King V Jackson article
King V Jackson Explained: Features, Types and Tips
The story behind Jackson's sharpest V-shaped metal guitar — where the name came from, what separates it from a Flying V, and which tier fits you.
There's a particular kind of guitar that you spot across a dark venue before you can even hear a note — and a V-shaped silhouette with two long, sharp points is one of them. That's the Jackson King V, one of the most recognisable metal guitars ever built, and it's got a genuinely interesting story behind those points. Let's get into what makes it what it is.
Where the Name Came From
The King V dates back to 1985, and it's widely reported to be named after Robbin "King" Crosby, guitarist for the LA hard-rock band Ratt. Jackson emerged from California's custom-guitar scene making high-performance, souped-up versions of familiar shapes, and the King V was its take on the V-body guitar — sharper, more aggressive and built for a very different decade of rock than the Gibson Flying V it echoes.
What Actually Separates a King V from a Regular Flying V
It's not just the outline. A handful of details set the Jackson King V apart from a traditional Flying V:
- Sharper, more elongated points. The King V's silhouette is more extreme, with longer, narrower horns than a classic Flying V.
- 24-fret necks. Most versions give you the full two-octave range, which matters if you're playing lead lines up high.
- High-output humbuckers. Built with distorted, aggressive tones in mind from the start, not adapted from a cleaner design.
- Double-locking tremolos. Many performance-oriented King Vs carry a Floyd Rose or Floyd Rose-compatible bridge for dive bombs and pitch effects.
- Jackson's own neck profiles and shark-fin inlays, which give it a distinct feel and look even at a glance from the crowd.
The Different Tiers
Here's where it gets useful to know your stuff before you shop — "King V" isn't one fixed specification, it spans several product tiers:
| Series | Position | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| JS Series | Entry-level | Accessible price, simpler hardware, a genuine way into the shape |
| X Series | Mid-range | Better performance features, often Indonesian-made |
| Pro Series | Professional | Neck-through construction on many models, upgraded pickups and tremolos |
| USA/Custom | Premium | The highest build quality, historically significant examples, and a matching price |
If you're trying to work out which tier actually makes sense for you, our buyer's guide goes through exactly what to check at each level.
The Artists Behind the Signature Models
Jackson has leaned into the King V's metal pedigree with several artist collaborations over the years. Corey Beaulieu of Trivium has fronted six- and seven-string signature versions built around neck-through construction and high-output pickups. Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit has a King V associated with a single bridge humbucker for a stripped-back, focused sound. Scott Ian of Anthrax has an X Series model connecting the guitar directly to thrash's roots, and Jackson has also produced designs linked to Phil Demmel of Machine Head. Each signature model reflects a slightly different take on the same basic shape.
Six-String or Seven-String?
Most King V models are six-string, but seven-string versions exist for players chasing extended range — lower tunings, wider chord voicings and the low-register riffing common in modern metalcore and progressive metal. A seventh string isn't a free upgrade, though: it asks for some adjustment in picking technique, muting and amp EQ to keep the low end defined rather than flabby.
Who the King V Actually Suits
This is unapologetically a metal guitar — thrash, groove metal, metalcore, nu metal and anything built around aggressive, distorted riffing. The shape is more comfortable played standing with a strap than seated, so it's worth knowing that going in. If you're picking up your first one, our beginner's guide covers the practical side of getting started, and it's worth reading through our common mistakes people make with the model before you buy.
Bottom Line
The Jackson King V earns its stage presence honestly — a sharper take on the V shape, built specifically around metal's needs, and offered across enough tiers that there's a genuine entry point whatever your budget. Know which series you're actually looking at, and the rest follows from there.
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