Jackson KE4 Professional

I know it was made some time in the 90's, Yes it is a japan model.It gives you all around action with the 24 frets. The only thing i dont like about it is the 1 knob, a volume knob (w/ Treble/rythym switch). The 2 jackson humbuckers let go amazing sound that makes ALMOST any amp sound good. The Neck is EXTREMELY fast w/ the compound radius fret board. The floyd rose on it is really impressive.

I play Classic Rock, some new stuff and some Metal, and it fits perfectly. It is the perfect solo guitar and fits w/ all effects ive tried so far. The rich sound can be used in almost any situation, but overall it sounds fantastic. NOTE: The price was so cheap when i got it because the goons who work at guitar center are retarded and I made a smart move by buying it and fixing up all of the fret problems (buzz problems) and the neck was all out of shape.

I bought it used when it was at least 5 years old

Oh this baby will last a long time, not a loose bolt but the volume knob and treble switch need to be worked on. The body is tuff and takes all kinds of hits.

I would not recomend this guitar to a begginer because of all of the complex things about it and its floyd but overall its an ace.

As far as I know this is around a 1992. It has 24 frets. The controls are a 3 way selector, with a volume knob. I wish it would have a tone knob to do some extra tweaking. The pickups are the original Jackson pickups, and in all honesty, I believe they need switched. They're just really muddy with high distortion. It does have the fastest/thinnest neck I've ever played (aside from an Ibanez at the local music store, but it was too thin). Floyd Rose trem, so no complaints there. Locking tuners, with the string locks to keep it all in tune. I got a Jackson/Charvel hardcase with storage space and a cheapo strap...

It fits my style (which is a galloping rhythm style ala Iced Earth and Iron Maiden). The only complaint is the muddiness when I run it through my Boss MT-2 Metal Zone. Right now I'm just using a little Squier practice amp, so the muddiness may be from that. It does have excellent clean tones in a Fender jazz amp. The high notes and leads are incredible, but for the deeper, palm muted sound, it's just a little muddy.

The action is incredibly low. I went from playing an Ovation roundback classical acoustic to this, so it was even more noticable. The pickups needed a little moving around. The finish (transparent green) is beautiful. I've recieved so many compliments on the finish. Just wish there was a tone knob and some better pickups... It is definitely a comfortable guitar to play, with easy access to all of the frets, even with a strap on.

I haven't tried this guitar in a live setting, at least a big live setting. It works well through a Marshall half-stack with a band (drums/bass and all). The hardware is definitely durable. The finish is incredible and hasn't chipped or worn yet (not even a belt scuff on the back). I can definitely depend on this guitar, and would definitely gig with it.

Never tried...

I've been playing for roughly 5 or 6 years. I currently have a BC Rich Warlock, a Fender DG-10 acoustic, and a Fender Fat Strat. I would definitely buy one again (or maybe a KE-2) if this was stolen. I love the action and the speed of the neck. Once again I wish there were more knobs to tweak! Different pickups would be nice as well.

Origianlly manufactured with Jackson humbuckers, a bound 24 fret rosewood fingerboard with sharkfin inlays, poplar body construction, a Floyd Rose licensed tremolo with locking nuts, one volume knob, and a three-way pick-up selector.

My music styles range from metal to shred to blues. The Kelly is perfect for pretty much anything. The original pick-ups in it had a fairly high output, but I hate coil pick-ups muddiness so I replaced them with (you guessed it) EMG's. An 81 in the bridge and a 60 in the neck. My current amp set up is a Crate Blue Voodoo 120 head and Voodoo slant cab. A whole Marty Friedman setup really, Crate BV and Jackson Kelly. But my sound is faaaar from his. With the EMG's and 9-42 string gauge, the Kelly turns into a sonic flame thrower. The only real downside to the Kelly, and to any Jackson guitar really, is that they aren't made very well for a really chuggy heavy sound. It has an excellent balance of bass, highs, and mids, but it wouldn't make a good heavy rhythm guitar. More for leads. Never the less, this is the best sounding guitar I have ever played in my life.

Perfection. Pre-1997 Jackson's are the best around. In the past couple of years Jackson has had a real problem with making quality instruments without compromising price. This guitar only costed me a $400 dollar BC RICH Warlock (a replacement for my brother) and an extra EMG I had. It's a killer deal. by far, my Kelly is the most comfortable guitar I've ever stroked (hehe). Most likely due to the thin neck, making quick solo runs, or fast rhythm riffs a breeze. Also, take a look at the bridge. Notice how the the space from the top of the body of the guitar is only about 2 inches from the bridge. This makes repeated picking faster and more comfortable.

Everthing about the quality is outstanding. Like I said earlier, pre-1997 Jackson's are incredible. The Kelly has withstood about 4 years of brutal playing and numerous pick-up changes without removing the strings first, which puts excessive stress on the bridge. I haven't had to replace anything other than the pick-ups and other electronics and the strings.

I believe the warranty from Jackson was one year parts and labor. I only dealed with Jackson once to try and get a case for it, but they weren't to friendly. It's best to work with a dealer for Jackson and see if you can have the dealer get what you need.

The only thing about the Kelly that should be really considered is the fact that the Kelly is not made to be a heavy rhythm guitar. It was made for leads and solo work. However, my playing style is much like Slayer, Pantera, and Metallica. I love this guitar so much. I plug it in, hit the strings and just let myself ride on the sound. You know when you've found YOUR perfect guitar when it feels like the guitar plays you, not vice versa. My brother is the rhythm player in the band, so he needed something heavier like BC Rich or a Gibson. But I loved the tone and comfort of the neck, so I traded him my BC Rich for his Kelly. We both now have our perfect sounds. The only other thing I wish is that I had a case for it, which is hard to get a hold of. Other than that, perfection.

made in japan, 24 frets, laminated top, Volume and 3 way pickup selector no tone, H-H configuration, the stock pickups were designed by Kent Armstrong, passive electronics, Alder body I think, same style as Marty Friedman's guitar....kinda psychadelic, floyd-rose cheapo imitation for bridge, non locking stock jackson tuners, the neck is really thin....thinner than Ibanez Wizard necks huge frets, I bought the hardshell case with the guitar.
The stock pickups suck, there's no tone pot, and the bridge sucks too, that's why I give 7.

I mostly play metal (metallica, megadeth) and 80's power rock. I use a digitech RP-12 and a Crate solid state Half-stack. The stock pickups were microphonic, and to be honest I NEVER HEARD SUCH CRAPPY PICKUPS IN MY WHOLE LIFE!! I changed them for EMG's (85 in neck and 81 in bridge) and now the sound is fuckin' GREAT!! The body wood gives a good bass response and a somewhat "dark" tone....
Suitable for anything but country, and acoustic stuff....
Due to the poor stock pickups, I have to give it a 6, but now with the EMG's I would give it a 20!!!

The factory set-up was shit....I had to redo all the bridge setup and the intonation as well as the action.
No matter how the PU were.....they sounded bad!!
The fretboard is made of rosewood, but it doesn't look like "top level" rosewood.....looks really cheap...
Noisy pickup selector....

Hummm.....I was afraid to gig with it, but now with the setup done on it, it should withstand anything. The finish it really good, the strap buttons look tough.
I wouldn't gig without a back-up cause of the floyd trem system, but....I can depend on it with EMG's!!

never was repaired, never had to deal with jackson...

I've been playing for 4 years now, I also own a BC Rich Warlock cheapo model...
I wouldn't buy it again....I would buy an Ibanez S540 or RG520 and put EMG's in...
I don't like where the strap buttons are placed, they cut some access....I cant go further than the 19th fret AND IT PISSES ME!!
Ibanez makes pretty good guitars, as well as Yamaha...
I chose it because of the look, and the feel of the strings....they feel solid under my pick (unlike the ibanez models I have tried)
I wish it had a tone control, better pickups, and an Ebony fretboard with Sharkfin Inlays.
Because I put EMG's and because I got used to it....now I think there are no other guitars that can hold on against a thin and fast neck like that...it really shreds and sounds good....I give it a 9 because I fell in love even though I wish it would have much more features....