CS SL2H or CS SL2H? Please help me decide!

[Newc]

What about the neck profiles? Were the Shannons different in that respect?

The Shannon will retain more value over the years than the Snake, as the non-recessed Floyd thing is not as big an issue as many make it out to be. This is because the neck is angled back a bit, rather than just jamming a long-block Floyd on a Strat and calling it "done", so you don't have mile-high action. Both guitars will have the same degree of playability, with the only "issue" being a limited pull-up range and your picking arm may cross the bridge at a higher angle than you're used to.

If you play with a "flat hand" from years of recessed trem use, the higher angle may take some time getting used to. Maybe 5 minutes. 10 tops.
On the other hand, if you can go from a Strat to a Les Paul with no trouble, then you won't have a problem.

[roodyrocker]

If Im not mistaken, that small batch run of Copperheads was done before it became more readily available. And prior to that there were two true Custom Shop Copperhead Soloists made with matching headstocks and abalone inlays. One was a 2 hum and the other a 1 hum. I bought the 1 hum and I believe another forum member got the 2 hum version. Both of those had EMG's in them. The run of 12 like that above was a bit later. And from viewing on my tiny laptop screen it looks like Tim Wilson's sig on the back of the headstock. Tim was the Jackson CS manager from back in the Randy Rhoads days till he retired a few years ago.
I don't know about more recent CS orders but the SKB style case has been standard for several year with the option of a plain G&G case for an upchrage. For the most part the G&G cases didn't have any logo on them but I think there were a few from years back that said Team Jackson on them. Certificates weren't generally the norm but many small batch runs had them. The few true one off CS I have never had a certificate from Jackson.
Finish wise, Copperhead Snakeskin kills plain black any day Now the other features will be personal preference recessed vs surface mount Floyd, binding nibs over the fret ends, etc... Keep in mind that if you ever need a refret its cheaper to refret a guitar without nibs or you may also lose the nibs during the refret process. Both look like killer Jacksons and you can't be faulted with going with either one

[Whoopu2]

I'd go with the copperhead for the floating trem and modern neck heel.

[algeriet]

I'd go with the James Bond one. Definitely.
BUT remember that playing with a non-recessed will feel differently as the bridge sits higher up.

[Johnnyryche]

I think it comes down to personal preference on the specs of the (1) recessed or non-recessed bridge, and then (2) classic black or copper snake. Personally, I like guitars with graphics or bright colors, so to me, black is rather boring. And I am comfortable with either bridge setup. So my choice would be the copper snakeskin. But it's really your call on what you like and what you're comfortable with. As others have said, between those 2 guitars, you can't go wrong as they both look like great soloists.

[Devotee]

That copper snake skin just looks like a standard SL2H if you ask me... :dunno: anyone could scribble a number on it with a gold marker...

I say go for the Shannon.

[Dog Boy]

I'd go with the Shannon. I've got a couple of Shannon built Jackson's and the guy knows what he's doing. Keeper's for life.

[LaoWai]

I'd go with the copperhead for the floating trem and modern neck heel.

this

[n3p]

Is it just me or is the forum being really really slow at the moment? Anyway, first of all a BIG thank you to everyone who responded and gave their opinion. Like I said previously, this was an extremely difficult decision to make and to be honest I am thinking of getting both. I had taken all of your thoughts into account and purchased one... got it today, and have only just stopped playing it

No good photos yet, I am a crap photographer and I can't be bothered to make a big effort right now as my fingers feel like they are going to fall off

So, my choice was (I have since got her indoors to get the vacuum out!)....



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Shannon! Took a little adjusting to get used to the non recessed trem, but alright now. Pinch harmonics seem to be easier, but it's hard to say when playing a true masterpiece. Annoyingly the Serial number checker on the Jackson website doesn't specify the year - if anyone knows then that would be great

Some other random pics, I will try to take some nicer ones later on







I think the main reason for my decision was just to have the chance to own a true Custom Shop guitar, built by a living legend. As stated by others, the Copper Snake, while lovely, is something I could most likely find again in the future... How often do Shannon Soloists come up for sale?!

ONE downside, but luckily I can fix it - It's currently strung on 9s!

Thanks again for all of your help, maybe a NGD thread is needed

Nick

[Ward]

Hey Nick,

Nice grab on the Shannon. Congrats.

I have J7170, and that has a production date of 4/18/07. So yours is either a 2006 or an early 2007. Not sure what the cutoff # for those years was..

[neilli]

Good choice

[LaoWai]

Schwing! Nice guitar congrats!

[n3p]

Thanks guys - I think I made the right choice!

Hey Nick,

Nice grab on the Shannon. Congrats.

I have J7170, and that has a production date of 4/18/07. So yours is either a 2006 or an early 2007. Not sure what the cutoff # for those years was..

Thanks for the info, I have tried to do some digging, I believe some Shannon soloists were made for NAMM 2006, can't see black listed as a colour though. I found an archived URL:

http://www.jcfonline.com/archive/index.php/t-118252.html

Mentions a blue shannon NAMM (unfortunately stolen) with believed Serial J7109. Mine is J7106. Will keep delving back, hopefully I find some more info

Nick

[roodyrocker]

Congrats, Like I said before you can't go wrong with either of those. I ahve a couple Shannons myself but they are from the 90's run and are H/S/S format. One in Slime Green, the other in Blue Ghost Flames. Enjoy your new Shannon and if you end up buying the Copperhead next you can post shots of them both together

[xenophobe]

I think you made the right choice. While I'm not really a fan of the neck heel on the Shannon, everything else is spot on.

That 25% extra you spent is well worth it with the G&G case, the binding over the fret ends and just the fact that it's a true custom shop guitar.

Any time you see a CS logo on a guitar with a series number, it's not really a custom, as they're run as a small batch, not really much different from standard production guitars. Not to knock them, as they're truly nice guitars, but they're not one-offs like a true CS piece. And I don't care what anyone says, the customs have more individual time given to them and you can usually either/or feel it and see it.

Even if the snakeskin were custom, it's a standard configuration regardless.

Grats! I hope you play the hell out of it.