Jackson JS3 Kelly Bird. Just visually, what do you think? Awful? Amazing? Iffy? It's up for discussion. I've already ordered it, I'm just curious what you guys think 
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What do you think about the Bird?
- Thread starter Angel Switch
- Start date
Exploiter8
Demons run when a good man goes to war
The Transparent Black @ Sweetwater looks fine, especially with black hardware.
"Weight: 9lbs 11oz" may be an issue for some. If neck dive isn't a problem I say "GREAT!"
X8
"Weight: 9lbs 11oz" may be an issue for some. If neck dive isn't a problem I say "GREAT!"
X8
Not my thing but it looks cool. Probably sounds good. Neck dive is likely to be substantial. I fixed that on an Epi T bird I gave to my girlfriend's kid by moving the strap button to the back of the neck, on the flat part just before the neck pocket. Sounds extreme but it worked like a charm.
Jackson JS3 Kelly Bird. Just visually, what do you think? Awful? Amazing? Iffy? It's up for discussion. I've already ordered it, I'm just curious what you guys think
Well, I'm not sure you should ask! No bass is going to please everyone, and unusual instruments such as this are less likely to please than a traditional design.
But you did ask, so: I think the bass looks really cool. However, there are a few features that don't appeal to me. A couple are specific to T-bird/Explorer style basses. First, they can be more prone to neck dive (however this can be mitigated with a wide textured strap). Second, the neck gets pushed farther out from your body -- in the demo below, Dave calls it "forward". That's not necessarily bad or good, but I'm used to playing traditional basses. I once owned a Charvel Star-body bass, and could never get used to the balance or "forward" neck. The same is true for a Spector NS2 I once owned... it was a 24-fret instrument and the bridge was toward the middle of the body rather than at the butt like P & J basses (which is what pushes the neck "forward") and it just felt weird to me. Finally, the knob layout of the Kelly Bird looks a little cramped for my style.
ALL THAT SAID: If you love the bass then it will become "normal" to you and none of the issues I mentioned will be a problem. There are plenty of folks who rock the wild basses like 'Birds and Explorers with no trouble.
Post pics when you get it.
And if you can't, then tell us what config you ordered!Dave Ellefson demos the Kelly Bird:
Charvel Star bass:
I'm the resident Charvel/Jackson collector around here. BTW....NICE Star 
anyway back to the KellyBird -- what a P.O.S. How dare they put a block neck on a Jackson. And ELLEFSON?....hahahaha try and find one live concert he does with anything you see at G.C. He ONLY uses the neckthru 4+5 string p/j basses, and only brags about the kelly because he is TOLD TO DO SO.
When I see him rocking a cheap JS series or a Kelly on stage bought straight out of a GC, I'll respect him, and the basses.
anyway back to the KellyBird -- what a P.O.S. How dare they put a block neck on a Jackson. And ELLEFSON?....hahahaha try and find one live concert he does with anything you see at G.C. He ONLY uses the neckthru 4+5 string p/j basses, and only brags about the kelly because he is TOLD TO DO SO.
When I see him rocking a cheap JS series or a Kelly on stage bought straight out of a GC, I'll respect him, and the basses.
Exact same thing I thought when I saw the thread title. Must be imprinted on us.
The one redeeming quality of the Jackson Bird is the neck binding.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,256
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
On it's own merits I like it, ( I like non traditional shaped basses, think non-Fender) but it's not a Thunderbird 
so, for moment, let's pretend it isn't trying to combine on of the most iconic basses and relatively random shape into one. what if this was a new thing, what if it was unique. if it wasn't trying to stand up to the Thunderbird, what might you guys think?
I probably should pass on posting because I feel your question is an impossible one to answer. But I'll try anyway.
It looks like a Washburn guitar I once bought for my son. No, wait... It looks like a Spector Rex I flipped. Is it modeled after the Ibanez Iceman? Made at the same production line as the new Schecter Nikki Sixx thang?
My point is the Thunderbird DID exist, and so did a lot of basses loosely modeled after or are similar to the T-Bird. Not meaning to bust ballage.
I guess if I was in the market for a Thunderbird, it would be a Thunderbird. I had a Reverse Jag for awhile, but I never considered it to be a takeoff of the 'Bird.
It's a nice color, and the binding is sexy. Beyond that, it's a Jackson with a pointy headstock. Not my bag.
Jackson DID make a t-bird bass to follow their firebird guitar in the 90s ...so many years ago now, but I'm glad I still have mine !
Eh, you shouldn't worry about what we think. If you like it, then enjoy it. No design is going to please everyone.
FWIW I prefer conventional designs, but this unconventional one works for me: the angled ("pointy") lower horn matches the headstock, and the result is an interesting mix of curves and angles.
