Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
05/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2026 07:03
JACKSON INTRODUCES WES BORLAND’S FIRST-EVER SIGNATURE KING V™
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JACKSON INTRODUCES WES BORLAND'S FIRST-EVER SIGNATURE KING V™
Signature Features Include Seymour Duncan® Invader™ SH8 Pickup, Upside Down Jackson Headstock and Recessed Floyd Rose® 1500 Series Bridge
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (May 27, 2026) - Today, Jackson announces the Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V™ KV in collaboration with Limp Bizkit's visionary guitarist, Wes Borland. Marking the first-ever signature collaboration between Wes Borland and Jackson, this striking model is crafted to his exact specifications and reflects his boundary-pushing approach to tone and performance. Built for uncompromising power and raw sonic intensity, the Wes Borland King V puts legendary sound and aggressive playability directly into the hands of players who demand more.
"It's taking me a long time to figure out what I need as a guitar player. For me, you just need volume, pickups, locking tremolo system and 24 frets, that's it," said Wes Borland. "Live, it just needs to be as bulletproof as possible. You know, I've been very rough with guitars over the years. I've come to realize that the more streamlined our guitars are, the less problems we have on stage… You know Jackson is fun, the over the top, shred-a-copter shapes and my outrageous stage costumes pushing the boundaries, this fits in more with that. The way people dress, it affects how you behave, and I think it also changes how I play guitar."
Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994, Limp Bizkit stands as one of nu-metal's defining bands. At the heart of their sound, Wes Borland's ferocious playing and unmistakable stage presence carve out one of the genre's most recognizable identities. Jackson, long dedicated to crafting premium instruments for the world's most demanding players, is the natural home for Borland's dark, boundary-pushing vision. Together, this first-ever signature model unlocks a piece of Borland's creative DNA, putting unparalleled power and tone directly into players' hands.
Key features include:
- Seymour Duncan Invader SH8 Pickup - The powerhouse behind Borland's signature sound, this high-output pickup crushes with massive low-end while maintaining razor-sharp clarity. The Invader's aggressive voicing cuts through any mix, delivering the kind of sonic force the King V was built for.
- Recessed Floyd Rose 1500 Series Bridge - Built to handle Borland's trademark dive-bombs, the recessed Floyd Rose 1500 Series Bridge locks tuning in place no matter how extreme players push it.
- King V Shape & Upside Down Headstock - The iconic King V's razor-sharp points make a statement as bold as Wes Borland's stage presence, while the reverse headstock and logo give an edgy, unconventional look that's unmistakably different.
- Neck-Through Construction - Crafted for the chaos of a live show, the continuous neck-through design with graphite reinforcement ensures every note sustains with purpose, while the neck holds true through the heat, sweat and intensity of a full Limp Bizkit set.
"Wes Borland is unlike anyone else in nu-metal - nobody looks or sounds like him," said Peter Wichers, Product Development Manager, Jackson Guitars. "When our artist rep Mike Tempesta introduced Wes to some Jackson Custom Shop guitars, he picked a left-handed King V and modded it for his right-hand playing, which left the headstock logo upside down. He loved it, so we kept it. That happy accident became one of the most iconic details of the whole build. 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."
Filmed in São Paulo, Brazil, on Limp Bizkit's Loserville: Gringo Papi Tour, witness Wes Borland and Limp Bizkit ignite a legendary performance powered by his Pro Series Signature King V KV inside a packed stadium blazing with raw energy and explosive fireworks.
High-resolution product and lifestyle images of the Jackson Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V™ KV can be found HERE. Full product descriptions and specifications can be found HERE.
For technical specs, additional information on new Jackson products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.jacksonguitars.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @JacksonGuitarUSA on YouTube, @JacksonGuitars on Twitter and @OfficialJacksonGuitars on Instagram and Threads.
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Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V™ KV (MSRP: $1,299.99 USD, £1,199 GBP, €1,399 EUR, $2,499 AUD, ¥220,000 JPY) Unleash the Chaos. Command the Stage. When Limp Bizkit's visionary guitarist Wes Borland steps into the spotlight, reality bends. His sonic fury and visual artistry have redefined what it means to be a guitar hero, driving one of nu-metal's most influential bands to legendary status. Now, his signature Jackson King V delivers that same uncompromising power directly to your hands. At the heart of this beast lies a Seymour Duncan® Invader™ bridge pickup - a high-output ceramic powerhouse that crushes with massive low-end chunk while maintaining razor-sharp clarity. The Invader's aggressive voicing cuts through any mix with the relentless intensity that defines Wes's signature sound. The 1-piece maple neck-through construction with graphite reinforcement creates seamless sustain transfer while ensuring your neck stays stable under punishing stage conditions. Every note rings with uncompromised clarity and endless sustain, giving you the foundation to build walls of sound. The compound radius ebony fingerboard flows effortlessly from comfortable chord work to lightning- fast lead runs, crowned with 24 jumbo frets and those unmistakable upside-down pearloid shark fin inlays. Luminlay® side dots charge up under stage lights and glow in low-light conditions, ensuring you never lose your place during intense performances. Combined with Jackson locking strap pins and a recessed Floyd Rose® 1500 series bridge, this King V stays locked in your hands and perfectly in tune, no matter how deep you dive into Wes's signature dive-bomb territories. With its aggressive King V silhouette, reverse Jackson 6-in-line headstock and streamlined single volume control, this isn't just an instrument - it's a weapon of mass musical destruction.
ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION:
Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world's leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)-whose portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby® and PreSonus® - follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender's digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends. In 2026, Fender celebrates 80 years of giving artists "wings to fly," carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.
ABOUT JACKSON:
Jackson began in the late 1970s when heavy music experienced a virtuosic resurgence in popularity and a small Southern California repair shop became the epicenter of a new level of excellence. When extravagant young guitarists needed more from their instruments, a small staff of highly skilled craftsmen answered the call with a new breed of high-performance custom guitars. From that point on, heavy metal history would be written with Jackson's guitars lauded as the industry's shred machines. Known for their distinctive style and formidable substance, Jackson® guitars have melded seamlessly with each and every sonic mutation across the metal genre allowing discerning guitarists everywhere to achieve an explosive sound. Over the years, Jackson has worked with some of the most influential and respected players in the world, and its roster of signature artists boasts guitarists whose impactful and game-changing contributions to heavy metal continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans. Today, Jackson is an owned brand under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and with a foundation of premium state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and the industry's finest team of seasoned builders, together they are poised for a new and transformative era. For more information, visit www.jacksonguitars.com.
JACKSON MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Tristano
PR & Communications Specialist
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
JACKSON and KING V are trademarks of JCMI and/or its affiliates. All other product and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners, and may be used herein under license. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by or of the respective owners.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation published this content on May 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 27, 2026 at 13:04 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]