Jackson DK-7 COW Model

Features:

The DK7 is a pretty straight-forward setup, but has great features where it counts. Mahogany makes up both the body and neck. The fretboard is slick ebony with no inlays (just how I like it). It has a single EMG 707 pickup in the bridge. Hard-Tail. Reverse headstock. Single volume knob, no tone (!). The only thing that could be better here, would be better tuners. The tuners are nice, but I like Sperzels/Schallers. But, for $699 for an instrument of this quality, there's no room for complaints. Also, this guitar is flat out sexy. The pictures online really don't do it justice, seeing it at angles is especially flattering, which the pics below should show somewhat (although my digicam blows).

Rating: ...

Or they just happened to want a one hum archtop 7 string USA Soloist and didn't want to wait on it. DCGL's price is a little high because COWs name is on it, but even ordering one you wouldn't get away for much less than the $3100 DCGL quoted me for it - and you'd have to wait 18 months for it.

My opinion is still different that yours - for those specs, I'd buy the USA one, even at that price, and I'm not rich. I just think there's a difference between a Japan-built Jackson aimed at the sub-$1000 market and a USA-built Jackson made for an endorser.

I know there's a difference between endorsee CS guitars and Japanese models, we agree. In THIS CASE, with THESE TWO MODELS, the difference would be minute. It's not like comparing an ESP Horizon III Custom to an LTD H-100. These are both nearly identical. Japanese made guitars are excellent. I've played several endorsee Ibanez guitars, and they certainly are nicer, but he got them for free. It was a stock RGA321 model ($1499) to a RGA Custom 321-like model. It looked exactly the same, the CS one was clearly a bit nicer, but the difference once again - was minute. I'm sure if he had to pay for them, and the difference was $3000, it would be an obvious choice.

I love USA made guitars, especially Custom Shop ones, like I said I've had many, but I think there comes a time when snobbery goes a little overboard. The DK7 is damn nice. It shreds, sounds great, has excellent fretwork and electronics (tho I'm not an EMG fan, both have these). The bolt-on neck doesn't hinder any tone or sustain. Sure it would have a somewhat different character if it were neck-thru, especially in the mid-range, but come on we're talking $699 to $3100-4100.

I'm sorry if I'm sounding like a putz, I just can't imagine it being worth it to anybody barring having a ton of cash to blow.

I don't frown on it - it's a quality guitar, especially for it's price range. However, there's definitely a difference between it and a USA Soloist 7 - all three guys here that have played mine (and COWs, and Dave's Jackson Stars Soloist) are in agreement on that. It's up to the person if the price difference is worth it. Will I personally buy a COW7 for a backup - probably, at some point, for what I'd get it for it's almost stupid not to. If I were looking for a main guitar with those specs, though, I'd probably buy the USA and pay a little more to save the 18 month wait. It's not snobbery, I just see a difference in the instruments.

Fair enough, and in 99% of cases I'd agree, I would want the CS one too... like I said I just think since theyre so similar, I'd rather have an extra $3000 grand left over and have basically the same thing. Especially when for those prices you could just get something way nicer.

Or at least more "done out" is all I'm sayin. Like eaeolian said, I could order what I want and wait for it. To be really fair though, I have never replaced the good vibes from a guitar that came from my RR1. That guitars sound and playability set the bar.

The most I would pay for a new USA COW would be $1800. When you start getting to $2300, I'd get a Parker Fly Mojo.

I basically agree there. Considering its just so straight forward, $1800 is about right.

I agree there, too - if they made it as a production model, it's be about that price. However, Jackson doesn't think there's a market for $1800 7 strings that don't have Steve Vai's name on them...

Even better would be a regular Soloist model, but as a 7 string - Floyd and all....I can't see how that wouldn't sell good. At this point in time it is hard to find ANY new USA Jacksons anywhere - even for a Select Series - without waiting 4 or 5 months, unless it is an odd color or you catch a shipment that just came in.

Yeah, the popularity is up, so they're behind. I can't imagine that Jackson would sell 100 Soloist 7s at those specs for 1900-2K list. I'd buy one, and I already own one.

USA Jacksons really just cost way too much. I know the demand is high so they can charge whatever they want, but you see MusiciansFriend selling regular ol' RR1s for more than custom shop prices. I think ESP's prices are more reasonable for their standard series (1300-1500).