Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $625
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
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High-end
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Description
The Jackson Kelly KE3 is a solid body electric guitar designed for the modern guitarist who craves both power and precision. This guitar is a standout in the world of hard rock and metal, offering a blend of aggressive style and exceptional playability. Crafted with an alder body, the KE3 delivers a thick, crunchy sound with a distinct edge. The fast-playing bolt-on maple neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard, adorned with signature shark fin inlays, providing a smooth playing experience that's perfect for intricate solos and robust chording.
Equipped with Seymour Duncan pickups, including the JB TB4 in the bridge and Jazz SH2N in the neck, the KE3 offers a versatile range of tones from warm and jazzy to searingly hot. The Floyd Rose licensed Jackson tremolo ensures rock-solid tuning stability, allowing for expressive dives and bends without sacrificing pitch accuracy. For the musician who demands reliability without compromising on style, the Jackson Kelly KE3 is your go-to instrument, ready to handle the rigors of both stage and studio.
Key Features:
- Body: Alder
- Neck: Bolt-On Rock Maple with Scarf Joint Head Stock
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with Compound 14" to 16" Radius
- Frets: 24 Jumbo Frets
- Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB TB4 Humbucking Pickup
- Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH2N Humbucking Pickup
- Bridge: Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Low Profile JT580 LP Double Locking 2-Point Tremolo
- Tuning Machines: Sealed Die-Cast Tuners
- Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Width at Nut: 1-11/16"
- Inlays: MOTO Shark Fin Position Inlays
- Hardware: Black
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 kind of music is the Jackson Kelly KE3 best suited for?
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The Jackson Kelly KE3 is ideal for heavy metal and hard rock genres, thanks to its aggressive X-style body and dual humbucker pickups that deliver high-output tones.
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Does the Jackson Kelly KE3 have a tremolo system?
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Yes, the Jackson Kelly KE3 features a locking tremolo bridge, allowing for stable tuning even during extensive use of the whammy bar.
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What is the neck profile of the Jackson Kelly KE3 like?
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The Jackson Kelly KE3 has a slim, fast-playing maple neck with a bolt-on construction, making it comfortable for quick solos and intricate riffs.
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What type of pickups does the Jackson Kelly KE3 use?
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The Jackson Kelly KE3 is equipped with a pair of high-output humbucking pickups, perfect for delivering powerful and clear distortion tones.
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Is the Jackson Kelly KE3 suitable for beginner guitarists?
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While the Jackson Kelly KE3 is a professional-grade instrument, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners interested in metal and rock music.
Videos
Sam Pedneau
Jackson Kelly KE3 Made in Japan
Reviews
PROS
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Great low action for smooth playability
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Hot pickups deliver excellent sound for rock and metal
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Stays in tune well, even with heavy use of the Floyd Rose tremolo
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Trans Blue finish is visually stunning
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Made in Japan, known for quality craftsmanship
CONS
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Low E string may pop off at the bridge
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Pot knob may come loose and require adjustment
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Poor balance affects comfort during play
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Jackson Kelly KE3.
Build quality
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The Kelly model is praised for its nearly unparalleled neck access, making it comfortable for playing in a standing position.
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The licensed Floyd Rose on 90s Jackson models, especially the Takeuchi, is prone to corrosion, particularly in non-chrome finishes.
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The black KE3 models from 1995-1997 featured black hardware, indicating variations in hardware finishes over different production years.
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A user found an original Owner’s Manual dated 1999, suggesting that certain production details can be verified through included documentation.
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Features and functionality
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The reverse shark fin inlays are indicative of the 96-97 Pro Series, adding a unique aesthetic appeal to the guitar.
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Post-2006 KE3 models come with Seymour Duncan SH4 and SH2 pickups, which are preferred over the earlier Duncan Designed versions.
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KE3 models with satin chrome hardware and Duncan Designed HB103 pickups likely originate from the late 90s, aligning with catalog details from 1998-2000.
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Value and pricing
Use cases and applications
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The Jackson Kelly is noted for its suitability for heavy metal, offering a distinct, more pointy body shape appealing to metalheads.
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User experience
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Owners find the neck easy to play, making it hard to put down once picked up, enhancing the overall playing experience.
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KE3 models from the 2000s are often mistaken as 90s models due to serial numbers starting with 96, 97, or 98; all originate from the same Chushin Gakki factory.
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Owners express nostalgia for the build quality of Japanese Jackson Kellys, with some repurchasing due to past positive experiences.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 12 Ratings
76
Exploring guitar riffs in EDM production
I started producing only recently, and if you read my bio, or know me previously, you'd know that I was a guitarist (i still am) who was hard core into rock and metal, but I eventually decided to diversify and embrace all kinds of music. I hope to incorporate some of my guitar riffs into my EDM music (yes, I know it's unconventional) and hopefully I can make something good and different.
Artist usage
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In the video "Dying Fetus - Mountains of Death 2010" by Lumbago Productions, John Gallagher is seen playing a Jackson Kelly KE3 during a live performance.
Ben Cohen, lead guitarist of PowerGlove and Lattermath, uploaded this video to his personal YouTube account demonstrating how to play, "Voice Divides" by Thy Will Be Done. In the background, his Jackson Kelly KE-3 Electric Guitar is hanging on the wall.
In the article from DARKSIDE.ru, Trond Bråthen is seen using a Jackson Kelly KE3 guitar, identifiable by its all-black finish, Floyd Rose tremolo system, left strap button located behind the guitar, two humbuckers, two knobs, and a switch.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.