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Average Price: $650

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$400

$1001+

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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

What is the neck profile like on the Jackson Kelly KE-3?

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.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Jackson Kelly KE-3?

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.

Is the Jackson Kelly KE-3 suitable for beginners?

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.

Does the Jackson Kelly KE-3 stay in tune well with heavy tremolo use?

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.

What is the body material of the Jackson Kelly KE-3, and how does it affect the sound?

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.

Sam Pedneau

Sam Pedneau

Jackson Kelly KE3 Made in Japan

Video thumbnail for Jackson Kelly KE3 Made in Japan by Sam Pedneau

Jackson Kelly KE3 Made in Japan

Sam Pedneau

Sam Pedneau

Video thumbnail for Jackson Kelly KE-3 by Dale Cooper

Jackson Kelly KE-3

Dale Cooper

Dale Cooper

Video thumbnail for ristridi | Jackson Kelly KE3 - Dark Funeral Practice by RISTRIDI

ristridi | Jackson Kelly KE3 - Dark Funeral Practice

RISTRIDI

RISTRIDI

Video thumbnail for Jackson Kelly KE3 - Японец с Авито by 21-ый гитарный

Jackson Kelly KE3 - Японец с Авито

21-ый гитарный

21-ый гитарный

Video thumbnail for Jackson Japanese Kelly KE3 Trans Black Guitar with Dimebucker - Up Close Video Review by Essex Recording Studios

Jackson Japanese Kelly KE3 Trans Black Guitar with Dimebucker - Up Close Video Review

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for Jackson Kelly KE3 1996 by Guitar Tales

Jackson Kelly KE3 1996

Guitar Tales

Guitar Tales

Reviews

PROS

  • Gorgeous Trans Blue finish adds visual appeal

  • Super-fast neck enhances playability and comfort

  • Great low action for easy playing

  • Tremolo bridge stays in tune, even with aggressive use

  • Excellent sound quality for a mid-priced guitar

  • High-quality craftsmanship from Japan

  • Stock pickups provide good sound, easily upgradeable for more output

  • Ideal for both aggressive and melodic playing styles

CONS

  • Low E string may pop off at the bridge occasionally

  • 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

  • The reverse shark fin inlay is an iconic feature of the 96-97 Pro Series and is noted for inspiring players to shred.

    Source
  • The KE3's hardware and pickups have evolved over time, with consistent build quality from the Chushin Gakki factory across all models.

    Source
  • The KE3 lacks a bound fretboard, unlike the DK2 model, impacting its aesthetic refinement.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The guitar is praised for its smooth playability, with one owner mentioning their satisfaction after restringing it.

    Source
  • Owners have reported the JT580 licensed Floyd Rose on KE3 models being prone to corrosion, especially in black finishes, compared to the more durable chrome versions.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the Kelly shape for its comfort when playing in a standing position, noting the excellent neck access.

    Source
  • The KE3's edges are prone to dings, a common issue for this model that doesn't significantly affect resale value.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A KE-3 model sold on Reverb for over $950 despite being in poor condition, highlighting the good deal at $180.

    Source
  • The market value for KE3s has increased significantly post-pandemic, with prices now often exceeding $500, a notable rise from pre-pandemic prices.

    Source
  • A crimson swirl finish KE3, with minimal exterior damage, is estimated to be worth between $600-$700, especially with an upgraded Floyd Rose bridge.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Kelly is favored by metal enthusiasts for its aggressive aesthetic and playability, suitable for shredding and metal solos.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The KE3 is typically a bolt-on model, prone to neck dive, unlike the KEX, which offers better balance and neck-through construction.

    Source
  • The KEX model uses Jackson import humbuckers, which are considered inferior to the JB/Jazz set that some KE3s were equipped with.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The KE3 models often feature Seymour Duncan SH4 and SH2 pickups post-2006, while older models had Duncan Designed pickups.

    Source
  • A KE3 with an official American Floyd Rose reportedly holds its tune exceptionally well, a notable advantage over other Floyd Rose-equipped guitars.

    Source

Critic Reviews

KE3 Kelly Review: Before settling on this, I tried out 3 Schecters, and 3... | Jackson | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Jackson Kelly KE-3 impresses with its versatile sound, thanks to the Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pickups, making it suitable for various genres from blues-rock to thrash metal. While the guitar is praised for its build quality and reliability, minor issues like the inconsistent toggle switch and subpar electrical components slightly tarnish its otherwise stellar performance. The absence of a tone control might deter some, but the guitar's playability and high-quality tremolo system compensate well. Overall, for its price, the KE-3 offers exceptional value, particularly for metal enthusiasts.

positive

KE3 Kelly Review: The thing I find interesting is even with its aggressive looks,... | Jackson | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Jackson Kelly KE-3 is a well-rounded guitar that excels in aesthetics and performance. Its Japanese craftsmanship may lower its market value but doesn't compromise on quality, featuring a solid Alder body, comfortable neck, and reliable electronics. The sound is surprisingly rich with good sustain, likened to mid-range Seymour Duncan pickups. While the action required some adjustment, it now plays smoothly. The guitar is durable, earning its status as a reliable workhorse, though it suffers from minor ergonomic issues with strap locks causing neck heaviness. Overall, it's a great value for intermediate to veteran players who appreciate both its aggressive look and versatile sound.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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cwirus88

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.

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