Author Topic: Jackson Guitars (Read 5642 times)

Antag · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2008, 08:51:48 PM »

Quote from: Jonny

What's the difference between a Soloist and a Soloist SLS?

SLS' are carved (arch) top, with 3+3 headstock.

As Dakine points out, the SLSMG is made in the Japanese factory (The SL1 & SL2H are made in the same US facility as the custom orders), but don't let that put you off.

I think that the Japan factory is the same one that made the mid-late 80s Charvel models, which as anyone who has/had one can testify, are seriously good pieces of kit. The "Pro" series represent very good value IMO - I played an RR24 from the same factory & it's a quality guitar for the money.

It's only the really cheap stuff from the India factory that I'd avoid - IMO there are other guitars of at least as good quality at that price.

Sorry to be an anorak. I LOVE Jackson guitars... :)

Dakine · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2008, 08:56:03 PM »

said nothing about the MG

Soloist SL3 is a Japan made Soloist, every bit as good as the SL1 and USA customs.

MG is a different beast altogether, NOT bad but very different

Jonny · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2008, 08:59:31 PM »

1,157.72 doesn't sound too bad for that!

OK, well I did a little think-tweaking and this would be my final decision:

Jackson Soloist,
Mahoghany Body & Neck with Standard Headstock,
Ebony Fingerboard with Sharkfin Inlay
Nut width 1 5/8" (Isn't 1 11/16" suitable as well?)
25.5" Scale Length, 24 Jumbo frets
Binding on Neck & Headstock - Ivoroid
SL-1 Neck Shape

Recessed Floyd Rose Pro Bridge
Grover Tuners
Rear Routing,
Humbucker-Humbucker layout
1x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-way selector
Color/Paintjob: Adrenalize
Painted Neck
SKB-66 Case

And smacked up with Dimarzio PAF Pro (N) and a Super 3 (B) just to fill the space, which I'll then take out and put it in my Ibanez and replace the Jackson with BKPs

And that's all if I even get the guitar. lol..

Jonny · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:02:00 PM »

Quote from: Antag

Sorry to be an anorak. I LOVE Jackson guitars... :)

Your Jackson fetish is most helpful. :D

Antag · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:03:05 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

said nothing about the MG

Soloist SL3 is a Japan made Soloist, every bit as good as the SL1 and USA customs.

MG is a different beast altogether, NOT bad but very different

Nevermind, he asked about the SLS & I misread your reply :)

I think we're basically agreeing though - the Japanese Jacksons are mighty fine guitars...

Dakine · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:07:04 PM »

yeah no worries, just did'nt want to confoose him with all the letters/numbers etc.

sambo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:08:54 PM »

I had an SLSMG. 'Twas nice for sure. Not my thing in the end though. Had a really AWESOME neck though. The profile + satin feel + through neck was a beautiful combination.

Davey · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:10:10 PM »

the SLS stands for Super Light Soloist

it's basically a thin bodied (like an S series ibanez) neck through soloist.
ebony board etc etc ..
kickass guitar!
IMO, a better buy as an SL3, if you're looking for a hardtail that is. it just has better features.

and yes, the japan jackson factory is the same one that produced the late 80's charvels. they peaked in the early 90's with the import jackson line. now they're starting to get kickass again. lots of new models incoming (RR24M .. and just when i'm dead broke ... )

Jonny · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:24:58 PM »

I never thought Jacksons would be this good! :o

I'm definately getting more interested.

dave_mc · « **Reply #24 on:** March 06, 2008, 10:59:18 PM »

i haven't tried any jacksons for about a year or so... the quality may have changed since then.

My take:

US ones are nice, but extremely expensive this side of the pond. if you had more money than you know what to do with, fair enough, but if not, i'm not that great a fan. They're good guitars, but I'm not a fan of the price.

The SL3 is very nice. A pro bit of kit. though prices can vary widely (i've seen them between about £600 and £900). Definitely pays to shop around.

I'm not all that fussed on the pro series ones... they're decent guitars, but a bit expensive. Not as nice as the SL3 i tried, not by a long shot.

Based on the ones I've tried; of course it's possible I tried a lemon, or an inordinately good one (or several). and personal preference too. :)

Lazy_McDoesnothing · « **Reply #25 on:** March 07, 2008, 06:40:30 AM »

I have an SLSMG and it's becoming my favorite guitar to play. Largly due to the Warpigs I just put in ;) Here's the thread for pics:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11720

Ebony fretboard, mahogany body, neck-through, string-through body, etc. etc. It just plays so smooth! I'd recommend it but it all depends on what you want.

-Thicker strat-like body, thinner Ibanez S-like body, arched Ibanez RG-like body
-Alder or Mahogany
-Maple, Rosewood, or Ebony fretboard
-Floyd or Tune-O-Matic

MDV · « **Reply #26 on:** March 07, 2008, 08:59:14 AM »

Bottom and low mid range jacksons are cr@p.

I've played a lot and worked on a few and the trems in particular are a low point. A cheap jackson trem is the only L/FR I've ever actually stripped the thread off a screw on (with less force than I normally apply to lock a string in the saddle: though how it was treated before that I dont know. When I told my customer about it, all apologetic and basically explaining that I'll replace it, he said "Not again! Dont worry about it, I'll get a new saddle"). Soft metal. Very bad.

You get up to the DK2 and co end of the scale (stuff around 600 and up) and they compete with the best of them. I have a 98 DX1 and its a great guitar; still one of my top 3 (and was my main axe for a really long time), topped out by dean and legra customs shops.

I think the top end stuff, dk1's, soloists and co, are good guitars, but overpriced (new at least).

Antag · « **Reply #27 on:** March 07, 2008, 10:01:17 AM »

I agree that the US Jacksons are usually overpriced in UK shops, I've only bought one of my Jacksons in the UK (my recent KV2 - a steal at £1299 IMO)

If you can find a US dealer that will ship to the UK, then even with $200 added for UPS & HMRC charging import duty & VAT, you can import one for a lot less than you'd buy here.

Jonny · « **Reply #28 on:** March 07, 2008, 06:06:30 PM »

Quote from: Antag

I agree that the US Jacksons are usually overpriced in UK shops, I've only bought one of my Jacksons in the UK (my recent KV2 - a steal at £1299 IMO)

If you can find a US dealer that will ship to the UK, then even with $200 added for UPS & HMRC charging import duty & VAT, you can import one for a lot less than you'd buy here.

Any links on a US dealer which does that? :D

Antag · « **Reply #29 on:** March 07, 2008, 07:05:59 PM »

Like I said, I haven't imported one for a while & the place I used to use no longer carries Jacksons, but try places like Guitar Asylum, The Music Zoo (the soloist I linked to on the 1st page is now sold! :(), Matts Music, Fullers Guitar etc

Failing that, go to Jackson's website & go through the list of custom shop dealers...