1998 SL-1

[redmanjj]

I am looking at an SL-1 that is reported to be a 1998.

1) I can't tell from the pictures if it is an ebony fretboard; was this standard in 1998?

2) What pickups would be stock in 1998?

3) Other than the pickups and fretboard, what are the other differences between this SL-1 and my Charvel 650 Custom? Is it worth an upgrade?

[charvel750]

Re: 1998 SL-1

A 1998 Jackson USA SL-1 production Soloist would have a pair of Seymour Duncan STK-1's in the neck and mid with a Duncan TB-4 at bridge, ebony fingerboard (standard), and Floyd Rose trem. The Charvel 650 Custom is extremely similar, but there were different body woods (Charvel was poplar sides and Jackson is alder sides) and different pickups (Charvel was Jackson pickups/electronics and Jackson is Duncans). USA guitars generally have had better wood selection than the imports. But the 650 is a top 'o the line player for sure. If you are happy with the 650 I wouldn't be uptight about adding an SL-1, for the $ the 650 is better.