Jackson JS32T King V AH Gloss Black

Jackson JS32T King V AH Gloss Black — Metal-Ready Flying V at a Working Price

The Jackson JS32T King V AH Gloss Black is a Flying V-shaped electric guitar built for players chasing the iconic metal weapon without crossing into custom-shop territory. The King V silhouette has been a stage staple since the mid-1980s, and this JS Series version brings that aggressive shape into a price band working guitarists can actually afford, with a poplar body, gloss black finish, and all-black hardware delivering the menacing look metal players expect.

What Sets the JS32T King V Apart

This model stands out for two key features: the 12"-16" compound radius (305-406 mm) amaranth fingerboard pioneered by Jackson that gradually flattens from the nut to the heel, giving comfortable chord work up high and effortless bending lower down, and the dual Jackson high-output humbuckers with ceramic magnets and zebra covers voiced specifically for tight, articulate chug.

Poplar Body & String-Through Bridge

Poplar as a balanced tonewood keeps the JS32T's King V shape light enough for stage comfort while still delivering the resonance needed for tight palm-muted riffing. The string-through-body design routes the strings over the bridge saddles and through the body, increasing sustain and improving coupling between string and wood.

• Body Material: Poplar — lightweight, balanced tonewood that keeps the V-shape comfortable on a strap
• Body Finish: Gloss — high-gloss black finish with all-black hardware for a unified stage look
• Bridge: Jackson TOM-style adjustable string-through-body — individually compensated saddles for accurate intonation across all six strings

Maple Speed Neck & Compound Radius Fingerboard

Neck profile and fingerboard geometry on the JS32T determine how fast and comfortable lead playing feels, with Jackson's bolt-on maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement and a scarf joint resisting warping under string tension and temperature changes, keeping the action consistent through long gigs. The compound radius means the fingerboard is more rounded near the nut for comfortable chording and gradually flattens toward the upper frets where bends and tapping benefit from a flatter surface.

• Neck Material: Maple — bolt-on with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint for stability
• Fingerboard Material: Amaranth — dense tonewood with a smooth feel under the fingers
• Scale Length: 648 mm — delivers the tight low-end response metal players expect

Jackson High-Output Humbuckers & TOM Bridge

Pickup configuration and switching layout on the JS32T decide how versatile the guitar is across different metal sub-genres, with dual Jackson high-output humbuckers with ceramic magnets voiced for tight, aggressive tone that holds definition under high gain, while the three-way toggle switch gives access to bridge-only, neck-only, and combined positions. The Jackson sealed die-cast tuners and TOM-style bridge work together to keep tuning stable through aggressive playing.

• Pickup Configuration: HH — dual Jackson high-output humbuckers with ceramic magnets and zebra covers
• Controls: Volume, Tone, 3-way toggle — simple, effective layout for stage use
• Tuning Machines: Jackson sealed die-cast — reliable tuning stability for everyday gigging

Who Should Pick Up the Jackson JS32T King V

The Jackson JS32T King V AH Gloss Black is the right choice for metal, hard rock, and thrash players who want an affordable entry into the iconic Flying V shape without sacrificing the high-gain tone modern metal requires. Beginners will find the bolt-on maple neck comfortable, while intermediate players appreciate the all-black aesthetic and TOM-style bridge. The King V body shape also demands a specific playing position — seated players should be ready for the classic V-style stance.

Jackson Guitars and the Birth of the King V

The JS32T's lineage traces back to the late 1970s when Grover Jackson purchased Charvel from Wayne Charvel, and the first original Jackson design was the Rhoads, developed with Randy Rhoads. In December 1983, Dave Linsk commissioned a custom V-shaped guitar based on the Rhoads with extended lower horns — what became the Jackson Double Rhoads, later scaled down into the King V by Ratt guitarist Robin Crosby and used by thrash and metal icons including Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian, Wes Borland, and Corey Beaulieu.