Older RR5's vs. new RRTMGs

[PallarAndersVisa]

Wassup!

I've owned an RR5 since the early 2000's. Got a white w/black pins, gold hardware, duncans ect ect. Honestly, one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned and that's going up against a custom shop RR, USA San Dimas Charvels, import Charvels, JJ-2's, Explorers ect ect.

I've noticed in recent years they've really hit a home run (aesthetically) with the new ones. Ebony fingerboard, binding, killer looking colorways. I really wish they'd have done that ten years ago! And they're cheaper! My RR5 cost $1089.99. I see new RRTMGs for $850.

Is anyone familiar with the build quality of the new ones? How do they compare? How are they able to offer such nice looking axes for hundreds less? I'm finding it almost impossible to sell my RR5 for almost half of what I paid for it, especially since you can grab a newer, nicer looking one for just a little more. Thanks alot, Fender!

[Electric]

Difference is mainly due to place of manufacture. I believe they RRTMG's are made in Indonesia. I've heard that QC is spotty, but I've had a chance to play quite a few Indonesia made Jacksons and they have all been pretty good. I actually played an RRTMG a couple weeks ago and it was great.

I bought a KEXTMG in late 2012 that is made in China and it plays as well as my Japanese made SLS3. I also got a JS3V bass (Indonesian manufacture) and it didn't have any issues either.

[MartinBarre]

Difference is mainly due to place of manufacture. I believe they RRTMG's are made in Indonesia. I've heard that QC is spotty, but I've had a chance to play quite a few Indonesia made Jacksons and they have all been pretty good. I actually played an RRTMG a couple weeks ago and it was great.

I bought a KEXTMG in late 2012 that is made in China and it plays as well as my Japanese made SLS3. I also got a JS3V bass (Indonesian manufacture) and it didn't have any issues either.

Yep, I just sold my RR5 and replaced it with a Chinese KEXTMG. Build quality is the same on both, and I prefer the Kelly in terms of how it looks and plays. I sold the RR5 for about the same as I paid for the KEXTMG, so my advice would be: if you really prefer binding, sell your old Jacksons that don't have it ASAP before the new models become more common!

[RobRR]

Tried an RRTMG at GC and surprisingly it felt like crap. Felt cheap, sharp fret ends... I was pretty disappointed because I like the Silverburst one.

[VoiceX3]

I was in GC yesterday and all they had Jackson wise that was cool (plenty of JS series) was an A.T.L.Soloist, but at $899 used, just not for me.... Langhorne never gets any good Jackson variety/selections.