Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
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.
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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
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What kind of music genres is the Jackson King V best suited for?
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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.
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What is the neck profile of the Jackson King V like?
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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.
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Does the Jackson King V come with a locking tremolo system?
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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.
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Is the Jackson King V suitable for beginners?
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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.
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How does the compound radius fingerboard on the Jackson King V affect playability?
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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.
Videos
Musician's Friend
Jackson KV2 King V USA Electric Guitar, Blue Ghost Flames
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
Setup and maintenance
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The Floyd Rose system on the JS32 is prone to tuning instability, with some users replacing it after about a year.
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A hardtail version is recommended to avoid tuning frustrations associated with budget Floyd Rose systems, particularly for beginners.
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A loose locking nut issue can be resolved by applying super glue to the end grain where it attaches to the neck.
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User experience
Build quality
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The JS32 line has inconsistent quality control, particularly with the tremolo system and smoothness of pots and tuning pegs.
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Licensed Floyd Rose systems in this price range are prone to wear and tuning issues, highlighting concerns about the longevity of certain components.
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Some owners report minor paint issues on Indonesian models, but note that the neck, fretboard, and electronics are generally reliable.
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Use cases and applications
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The jumbo frets, while initially challenging, are appreciated for their playability once adjusted to.
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Value and pricing
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At the $370 price point, better options exist but the King V's aesthetic appeal can be motivating for new players.
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Comparisons
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In this price range, the JS series is considered good, but other brands offer better quality control and components.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 32 Ratings
119
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.
5488
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.
156
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
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".
"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.
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.
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.
Album Usage
The Jackson King V has been featured on the following albums:
Spit XXV
Kittie (2025)
The Unforgiven (From 'Queen of the Ring - Music From The Motion Picture')
Kittie & Diamante (2025)
Fire
Kittie (2024)
One Foot In The Grave
Kittie (2024)
Vultures
Kittie (2024)
We Are Shadows
Kittie (2024)
Eyes Wide Open
Kittie (2024)
Origins/Evolutions (Live)
Kittie (2018)
Slipknot
Slipknot (1999)
Master of Puppets (Remastered)
Metallica (1986)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Jackson King V, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation1 alternative for Jackson King V, curated by the Equipboard community.
$989.00 - $1,249.99
Looks almost the same, except for the pickups, knobs, inlays, and headstock text color.
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