Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (8)
$1,099.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (5)
$1,099.99
Amazon
4.0 (5)
Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (1)
$1,099.99
zZounds
3.0 (2)
$1,099.99
Thomann
4.5 (11)
$977.00 $968.00 $9.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£899.00

Average Price: $1,078

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Jackson King V". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Jackson King V is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, designed for guitarists who crave a bold and commanding presence. This electric guitar combines aggressive aesthetics with high-performance features, making it ideal for shredders and metal enthusiasts alike. A maple through-body neck ensures stability and sustain, while the ultra-smooth oiled back finish enhances playability. The bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and alumiloid sharkfin inlays offers a seamless playing experience, allowing you to navigate complex solos effortlessly.

At the core of the King V's sound are the Seymour Duncan Distortion humbucking pickups, delivering a powerful and articulate tone that cuts through any mix. The three-way toggle switch provides versatile tonal shaping, while the Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo offers precision tuning stability and expressive dive-bombs. Complemented by sleek black nickel hardware, this guitar not only sounds great but looks the part of a true rock weapon.

Whether you're unleashing blistering leads or laying down thunderous riffs, the Jackson King V stands as a symbol of sonic dominance, ready to take center stage in your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Maple through-body neck with ultra-smooth oiled back finish
  • Bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and alumiloid sharkfin inlays
  • Seymour Duncan Distortion humbucking pickups
  • Three-way toggle pickup switching
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series double-locking tremolo
  • Black nickel hardware

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Jackson King V best suited for?

The Jackson King V, with its Seymour Duncan SH6 Distortion humbuckers and aggressive body shape, is ideal for metal and hard rock genres, providing powerful, high-output tones perfect for heavy riffing and shredding.

What is the neck profile of the Jackson King V like?

The Jackson King V features a Speed Neck profile, designed for fast playing and smooth transitions, making it an excellent choice for lead guitarists who prioritize speed and precision.

Does the Jackson King V come with a locking tremolo system?

Yes, the Jackson King V is equipped with a Jackson-branded Floyd Rose® double-locking tremolo bridge, providing excellent tuning stability and allowing for expressive dive-bombs and pitch shifts.

Is the Jackson King V suitable for beginners?

While the Jackson King V offers advanced features that appeal to experienced players, its playability and iconic design can also inspire beginners who are serious about pursuing metal or rock guitar playing.

How does the compound radius fingerboard on the Jackson King V affect playability?

The 12" to 16" compound radius fingerboard on the Jackson King V allows for comfortable chord playing near the nut and effortless soloing higher up the neck, offering a versatile playing experience.

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Jackson KV2 King V USA Electric Guitar, Blue Ghost Flames

Video thumbnail for Jackson KV2 King V USA Electric Guitar, Blue Ghost Flames by Musician's Friend

Jackson KV2 King V USA Electric Guitar, Blue Ghost Flames

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for Jackson King V JS32T - Demo by Metropolis Guitar MX

Jackson King V JS32T - Demo

Metropolis Guitar MX

Metropolis Guitar MX

Video thumbnail for New Guitar Day: 2021 Jackson Pro Series King V by Matthieu Roussotte

New Guitar Day: 2021 Jackson Pro Series King V

Matthieu Roussotte

Matthieu Roussotte

Video thumbnail for Unboxing of a Ferrari Red Jackson King V by Lady Bug

Unboxing of a Ferrari Red Jackson King V

Lady Bug

Lady Bug

Video thumbnail for Jackson King V JS32T Ferrari Red - Metallica Medley by German Mencia

Jackson King V JS32T Ferrari Red - Metallica Medley

German Mencia

German Mencia

Video thumbnail for JACKSON USA KING V BLUE GHOST FLAMES FLYING V GUITAR FLOYD ROSE SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS UP CLOSE by Essex Recording Studios

JACKSON USA KING V BLUE GHOST FLAMES FLYING V GUITAR FLOYD ROSE SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS UP CLOSE

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for 10 YEARS Later - Jackson King V Guitar Review by Mitch Avedon

10 YEARS Later - Jackson King V Guitar Review

Mitch Avedon

Mitch Avedon

Video thumbnail for Jackson USA King V KV2 ghost flames blue demo by Mile 5

Jackson USA King V KV2 ghost flames blue demo

Mile 5

Mile 5

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Jackson King V.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners often replace the stock tremolo with a Gotoh GE1996T for better durability, using Floyd Original bridge studs without needing extra drilling.

    Source
  • Upgrading from a Floyd Rose 1000 to an Original Floyd Rose (OFR) significantly improves tuning stability.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Floyd Rose system on the JS32 is prone to tuning instability, with some users replacing it after about a year.

    Source
  • A hardtail version is recommended to avoid tuning frustrations associated with budget Floyd Rose systems, particularly for beginners.

    Source
  • A loose locking nut issue can be resolved by applying super glue to the end grain where it attaches to the neck.

    Source

User experience

  • Players accustomed to a classical style find the King V comfortable despite its reputation for awkward sitting posture.

    Source
  • Despite minor finish flaws, owners find the Pro Series King V to be a dependable 'workhorse' for its price range.

    Source

Build quality

  • The JS32 line has inconsistent quality control, particularly with the tremolo system and smoothness of pots and tuning pegs.

    Source
  • Licensed Floyd Rose systems in this price range are prone to wear and tuning issues, highlighting concerns about the longevity of certain components.

    Source
  • Some owners report minor paint issues on Indonesian models, but note that the neck, fretboard, and electronics are generally reliable.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The jumbo frets, while initially challenging, are appreciated for their playability once adjusted to.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • At the $370 price point, better options exist but the King V's aesthetic appeal can be motivating for new players.

    Source

Comparisons

  • In this price range, the JS series is considered good, but other brands offer better quality control and components.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Locking tuners combined with a good string setup maintain tuning stability, eliminating the need for nut upgrades.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Jackson King V Review (KVXMG) | Electric Herald

electricherald.com

Jackson King V KVXMG impresses with its aggressive design and exceptional metal tone. The EMG 81/85 pickups deliver sharp attack and definition, perfect for high-gain music. Its neck-thru construction ensures excellent sustain, while the compound radius fretboard enhances playability. Despite using more affordable materials, the X-Series maintains quality, offering fantastic value. However, the difference in materials means some players might prefer the Pro Series. Overall, a potent choice for metal enthusiasts.

positive
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 32 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
sesamemefrog

Great

It's a pretty good guitar. The main reason why this is better than a Gibson and Epiphone Flying V is quite simply the fact that it has a place to put a whammy bar. That's honestly my only real complaint with Epiphone's guitars.

fleshwound

My Number One Guitar

I at first wasn’t fond of the King V and I was hesitant to buy it because I already had a Rhoads and a Dinky, but I am so glad I bought it because it became my number one pretty fast. Jackson really knows how to make good guitars for a decent price.

walk1net

Very good guitar for metal

I use this guitar mainly for recording stuff. I have myself swapped the bridge pickup to EMG H4 which I think was a good choice, since the stock pickups sound a bit too "fuzzy" and muddy.

M

MasterKingV

My fifth guitar and I think it´s best guitar. Jackson guitars forever.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Hetfield uses Jackson King V

James Hetfield

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Guitars Collector

James had a king v a year before Dave did, and used it throughout most of the master of puppets album and tour, but snapped the neck in later years and never had it repaired.

See how Dave Mustaine uses Jackson King V

Dave Mustaine

Singer, Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Photo

Saw him backstage in 1993 with his guitar tech and i looked at his collection of Jackson guitars that he used during the gig and i asked him which is your favorite one he said "probably my signature king v with the megadeth sticker on the wing".

See how Mick Thomson uses Jackson King V

Mick Thomson

Guitarist

Slipknot

...
Verified via Photo

"First custom guitar I ever had built. Got a loan to order it in 1994. Tracked the first record with it. Still my favorite color of any guitar I've owned."

This guitar was used to track Slipknot's self-titled album, according to this article:

http://noisecreep.com/slipknot-jim-root-mick-thompson-gear-on-a-budget/

"As for his guitar, Thompson was playing a custom Jackson V that he’d had since he was 19-years-old. The Jackson was hand-built and had EMG pickups."

He can also be seeing this guitar live from 1996 - 1997.

See how Wes Borland uses Jackson King V

Wes Borland

Singer, Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via YouTube

In this article by Noise Creep, Wes Borland's Jackson King V is talked about. The accompanying video features Wes showing off the guitar and talking about his process in turning it into a right-handed guitar.

See how Adrian Smith uses Jackson King V

Adrian Smith

Guitarist

Iron Maiden

...
Verified via Photo

Here you can see him play one live with a floyd rose

See how Mikael Akerfeldt uses Jackson King V

Mikael Akerfeldt

Singer, Guitarist

Opeth

...
Verified via YouTube

seen used throughout this live performance, good view at 2:11

See how Scott Ian uses Jackson King V

Scott Ian

Guitarist

Anthrax

...
Verified via Photo

he is playing a silver jackson king v in this image

See how Corey Beaulieu uses Jackson King V

Corey Beaulieu

Guitarist

Trivium

...
Verified via YouTube

Corey has used a wide variety of custom 6 and 7 string Jackson King Vs throughout his career. This is only one example of him wielding a trans red V.

See how Jeff Waters uses Jackson King V

Jeff Waters

Guitarist

Annihilator

...
Verified via YouTube

he uses this guitar throughout the music video

See how Miland Petrozza uses Jackson King V

Miland Petrozza

Singer, Guitarist

Kreator

...
Verified via Photo

Mille can be seen here playing on a Jackson King V.

See how Jeff Schroeder uses Jackson King V

Jeff Schroeder

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via Seymourduncan

Jeff is using three main guitars with the Pumpkins -a Jackson King V.

See how Jacky Vincent uses Jackson King V

Jacky Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

Falling In Reverse

...
Verified via Photo

This is a picture taken from a guitar shop where you can see Jacky holding the King V with a red body

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Jackson King V, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Seymour Duncan Invader SH-8
Seymour Duncan Invader SH-8 Electric Guitar Pickups
1
Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom
Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Electric Guitar Pickups
1
Jackson Randy Rhoads
Jackson Randy Rhoads Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson Les Paul Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

Show yours
qman39

qman39

Gear IQ 53

max_metal

max_metal

Gear IQ 229

petter_hernroth

petter_hernroth

Gear IQ 82

1 alternative for Jackson King V, curated by the Equipboard community.

Jackson Pro Series King V KVTMG Electric Guitar

$989.00 - $1,249.99

newer similar sound

Looks almost the same, except for the pickups, knobs, inlays, and headstock text color.

More Jackson Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    austinmw
    austinmw

    Gear IQ 5227