So... USA soloists vs Imports.

[P I K A]

ok real differences as the op is asking would be, for me , the quality of materials. ive had plenty of both and right now i own a dk1 and a few dk2ms. aside from the better wood and electronics ,thats it for me. they both play nice ,the imports play better. the USA'a look better too but playwise they are equal.

[P I K A]

playwise almost equal ,slight edge to the imports.

[Bryan]

These are exactly the kinds of things I wanna hear. Keep it coming!

[charvel750]

If you can get a Soloist Pro from the original run (1990-94-ish) you'll be very happy. Leaps and bounds better than any Pro model in production today. Those had ebony boards, body/headstock binding, Schaller JT-590 trems, mop inlay on headstock and board, plus great playability. Those are the ones to find, they rival the USA models.

[loose Cannon]

Yeah definately the early 90's Japanese made Pro series Jacksons are on Par with USA made Jacksons , if you can hunt one down in the Soloists models try the Soloist PRO or the Soloist XL , both Poplar Bodies & maple bound necks the PRO has ebony fingerboard while the XL is rosewood. Used to own a glittery silver XL sold it years ago due to cash flow probs...... nice guitar looked more glam than metal though.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

playwise almost equal ,slight edge to the imports.

The imports play better? Maybe after a level and dress, but not off the shelf.

I will say there is not a big difference in playability. A nice level and dress puts the imports out ahead of the USA "off the shelf" but a really good luthier will make even a Custom Shop "better" than straight from the factory. The Imports have the "stuff" to be an awesome playing guitar and the higher-end ones are great "off the shelf."

The Import soloists are great. If you like rosewood boards and don't mind the MOTO inlays, painted headstock logo, and lack of binding, it's a no-frills great playing guitar that sounds very good and of course has that special easy-access Soloist playability.

[wilkinsi]

Personally, for the sort of money you'd be paying, I'd sooner get a used USA Soloist instead of an SL3. You can't upgrade to ebony, real MOP and binding later.

[P I K A]

off the shelf ,maybe i got lucky 5 times in a row

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

off the shelf ,maybe i got lucky 5 times in a row

And how many times did you get "unlucky" with a USA Soloist?

I'd say that the old "ringer" Pro models from back in the 90's would surely give the USA's a run for their money. Even the Pro models today are no slouch and I don't think anyone would argue that.

But you seem to be pretty much alone in your opinion that the imports are better playing guitars "off the shelf" so... Either you're the only one who can tell, or you're wrong.

[P I K A]

im not saying that all imports are better then USA's ,no not at all. I am saying that my dk2ms were great players ,maybe the dealers set them up but they were so good I sold 2 of my dk1's. I had a bit of bad luck with soloists with the hi e string being off center and the low e being too far down. More then once this happened it just seemed the 6 strings were shifted right too far. great players ,yes Im just giving my opinion on the dk2ms actually I had great luck with every one. I also prefer the 14 to 16 radius over the 12 to 16 so that might have something to do with it. either way Im happy with them ,I mean its just wood and strings really. I dropped ofr in them and they are equal to any USA I had but were WAY cheaper. I think this is what the op wanted ,facts from players who owned both.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I think this is what the op wanted ,facts from players who owned both.

I understand what you're saying. I own both USA and import soloists, which is also what he's asking about. I think both of the USA's I have are slightly better players than my import soloist, which had loose bridge bushings and a thick piece of lexan under the locking nut from the factory.

But regardless, these are just opinons, not facts. I mean, to some guys a Strat is the "better playing guitar" because it suits them.

[Marc Snow]

Well, I've got a Soloist XL Professional but I had to sold it. Dark metallic red...amazing guitar. When I was teaching guitar, a student bought a SL1 and the neck was thicker than my japanese one.

[EllasDad]

Pardon the n00b question: how can you spot a '90's Pro if the seller doesn't know the year?

[Model 88]

Pardon the n00b question: how can you spot a '90's Pro if the seller doesn't know the year?

The top of the line ones all have a ebony board , MOP logo , inlays Schaller Floyd. There are a few rosewood boarded ones that have the same hardware but no MOP logo or inlays . So basically if it has a true Jackson Schaller it is one of the good or better ones .

[Robotechnology]

USA soloists are more consistent than newer Pro Series models. As others have said, older Professional models (like my Archtop Soloist) are basically equal to older and newer USA models.