Which guitar do I buy: Charvel 650xl, Jackson Soloist Std or a Jackson SLSMG?

[Inazone]

Student Soloist = no binding or sharky inlays. In fact, that looks to be a Professional? Not even a USA, but even if it was a USA, I'd still take the 650.

FYI, the Soloist "Std" is indeed a Professional model, short for Soloist Standard to differentiate from the Soloist XL Professional to the best of my knowledge.

[dg]

I think this is one of those Japan Only 650XL's with a matching headstock. The trem looks to be a partial route, not a full recess like a normal 650XL. Pretty cool IMO because the bridge is high yet you can still pull back.

The 650XL had the non-recessed trem w/ pullup rout and also had a matching headstock. The Japan-only versions from that time are pretty easy to tell because they never used the toothpaste logo. They just kept using the guitar-shaped Model Series style logo into the early '90s.

[Thomazza]

Sorry about removing the picture, it was not the right guitar.
I am still very unfamiliar with this website and I am not sure how to upload anything.
If any of you do want to see any of the three guitars just send me an email

[Newc]

The 650 and STD will have rosewood boards. The SLSMG will have ebony, if that matters to you.

The SLSMG will obviously not have a trem. There's nothing wrong with the headstock. It's got straight string pull to the tuners which is better for tuning stability on non-locking models.

The 650 and STD will most likely need to be refretted, as they'll be about 18-20 years old by now.
While that's fine for chicks, it's not for guitars.

[straycat]

If the student soloist was a San Dimas I would go for it but 650 XL's are nice players.

[MetalHeadMat]

charvel 650XL - nothing against those jacksons, but the charvel is just cooler-looking!!

.

I agree completely.

[BayRocker]

Easily the 650XL, can't go wrong with the neck-thru and the sharkies. Plus Charvels are just cool.

Not sure why comments about a student soloist are being made. Std is the Japanese Soloist Professional model below XL and Pro. Bolt on 24, non-bound rosewood, with dot inlays.

[Thomazza]

Easily the 650XL, can't go wrong with the neck-thru and the sharkies. Plus Charvels are just cool.

Not sure why comments about a student soloist are being made. Std is the Japanese Soloist Professional model below XL and Pro. Bolt on 24, non-bound rosewood, with dot inlays.

Thanks for your comment.
Maybe I was wrong when I said it was a Std, here are the pictures of it.


According to the person who is selling it: poplar body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, made in Japan, bridge changed to a Gotoh and bridge pickup changed into a Dimarzio evolution.

Please also tell me if this would change your mind

[dg]

Easily the 650XL, can't go wrong with the neck-thru and the sharkies. Plus Charvels are just cool.

Not sure why comments about a student soloist are being made. Std is the Japanese Soloist Professional model below XL and Pro. Bolt on 24, non-bound rosewood, with dot inlays.

A Soloist Std. is neckthrough, as is anything labelled "Soloist" (with the exception of a couple of archtop models that were set-neck). A Dinky Std. would be the bolt-on version. I do agree that it's weird that people keep bringing up the Student Soloist, though, and I'd take a San Dimas or early Ontario Student Soloist over any of the choices.

[tomanyjacksons]

The only real option here is just buy all three.

[Thomazza]

The only real option here is just buy all three.

I dont see any other solution

[BayRocker]

A Soloist Std. is neckthrough, as is anything labelled "Soloist" (with the exception of a couple of archtop models that were set-neck). A Dinky Std. would be the bolt-on version. I do agree that it's weird that people keep bringing up the Student Soloist, though, and I'd take a San Dimas or early Ontario Student Soloist over any of the choices.

I don't know how I flubbed that one. I went to Henrik's site to check the exact specs of each guitar to compare, and I'd swear it said bolt on. Now I go check it and it's clearly neck-thru. Not sure what the f&ck I saw that first time. Either way, I'd still go with the 650XL. Now back to my remedial reading class...

[charvelguy]

It partly depends on the style of music and playing.

SLSMG = hardtail, overall if I were using dropped tunings and didn't need a floyd, I'd consider this one over the others.
I've not played one, so I cannot make comparisons on playability but people seem to really like them - consensus being they're well made.

650XL vs Jackson Std.
It would again depend on the overall condition as well as the minor variances.
Look at the construction differences. Both are floyd, Charvel having the stock 590 vs the Jackson having a Gotoh floyd.
Schaller baseplate on the Charvel, I'm thinking the Gotoh is going to be a little thinner plate but having played both, I like the Gotoh myself overall and would consider it an upgrade over the stock 580.

Body construction; Charvel vs Jackson
mop sharks vs mop dots.
non recessed neck access vs recessed neck access.
I think the Charvel is slightly thicker body style, and its also a basswood body, it also has a bound neck.
Nice if the cosmetic matters over a recessed neck joint playability.

Electronics; Charvel vs Jackson
Charvel has an active circuit, with J200 singles. Three pots vs two. That active circuit will make the 200's probably sound better but I actually like the J100's for a passive single coil, sure its buzzy, but it sounds like a single coil relative to the stacked 200's.

The Jackson has a passive pickup upgrade, so if you think you'd like that pup in a floyded axe, then you are spared the expense of making a swap.

The 650 is a fine looking/playing guitar, also had a higher suggested retail but myself, would consider it a tossup with the upgrades on the Jackson and a recessed access. For me, the Jackson is already a player and I don't mind dots at all.

So, now its down to the little things. Case, overall condition, etc. Pick one? It depends.

FWIW, I've spent waaaay to much time on this.

[Newc]

Another concern with both the Soloist and 650 - replacing the singles will be a problem, as the only pickups that will fit the routes are EMGs. Duncan changed the design of their Lil/Jr and singles to be more "Strat route friendly" where the wires come out of the middle like a traditional single coil, even though the body is shaped to fit those oblong routes.

You'd need custom shop Duncans where the wires come out of the bottom towards one side like they used to. Not sure if DiMarzio's singles/single-sized hums are like that.

As well, the 650 used a large pickup ring because of the covered pickups they always came with, so open-coil pickups will leave a noticeable gap. The hole spacing for the ring's mounting screws (that hold it onto the body) will also be mich wider than a standard Gibson-style/modern pickup ring. While finding a replacement is easy, it's still something to consider.

[gavin_rossdale]

If they are in the same condition and play the same I would lean to the 650XL for the slightly higher specs. playing guitar could be really fun with charvel 650XL..