Jackson JS32 MAH Rhoads Natural Review: Pros & Cons

Customer Review Summary

Jackson JS32 MAH Rhoads Natural is a surprisingly good guitar for its price. The factory setup is decent but requires some adjustments to get everything just right. The bridge needed some tweaking to maintain its tuning, and I found the string action to be quite high initially. This is fairly common in this price range, so I was prepared for it.

The build quality feels solid, although I plan to replace the stock pickups with EMGs for a better sound, as the originals are fine for casual playing but not exceptional. It’s worth noting that this guitar is not ideal for complete beginners due to the Floyd Rose system; however, for someone with a bit of experience, it can be a fantastic intermediate instrument once properly set up.

Upon unboxing, the guitar was almost ready to play, needing just a bit of tuning and bridge adjustment to suit my preferences. The tuning stability is impressive, and it produces a lovely tone, whether clean or distorted, fitting perfectly with various amplifiers.

The finish surprised me as it feels somewhat raw, akin to unprocessed wood, but it certainly has been treated with oil or wax. I did manage to chip a bit off the tip of the wing, which is a characteristic of V-shaped guitars. I suspect a painted finish might have held up better in that respect. Nevertheless, the craftsmanship is top-notch, with precise and clean routing, and the neck and fretboard edges are well-finished, ensuring comfort while playing.

Overall, I find the Jackson JS32 MAH Rhoads Natural to be an excellent choice, especially in the current era of affordable guitars. It delivers a great playing experience, and I’m thoroughly enjoying learning on it. The design in raw wood is simply stunning, earning it a solid five stars from me!