Jackson basses

[steven adams]

Are they good basses?

 

[two fingers]

Hey welcome to TalkBass!


You have a specific model in mind? Like many brands, they have made everything from cheap beginner models to custom shop stuff over the years.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Are they good basses?

Welcome to TB!

I recently got a Jackson JS2, the satin black one that you can get at Guitar Center for $250. I usually play an active bass, and the JS2 is passive. Compared to my active ones, it is really quiet, but that's to be expected I guess. As far as playability, it feels great, and is pretty light and comfortable. If I had my choice, it would have a little more umph to it. I'm looking around for some different electronics for it, but overall I'm happy with it. Good bass for the price.

BnB

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I like mine

 

[Gorn]

@Metalbasspro likes them.

 

[micguy]

Back in the 80's when everything was pointy, and had a Floyd Rose on it, Jacksons were killer. The Jacksons were touring, too, but nowadays, both Jacksons and The Jacksons are less popular. Doesn't make either of them bad, though one Jackson did use that name for an album.

 

[4sight]

They seem to offer a lot of bass (graphite reinforced necks with blocks and compound radius) for the money if you don't object to a bit of pointy styling.

 

[Dan_reeves]

Been thinking about a JS3QM but haven’t found any around here to try. Earl at the Maxproud YouTube channel sure likes them.

 

[Metalbasspro]

Jackson's are great playing basses for metal. I would stay away from the JS2 however. It's a cheaply made bass that does not handle turning down well at all. I found the JS3 to be really good with a fast action neck and the CBXNT the best of the bunch over all.

CBXNT

 

[Metalbasspro]

JS3

 

[Metalbasspro]

JS2

 

[deernaes]

I like mine

I've been searching for one of the MM pickup models of this bass....

 

[Dan_reeves]

Update on the JS3Q Cherry Burst.
Here is the recent pair used:
View attachment 3184315
Repair story & pics.
Found out Jackson's soldering and wiring leaves a lot to be desired. Their padding in the battery compartment is rather unique too but they used a good connector. The "dead pickup" issue was the "hot"(signal) wire smashed into a crappy solder pile + open ground wires. Moved hot wire off of them, taped it up + moved it over = works again. Does it again and I'll rewire that entire area.

As-found.
View attachment 3184323

NOTE: Bass is face-down on the work area but supported with foam at the nut and bridge so strings will sustain when plucked....used for diagnosis with bass plugged in and amp on. After snipping the zip tie, yellow wire is the signal wire wrapped by a braided shield. It was smashed into the pile of ground wires & solder blob. If the "Scotch 33+" tape job doesn't work, we get to slice back the black PVC coating over the braided shield + redo the routing + re-solder the ground wires a bit better.
View attachment 3184320

Fix installed. Wife had to hold the harness back, tape job took 2 hands + needle nose.
View attachment 3184335

Replace zip tie like factory BUT not as tight and leave the trouble wire moved over/away from the ground "blob".
View attachment 3184340

About 6 hours of use(2 hours at home, 4 at gig) and all is well with the repair, will update if anything changes.

Now that it is fixed, how would you describe the sound? It seems like there are really only two quality YouTube reviews - David Ellefson's, and Maxprouds. Of the two, I would play more in the style of Maxproud. I am not really a metal guy, but think it looks cool nonetheless.

The GC near me carries the passive version (JS2?) and I was wholly underwhelmed by the tone of it passive. That and the terrible set up in general was a bit of a turn off to ordering one site unseen.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I've been searching for one of the MM pickup models of this bass....

I've only seen catalog pictures of that one. If you find one post it here! The model number is JM6 MM I believe.

 

[deernaes]

I've only seen catalog pictures of that one. If you find one post it here! The model number is JM6 MM I believe.

That is the model number.
I once had a black one that I'd bought brand new in Mobile, AL.
Unfortunately I sold it on the 'bay many years ago....

 

[B-Mac]

Back in the 80's when everything was pointy, and had a Floyd Rose on it, Jacksons were killer. The Jacksons were touring, too, but nowadays, both Jacksons and The Jacksons are less popular. Doesn't make either of them bad, though one Jackson did use that name for an album.

Your write up was a real thriller!

 

[Fillbinnzz]

I bought an Jackson X Series Spectra Bass SBXM IV. It has R&B cover band written al over, which is what I want. This group was hard to find, I'll spread the word. Is there an admin assigning numbers or does your post number become your number?