JKS from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Subject:
Huge Bang for Your Buck
Quality:
This SL2H has a nice flame maple top attached to an alder body. Maple neck through construction generates excellent resonance un-amplified. The wood is very resonant. Looks like Jackson takes care to select good tonal woods and then expertly puts them together.
Sound:
The tone is as varied as the settings that can be dialed in and the amplifiers that the guitar is connected to. With a Marshall JCM 2000, I can dial in a slightly muted sustain that never ends using the neck picup with plenty of distortion. Or I can get ear piercing treble tones using the bridge pickup with the same amplifier settings. With an Orange Dual Terror, a Marshall JCM 2000 on the clean channel, or a Roland JC 120, this guitar will produce deep bottom end notes that are clear and tight and high notes that are very bright. Changing the volumne will definitely change the tone, which is a plus for playing different music styles. Less volume will roll off some of the highs and darken up the sound. Of course, the tone knob does what it should do.
Reliability:
I own several Jacksons and this one is built every bit as good as the pre-Fender models (early and late '90s USA and Japan versions) that I own. I expect it to last a lifetime and play just as good twenty years from now as it does today.
Overall:
This is an excellent instrument made with high quality parts. The craftsmanship is superb and flawless.
Playability and Feel:
Jackson necks are known for speed because of their thin profiles. If you play Fender strats with C or V shaped necks, you'll find the Jackson necks are VERY thin. After playing my Jacksons, however, my Fender necks feel like baseball bats (like a Rickenbacker). I definitely prefer the thin neck and this neck shape does not compromise sound. The Jackson neck has the same nut width as an Fender American Deluxe neck. The super light gauge (9-42) strings are easy on the fingers and I can't really hear any tonal differences between the super light strings on my Jacksons and the light gauge (10-46) strings on my Fender strats.
Tone:
Pikcups are standard Seymour Duncans. The SH1 neck pickup sounds remarkably like a PAF (I own a Gibson with PAFs!) and the JB bridge pickup will produce ear splitting highs. Both of these pickups have excellent bottom end with the bridge pickup being more detailed. These pickups will generate a wide palette of tone for all different styles of music. This is a versatile sounding guitar in the hands of a good musician with good equipment. More expensive guitars will not give better sounding results!
Finish:
The finish is flawless--blue transparent.
Action:
Set up out of the box was terrific and the factory string height is geared to produce piano quality notes. Some shredders will probably want to lower the action, but some resonance will likely be lost when the guitar is played without distortion as the lowered strings start to bounce off the frets. I like a highly resonant sound from the strings, so the factory settings work well for me. The neck relief was spot on. The Floyd Rose bridge is easily adjusted to reach that "perfect" string height. If you have not played a guitar with a Floyd Rose, you may have to adjust your playing style, though. A heavy hand resting on the bridge is likely to detune the strings because these floating tremolos are very sensitive.
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Date submitted:
May 31, 2011
Howard from Denver
Subject:
Jackson Kicks Butt!
Quality:
My Kelly had a few more issues... this Soloist is great overall, with the neck problem, which as usual AMS took care of! The case had a gash... but other than that you can tell this is custom made instrument... just had a KH-602 and it felt like a cheap toy compared t this Soloist! Jackson really makes a high end product, period.
Sound:
Great! Love those Duncans!!
Reliability:
Just got it.
Overall:
I really dig this guitar... plays like a dream! For the price you cannot go wrong with one of these folks!
Playability and Feel:
FAST! The necks on these USA Jackson's are amazing! I was sold after I bought a Kelly a while back... the ebony fretboards are sick and just feel the best!
Tone:
'Neck thru'... enough said! Tone for days...
Finish:
Great! I have the metallic black and it really looks great in person!
Action:
Low... maybe too low even. The neck had some issues and needs a few tweaks from my luthier... but other than that she feels just right out of the box!
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Date submitted:
7/13/2010
Kevin G. from Easton, MD, USA
Subject:
Plays Fast or Channels the Heaviest Blues
Quality:
The SL2H is the best guitar contstruction your $$$ could buy. Highly dependable. String breakge is the only glaring caveat. Unless, your saddles are cutting them, you should be fine for the most part.
Sound:
Acoustically, the ebony fretbord has some bite and brightness, but articulates at the lightest of touches. Fantastic. The Maple neck-through design makes the axe sound lively, and helps with sustain - especially when you plug in and hold a note.
The amplified tone is where the SL2H shines!
The clean tones are phenomonal. The JB is decent. The '59 is a stunner. And when both are use simultaniously, there may be no other pickups combo on Earth to sound better.
Distorted, the JB is raw and kicks, while being loose and articulate. The '59 is warm, but stills cuts through. They both lack enough gain for extreme Metal, but many things old-school in the genre should be fine.
What the SL2H does well is old-school Metal - right out of the box.
Reliability:
I've only had it a day, but I've been playing for 15 years and have owned two USA Selects prior to the SL2H (DK1 & RR1), and this guitar will outlast me, especially if I keep it clean.
Overall:
This is the best your money can buy. It has the sexy looks and has a 'sexy-sounding' pickup combo to compliment it's pulsating acoustic sound. It will last a lifetime - if you take proper care.
Playability and Feel:
It pretty heavy in weight - compared to my DKMG. Especially when strapped to your body, it feels flat. The neck is easy to play. Duh.
This guitar is reponsive and NEEDS to be played hard.
The volume knob is very easy to access and the Tone knob, too. The OFR takes some getting used to if you aren't used to them; between grabbing the bar and then making actual MUSIC with it - on the fly.
The frets were installed well and the binding was just as smooth.
Tone:
The tone is pretty vibrant. The JB is 'mean-sounding', and the '59 warm and bright.
Finish:
I like the Metallic Black finish; the sparkles are cool. :p No noticeable dings or glue runs. The finish is solid and even. Even the hardwares finishes looked good. Way to go Jackson... and AMS!
Action:
Perfect. I wrapped my hand around it's neck and didn't wanna let go. :p The strings were at the perfect height - low enough to 'shred' with ease, but just high enough to riff properly and still ring out the most tasty of licks.
The volume and tone knobs were tight feeling, but not to any detriment. I imagine they'll loosen up some...
The input jack was tight as well, like it holds onto guitar cables for dear life. At least you know the contacts will be good. :)
The Original Floyd Rose was solid along with the locking nut. And, the pickups didn't need to be adjusted any.
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Date submitted:
May 15, 2010
Robert Wagner from Lawrenceville, Ga, USA
rwagnero1@bellsouth.net
Subject:
I LOVE this guitar!
Quality:
This guitar is made by skilled craftsmen and of the finest materials. It stays in tune even when dive bombing over and over!
Sound:
The Seymore Duncan pickups ROCK! Total POWER with crisp sustain.
Reliability:
I've owned it for a couple of weeks now and it has become my favorite guitar. And I have several excellent guitars!
Overall:
This guitar is a dream come true, it is that awesome!
Playability and Feel:
This guitar feels Powerful! The neck is very fast!
Tone:
The tone was Bright and smooth with incredible sustain. The Seymore Duncan pickups sound AWESOME!
Finish:
This guitar looks INCREDIBLE!
Action:
Very easy to play! Perfect in fact.
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Do you own this product?:
YES!
Anthony from New Jersey
Subject:
1 year of thrashing
Quality:
After a year I have played about 40 shows with this guitar. I have dropped it, spilled beer on it, left it in the trunk of a car for nights on end in the cold and after all that it is still straight as an arrow.
Reliability:
In all the different situations I have had this guitar in I have no negatives to say. Although unlike the other review I read here I check my intonation every string change no matter what. I have not had any big adjustments ever.
Overall:
When I was looking for a new axe I also checked out the ESP M2. To me the only big difference was the price. The Jackson was cheaper and felt just as good. The neck is thin enough for speed and thick enough so your hand doesn't cramp right up while moving on stage. This guitar plays itself as long as you know where your hands should be.
Playability and Feel:
The hardest thing for me to get used to was the tap switch position. At first I was unhappy with it but now I am used to it and like it better than any other. Common would be a side to side switch this one is almost vertical.
Tone:
With years of experience behind me I know off the bat I will not like the sound. I ordered pickups the same day I ordered the guitar. I use high output passives only......the duncans just dont have it. Not a negative in my book though, I cant expect a guitar to come with an X2N in it.......or should I?
Finish:
Glossy Black.....Cant mess that up
Action:
Another thing I dont care about when I buy a guitar. I care about how adjustable it is. My advice to anyone looking for a guitar of this caliper is to find something that feels great...not good - great. All guitars for this price you can count on them using good wood for so really the sound and action is all adjustable. The neck you are stuck with though.
Skill Level:
Pro-Rock Star
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Totaltoneage from Anchorage, AK
Subject:
USA Jacksons Truly the best 5 star all the way
Quality:
The USA Jackson Soloist is hand crafted and the quality shows, this has been hands down the best guitar I have owned, from the tuners to the knobs everything is the quality you would expect from a high-end guitar.
Reliability:
This axe has stood up to my test and standards, I play 4-8 hours a day and haven't had any issues with any electronics or selector switch, I do have to reset up the neck every 4-6 months due to living in Alaska and the very dry climate seems to throw off the neck but thats not anything different from any other guitar I own.
Overall:
This is by far the best axe I own, I have owned various other brands from ESP, Fender, Ibanez, and Gibson. None of the other guitars come close to this one. I am now an exclusive Jackson guy. In fact I bought the soloist SL1 as well. Thanks Jackson for manufacturing the best guitars.
Playability and Feel:
This guitar fits like a glove and plays extremely well. The neck is lightning fast and easy to fret for soloing.
Tone:
I play mostly metal, but like to play blues and jazz as well, was very pleased that the seymour duncun JB4 and JB-59 pickups are very versital and will accomidate any style you wish to play.
Finish:
Mine was the USA custom select Transparent Blue and it looks insanely beautiful. The paint has been very durable. I take extreme care of my instruments.
Action:
The Action was perfectly set straight from the factory, very low action with no buzz anywhere. Again I do have to reset the action every 4-6 months due to my area. But haven't had any problems with getting the action back to factory settings.
Do you own this product?:
yes
Date submitted:
04/03/2009
Lonzenator from Pensacola, Fl, USA
lonzenator@cox.net
Subject:
killer axe (check it out)
Quality:
The guitar is absolutely top-notch. I marked it a 4 only because of some issues to be mentioned in another section.
Reliability:
The guitar has been great. I use it daily to practice (1 hour) and then play 3x a week with band. Only problems have been with the 3 way selector switch (mine and a friend's both had problems w/ bad switches after about a year and a half). Took it ti a local shop and now it works great.
Overall:
I have played Jacksons and Charvells since 1987 and have tried many other brands (high dollar Ibanez, ESPs, Fenders, Gibsons, Andersons). The only guitar that even felt close was the Anderson, but it costs almost 2x more $$.
Playability and Feel:
This guitar plays like butter. The neck is lightning fast and easy to fret for soloing and for my big finger (thick) it is great. The only proble is with the 5th fret on the high E string. I use 9s and at times the string will catch on the edge of the fret (a little clear nail polish on the fret at the binding fixed that though.
Tone:
I have played this guitar through a Mesa Boogie Roadster stack, a marshall TSL100 stack, a Fender pro jr. and currently a Vox AC-50 as well as a couple of vintage tube amps. This guitar shines with the amp on 10 and full blown distortion (mine has the Seymours). IF you put it on the neck pickup and roll the volume back it will give a convincing Santanaish sound. If you want death metal it is in there. If you want Jazz (probably too), but this guitar is a shredder. Do yourself a favor. Open up the tremelo cavity and fill it with toilet paper to deaden any noise when playing at high volumes.
Finish:
Mine was the USA custom select Hotrod paintjob (circa 2003) and it looks insanely beautiful. When the stage lights hit it, it almost takes on a life of it's own. The paint has been very durable. I take care of my instrument, but it has gained 1 little scratch (a string change mishap) and this guitar has been bumped a few times and no other marks.
Action:
Action out of the box, was dead on and insanely low. Could not ask for any better.
Do you own this product?:
Yes (and absolutely would never give it up, no, not even for an Anderson)
Date submitted:
03/12/2009