Jackson Pro Series Signature Lee Malia LM-87

Jackson Pro Series Signature Lee Malia LM-87 Electric Guitar
The Jackson Pro Series Signature Lee Malia LM-87 is a guitar that dares to be different. Inspired by the cult-favorite Surfcaster body shape but dialed in for the heavy tones of Bring Me The Horizon, this offset axe brings vintage style and modern aggression under one slick open-pore finish. Whether you’re riffing through down-tuned breakdowns or exploring ambient cleans, the LM-87 proves it’s more than just a signature model—it’s a serious player’s tool.

Guitar Details

Type of Guitar:

Solid-Body

Best For:

Metal, doom, alt-rock, prog

ELECTRIKJAM Rating:

★★★★★

Pickups:

Jackson LM-87, Jackson LM-87 P-90

Scale Length:

25.5"

Notable Features & Testing Notes

The LM-87 surprised me in all the best ways, especially when it came to comfort and tone. Here’s what you should know if you’re eyeing this one:

Pros



  • That Offset Vibe—With Grit: It’s got the silhouette of a surf rock guitar, but the guts of a modern metal machine. It doesn’t feel like a gimmick; it feels like something purpose-built for players who want to look and sound different.

  • Custom Pickup Combo Is Killer: The P-90 in the neck gives you chime and warmth, while the bridge humbucker hits with enough power for aggressive riffs without sounding like a fuzzed-out mess. The coil-split is the cherry on top—opens up loads of tones without fussing with extra switches.

  • Neck is a Goldilocks Zone: Jackson calls it a “Fast D,” but I’d say it’s a nice middle ground—quick for lead work, but still substantial enough for rhythm players who like to dig in. The compound radius helps, too—it feels fast without being slippery.

  • Looks Aren’t Just for Show: That open-pore black finish looks rugged but refined in person. It doesn’t scream “metal,” which is part of the charm. It’s like the guitar is wearing a leather jacket, not a suit of armor.

  • Solid Hardware Setup: Locking tuners, a TOM-style bridge with fine-tuners—it all works together to make this a gig-ready guitar. Nothing felt cheap or out of place.


Any Caveats?



  • Made in China, Price Might Raise Eyebrows: Some folks might balk at an $899 MIC guitar. But the build quality and QC on this thing are way above average for that price range.


Not Your Average Shredder Shape


If you’re used to Super Strats or Explorers, the offset body might take a minute to get used to. But give it a shot—it balances well and wears comfortably.

Pickups Are Not Super Hot


If you’re expecting active pickup-level output, this ain’t that. But honestly, that’s part of why this guitar has character—it doesn’t sound like every other metal guitar on the wall.

Why You Should Be Looking at This Guitar


This guitar stands out for a few big reasons:

  • It blends classic aesthetics with modern functionality—without trying too hard

  • You get versatile pickups that can cover everything from shoegaze cleans to crunchy doom tones

  • It’s comfortable, lightweight, and plays fast

  • For a signature model, it’s well-priced and practical, not just a collector’s piece


If you’re the kind of player who flips between post-rock and heavy riffage—or just wants something different from the usual pointy-headstock crowd—the LM-87 could be your new secret weapon.

The Jackson Pro Series Lee Malia LM-87 hits the sweet spot between nostalgia and new-school tone. It looks unique, feels rock-solid, and offers way more sonic flexibility than most signature models in its price range. Sure, the MIC tag might be a turn-off for some, but based on how it plays? That’s a pretty minor gripe.

This guitar wasn’t made just for Bring Me The Horizon fans. It was made for anyone who wants to play heavy and think outside the box.


  • Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster

    Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster

    The 27″ scale length is the sweet spot here. It keeps your B–B or A–A tunings tight and piano-like. In Dark Country, you often rely on those low, brooding “booms” and droney pedal tones. On shorter scale guitars, these notes can get “flubby,” but the Cabronita keeps them percussive and clear. The string-through-body hardtail bridge adds a level of tension and sustain that is vital for those long, ominous notes that need to hang in the mix like a thick fog.


  • Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS

    Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS
    The American Ultra II HSS is about as far from “just another Strat” as you can get. The new stainless steel frets make bending effortless and will likely last decades. The compound radius fretboard feels fast without being clinical, while the Modern “D” neck with rolled edges is smooth and broken-in from day one.
  • Harley Benton R-446

    Harley Benton R-446
    Overall, for $133 plus $60 shipping, you will be hard pressed to find a guitar that competes with the Harley Benton R-446. This is a great beginner guitar, but as I also say about the lower priced Harley Benton guitars: The R-446 is a great mod platform for experienced guitarists. If you gave me $100 and a couple of hours, I could mod this guitar to be BEAST.
  • Harley Benton Fusion-T HT EMG

    Harley Benton Fusion-T HT EMG
    Honestly? This guitar plays like a mid-tier Schecter, something like the Sun Valley Super Shredder, but at less than half the price. And I’m not just talking about the specs; I mean the actual feel. If you covered up the headstock and handed it to me blindfolded, I’d swear it was a $1,000+ guitar from Schecter or Charvel.
  • Harley Benton SC Custom VBK

    Harley Benton SC Custom VBK
    Overall, the Harley Benton SC Custom is an absolute monster of a guitar. It has just about every upgrade you could want, and it even comes with a gig bag for $369! This is a lot of guitar for the money, and I would totally gig this guitar. The SC Custom is one of the best Harley Benton guitars for Metal, Rock, or just about any genre!
  • Manson Meta Series Matt Bellamy MBM-2H

    Manson Meta Series Matt Bellamy MBM-2H
    The MBM-2H stands out as one of the most creative and player-focused guitars in its price range. From the stutter-ready kill button to the sleek compound radius neck and rock-solid locking tuners, it’s clearly designed for musicians who want more than just another entry-level instrument. While it doesn’t have every premium detail of Matt Bellamy’s custom builds, it captures the spirit and functionality in a package that’s actually affordable.
  • Jackson JS22 Dinky

    Jackson JS22 Dinky
    I didn’t even have to crank the amp, this thing came alive as soon as I hit a power chord. The neck feels almost unfairly fast for this price point, and once I got used to the 12″-16″ compound radius, runs and legato felt effortless. You’re not getting boutique appointments here, but what you do get is a focused, aggressive guitar that begs for distortion pedals and tight palm mutes.
  • Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard

    Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS Maple Fingerboard
    This guitar doesn’t try to reinvent the Strat wheel, and that’s a good thing. It sticks to the fundamentals and executes them well. The HSS pickup combo makes it more flexible than your average beginner Strat, and the neck? Super smooth. I played some blues licks, pop chord progressions and some speedier metal riffs back-to-back and didn’t feel like I was out of bounds tone-wise. Sure, it’s basic but it plays better than it should at this price. Pretty typical of what you get with Squier’s these days. They’re damn impressive.
  • Fender Standard Telecaster

    Fender Standard Telecaster
    This is the Telecaster to grab if you want that signature tone without spending Custom Shop money. It’s got all the essentials—bright bridge snap, mellow neck warmth, and a neck that feels good for hours of play. Are the ceramic pickups a little hotter than vintage types? Sure. But they cut through a mix like a hot knife through butter. And that gloss body with a maple board? Just looks right.
  • Fender Jack White Triplecaster Telecaster 

    Fender Jack White Triplecaster Telecaster 
    This isn’t just a “signature model.” It’s an idea machine. The pickup mix is totally unique, the stutter switch is addictive, and the “Direct-To-Jack” mode turns this thing into a sonic sledgehammer. The soft V neck is surprisingly comfortable, and the maple board feels slick. I don’t always get hyped about signature guitars, but this one’s different: it’s not built to copy Jack White’s tone, it’s built to encourage you to make your own.