Jackson Guitars has officially partnered with Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland to release the Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V KV. The newly announced model represents the first signature collaboration between the renowned musician and the guitar manufacturer, delivering a specialized instrument built to accommodate his aggressive playing style and unique visual aesthetic.
Since the formation of Limp Bizkit in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994, the group has remained one of the defining acts of the nu-metal genre. At the core of their unmistakable identity is the ferocious riffing and theatrical stage presence of their lead guitarist. To capture this energy, the new signature King V features a continuous neck-through design reinforced with graphite, ensuring structural stability and uncompromised sustain throughout demanding live performances.
Discussing the development of the new signature model, Wes Borland explained his straightforward requirements for a reliable touring instrument:
“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. Live, it just needs to be as bulletproof as possible. 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… 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.”
Rather than presenting a standard factory build or a promotional list of features, the signature model is meticulously modified to suit its creator’s distinct needs on the road. The guitar’s high-output sound is driven by a Seymour Duncan Invader SH8 pickup, delivering a massive low-end response while retaining the necessary clarity to cut through a dense live mix. Additionally, it comes equipped with a recessed Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge designed to keep the instrument firmly in tune despite extreme vibrato use and heavy dive-bombing techniques.
Visually, the instrument mirrors its designer’s commanding stage persona. It utilizes the classic King V body shape but incorporates a reverse headstock featuring an upside-down logo—an unconventional design choice resulting from a happy accident during the prototyping phase.
Peter Wichers, product development manager for Jackson Guitars, detailed how the distinctive headstock design came to be:
“Wes Borland is unlike anyone else in nu-metal — nobody looks or sounds like him. 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.”
Fans recently caught an early look at the new signature guitar in action during Limp Bizkit‘s performance in São Paulo, Brazil. The concert, which was part of the band’s “Loserville: Gringo Papi Tour“, featured the guitarist putting the instrument through its paces alongside explosive stadium production.
