Jackson Wes Borland King V: Limp Bizkit’s Style with a Floyd Rose Bridge
V-Style, Floyd Rose, Seymour Duncan
Jackson Wes Borland King V: Limp Bizkit's Style with a Floyd Rose Bridge · Source: Jackson
Many have been speculating about Wes’ first signature for years, and now it’s here! Limp Bizkit’s axe man is known for his unconventional style and extravagant stage outfits, and when it comes to guitars, he’s often been seen with a Flying-V that equally stood out. With the Wes Borland King V, Jackson is finally bringing said model into production! Nu metal vibes, dazzling looks, brutal sounds, just like Wes himself!
Who is Wes Borland?
Few bands from the Nu Metal era have been through such a career arc. From impressed to hated to beloved, Limp Bizkit seen it all! Hardly any other band in the already controversial nu metal scene was as loved and hated as Fred Durst and company. And in quite a few interviews, you couldn’t shake the impression that even the band members themselves weren’t always comfortable with what the band was putting out, musically and in public performances. Wes Borland, above all.
Amid the macho posturing, the crossover rhythm section, and the inevitable scratch attacks, his riffs really stood out. It soon became clear to many that Borland was the musical heart and creative soul of the band. So when he took a temporary hiatus, that period’s “Results May Vary” showed how big the gap was, he left.
The way Wes writes riffs, how he uses the tremolo, and his extremely dynamic playing create a sound that’s almost like two or three metal guitars. That’s what makes him such an interesting and unique guitarist, beyond the nu-metal scene.
There has been much speculation in recent years about his V-style model, which is based on a left-handed Jackson Randy Rhoads. Now, Wes and the manufacturer have teamed up to create the Wes Borland King V, his first official signature guitar.
Wes Borland King V: Pure Metal Mayhem
In the highly entertaining video for the release of the Wes Borland King V, Wes explains how he came across the original. He and his guitar tech painstakingly modified it, and he gradually arrived at the version that served as the model for the signature guitar. Given his style and the chaos on stage, an extravagant look and absolute reliability are the top two priorities.
The guitar comes with a Nyatoh body, maple neck (with full-length graphite reinforcement), and ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets on a 25.5-inch scale.
The black finish with thick white binding and the pearloid sharkfin inlays, combined with the black hardware and the extra-pointed V-style body, make you want to play some heavy riffs.
What pickups does the Jackson Pro Wes Borland King V come with?
It’s not just the minimalist look; the specs are, too. A trend you see more often on metal signature models: just one pickup, no tone controls, pure sonic power. In this case, the V-style guitar features a Seymour Duncan Invader (SH8) humbucker in bridge position. Anyone familiar with this pickup knows just how much punch it delivers.
The signature model also features a single volume control, that’s it. According to Wes, the knob is positioned particularly far from the bridge, with his tremolo antics in mind, no accidental twisting, no getting caught up while riffing.
And anyone who bends and uses the tremolo that much, and does so throughout an entire show, needs a system that stays in tune exceptionally well, as in: Floyd Rose. A Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo ensures exactly that. We also get die-cast tuners.
How much does the Jackson Pro Wes Borland King V cost?
The price is more than fair for the features, the name, and the look in my opinion. What do you think?
The Jackson Pro Wes Borland King V costs €1,229.00 at Thomann*. A gigbag is included.
More on the new Guitar from Jackson
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