Jackson Pro Rhoads RRT-3 IV/BK Stripes

Jackson Pro Rhoads RRT-3 IV/BK Stripes review

The Jackson Pro Rhoads RRT-3 IV/BK Stripes is a sharply styled electric guitar built around the familiar Rhoads shape. Its ivory finish and black stripes give it a high-contrast look, while its mahogany body and pair of Seymour Duncan humbuckers point toward hard rock and metal. It has been available since November 2017, and the listed price is $990.

The body shape looks striking on a stand, but it is designed to be played with a strap. One owner describes it as light and well balanced when standing, but awkward to play seated, a common compromise with V-shaped guitars. If most of your practice happens in a chair, try the shape in person first. On a strap, reports describe a balanced feel that makes the guitar comfortable for extended playing.

Neck and playability

A maple neck runs through the mahogany body, with an ebony fingerboard, 22 jumbo frets, and a 648 mm scale. The nut measures 42.8 mm wide. Players who have spent more than a year with the guitar repeatedly praise the neck, describing it as comfortable, easy to move around on, and well suited to bends. One player with smaller hands found it easier to play than an Ibanez RG550's very thin neck. That preference is personal, but the feedback suggests the Jackson's neck profile avoids feeling excessively flat.

The satin neck finish is reported to feel smooth under the hand. Several owners also praise the fretwork and factory setup, saying the guitar feels ready to play without immediate adjustments. Its 22 frets are a limitation for players who rely on the highest positions: one reviewer wanted 24 frets and found access to frets 21 and 22 less convenient because of the body shape. For most rhythm work and lead playing below that range, owners report an easy, fluid feel. Bends, in particular, are frequently singled out as effortless.

Pickups and sound

The guitar uses a Seymour Duncan SH-6 humbucker at the bridge and an SH-6N at the neck. Both are passive pickups, and the instrument has no tremolo. Players describe the pickups as powerful, aggressive, and particularly effective with distortion. The bridge position delivers the forceful response expected for metal and hard rock, while the neck pickup can produce cleaner sounds. The guitar's strongest character, according to owners, comes through when the amp is driven.

That output level can be less convenient for clean tones. One long-term owner says the pickups can sound too hot for cleans unless the guitar's volume control is rolled back. The control is therefore useful for players who want to move between heavier and cleaner sounds without changing guitars, though those who prefer a consistently low-output clean signal may find the pickups less suited to their needs. Players also report strong sustain, a quality that adds to the guitar's appeal for held notes and lead lines.

Hardware and long-term ownership

A Jackson bridge in the tune-o-matic style anchors the strings through the body. There is no tremolo, so players looking for expressive pitch movement from a bridge arm should look elsewhere. The fixed bridge keeps the setup simple, but the guitar does not include locking tuners. One owner found that new strings needed stretching and several days of playing before they settled in and stayed in tune reliably.

Long-term feedback also identifies a few hardware concerns. One owner reported that the pickup selector became unreliable, sometimes cutting sound when switching between pickups. The same owner noted fading gold-colored finish on the bridge and control knobs, along with a few screws that loosened over time. These are individual reports, not proof that every guitar will develop the same issues, but they are worth checking on a used example. Other owners describe the original tuners as functional, with some choosing to replace them for a smoother feel or to add locking tuners.

What to consider before buying

The RRT-3 suits a player who wants a distinctive Rhoads silhouette, a comfortable neck, and a strong distorted voice. Its mahogany body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and Seymour Duncan pickups are a coherent combination for hard rock and metal. Reports of easy bends, solid sustain, and good factory setup make a persuasive case for its playability.

There are practical tradeoffs. Seated comfort is limited by the body shape, the guitar has 22 rather than 24 frets, and the high-output pickups may need volume adjustment for cleaner passages. Buyers should also account for the lack of a case or gig bag, as neither is included. The listed original strings are Fender 250L. At $990, this Jackson makes the most sense for players drawn to its shape and sound, and comfortable managing the small setup and hardware considerations reported by some owners.