Jackson SLX Soloist X Series Electric Guitar Review
I recently found myself searching for a good electric intermediate guitar, something worth spending money on. I did some research and read reviews and I eventually decided that the SLX Soloist X Series from Jackson was suitable for my needs. In this post I'll go over its pros, cons, and key characteristics compared to its closest competitors.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Guitar
Electric guitars need to be built well. Remember that it's easy to install new pickups, but using bad wood or poor construction materials cannot be fixed. Keep in mind that an electric guitar should not just sound good- it should sound consistent and keep its tone through years of use. It also has to be priced appropriately for its quality and intended purpose.
The Jackson SLX Soloist X Series
Jackson is a niche guitar company with one signature line- the Soloist, which has a lineage stretching back to the early days of metal. SLX Soloist X Series has professional-quality wood, electronics, construction, and durability. It has separate bridge and neck pickups designed by Duncan, 24 frets on a rosewood fingerboard, a Floyd Rose trem bridge, and a through-body neck design.
Features and Benefits
Sound and Control
The basswood body and Duncan pickups ensure a strong, warm tone with plenty of sustain. The switches allow for the neck, bridge, or both pickups to be turned on. The neck pickup is brighter for soloing to cut through the mix, and the bridge pickup is heavier for rhythm play. Both are humbuckers. There are 24 frets and a 25.5-inch scale.
Construction
The neck is maple and joins seamlessly to the basswood body. That join allows for superior sustain compared to bolt-on or set-in connections. The neck is fast and easy to play with a flatter profile for easier finger access. The jumbo frets allow low action without buzz. The body shape has a semi-cutaway at the bottom of the neck for easier play, especially for high-note bending or sliding.
Electronics
Jackson chose to ask Duncan to build pickups for them rather than using an off the shelf model. The tone they give lends itself better to rock and metal due to the warmth, but they are fairly flexible. There is no included preamp, which would increase the value. The pickups never display any signs of interference, buzz, or other problems.
Rating
Design
4
Performance
5
Construction
4
Value for the Money
4
User Satisfaction
5
Alternatives
Jackson X Series Soloist SL3X
The SL3X is much like the SLX. It has more or less the same construction and design and is part of the same X Series. The SLX featured in this post costs $550 while this guitar costs $600. The difference is that rather than having 2 humbuckers, the SL3X has a bridge humbucker and two separate single-coil pickups for a different sound. This is the classic HSS configuration, and it allows for a little more treble and a different texture.
Comparison
Jackson Soloist SL3X X Series
Price: $600
Pickups: Duncan HR-101 x2 and HB103B
Special Features: HSS pickups with independent control
Jackson Soloist SLX X Series
Price: $550
Pickups: Duncan HB-102B and HB102N
Special Features: Floyd Rose bridge and neck-through construction
Schecter Omen Extreme-FR
Schecter's $450 Omen Extreme-FR has a similar body design to the SLX, but it uses Schecter's in-house humbucker pickups rather than the ones that Jackson commissioned from Duncan. The result is a heavier sound that is especially suited to distortion. The other big difference is that while the SLX uses jumbo frets, the Schecter uses medium ones. This is a matter of comfort and preference, so try to test different fret sizes out in person to see what feels better for your hands.
Comparison
Schecter Omen Extreme-FR
Price: $449
Pickups: Schecter Diamond Plus x2
Special Features: Floyd Rose bridge and medium frets
Jackson Soloist SLX X Series
Price: $550
Pickups: Duncan HB-102B and HB102N
Special Features: Floyd Rose bridge and neck-through construction
Jackson X Series Soloist SLXT
The SLXT is another close cousin of the SLX. It costs $50 less at $500. There are two differences that separate the SLXT. First of all, it uses EMG pickups- an H4-B in the bridge position and H4-AN in the neck position. This provides a different and possibly more flexible sound compared to the Duncans in the SLX. The other big change is that rather than a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, it uses a TonePros bridge with no trem.
Comparison
Jackson X Series Soloist SLXT
Price: $500
Pickups: EMG H4-B and H4-AN
Special Features: TonePros bridge
Jackson Soloist SLX X Series
Price: $550
Pickups: Duncan HB-102B and HB102N
Special Features: Floyd Rose bridge and neck-through construction
Final Thoughts
Jackson is attempting to bring their signature design to the broader public through their less expensive X Series of guitars. The SLX in particular contains Duncan humbuckers in the classic Jackson design for $550. At that price, the value is not quite what it could be, but the quality of sound is excellent. Alternatives use different pickups, drop the tremolo bridge, or modify the body shape. Jackson is known for their high-end models and celebrity endorsements, but the SLX provides all of that value in a midrange price. If that interests you, then check it out today. To know more information about other guitars, you can check out our intermediate guitar guide.