Jackson SL1 neck question

[FireEagle]

I hope this is in the right place to ask this... I'm new here. Recently I played an SL1 for the first time and I fell in love with the feel of the neck. So comfortable after playing Ibanez guitars for quite a while. Is the USA SL1 Soloist the only Jackson guitar with that large round neck profile? A trustworthy guy told me the 2004 and newer DK2 guitars have a similar profile. How do they compare to an SL1 neck?

I would love to buy an SL1, but at the moment I have about half the money it would take for a used one in rough shape. Just trying to find out if there is a cheaper alternative Jackson guitar that has the same feel... I could at least try one out then.

Thanks for any help!

[QuantumRider]

As far as USA Jacksons go, I've owned a 1989 Dinky, a 2001 SL1 (which I still have), and a 2006 SL2H.
The neck on the 2006 SL2H was noticeably thicker/rounder than the necks of the other two.
I also own a 2008 MIJ DK2M, the neck profile of which is a bit thicker than the 1989 and 2001 USA guitars, but not as round as the 2006.
So Jackson necks may have been getting thicker/rounder in recent years.

That being said, there are variations and differences among individual guitars, so you have to try them out. I haven't played the newer MIM DK2M's but you can find used MIJ DK2M's all over the place. There are two on ebay right now for under $300, for example.

Hope this helps!
-QR

[pianoguyy]

I don't know what your specific neck feels like. But as far as thick and round...
I hated the neck on the DKMG.
I mean, I may have liked it had I not had a preconceived notion as to what Jackson felt like. Because that neck was a far deviation. But, I bought a Jackson online expecting my typical Jackson, so I was very disappointed in its size and shape.

[FireEagle]

As far as USA Jacksons go, I've owned a 1989 Dinky, a 2001 SL1 (which I still have), and a 2006 SL2H.
The neck on the 2006 SL2H was noticeably thicker/rounder than the necks of the other two.
I also own a 2008 MIJ DK2M, the neck profile of which is a bit thicker than the 1989 and 2001 USA guitars, but not as round as the 2006.
So Jackson necks may have been getting thicker/rounder in recent years.

That being said, there are variations and differences among individual guitars, so you have to try them out. I haven't played the newer MIM DK2M's but you can find used MIJ DK2M's all over the place. There are two on ebay right now for under $300, for example.

Hope this helps!
-QR

Thanks for the info. I should probably inquire as to the year of the one I played. I just happened to be at the local music store and the guitar tech had his SL1 there. A gorgeous midnight blue one. I don't think I have ever got the bug for a guitar like that... but it felt so good to wrap my long fingers around a big beefy neck. I like the thin Ibanezes and all, but I have to say it fatigues my fret hand after a while.

I saw the two MIJ DK2M's you are talking about, I think the chlorine-ish one ended today. Been prowling ebay and Reverb just checking prices and such... trying to learn about the various models and specs.

Thanks again for the help! I'll have to check around about the SL2H.

[FireEagle]

I don't know what your specific neck feels like. But as far as thick and round...
I hated the neck on the DKMG.
I mean, I may have liked it had I not had a preconceived notion as to what Jackson felt like. Because that neck was a far deviation. But, I bought a Jackson online expecting my typical Jackson, so I was very disappointed in its size and shape.

Is the typical Jackson thin and flat? Never owned a Jackson, but kind of thought they would typically be like my old '90 or '91 Charvel Predator. I wouldn't call it super thin, as it has a bit of roundness to it... very comfortable neck and easy to play. I just feel a little lost looking at various models. I know sort of what to expect with Ibanez necks as far as Wizard, Super Wizard, Wizard II, etc... but Jacksons are new to me.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Huh?? I thought Soloist neck dimensions were: .790 - .850 (3rd fret - 12th fret) ....which is (IMO) not "round or fat" @ all....??

[shreddermon]

Agreed, Chuck. Coming from Ibanez necks, though, maybe it just feels thickER and roundER than what he's been used to, though. For example, Wizard dimensions are thinner and flatter than a Soloist's.

Fire Eagle, in the grand scheme of guitars, Soloists are pretty middle of the road. When talking "thick and round" around here, most folks think Les Paul, PC1, etc.

[FireEagle]

Huh?? I thought Soloist neck dimensions were: .790 - .850 (3rd fret - 12th fret) ....which is (IMO) not "round or fat" @ all....??

Really? I would be shocked if the SL1 I played had those dimensions... 20mm - 22.5mm is pretty thin. Like Shreddermon said, maybe it is just the shape? Lately I have been playing Ibanez - an '89 540S (Wizard neck), a '99 RG520QS (Super Wizard neck), and a project strat with an '86 Ibanez Roadstar II neck... so maybe compared to them it felt bigger. I have an old '76 Les Paul, but the frets are so worn I haven't played it in over a year... and I thought the SL1 "felt" a lot bigger. Maybe I'm off my rocker... but I'll definitely look into it before rushing in to an SL1.

So the PC-1 has a bigger neck than the Soloists? I may have to look into that as well... the Chlorine PC-1 is my ultimate dream guitar. On of the best looking guitars I have ever seen. Way out of financial reach to one of the working poor, unfortunately. I'll bet a PC-1 neck is hard to come by too...

lol... Dream crushers. Maybe I need to look at a Slash sig Les Paul, I hear they have a chunky neck... (kidding)

Thanks for the help... I appreciate it! Exactly the expertise I was hoping to find here.

[xenophobe]

Huh?? I thought Soloist neck dimensions were: .790-ish - .850-ish (3rd fret - 12th fret) ....which is (IMO) not "round or fat" @ all....??

Fixed it for you... sort of.

Not sure about current production guitars but necks used to be hand final shaped and would vary from guitar to guitar.

Jackson production methods changed several years ago. There is a lot more CNC on USA Production and Standard Select than there used to be.

[mr426]

All Jackson USA necks are still hand finished, so there will be some variation. I had a 2002 that damn near felt like a 50s lp or a baseball bat. I didn't dig it at all. Tried my buddies 2009 Sl1, fealt like my Warrior. Go figure

[FireEagle]

Hmmm... Maybe the one I tried just happened to be on the large side. I'll see the guy that owns it this weekend and find out more. Sounds like I just need to save my money up, find the right one, and try it before I buy it. Hate to ever sell a guitar, but I'd be willing to trim down to get an SL1 like the one I played locally.

In the meantime I put a set of JB and Classic Stacks (from a Soloist) in my strat/Ibanez project and it sounds better than all my other guitars. Poor man's Soloist... lol.

[Admiral Ballsy]

Like they said, depends upon what you're used to using. Until a couple years ago, I'd owned exactly one USA, a '90 Fusion. The neck on it was like a 1x6, wide and almost nonexistent in profile. Great guitar, hated the neck.

I bought an RR1 a couple years ago, and it's got a much larger neck - as wide, but significantly thicker and largish shoulders, definitely not round. Since then I've got two Soloists, which have essentially identical necks as the Rhoads, and an early 2000s DK1, which is similar in profile but somewhat larger. The RR is about 0.865, and the DK 0.875 (12th fret).

IME, current Jackson necks are significantly larger than current Charvels (I've got a DeMartini and two CS SDs). After playing an SD, the Jacksons feel huge. And after putting one down and picking up a Les Paul - they're like toothpicks.

[FireEagle]

As far as USA Jacksons go, I've owned a 1989 Dinky, a 2001 SL1 (which I still have), and a 2006 SL2H.
The neck on the 2006 SL2H was noticeably thicker/rounder than the necks of the other two.
I also own a 2008 MIJ DK2M, the neck profile of which is a bit thicker than the 1989 and 2001 USA guitars, but not as round as the 2006.
So Jackson necks may have been getting thicker/rounder in recent years.
-QR

I took my Les Paul in for new frets today and asked the tech about the guitar... which was apparently an SL2H made in 2004. This would jive with what you said about your 2006 model.

Played an SL3 and it was thinner and flatter than a Super Wizard... insane. Played a nice PRS with the "pattern" neck and it felt great. Like my Les Paul only a bit thicker and rounder... but at $3500 I carefully put it back. Tried a ESP LTD MH?? and it was not bad, pretty close to an SZ model Ibanez. The other one I really liked was a G&L Legacy, wonderful to play. Biggest neck of the lot.

Starting to find there are lots of options out there!

[Zedder]

I have 2 1990´s MIJ Jackson Professional Pros, a Rhoads and a Soloist, and a 2008 RR1. RR1s neck is much thicker than Pro´s necks and those MIJs are much more comfortable for me to play.

Is there any current USA Select model which has similar neck as those 1990´s MIJ Professionals? I have a thought of ordering a Jackson Custom Select some day, but If all USA Jacksons have as thick neck as my RR1 has, then it is not a very good idea..

[straycat]

USA soloist necks vary quite a bit. Most have a D shaped back profile.
The bolt on neck Jacksons have a thinner D shape profile.
Play a few and choose the one you like best.