Considering DK2M Crackle

[JonSick]

I have always been after a crackle finish Jackson and considering grabbing one before the limited edition thing disappears.

However, I'm similarly wondering if I wouldn't be better off going for a Custom Select in the crackle finish, possibly a DK1.

So simple question. I know that the DK1 will be tonnes better than the DK2M in various ways, etc. But is it worth the extra £1500 or so to go for a USA made above the DK2M? I can afford either option, just wondering if it's worth getting a USA version of a production model the exact same...

[anarkhos]

Isn't crackle finishing banned in the U.S due to environmental issues? I think I read something about that in here.

[Force]

I thought they came up with a more enviro friendly process.........you could be right though, which is why they are doing it on a MIM guitar.

I reckon that crackle looks pretty ordinary, the swirl & bengal are great though, if it wasn't for our shite dollar & killer shipping costs, I'd have one on the way to me now

[pianoguyy]

1. The DK-2 is not made in the USA. A ban wouldn't matter.
2. I don't know if they lifted the ban or if they found a way to make it without causing cancer to the one-eyed, one-horned, flying, purple, people eaters, but you can now buy crackle paint. Martha Stewart even has a line of crackles.

[pianoguyy]

So simple question. I know that the DK1 will be tonnes better than the DK2M in various ways, etc. But is it worth the extra £1500 or so to go for a USA made above the DK2M? I can afford either option, just wondering if it's worth getting a USA version of a production model the exact same...

I would ask yourself what you want in a guitar. As well as how much you can get out of it. But also, I don't know if you have a job.

Not everyone can afford a USA. Not everyone has the playing skills to get the extra quality out of a USA. Not every one wants all of the niceties that are found in a USA.


I liken this to the Soloist vs Model 6 conversation.
Many people said that the Model 6 was so well built, and that they were exact clones of the Soloist.
I didn't own a Model 6 when they were new (80's). But I have some now, 30 years after the fact.
While the Model 6 is definitely a great guitar, I see/feel the differences between them and my Soloists from the same era. I don't know if they aged poorly, or if they had the same differences when new, or maybe even if having the CS do those few extra little things that a standard production can't get, does that make the real difference in the two units.

I can see/hear/feel the differences in those two that others can't, but I also know guys that are completely satisfied with a JS and don't know why we spend 10x on the USA.

[JonSick]

Well I have a few USA guitars and one Custom Shop.I do like my USAs. Just trying to weigh up if it's worth it just for the finish.

FWIW, this will be primarily a teaching guitar.

[Force]

Then go for it. If the finish is the big thing for you then you needn't worry about the quality of the DK2M, they're good guitars. No point spending a fortune on something that isn't gong to do the hard yards. In any case, I don't think crackles are available on USA models anyway, could be wrong but you can always ask Jackson.

[drewbag]

I think go for the DK2M if based on finish, and you already have some USA and a Custom Shop. I have high end guitars and also DK2M - it is still a really nice guitar. Mine is MIJ not MIM though...so not sure how quality compares. Will be a cool teachin guitar in crackle finish though! My old Charvel Fusion defo turns heads in the rainbow crackle finish ha.

[vector]

Well I have a few USA guitars and one Custom Shop.I do like my USAs. Just trying to weigh up if it's worth it just for the finish.

FWIW, this will be primarily a teaching guitar.

I bought a yellow tiger DK2M because of the finish. I sold it because of the sub-par frets and trem.

Your mileage may vary.

[Ripley7t]

Had the blue Bengal DK2M, good guitar, sounded great, as stated though sub-par trem.