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Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
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Playability
72
Sound
72
Build
70
Value
56
Score
71
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Playability
80
Sound
74
Build
63
Value
77
Score
72
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Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola vs Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP

Reasons to Get
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola over Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Nylon vs Plastic
Resistant nut with good tuning stability
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Nitro vs Poly
Thin finish that creates aging marks faster
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP over Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola

Decorative Top
Poplar Burl vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Paint Finish
Poly vs Nitro
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Avg. Weight
7.5lbs (3.4kgs) vs 8.6lbs (3.9kgs)
Tends to be lighter
Value Score
77 vs 56
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola vs Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP

Bridge Pickup
Firebird Alnico V vs Seymour Duncan JB SH-4
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Firebird Alnico V vs Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Nylon vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola vs Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Prices

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Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP is probably the better product overall with its final score of 72 compared to the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP wins when it comes to sound, playability, value for the money. On the other hand, the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola has the upper hand when it comes to build quality.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP is the better choice.

The Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Overview

  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage Closed Gear tuners
  • Weight around 8.6lbs (3.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Overview

  • From Jackson's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar Burl top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • Weight around 7.5lbs (3.4kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola and Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola and Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 63
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 72
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 74

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola compares to the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola is built in United States while the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP is made in Indonesia.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola has a Nylon nut. It used to be one of the highest quality materials for nuts (and still is), but it's rare to find nowadays because it's hard to work with. It's a very resistant material with very low friction, so it will keep the guitar in tune and will last for a long time

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 70
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
Quality of materials 45
Features 75
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 63

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Nut Width
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola and Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Neck Profile
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Fingerboard Radius
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Frets Size
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP's Frets Size

The Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 80
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola vs Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
General Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola Jackson Pro Series Monarkh SCP
Brand: Gibson Custom Jackson
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States Indonesia
Series: Historic Collection Pro
Colors: Sunburst Purple Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Solid Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Vintage Closed Gear Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking
Fretboard: Indian Rosewood Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Dot Pearloid Ghostfin
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Speed
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Nylon Plastic
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 2 1