For decades, Limp Bizkit’s enigmatic six-string mastermind Wes Borland has been as famous for his avant-garde, boundary-pushing stage presence as he is for his choice of eccentric gear. Now, after years of anticipation, Jackson Guitars has officially answered the prayers of nu-metal fans and gearheads alike. The Jackson Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V KV has finally arrived.
“It’s About Time!” Wes Borland’s Iconic Jackson King V Finally Released as a Signature Guitar
Built on a foundation of Borland’s uncompromising sonic intensity, this signature model is a faithful, gorgeous recreation of an instrument that quite literally shouldn’t have existed: a guitar that began its life as a discarded, left-handed factory floor reject.
From Left-Handed Reject to Nu-Metal Legend
Borland’s affection for weird and wonderful instruments is well-documented—ranging from custom four-string guitar-bass hybrids to heavily modified oddities. However, his most famous Jackson weapon came from the most unlikely of places.
As Borland recalled in a 2013 interview, he stumbled across the original guitar while perusing a pile of faulty builds and factory seconds. Spotting an unwanted, left-handed King V, Borland saw potential where others saw scrap. He flipped the guitar to a right-handed configuration, re-strung it, and watched it rapidly evolve into one of his absolute “Number One” touring and studio instruments.
To honor those chaotic origins, the new Pro Series Signature model is a left-handed V flipped upside down for right-handed players. Even the iconic Jackson logo on the pointed headstock remains proudly upside down, paying homage to the original DIY build.
Built for Stage Anarchy: Premium Specs & Hardware
“It’s taken me a long time to figure out what I need as a guitar player,” Borland confesses. “For me, you just need volume, pickups, a locking tremolo system, and 24 frets, that’s it. Live, it just needs to be as bulletproof as possible.”
Streamlined for maximum reliability and zero onstage failure points, the Wes Borland King V is built to withstand extreme live performances.
Key Technical Specifications:
-
Construction: Neck-through-body design with graphite reinforcement for ultimate stability and sustain.
-
Pickups: Dual Seymour Duncan Invader SH8 humbuckers, delivering ultra-high-output tones, crushing low-end, and razor-sharp clarity.
-
Bridge: A recessed Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo system, perfectly calibrated for screaming dive-bombs that stay perfectly in tune.
-
Controls: A single, streamlined volume knob strategically positioned well out of the way of aggressive strumming hands.
-
Fretboard: 24 jumbo frets optimized for heavy riffing and high-speed shredding.
“Jackson is fun,” Borland says of the collaboration. “The over-the-top, shred-a-copter shapes, mixed with my outrageous stage costumes… this just fits. It’s fricking crazy; it’s about time!”
The History of Wes Borland’s Obsession with Jackson Vs
The love affair between Wes Borland and Jackson Guitars started in 2004 during the recording of Limp Bizkit’s raw, thrash-tinged EP, The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1). Needing a new tonal direction, Borland grabbed a used Rhoads V from a local guitar shop. The instrument instantly became a cornerstone of the record’s heavy, aggressive sound.
Seeing his affinity for the shape, legendary producer Ross Robinson gifted Borland his own personal 1981 Jackson Rhoads. From that moment on, Borland was hooked on the radical V shape. Over the next two decades, his modified Jackson Vs became a staple of Limp Bizkit’s explosive live shows.
“Wes Borland is unlike anyone else in nu-metal,” said Peter Wichers, Product Development Manager at Jackson Guitars. “Being involved in the development of his Signature King V has been an incredibly cool project, and I think that shows in every inch of this guitar.”
The Verdict
Our Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
The Pros: Jackson has hit a home run by keeping this signature model authentically accurate to Borland’s original inverted specs. Getting the upside-down headstock aesthetic paired with premium Seymour Duncan Invader pickups and a rock-solid Floyd Rose 1500 bridge makes this an absolute weapon for heavy music. It strips away unnecessary knobs and switches, leaving a pure, bulletproof rock machine.
The Cons: Purists who want complex tone-shaping capabilities (like neck/bridge switching or tone knobs) might find the single-volume configuration limiting. Furthermore, the flipped ergonomic layout may take a few hours of playing to get used to.
The Final Word: If you are looking for a generic, versatile jazz-fusion guitar, look elsewhere. But if you want a bold, high-octane, stage-ready metal monster with an incredible rock pedigree, the Wes Borland King V is worth every penny. It’s a beautifully chaotic tribute to one of nu-metal’s most creative guitar heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the price of the Jackson Wes Borland Signature King V?
The guitar is officially available at authorized Jackson dealers worldwide for $1,299.99 / £1,199 / €1,399.
Is the guitar left-handed or right-handed?
The guitar is built for right-handed players, but it utilizes a flipped left-handed body and an upside-down headstock to perfectly replicate the geometry of Wes Borland’s original modified factory-reject guitar.
What pickups are in the Wes Borland King V?
It comes loaded with a pair of high-output Seymour Duncan Invader SH8 humbuckers, known for their massive ceramic magnets and aggressive, heavy tones.
Does it have a tone control or pickup selector switch?
No. In alignment with Wes Borland’s preference for onstage reliability and minimalism, the electronics are completely streamlined to a single master volume control.
Where can I buy the guitar?
#Jackson Guitars
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Donner, Fender, Gear4Music, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, Stew Mac, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
