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Average Price: $650
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
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Description
The Jackson Kelly KE-3 is a rock and metal powerhouse that combines bold aesthetics with powerful sound. Its distinctive body shape and iconic shark fin inlays make an unforgettable visual impression, while under the hood, it's built for performance. A fast-playing maple neck and rosewood fingerboard set the stage for your next blistering solo, offering a smooth and responsive touch.
This guitar is equipped with Seymour Duncan humbuckers, delivering a potent blend of high-output tones and nuanced articulation. The bridge pickup, a Seymour Duncan JB TB4, and the neck pickup, a Seymour Duncan Jazz SH2N, offer a dynamic range that can handle anything from searing leads to rich, full-bodied rhythms. The Floyd Rose licensed Jackson tremolo system ensures rock-solid tuning stability, even under the most intense whammy bar action.
Crafted from alder, the body of the KE-3 provides a robust and resonant platform for your sound, with enough bite to cut through any mix. Whether you're playing live or in the studio, this guitar promises to be a reliable companion, designed to handle the demands of serious musicians.
Key Features:
- Alder body with a striking solidbody design
- Bolt-on rock maple neck with scarf joint headstock
- Rosewood fingerboard with compound 14" to 16" radius
- 24 jumbo frets for extended playability
- Seymour Duncan JB TB4 bridge pickup and Jazz SH2N neck pickup
- Master volume control with 3-position toggle switching
- Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Low Profile JT580 LP Double Locking Tremolo
- Sealed die-cast tuning machines
- 25.5" scale length with a 1-11/16" nut width
- MOTO shark fin position inlays and ivoroid binding on neck and headstock
Product specs
| Brand | Jackson |
| Model | Pro Series KE3 Kelly |
| Finish | Black, Cobalt Blue, Crimson Swirl, Deep Candy Blue, Eerie Dess Swirl, Pile O' Skulls, Transparent Black, Transparent Blue, Transparent Green, Transparent Red, White with Black Pinstripes |
| Year | 2003 - 2011 |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Shape | X-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Locking Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Green, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Jackson Kelly |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Jackson Pro Series |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile like on the Jackson Kelly KE-3?
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The Jackson Kelly KE-3 features a bolt-on maple neck with a fast-playing profile, ideal for shredding and intricate lead work. Its rosewood fretboard with 24 frets and sharkfin inlays complements the neck's design, providing a smooth playing experience.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Jackson Kelly KE-3?
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The Jackson Kelly KE-3 is equipped with Duncan Designed pickups: the DD103N at the neck and DD103B at the bridge. These pickups deliver a powerful, aggressive tone suitable for heavy metal and hard rock, offering crisp highs and a full-bodied low end.
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Is the Jackson Kelly KE-3 suitable for beginners?
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While the Jackson Kelly KE-3 is designed with advanced features like a locking tremolo and high-output pickups, its playability and iconic design can appeal to both beginners and experienced players who are fans of the metal genre.
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Does the Jackson Kelly KE-3 stay in tune well with heavy tremolo use?
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Yes, the Jackson Kelly KE-3 is equipped with a JT580LP locking tremolo bridge, which helps maintain tuning stability even with extensive tremolo use, making it reliable for live performances and recording sessions.
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What is the body material of the Jackson Kelly KE-3, and how does it affect the sound?
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The Jackson Kelly KE-3 features an alder body, which contributes to a balanced sound with a strong midrange presence. This makes it well-suited for cutting through mixes in a band setting, especially in rock and metal genres.
Videos
Sam Pedneau
Jackson Kelly KE3 Made in Japan
Reviews
PROS
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Gorgeous Trans Blue finish adds visual appeal
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Super-fast neck enhances playability and comfort
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Great low action for easy playing
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Tremolo bridge stays in tune, even with aggressive use
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Excellent sound quality for a mid-priced guitar
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High-quality craftsmanship from Japan
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Stock pickups provide good sound, easily upgradeable for more output
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Ideal for both aggressive and melodic playing styles
CONS
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Low E string may pop off at the bridge occasionally
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Pot knob and jack may require tightening to prevent looseness
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Jackson Kelly KE-3.
Build quality
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The reverse shark fin inlay is an iconic feature of the 96-97 Pro Series and is noted for inspiring players to shred.
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The KE3's hardware and pickups have evolved over time, with consistent build quality from the Chushin Gakki factory across all models.
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The KE3 lacks a bound fretboard, unlike the DK2 model, impacting its aesthetic refinement.
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Setup and maintenance
User experience
Value and pricing
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A KE-3 model sold on Reverb for over $950 despite being in poor condition, highlighting the good deal at $180.
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The market value for KE3s has increased significantly post-pandemic, with prices now often exceeding $500, a notable rise from pre-pandemic prices.
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A crimson swirl finish KE3, with minimal exterior damage, is estimated to be worth between $600-$700, especially with an upgraded Floyd Rose bridge.
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Use cases and applications
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The Kelly is favored by metal enthusiasts for its aggressive aesthetic and playability, suitable for shredding and metal solos.
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Comparisons
Features and functionality
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
514
The spirit of heavy metal
This is probably the best sounding and the most comfortable mid-priced guitar I've ever played. Super-fast neck, great finish and overall quality, very decent tremolo floating brigde and awesome look make Kelly KE my personal number one in my humble guitar collection. I've swapped the stock pickups for EMGs 81/85 - not because stock ones suck, quite the contrary they're good, but I wanted something with more output and punch.
Genre Usage
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