Golden Guitars · Carrollton, Kentucky

2007 Jackson DKMG

A Japanese-built Jackson DKMG completely disassembled, inspected, deep-cleaned, restrung and professionally set up.

See before & after photos

After service at Golden Guitars

Project Story

A Complete Teardown for a Proper Comeback

This 2007 Jackson DKMG arrived with the right bones: a Japanese-built neck and body, genuine USA EMG active pickups and a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo. Years of dust, oxidation and general buildup were hiding how good the guitar still was.

The goal was to take it all the way down, verify what it was, inspect every major component and bring it back to clean, reliable playing condition.

Before & after

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Before

6 photos

Overall condition on arrival, with dust, grime and oxidation visible across the hardware and playing surfaces.

EMG pickups and Floyd Rose tremolo on a Jackson DKMG before cleaning — EMG pickups and Floyd Rose hardware before the teardown and detailed cleaning.

EMG pickups and Floyd Rose hardware before the teardown and detailed cleaning.

Oxidized jumbo frets and rosewood fretboard on a Jackson DKMG before service — Oxidation and buildup on the jumbo frets and bound rosewood fretboard before cleaning.

Oxidation and buildup on the jumbo frets and bound rosewood fretboard before cleaning.

Open control cavity and active electronics in a 2007 Jackson DKMG before inspection — The control cavity opened so the active electronics and existing wiring could be inspected.

The control cavity opened so the active electronics and existing wiring could be inspected.

Genuine EMG 81 and EMG 85 pickups removed from a 2007 Jackson DKMG — The genuine USA EMG 81 bridge and EMG 85 neck pickups removed for inspection and cleaning.

The genuine USA EMG 81 bridge and EMG 85 neck pickups removed for inspection and cleaning.

Matching DKMG factory stamp and May 2007 date inside a Jackson neck pocket — The matching DKMG factory stamp and May 2007 neck-pocket date documented during disassembly.

The matching DKMG factory stamp and May 2007 neck-pocket date documented during disassembly.

After

6 photos

The finished DKMG, cleaned, restrung and dialed in with its red figured finish back on full display.

Full front view of a restored 2007 Jackson DKMG after cleaning and setup — Full front view after the complete teardown, cleaning, fresh strings and professional setup.

Full front view after the complete teardown, cleaning, fresh strings and professional setup.

Rear view of a cleaned 2007 Jackson DKMG after service — Rear view showing the cleaned gloss finish, maple neck and secured cavity covers.

Rear view showing the cleaned gloss finish, maple neck and secured cavity covers.

Jackson neck plate and serial number on a 2007 DKMG after cleaning — Cleaned neck joint and Jackson neck plate with serial number documented.

Cleaned neck joint and Jackson neck plate with serial number documented.

Glossy red figured finish and EMG pickups on a 2007 Jackson DKMG after detailing — A closer look at the revived figured finish, clean fretboard edge and serviced hardware.

A closer look at the revived figured finish, clean fretboard edge and serviced hardware.

Clean maple neck on a 2007 Jackson DKMG after Golden Guitars service — The maple neck cleaned and polished for a smooth, comfortable playing feel.

The maple neck cleaned and polished for a smooth, comfortable playing feel.

Confirming the Guitar's Identity

With the neck removed, matching DKMG factory stamps were documented on the neck and body along with a May 2007 production date in the neck pocket. Although the original Made in Japan marking was no longer present, the stamps, serial number, construction details and components were consistent with an authentic 2007 Japanese-built DKMG.

Complete Disassembly and Inspection

The guitar was completely disassembled so the body, neck, pickup cavities, control cavity and hardware could be cleaned and inspected properly. The genuine EMG 81 bridge and EMG 85 neck pickups were removed, identified and checked along with the active electronics and existing wiring.

The Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo, Jackson sealed tuners, 24 jumbo frets and bound rosewood fretboard were all inspected as part of the process.

Deep Cleaning and Setup

Buildup was removed from the fretboard, frets, pickups, tremolo and surrounding hardware. The red figured finish was carefully cleaned and polished, bringing back the depth and gloss that had been hiding under years of use.

After reassembly, the guitar received fresh strings and a complete professional setup so the neck, action, tuning and double-locking tremolo worked together as intended.

The Result

The teardown revealed a genuine 2007 Japanese-built DKMG that was far better than its dusty condition suggested. Cleaned, reassembled and properly set up, the guitar once again shows off its deep red figured finish and delivers the fast feel, stable tuning and powerful EMG response this Jackson was made for.