Jackson Pro Series Mark Heylmun RR24-7

Jackson Pro Series Mark Heylmun RR24-7 review

The Jackson Pro Series Mark Heylmun RR24-7 is a seven-string signature guitar built around the angular Rhoads shape, a 26.5-inch scale, and a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo. Its stated price is $1,139. The spec sheet lists a nyatoh body, a through-body maple neck reinforced with graphite, and an ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets. Gold-plated hardware completes the black-and-gold look described by players.

That combination gives the guitar a clear purpose: modern heavy styles that need a stable low string, high-output pickups, and access to the upper frets. The extended scale helps keep the seventh string firm, while the neck-through construction and sculpted cutaway support access up the fingerboard. Players who want a compact, conventional shape or frequently play seated should account for the Rhoads body's size and pointed outline.

Playability and construction

The neck has a compound radius that changes from 12 to 16 inches, with a 1.75-inch nut width. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as fast and comfortable, including players who were wary of seven-string necks. Several also note good balance when standing, with no neck dive. The body contour behind the neck helps reach the 24th fret, a practical advantage on a guitar whose shape can otherwise make upper-register playing awkward.

Comfort depends on how and where the guitar is played. The body's length and silhouette can take adjustment, and one player found sitting with it uncomfortable. Another appreciated the carved body contours when playing standing up with a strap. The back of the neck has a finished surface, which some players liked for its smooth feel, though it will not suit everyone's preference.

Reports on setup and finish vary considerably. Some owners received instruments that were well set up and visually clean. Others found a poorly balanced tremolo, incorrect intonation, finish blemishes, sanding marks, unevenly seated tremolo posts, or loose control and output-jack hardware. That variation makes an arrival inspection worthwhile. Check the bridge position, tuning, intonation, fretwork, hardware, and finish before relying on the factory setup.

Fishman Fluence pickups and controls

The guitar uses two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, with a bridge pickup and a neck pickup. A three-way toggle selects between pickup positions, while the volume and tone controls cover the main adjustments. The tone control's push-pull switch changes between the pickups' two voices. Players report a strong, clear output suited to high-gain metal, with tight low notes and little audible noise during pauses. Several also found the sound stayed defined in chords rather than letting the lowest string overwhelm the others.

The alternate voice gives the pickups more flexibility for cleaner passages and less aggressive settings. It does not turn this into a broadly voiced, vintage-style instrument, but owners say the guitar can handle more than one heavy tone. One recurring control complaint is that the volume knob can move too easily, so it may be worth checking its position while playing. Reports on the toggle switch and control hardware are mixed, with some owners finding loose parts.

Floyd Rose setup and tuning

The Floyd Rose 1000 Series seven-string tremolo is a key part of the specification. Several players found it held tuning well during aggressive use once the guitar was properly set up. Others needed to adjust the bridge, action, or string gauge to get stable tuning and accurate intonation. Locking the nut can also shift the tuning of the seventh string, so final tuning may require some patience.

String choice matters, especially for players using low tunings. The guitar has been supplied with light strings, and some owners replaced them with heavier sets to improve tension and intonation. There is also a specific bridge limitation to consider: a player who contacted support was told the stock Floyd Rose saddle accommodates strings up to.062 inches. Thicker strings may not seat securely without a suitable custom saddle or modification. Do not assume the bridge will accept the gauge needed for an especially low tuning.

Owners also report that the tremolo arm can have noticeable play, even when tightened. One player resolved that issue by switching to a push-in arm. These reports do not establish that every instrument has the same problem, but they are useful checks during setup. The included package does not list a case or gig bag.

Verdict

The Jackson Pro Series Mark Heylmun RR24-7 offers a distinctive seven-string platform with a comfortable, fast neck, upper-fret access, and pickups that owners praise for clarity under high gain. Its balance and tuning stability also draw positive feedback once the setup is right. The main cautions are inconsistent reports about factory setup and finish, easily moved controls, the unusual body shape, and the tremolo's limits with very heavy strings.

For players seeking a pointy seven-string with active-voiced pickups and a floating tremolo, the specification is compelling at the listed price. Budget time to inspect and set up the instrument, and confirm that the bridge supports your preferred string gauge before choosing it for a low tuning.