Jackson Demmelition Fury PDT SW

Jackson Demmelition Fury PDT SW review

The Jackson Demmelition Fury PDT SW is Phil Demmel's signature guitar, designed around the angular EX-style body and a high-output active pickup set. Its Snow White finish, piranha-tooth fretboard inlays, and 24 jumbo frets give it a distinctive metal-ready look. The listed price is 792, and the model has been available since May 2019.

On paper, the core recipe is straightforward: a mahogany body, a laurel fingerboard, and active EMG 60 and EMG 81 humbuckers. The 60 sits at the neck, with the 81 at the bridge. Controls comprise two volume knobs and a three-way pickup selector, with no tone control. A Jackson TOM bridge and strings-through-body construction complete the hardware layout. There is no tremolo, and a case or gig bag is not included.

Build and playing feel

Players describe the finish as solid and the guitar as well balanced, with no noticeable neck dive in use. Reports differ on its weight: some found it surprisingly light, while another expected it to be lighter. That variation is worth keeping in mind if weight is a deciding factor, since the available feedback does not establish a consistent measured figure.

The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches, and the nut measures 42.86 mm, or 1.6875 inches. The guitar has 24 jumbo frets and small pearloid sharkfin-style inlays. One player found the neck wider than expected, so players used to narrower necks may want to try the shape in person if possible.

There is an inconsistency in the supplied neck specifications. One summary lists a mahogany neck, while the detailed build description specifies maple with graphite reinforcement and a scarf joint. Buyers should confirm the exact construction with the seller before treating either description as definitive.

Sound and controls

The active EMG 81 and 60 pairing is the main attraction for players after a focused, forceful metal sound. Feedback describes the pickups as genuinely strong, with good resonance and an overall sound that exceeded expectations for the price. The set also suits heavier rock, making the guitar useful beyond metal, although its pickup voicing and control layout clearly favor high-gain playing.

Two independent volume controls provide level adjustment for the pickups, while the three-way switch selects between them. There is no tone knob, so tonal changes rely on the pickup choice, the guitar's volume controls, and the connected amplifier or effects. One owner reported an unusual result in the middle switch position: turning the neck volume to zero also muted the bridge signal, despite the bridge pickup being selected as part of that position. That behavior may indicate a wiring issue or an individual fault, so check the selector and controls on the specific guitar before purchase.

Setup and hardware concerns

Out-of-box setup reports are mixed. Some owners received a guitar with very low action and praised its setup, while others found excessive fret buzz, pickups sitting too low in their mounting rings, or several frets that needed attention. These differences suggest that setup quality can vary between individual instruments. A professional setup may be part of the ownership cost, particularly if the action is low or fret heights are uneven.

The selector has also drawn criticism for feeling loose and inexpensive. Stock tuners received similarly mixed-to-negative comments, with one owner replacing them with locking tuners that offered a better gear ratio. Another player praised the guitar's ability to hold tuning, so the reports do not point to a universal tuning problem. Jackson strap locks are reported as included in the box, a useful extra that does not appear in the main equipment list. The suitable case is listed as article number 208583, but it is not included.

Verdict

The Demmelition Fury PDT SW makes its strongest case with its active EMG pickups, solid finish, balanced feel, and distinctive signature styling. Its core sound earns consistent praise, and the fixed bridge keeps the setup uncomplicated compared with a tremolo-equipped design. At the same time, the selector, tuners, fretwork, and initial setup deserve close inspection. The supplied feedback ranges from excellent out-of-box playability to fret buzz and uneven frets, so do not assume every example will arrive ready to play.

For players who want a high-output guitar for metal and heavier rock, the Jackson offers appealing sound and features at its listed price. Check the selector through all three positions, test tuning stability, inspect the frets, and confirm the neck specification before buying. Budget for setup work or hardware changes if the particular instrument needs them.