Available at Kitarshokak, this Jackson King V USA is a USA-made guitar belonging to Jackson’s King V family and built to the standards associated with the brand’s high-end King V instruments.

The guitar features a neck-through-body construction, ebony fingerboard, 24 frets, a Floyd Rose Original tremolo and the hardware and construction characteristics associated with high-performance Jackson USA guitars.

Its striking metallic Acapulco Gold finish, an uncommon option within Jackson’s production, gives this instrument a distinctive personality that sets it apart from more common versions.

In order to establish its origin, production year and original specifications as accurately as possible, I contacted Fender Musical Instruments / Jackson directly and provided them with detailed photographs of the instrument.

After reviewing the photographs, Jackson’s product team considers the guitar to be very likely a Jackson USA KV2. However, they cannot confirm the exact production year from their records, as the records currently available for this model only go back to 2007 and serial number of this guitar does not appear in their database.

Jackson explained that the U prefix of serial number was used on USA-made Jackson guitars and that, based on its characteristics, this instrument could approximately date from around 2002, coinciding with the period when Fender acquired Jackson. However, an exact year cannot be confirmed from the available documentation.

Regarding the finish, Fender/Jackson considers Quicksilver the most likely match based on the specifications available for this model. However, after examining the guitar directly, particularly the finish preserved inside the cavities, I believe that the finish visually corresponds to Acapulco Gold. Fender/Jackson has not been able to document the original finish of this particular instrument.

For this reason, we are presenting the information transparently, distinguishing between confirmed information and the most likely identification.

This instrument retains its original Jackson hard case, currently features EMG 81 and EMG 89 active pickups installed by a previous owner, and is in good overall condition and perfect working order.

It shows some minor signs of normal use, as well as a more noticeable impact on one of the horns which exposes part of the wood. This is clearly documented in the pictures and is barely noticeable when viewing the guitar from the front.

Specifications

• Model: Jackson USA KV2 King V (most likely identification according to Fender/Jackson)
• Made in USA
• Construction: Neck-Through-Body
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Body: Alder
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
• Radius: 12″–16″ compound
• 24 frets
• Position inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Sharkfin
• Nut: Floyd Rose Original Locking
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking
• Hardware: Black
• Bridge pickup: EMG 81
• Neck pickup: EMG 89
• Pickup configuration: HH
• EMG active electronics installed subsequently
• 25K potentiometers
• 3-position pickup selector
• Jackson tuning machines
• Finish: Acapulco Gold / metallic champagne
• Original Jackson hard case included
• Two Allen keys stored on the headstock

 

The factory specification provided by Fender/Jackson for the USA KV2 identified as the reference configuration includes Seymour Duncan pickups. Therefore, the EMG pickups currently fitted to this guitar are a later modification.

The original Seymour Duncan pickups and original electronics are not included.

Sound and character

The Jackson King V USA delivers the fast, precise and powerful character that has made this model a reference among hard rock and metal guitarists for decades.

Its neck-through construction and high-performance hardware provide a response particularly well suited to styles requiring precision, sustain and tuning stability.

• Highly defined attack
• Excellent sustain thanks to the neck-through construction
• Excellent upper-fret access
• Excellent tuning stability with the Floyd Rose Original
• Powerful and articulate sound from the active EMG pickups
• Comfortable response for fast playing and high-gain applications
• Excellent definition and dynamics with distortion

 

The combination of construction, electronics and hardware makes it equally suitable for live performance and studio work.

Why is it special?

Jackson USA guitars from this category represent one of the most recognised periods of the brand’s American manufacturing and remain highly appreciated by guitarists looking for high-quality construction, hardware and performance.

The King V is one of Jackson’s most recognisable designs and has become particularly associated with heavy metal, thrash metal and hard rock.

This particular instrument is especially interesting because of the combination of:

• Neck-through construction
• Ebony fingerboard
• Floyd Rose Original
• USA manufacture
• Uncommon metallic finish
• Original Jackson hard case
• Current EMG 81/89 configuration

 

The factory identification also makes this instrument historically interesting. Serial number is not present in Jackson’s current records although if is correct with this guitar, so the exact production year cannot be established from factory documentation. Fender/Jackson considers it very likely to be a USA KV2 and places it approximately around the 2002 period, although this cannot be confirmed.

Ideal for

• Heavy Metal
• Thrash Metal
• Speed Metal
• Hard Rock
• Melodic Metal
• Progressive Rock
• Live performance
• Studio recording
• Jackson USA guitar collectors

Condition

Good overall condition and perfect working order.

The guitar shows minor signs of normal use and age, as well as an impact on one of the horns which exposes part of the wood. This damage has been specifically photographed and is barely noticeable when viewing the guitar from the front.

The current EMG 81/89 pickups and electronics were installed subsequently, replacing the original factory configuration.

Set up for 9-42 strings in May 2026.

Includes the original Jackson hard case and the two Allen keys stored on the headstock.

Pictures are part of description and the concrete article you will have, not other similar.

Trades are accepted. To know more about it click here.

Demonstration video

To learn more about the characteristics and possibilities of this model, you can watch the following demonstration video:

(to be recorded)

Vintage Gear Tour Experience

This Jackson King V USA can be tested at our premises by appointment as part of the Kitarshokak Vintage Gear Tour experience.

During the session, you will have a controlled environment in which to test the instrument and receive personalised advice on its operation, setup and tonal possibilities, as well as try different combinations with amplifiers, speaker cabinets and pedals.

If the purchase is not completed, the session is considered a testing and technical consultancy service, and the session fee will apply.