RR5 Rhoads Review

It features a neck-thru-body construction, a pair of Seymour Duncan TB4 humbuckers, Tune-O-Matic bridge with strings thru body, sharkfin inlays, and gold hardware.

Features:	9.3
Sound:	9.7
Action:	9.3
Reliability:	9.3
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.5
Users rating:	8.4
Comments:	51

overall: 10

Featured review by: OutofTune, on january 30, 2006

Purchased from: Sam Ash

Features: Made in 2005, Japan. it has 22 jumbo frets with sharkfin inlays. Alder body with maple neck, and Rosewood fretboard. it has the ivory paint with black pinstripes and gold hardware. It's got a Tune-O-Matic bridge with a string thru body. 2 volume, 1 tone and 3-way switching. Duncan designed humbuckers. // 10

Sound: Fits my style perfect, a mix of Metal/Rock/and even some blues, from everything from Killswitch Engage to Metallica to Black Label Society. I run it through either a small Kustom amp, or a Peavey. Since my Kustom has an overdrive button, I mostly use that, but on my Peavey is use my Wydle Overdrive pedal (Zakk Wylde). Great variety of sound, can go from crunchy rhythms to screaming solos like nothing. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Great finish with the pinstripes. The only thing I was curious about was the guitar was white w/black pinstripes but the headstock was black, but I really dont care. And I had to tighting one of the screws on the pickgaurd but overall no flaws. // 10

Reliability & Durability: The only problem this guitar would have playing live is the long wing is long, and if your used to a Strat or something that doesnt stick out a little, could easily get banged up against an amp or something. Hardware seems like it'll last a long time, I dont play live, but I play often and its held up great. // 10

Impression: I've been playing a little over a year, I also own a Fender Stratocaster (Mex), Ibanez RG220, Kustom Amp, 2 Peaveys (a small one, and a tube amp 4X12"speakers), Wylde Overdrive, Monster Cables. If it were stolen id be pissed as hell, id buy a new one. It's awesome, the finish, the versatility, the look, the way it plays. The only thing I have against it its made in Japan. The finish is probably my favorite feature. I spent a day at Sam Ash playing everything from Epiphones, Jacksons, acoustics, Ibanezs, and a couple used Gibsons Les Pauls. // 10

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: xkingd117x, on january 14, 2009

Price paid: $ 720

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: This RR5 was made in '05 or '06, MIJ, 25.5" Scale with 22 frets. Has a Rosewood compound-radius fretboard with the ever-classy Sharkfin inlays, Alder body with a Maple neck and neck-thru contruction. Of course, 2 humbuckers, both Seymour-Duncan TB4s. Mine is the ivory finish, with the black pinstripes and gold hardware. 2 master volume controls, and a master tone. A really, really sharp looking guitar, looks like it costs a lot more than what it is. Although 720 isn't chump change, and should include at least a whammy.. which is my only complaint about the features. // 9

Sound: My personal style is tough to accomodate with a single guitar - I listen to anything from Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, AC/DC, to Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, and, surprise, Ozzy Osbourne's work with Randy Rhoads himself. Mostly rock and classic rock, although a little metal never Hurt anyone. This guitar suits most of my heavier needs easily. And hard rock tone, from insane distortion to lighter overdrive, this guitar has covered in style. I play through a Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket when playing heavier, and an Orange Tiny Terror when playing Vintage, and this guitar can handle both, although it is much more suited for metal. I would personally never, ever get rid of this guitar, as I've played Gibsons, ESPs, PRSs, High-end fenders, Schecters, and anything else under the sun, and not found a better metal tone for my style. If I want to shred some Dethklok, this guitar can do it, if I just want a little Zeppelin, roll back the volume a bit, and this thing has got it covered. it's got a very strong bite to the sound, it just hits you in the chest, but not in the eardrum-shattering-in-pain kind of way. Even though the two humbuckers are the same, you can achieve a wide variety of tones, by mixing up the volume controls, the master tone, and raising/lowering the pickups a bit.

Don't expect a lot of crystal clean sounds out of this - that's what a Stratocaster is for. This guitar is made for rock and metal, and it does it's job perfectly. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: I bought this guitar used at guitar center, but have had no problems so far. I've messed with the pickup height to suit my style, but otherwise, the action and intonation has been fine since I brought it home a year ago. As I stated in the features, the neck on this guitar is incredibly thin - and the action is very low. Perfect for some extremely fast playing, and since it also has a compound radius fretboard, you'll find yourself playing with much more comfort than an average guitar.
No flaws with the finish or anything else for that matter so far. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I haven't used this guitar in Live playing, but with the way I practice sometime, it's amazing how it's held up. I've done the Cardinal Sin of V-guitars, and bumped the corner a couple times, yet, incredibly... no damage. Thank God. The hardware is all solid, and the strap buttons are placed surprisingly well, weight is distributed great. I wouldn't ever gig without a backup, but if I had to, I would be very confident of the guitar - it's the strings I'd worry about. The finish is solid, no problems here. // 10

Impression: As I've said, this guitar is a perfect fit for any rock or metal playing. I have been playing for a little over 3 years, and this guitar has been with me for about half that time. I also have a Gibson SG Faded, which seems to fit my cleaner stuff a little better, especially coupled with the Orange, but the Jackson RR5 is the pride and joy of my collection, and my most treasured possession I own. If it were stolen.. I'd be in prison in short order. There is not a better instrument for great metal/rock tone, period, at least under 2000 dollars. And not a instrument in the world that looks better. ..if only it had a whammy. Best instrument I've played in my short musical career, but one I will never part with, if you find one under a grand, buy it immediately. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: Ali-b912, on september 29, 2008

Price paid: $ 999

Purchased from: Manny's Music NYC

Features: Mr RR5 is an 06' model (I assume, can't find a guide to date it) and Made in Japan. It's got 22 Jumbo Frets, 25.5" scale, Rosewood fretboard, Neckthrough. The body is made of alder, and is painted a cream/ivory color, with black pinstripes. The hardware is gold, the bridge is a string thru with a Jackson tune-o-matic. It has 2 Seymour Duncan JB SH4 pickups, with 2 volume controls, 1 tone control and a 3 way selector Switch. the tuners are non locking and no idea what brand, Jackson stock I presume. // 9

Sound: I play mostly thrash metal like metallica/iron maiden, although I play classic rock and blues occaisionally. it works very well for metal, and also great for rock. when playing blues, I find the neck pickup on clean to sound really good, and it does heavy blues well when I turn the distortion down a little. I use a Fender Frontman 15G amp, and it even sounds good through that. the guitar has had shredding done on it and sounds great, and pinch harmonics work very well on it. I'm sure it could play jazz with ease if I tried. // 9

Action, Fit & Finish: When I tried it at the shop it seemed in very good condition. when I got it home, I realised the tip of the headstock, and the upper horn had both been repainted and coated. it is barely noticeable so I don't particularly mind. the hardware is somewhat oxidized, but I believe it had been a floor model since it was shipped, and It doesnt't bother me as I can clean it. The setup seems fine, but I'm going to have it redone to make sure. the pickups seem slightly higher then they should be, and the control plate is a bit loose. these are all things I can fix though and I am happy with the finish // 8

Reliability & Durability: I think this thing can stand up to Live playing pretty well. the paint is relatively thin, and may chip easily, not to mention the giant spikes being damaged. the finish seems tough, and doesnt't have any dents. the strap buttons are relatively large, but the one on the tailfin comes a bit loose sometimes, and I plan on replacing them with straplocks. I would depend on this guitar to get me through a gig without breaking, but I always like to keep a backup regardless. // 8

Impression: as mentioned already, it matches my choice of metal very well. I've been playing for 4 years, and I own an Ibanez SA series guitar, a Fender frontman 15 amp, and an acoustic and bass. it easily outsounds my Ibanez for Metal and Rock, although I prefer the neck setting on my Ibanez for Heavy Blues. I asked about the low price in comparison to another RR5 on display (for $1199) and both guys I asked seemed to have no idea about it's lower price. I'm assuming it was the chipped fins. If it were stolen, I'd probably look for something new to explore. I love the sound and shape of this guitar, it stands out with how it looks and sounds great doing it. I compared it to several other guitars including a Green ESP Eclipse Custom, an ESP LTD EX 400 and 260, an Ibanez AC of some sort, and a red Schecter C1 or something (had dual EMG's with coil taps on both). the Schecter was the only one to compete in sound, and I preferred the ease of passive pickups on the RR5. I wish it had locking tuners, straplocks, a tonepros bridge, and gold frets, but those are just unneccesary extra's really. // 10

Comments

[slipknot_13]

my friend has the same 1 he says its awsome

[Justice_Fish]

You don't have to be pissed off if it's made in japan, Jackson set a factory in japan in the 80's and it's their second best factory, the first being in USA.

[INNOCENT VICTIM]

I am gonna get one with 24 frets and a whammy/vibrato bar!! I CAN"T WAIT!!!

[emokiller17]

You cant get 24 frets on Rhandy Rhoads can you? how much are they?

[Rui Brito]

emokiller17 wrote:

You cant get 24 frets on Rhandy Rhoads can you? how much are they?

Of course you can but only from the Jackson U.S.A. custom shop, and it will cost something around 4000 bucks.
There are other brands that make it, such as the ESP custom shop but as this brand doesn't own the patent of the Rhoads V design, so it will be more expensive, something around 5400 bucks. So I think you won't try this one.

[[I Buy Peace]]

You don't really need 24 frets on a guitar though. I've being playing for 5 years and never encounterd a song that requiers a axe with 24 frets. Plus haveing more frets leaves less space inbetween your pickups it pick.

rr5's are awsome though, I'm hopefully getting one soon.

[Kain_Doom01]

I played this guitar through a Marshall Amp, I still am washing the stains from my pants
(in a good, but bad for the pants way)

[Kain_Doom01]

[I Buy Peace] wrote:

You don't really need 24 frets on a guitar though. I've being playing for 5 years and never encounterd a song that requiers a axe with 24 frets. Plus haveing more frets leaves less space inbetween your pickups it pick.

rr5's are awsome though, I'm hopefully getting one soon.

Metallica songs CAN require that 24 fret boost, but it's not Needed to play the solos...not that they're advanced x.x

Oo! a 24th fret can replace a pinch harmonic too ^^ XD

[KillingMachine]

I have this guitar its amazing

[Divinity Within]

i own this guitar, ive had it for 8 months and it is the greatest guitar i have ever played. only improvement you can make to it is to get a new pickgaurd, one that isnt so shiney, as this pickgaurd will blind the audience when the light hits it. otherwise, amazing guitar

[Thunderstrucked]

or you take very fine sandpaper for the pickguard, that wont cost as much as a new pickguard^^

[fear no beer]

r these seymour duncan pickups any good?

[KVX10 KING V]

yes this seymour duncan pickups are extreme, for metal to classical jazz.

[Dr.Tomahawk]

I thought the RR5 had Seymour Duncan SH4 Humbuckers? Not Duncan Designed Humbuckers as OutofTune said in his review??

[Intheshadows]

I have an RR5 with the black pinstripes! I don't have the black headstock though, and I have proper Seymour Duncans with mine, I think there SH4's! I think it depends were you buy your guitar from to be honest. Fuckin' amazing guitars. Never regretter getting in once!

[Intheshadows]

Hmm yea. I just read the review for a jackson rr1.. and i'm really liking the ferrari red with black bevels. Omg! Fuckin' sexy guitar lmao

[ShimmyShimmy]

i saw this at guitar center, it is what a guitar should look like! i then proceeded to plug it into a JCM 2000 TSL stack, and well....as someone stated before, jizzed my pants

[Rui Brito]

Hey guys. I found the solution for all of you who want 24 frets Rhoads. Go to www.ranguitars.com and make a custom quote. You can ask for any guitar you want and it will cost you a maximum of 2000 bucks. This guitars are really top quality, believe me. They are so cheap because this brand is from Poland and Poland is not a rich country so the prices there are really low.

[d_lord1]

The RR5 sounds so awesome, I saw one in my local guitar shop the colours (White with black pinstripes and gold bridge and pickguard) looked so cool as well. I'm just pissed off because I don't have much money - the most I'd be able to spend on a guitar is a bout 300 pounds.
Oh, and the JS30RR as 24 frets, and its f***ing cheap as well, I think I might get one soon.

[Rui Brito]

Yes that's true, the JS30RR as 24 frets, but it's very uncomfortable to play with because the input jack is on the lower wing and the neck joint is a bolt-on so it's very hard to play in the high register. The RR5 has a neck-thru joint and thus it has no heel which makes it a lot easier to play than the RR5.

[fear no beer]

18 in 2 weels hopefully ill get 1 of these if i behave myself lol

[Rocketboy]

I tried one of these about a week ago. I couldn't tell the difference between this and the RR1. Except for the price.

[will22]

can you get one of these with a tremelo?if so how much extra will it cost??

[thecameronator]

[I Buy Peace] wrote:

You don't really need 24 frets on a guitar though. I've being playing for 5 years and never encounterd a song that requiers a axe with 24 frets. Plus haveing more frets leaves less space inbetween your pickups it pick.

rr5's are awsome though, I'm hopefully getting one soon.

i know there not common but ive only bin play for a year and a half and found a few tabs that need 24 fretts

[Kenit]

How does it sound in clean with the neck pickup?

[dnamra13]

im looking to buy a rr guitar and this one has my eye but only the gold bothers me is there a way to get rid of the v plate and the pickguard and just have the pinstripes with no pickguard

[PLZKLLME0080]

i think i saw Kirk Hammett playing one of these at a concert.

[joe124]

Rui Brito wrote:

emokiller17 wrote:

You cant get 24 frets on Rhandy Rhoads can you? how much are they?



Of course you can but only from the Jackson U.S.A. custom shop, and it will cost something around 4000 bucks.
There are other brands that make it, such as the ESP custom shop but as this brand doesn't own the patent of the Rhoads V design, so it will be more expensive, something around 5400 bucks. So I think you won't try this one.

well acualy you can get a rr24 now which has 24frets,a floyd rose and a single emg 81 active 'bucker all for about £800

[werrbug]

SD TB4 is good as hell!

[jackson rr5]

these are seriously awsome guitars i got one and its just awsome every one should own or play one

[poopsmith666]

Dr.Tomahawk wrote:

I thought the RR5 had Seymour Duncan SH4 Humbuckers? Not Duncan Designed Humbuckers as OutofTune said in his review??

The pickups are actually Duncan TB4s, not SH4's, or duncan designed.

INNOCENT VICTIM wrote:

I am gonna get one with 24 frets and a whammy/vibrato bar!! I CAN"T WAIT!!!

The new Jackson RR24 has 24 frets and an Original Floyd Rose

[poopsmith666]

PLZKLLME0080 wrote:

i think i saw Kirk Hammett playing one of these at a concert.

correct. It was during the "Live Shit" times, and a bit before and after

[acidtone]

anyone know where to get one in singapore?

[Firewind Raging]

poopsmith666 wrote:
PLZKLLME0080 wrote:
i think i saw Kirk Hammett playing one of these at a concert.
correct. It was during the "Live Shit" times, and a bit before and after

Nah, Kirk's is an RR1T (an RR1 with a tune-o-matic bridge). Also, he still uses it live.

[helcyon]

I know this is not that recent a guitar but it's taken me 'til now to get one and it wasn't worth the wait... I should've got one sooner!!

This guitar blows away any other I've ever owned including Gibson les pauls and flying v's. I've been really really pleased with my RR3 that I've had for a while (won't be getting rid of it no way) but the RR5 is on another level. It is awesome.

Now i don't like the gold hardware much (ick) ... but I got this way cheap as a new but floor stock model in an unpopular blue colour (the headstock is blue too... cool) but who cares what it looks like... this thing is unconquerable... no argument. I've always been a fan of Duncan SH4's and this just reminds me why. Get one now... don't waste time waiting like me!

[WarCreekMafia]

I've owned an RR5 (ivory, black pinstripe, gold hardware) for a couple of years now, and it's my number 1 axe. I play extensively in a gigging band, and this is one piece of heavy metal. Absolutely flawless in design and construction. Hands down it's the best guitar I've ever played. Loved it so much that I recently bought the black one. Highly recommended for any guitar player that likes to shred!

[helcyon]

Incidentally, I have a pic of the late Dimebag playing this guitar (the ivory one).

One thing you could say about it is that, like many factory guitars, it probably wouldn't hurt to beef up the shielding to eliminate hum. There's some good pages on the interweb that explain how if you look...

[HELLSHREDD]

some of you guys think that there are no 24 fret guitars other than paying 4000$,lol Check out the RR24 with the single EMG81 , i paid 1200 for mine , shred on shredheads

[will-loves-zep]

can anyone find a picture of the blue one? and do they make an all black model? i want one next, i have a ltd m-200fm and want a non floyd rose metal axe

[flakelorenz]

N

will-loves-zep wrote:

can anyone find a picture of the blue one? and do they make an all black model? i want one next, i have a ltd m-200fm and want a non floyd rose metal axe

Nope they don't do an all black one, you could however just change the pickguard tail piece and knobs... it'd almost black then...

I think this will be a step up quality wise from an M-200 even if it is an ESP

[Explorer Man]

PLZKLLME0080 wrote:

i think i saw Kirk Hammett playing one of these at a concert.

Are you sure he was playing this one because he only did in early days. But he plays a similar model for sad but true.

[HELLSHREDD]

24 frets is available on the RR-24

Rui Brito wrote:

emokiller17 wrote:

You cant get 24 frets on Rhandy Rhoads can you? how much are they?


Of course you can but only from the Jackson U.S.A. custom shop, and it will cost something around 4000 bucks.
There are other brands that make it, such as the ESP custom shop but as this brand doesn't own the patent of the Rhoads V design, so it will be more expensive, something around 5400 bucks. So I think you won't try this one.

[chROniCmiKe]

[I Buy Peace] wrote:

You don't really need 24 frets on a guitar though. I've being playing for 5 years and never encounterd a song that requiers a axe with 24 frets. Plus haveing more frets leaves less space inbetween your pickups it pick.

rr5's are awsome though, I'm hopefully getting one soon.

well, i am a solo guitar player, my genre: undefined as of yet... anyways i constantly have to pre-bend my 22nd fret so that i can make a 24th fret note, so i am always looking in earnest for a bad@$$ 24-fret guitar... they're hard to find.

[Carrot]

hey
ive got a ESP LTD MH400NT and was wondering is there much difference between the two?

i know the pups are different so please dont say that
or that one is ESP and one is jackson lol

help me guys

thanks

[metallica_102]

PLZKLLME0080 wrote:

i think i saw Kirk Hammett playing one of these at a concert.

correct. It was during the "Live Shit" times, and a bit before and after

kirk used and rr1t not an rr5

[deathrazor27]

this is a great guitar in my opinion. i think it sounds great and plays well. it also has cool finishes

[SlipKnoT_M666]

Kain_Doom01 wrote:

[I Buy Peace] wrote:

You don't really need 24 frets on a guitar though. I've being playing for 5 years and never encounterd a song that requiers a axe with 24 frets. Plus haveing more frets leaves less space inbetween your pickups it pick.

rr5's are awsome though, I'm hopefully getting one soon.

Metallica songs CAN require that 24 fret boost, but it's not Needed to play the solos...not that they're advanced x.x

Oo! a 24th fret can replace a pinch harmonic too ^^ XD

You've got a point there dude... 24 frets are unneccesary

[beheGOD]

should I take this one, or a Dean V 225, they got both 24 XJ frets (yes it could be I've got to use them all, all the 24 frets :p), but yeah, the neck shape is different, the dean got a set neck construction I think and this one is neck-trough-body, here are seymour Duncans in it and in the dean EMGs ..
and an other problem is, I'm playing in D standard or drop C (switch between them) so probably I need a fixed bridge, isn't it? or can I do it with a licenced floyed? because I don't want to mess around with the bridge all the time taht I change the tuning..

[beheGOD]

should I take this one, or a Dean V 225, they got both 24 XJ frets (yes it could be I've got to use them all, all the 24 frets :p), but yeah, the neck shape is different, the dean got a set neck construction I think and this one is neck-trough-body, here are seymour Duncans in it and in the dean EMGs ..
and an other problem is, I'm playing in D standard or drop C (switch between them) so probably I need a fixed bridge, isn't it? or can I do it with a licenced floyed? because I don't want to mess around with the bridge all the time taht I change the tuning..

[beheGOD]

should I take this one, or a Dean V 225, they got both 24 XJ frets (yes it could be I've got to use them all, all the 24 frets :p), but yeah, the neck shape is different, the dean got a set neck construction I think and this one is neck-trough-body, here are seymour Duncans in it and in the dean EMGs ..
and an other problem is, I'm playing in D standard or drop C (switch between them) so probably I need a fixed bridge, isn't it? or can I do it with a licenced floyed? because I don't want to mess around with the bridge all the time taht I change the tuning..

[Ali-b912]

beheGOD wrote:

should I take this one, or a Dean V 225, they got both 24 XJ frets (yes it could be I've got to use them all, all the 24 frets :p), but yeah, the neck shape is different, the dean got a set neck construction I think and this one is neck-trough-body, here are seymour Duncans in it and in the dean EMGs ..
and an other problem is, I'm playing in D standard or drop C (switch between them) so probably I need a fixed bridge, isn't it? or can I do it with a licenced floyed? because I don't want to mess around with the bridge all the time taht I change the tuning..

The RR5 only has 22 frets, not 24. EMG's are probably better for drop tuning, but changing the tuning on a guitar with a Floyd Rose will take you at least 10 minutes. I'd suggest the RR5. Or, that you look at a different kind of guitar altogether.