Not in love with soloists....

[VitaminG]

I like 'em too. Haven't spent a lot of time with one though. I'd love to play a gig with one to see if it addresses the hand cramping issues that inevitably plague me with my Fusions. I do love my Fusions though

[GuerillaPete]

I'd love to play a gig with one to see if it addresses the hand cramping issues that inevitably plague me with my Fusions.

Cramping? That could be from the angle/height/position the guitar hangs off you, no?

[j2379]

I like 'em too. Haven't spent a lot of time with one though. I'd love to play a gig with one to see if it addresses the hand cramping issues that inevitably plague me with my Fusions. I do love my Fusions though

I have that problem with Gibson 60's slim taper necks, try guitars with bigger necks if thats a real issue.

[shreddermon]

Soloists are the ultimate Jackson model.

That said, I like variety - so Strats and Dinkys rule, too. And, oh yeah, Kellys are pretty damn cool as well. ...and...

[Ward]

Hmmm, you'll probably not love playing the Kelly shape either then!

You are probably right. It was clumsy wording on my part, but the point I was trying to make is that I love soloists enough that I don't know that I will 'love' any other guitar. I like my Rhoads a lot, but I love the soloists more. But I wouldn't trade my Rhoads for another soloist because I also like variety.

So even though I don't expect to love a Kelly as much as a soloist, I would be happy if I liked it as much as my Rhoads. I have been playing the dinky/fusion/soloist shape for over 25 years, so it just feels like home to me. That shape combined with neckthrough construction is my favorite, but other shapes with neckthrough are definitely good too.

[Twitch]

My one and only complaint or issue, actually, is that if the neck goes south, the whole guitar went with it. In that instance, its a throw away guitar. A veeery expensive throw away guitar. Not only would it cost as much as the guitar to have it fixed, it also requires taking the wings off the guitar, which when it comes down to it, youve replaced the guitar, and just kept the original wings. Chances are, any soul that guitar had was in the neck and the part that of the neck that is the center of the body.

[VitaminG]

Cramping? That could be from the angle/height/position the guitar hangs off you, no?

Could be. I can play for hours with no problems at home, sitting on the couch or in front of the PC. But I wear the guitar pretty low on stage. Having said that, I also spend a lot more time just playing barre chords with the band too, which is when the cramping starts - more time is spent weedling away at home

I have that problem with Gibson 60's slim taper necks, try guitars with bigger necks if thats a real issue.

I have a Blues Saraceno sig model Samick that has a seriously beefy neck. Don't play it much because it still has a few wiring issues to work out. Might bring it into circulation at home and playing through a few sets, see if it makes a difference

[VitaminG]

My one and only complaint or issue, actually, is that if the neck goes south, the whole guitar went with it. In that instance, its a throw away guitar. A veeery expensive throw away guitar. Not only would it cost as much as the guitar to have it fixed, it also requires taking the wings off the guitar, which when it comes down to it, youve replaced the guitar, and just kept the original wings. Chances are, any soul that guitar had was in the neck and the part that of the neck that is the center of the body.

I don't know how many times I've heard that argument for bolt-ons online. But in reality, how many times has it actually been an issue - neckthru or bolt-on? yea, necks occasionally get broken / irretrievable warped or twisted. But not that often.

[Twitch]

I understand it doesnt happen that often but I find more security in my investment if worst case scenario is cheaper to fix rather than replace. I do love how the SL2Hs play and feel.

[charvel750]

Seriously, Twitch, that should not be a concern at all. There are neck through guitars from the 60's like a Gibson Firebird for example, that haven't "gone south." If you take care of it, like any instrument, it will outlast you. In fact, a neck through guitar is probably more stable than a bolt on. Besides, what the hell would have to happen to make the neck "go south?" !!! Like dropping the guitar from a 4 story building?

[Twitch]

Gotta ask I saw this posted in the SL2H thread....Whats the ratio of love vs eh.. for soloists?

Mr. 750, the man asked for my opinion on love or "eh", I chose eh. Its my opinion based on fact, however rare a situation it may be. Dont like it, then bwah hah hah, you dont agree with me, which seems to be the norm between you and me, which is fine.

[Chad]

I've heard that same argument on many forums and don't get it either. Unless a person is extremely careless, reckless, tries to destroy things, etc., I don't understand choosing an instrument based on how adverse to destruction it is. As far as being able to change the neck easily on a bolt-on instrument: yeah, that is true but the neck is a big part of the overall package on bolt-ons too. When you put a new neck on one, the instrument can change quite a bit.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I've heard that same argument on many forums and don't get it either. Unless a person is extremely careless, reckless, tries to destroy things, etc., I don't understand choosing an instrument based on how adverse to destruction it is. As far as being able to change the neck easily on a bolt-on instrument: yeah, that is true but the neck is a big part of the overall package on bolt-ons too. When you put a new neck on one, the instrument can change quite a bit.

I agree. And especially in the case of Jacksons (or any other guitar where exact replacement aftermarket necks are not readily available for most models) I just don't see the advantage to the bolt-on.

For example, if you have a 24-fret USA Dinky and snap the headstock where do you get another USA Dinky neck? They are rare as hen's teeth and if you did find one it would cost a lot of money. I guess you could get a DK2 neck but, it's not the same... So, do you buy another USA Dinky? :think:

Sure, it's great that you can bolt a Warmoth or USACG or whatever neck onto a Strat if you snap the neck but I'd bet that's a very tiny portion of those company's actual sales.

[Devotee]

Well what would you do if you have a 24-fret USA Soloist and snap the headstock? Glue it back on? Do the same with the Dinky.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Well what would you do if you have a 24-fret USA Soloist and snap the headstock? Glue it back on? Do the same with the Dinky.

Exactly my point. The bolt-on doesn't get you anything, really. Broken headstock is broken headstock, or warped neck, or whatever. Just because you can unbolt the affected part doesn't mean you can easily bolt on a new part.