't think it's a big deal either way - as long as the wood was of good quality in the first place & the guitar well put together, the difference is no more than the natural variance in sound between any two pieces of wood used in identical guitars...

[dave_mc]

thanks dave_mc !

if you want to know more on the KV2T specs just go to the link I put on my previous post. - just in case -

cheers !

i checked the link, i think i got the specs right. :)

[WezV]

First question :
As you guys know the difference between those 2 scale length is less than 2 centimeters. Do you think it will change alot the distance in between the frets, and does it 'really' affect the playing ? All my guitar are 25.5", and I don't have any 24.75" scale length at home to compare with atm.....even if I guess the answer is yes....


second question :
 Do you have any idea on how a 3 piece neck can affect the sound and sustain compared to a one piece neck, especially in a neck thru design ?
 

1. you will feel a big difference between the two scale lengths, despite how short the actual difference is.  tension is looser and generally upping a string gauge from what you are used to on 25.5" guitars will make it feel ok.  Since its strung through the body that also has an effect and makes the tension feel tighter (doesnt actually make it tighter, big complex issue), so you may not need to up string guage to get a similar tension.  You will notice the spacing difference but will adjust quickly and once you can adjust its not really a problem again.  I think the king V almost looks a little short with that scale length, i'm finding it odd :?



2. laminated will be more stable, plain and simple.  tbh i havnt ever done a single piece through neck as i find very little wood i consider to be up to it.  for me it makes sense to laminate as its easier to find smaller bits of wood in suitable lengths and i am very fussy about grain direction and run out.  i would be happier with a single piece maple neck than i would single piece mahogany.  Tonally i like to play with mixes of laminates to try an achieve some kind of balance.  when its all the same wood i think you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in tone, for me its all about the extra stability

[shobet]

From my understanding there are 25.5 and 24.75 scale length VK2Ts out there. They started at 25.5 and then changed to the shorter length I believe. Good luck finding one of the 25.5s. though, they're like rocking horse shitee.

However that's not the only difference to the KV. The body of the KV2T does not have the bevels you'd find on a KV. From memory the neck is slightly chunkier as well. The control layout is also different.

I prefer the traditional pointy headstock to the smurf head one on this particular V it just doesn't look right to me. The ornate inlays on the KV2T are different to the usual sharkies you normally get on Jacksons. I'm not sure which camp I'm in on those two inlays.

But with the pile of Jackson custom shop guitars out there as well, lord knows what other variations there are. Mind you with the custom shops inability to actually match the end product to the customers specs there'll be more out there than there would otherwise.

If you like Vs, check out Jani's site at http://www.jacksonguitarpalace.com/ He's got an impressive collection. Pay particular attention to serial number J2713. Fans of a certain ginger thrash guitarist will know that one on sight...

[FELINEGUITARS]

First question :
As you guys know the difference between those 2 scale length is less than 2 centimeters. Do you think it will change alot the distance in between the frets, and does it 'really' affect the playing ? All my guitar are 25.5", and I don't have any 24.75" scale length at home to compare with atm.....even if I guess the answer is yes....


second question :
 Do you have any idea on how a 3 piece neck can affect the sound and sustain compared to a one piece neck, especially in a neck thru design ?
 

1. you will feel a big difference between the two scale lengths, despite how short the actual difference is.  tension is looser and generally upping a string gauge from what you are used to on 25.5" guitars will make it feel ok.  Since its strung through the body that also has an effect and makes the tension feel tighter (doesnt actually make it tighter, big complex issue), so you may not need to up string guage to get a similar tension.  You will notice the spacing difference but will adjust quickly and once you can adjust its not really a problem again.  I think the king V almost looks a little short with that scale length, i'm finding it odd :?



2. laminated will be more stable, plain and simple.  tbh i havnt ever done a single piece through neck as i find very little wood i consider to be up to it.  for me it makes sense to laminate as its easier to find smaller bits of wood in suitable lengths and i am very fussy about grain direction and run out.  i would be happier with a single piece maple neck than i would single piece mahogany.  Tonally i like to play with mixes of laminates to try an achieve some kind of balance.  when its all the same wood i think you would be hard pressed to tell the difference in tone, for me its all about the extra stability

+1
I'm with Wez on this one

[JDC]

different specs of the same model might be different years, when I got my Jackson, they changed the specs the year after, but there was still plenty of the previous year around for the next 6+ months

[dave_mc]

personally i don't find that going from 25.5" to 24.75" requires going "one-up" in string gauge, as wez says- i'd say about half a gauge. I use 9s on 25.5", generally, and i still find 10s too tight on 24.75" (though not as tight as on 25.5"). :)

[ericsabbath]

I prefer Gibson scale, but I can't really tell why
guess I got used to Les Pauls/SGs in the last 5 years
I had 25+ scale guitars by Jackson, BC Rich, PRS SE, Phil and Kramer, though (mostly cheap models)