Jackson Soloist

[joeg2246]

I just purchased this guitar in like new condition and was hoping someone could help me determine when and where it was manufactured. It is of Neck Through construction. Does not have the word professional on the headstock and the serial number on the fretboard is 043010 with no letters preceding it.

PS: It is in the configuration of HSS with 1 Seymour Duncan Humbucker and 2 Seymour Duncan Hot Rail Single Coils and a Floyd Rose

[Aso]

If can post pictures that will help in identifying the guitar. Serial #s on import guitars don't give much insight into what the guitar is.

[joeg2246]

Sorry I can't figure out how to do the picture from URL

[Mudlark]

That should be a made in Japan, 2004, if everything lines up.
SL3 maybe?

Post pics on photobucket, tinypic etc. then copy the links here.

[joeg2246]

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[toejam]

Welcome to the forum. That is indeed an SL3, made in Japan.

[joeg2246]

How is the year made derived from the serial number?
I also read on this site that there were only 3 years that neck through construction guitars were imported from Japan. The years were 1990, 1991 & 1992. After those years all the imports from Japan were bolt on necks.
Supposedly 6 digit serial numbers with the first digit representing the year. 0=1990

[Rich#6]

04-2004 first digits are the year. that sounds like information on the soloist PROS. the serial number info you listed was early ninties bolt ons. welcome and stop going to the place you got that info . lol

[joeg2246]

http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/101353-Import-Serial-Number-Country-of-Origin-FAQ

I got my info from this form. The paragraph that speaks of Japan Imports led me to believe it was a bit older.

[joeg2246]

[IMG][/IMG]

[joeg2246]

Year by year serial number scheme information:

1990 to 2010 Made in Japan guitars
Jackson imports started in 1990 after the success of the Charvel import series (1986-1991), which came out of the merger of Jackson and IMC. Jackson only imported neck thru Professional series MIJ guitars (the Pro models) in 1990 and 1991. 1992 started the importation of bolt on Professional series MIJ guitars. The serial numbers of the Professional series MIJ guitars are 6 digits long and will start with 0-5 with the first digit corresponding to the year (0xxxxx = 1990, 5xxxxx = 1995). There is an exception to this serial number format, Fusion model guitars (1990-1995) also have a 6 digit serial but will start with 90-95 with the first two digits corresponding to the year (90xxxx = 1990, 95xxxx = 1995). In 1994 (technically Christmas 1993) a new MIJ series started, the Concept series. The Concept series was only produced in 1994 and had the first 7 digit serial number scheme (94xxxxx). 1996 saw the end of the Professional series guitars and a new serial number format. All MIJ bolt on guitars received a 7 digit serial number starting at 9600000 increasing sequentially as more guitars are built, this system continues to this day for MIJ guitars (as of the start of 2010 the serial numbers are up to approximately 9850000). There is a slight exception to this format for several 1996 models. The new 7 digit MIJ serial system was suppose to start at the end of the Professional series which was suppose to end in 1995, but it appears a few Professional series guitars were made into early 1996. Some new "No Series" name MIJ guitars for 1996 (like the SDK-2, the Stealth EX, etc) received 6 digit serial numbers during this transition period while the Professional series was ended (there also are some Professionals that received 7 digit new format serial numbers and some new "No Series" guitars that received the new 7 digit serial number sequence [96] in their 6 digit serial numbers, so anything is possible during this transition in early 1996).

[joeg2246]

Fender emailed me info on the Soloist SL3 Pro
MIJ 03/2005

[Mudlark]

More than a little strange they would stamp 04xxxx on an '05.

As for the serial numbers:

There have been many number formats. The early-mid '90s neck thru and bolt on serials used a different format than the 2000's and later.

Unfortunately, the info from the thread posted above doesn't even mention the 2000-2016 neck thru number format.
Also, the number format for those early -mid '90s models mentioned in the thread are referring to the 'Professional' series. The Professionals had a 'Professional' logo on the headstock.

[joeg2246]

Heli Lanz (Fender) Feb 24, 16:24 Joe, Serial number 043010 was completed in March of 2005. This is a Japanese model and the specs are below... Model Name: SL3 SoloistTM Model Number: 290-4000-(Color#) Series: Pro Series Body: Alder with Flame Maple Veneer on Transparent Colors Neck: Neck-Thru-Body Rock Maple Fingerboard: Rosewood Frets: 24 Jumbo Frets Scale Length: 25.5” Width @ Nut: 1-11/16” Hardware: Chrome Machine Heads: Die-Cast Tuners Bridge: Floyd Rose® Licensed Jackson® Low Profile JT580 LP Double Locking 2-Point Tremolo Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan® JBTM TB4 Humbucking Pickup Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan® SHR101 Humbucking Pickup Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan® SHR101 Humbucking Pickup Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups Position 3. Neck Pickup Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone Colors: Solid / Metallic Finish Group: (568) Satin Black, (SBK) Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042 Unique Features: Compound (12” to 14”) Fingerboard Radius, MOTO Shark Fin Position Inlays, Matching Headstock on Transparent Colors Source: Japan Accessories: Uses Deluxe Molded Case P/N 0060699000, JCC921 US MSRP $119.95 (Not Included) U.S. MSRP: Solid Colors: $1,499.99 Transparent Colors: $1,549.99 Specs: Product Prices, Features And Specifications Are Subject To Change Without Notice INTRODUCED: DISCONTINUED: 1/2006 WRENCH SIZES: 7mm Box Wrench (Truss Rod Adjustment), 3mm Hex wrench (Nut Cap, Stud Bolt, Locking Strings), 2.5mm Hex Wrench (Locking Bridge Saddle) Regards- Heli Lanz Representative, Consumer Relations /U.S. Direct Sales Fender Musical Instruments Corp. 17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

[Mudlark]

Please excuse my lack of faith in FMIC's Jackson info. I have good reason for that based on many laughable stories from people on here and elsewhere.

Could your 04xxxx be 2005? Anything is possible.

Neck thru serials have been date-coded for the last 26 years. Just seems strange to put 04 on a model in March 2005 based on the date-coding system.

The letter says the SL3 was discontinued in 2006, but they continued for a few more years. Though, the 2006 and newer models had a different tremolo and black hardware.
Essentially, what was discontinued on Jan.1 2006 was the old specs in favour of new specs.