USA Soloist - Older vs Newer?

[roodyrocker]

Nostalgia and collector value aside, I repeat: I'm confident in buying new Jacksons and expecting the same high end quality I've always had from them before. I have several Jacksons including San Dimas era as well as current production ones and must say the new ones are just as good as the old ones!
San Dimas Jacksons were custom ordered but I think the move to USA Selects in the early 90's was a good one. These are not lower in quality than custom ordered ones, they simply started building bigger batches of more commonly ordered guitars. For example, you know you're going to sell some black Soloists so why not build a bunch of them and get them out in dealer's stores where customers could touch them, play them, buy them and take them home instantly. Hype is one thing but I've played lots of Jacksons and I'm tellin' ya the new ones are just as good as the old ones

[85 San Dimas]

I don't want Jackson to become a strictly "vintage" builder like Gibson, but it would be nice if they added production Soloist and Rhoads models with vintage specs. The Shannon Soloists are a great idea. The $3500+ CS price tag? Not so much...

+1 all around.

[axetogrind]

Wow. This is great stuff guys. I really enjoyed reading every post on this thread.
Anyway, I just ordered a used (newer) SL2 in Snakeskin (keepin it 80's) :] I can't wait till it gets here. I am also canvasing for an older San Dimas or original Jackson Soloist. It may be a while before I buy either of those unless I run across a can't miss deal, but I'm sure I'll add one to my collection.
I also need an H-S-S configured guitar now so.....

Thanks for all of the great input guys. This is great!!

[85 San Dimas]

I it really just boils down to personal preference.
[/quote]

agreed, and hence the thread. Some like the older some the newer. We know that the Sd era Jacksons and some early Ontarios are what they are. Those of us that like the older ones aren't slamming the newer ones and are not comparing them to 80's Kramers (IMHO that would be ludicrous in the extreme). the new ones are really nice, but when some asks "WHY older?" then those are some of the answers.

One other thing it helps to understand. Charvels and Jackson were large market guitars almost exclusively. if you lived in Lincoln, Nebraska the first Charvel you ever saw (aside from a concert) in person was MIJ Model 3's and 4's. If you were in DC (Venemans) , NYC (Ash), SF, LA, etc. you saw them and knew them. Jacksons you didn't EVER see. Sort of like a modern, well, how may of you have ever seen a real Rand? That's a lot what it was like back then. Like a Unicorn. They were the stuff of legend.
Outside of a big city you didn't know anyone who had one or anyone that knew where to get one. No internet to locate them, no Ebay, only magazine articles....and music videos. We revered them as nearly unobtainable.

Anyway, new or old you should always get what makes you happy. I'll shut up on the subject now.

[J_A / 540s]

I own & have played some awesome Jacksons both old & new... They are more consistant now though... Some of the worst Jacksons I've played have been 83-86s. I find it very hit & miss with older stuff

[pro-fusion]

Jacksons you didn't EVER see. Sort of like a modern, well, how may of you have ever seen a real Rand? That's a lot what it was like back then. Like a Unicorn. They were the stuff of legend.

Yep.

During the SD era, Apple Music in Portland, Ore. carried J/Cs, and I remember seeing a few strathead Charvels, but the handful of Jacksons they had were kept way high up on a special wall along with some amazing custom BC Riches (25 years later, I still vividly remember a certain black metal-flaked Mockingbird on the wall there). They sure as hell didn't let little dumbshit kids like me touch them.

I also vividly remember the first used USA Jackson I ever saw--because I bought it, even at the then-absurd price of $900. I had to sacrifice a lot for it, but you just didn't see used ones back then. They were rare and exotic in a place like Portland.

[Trev57]

Because I am left handed, I have never got to play any Jacksons unless I bought them first (ebay). Consequently I own 6. They are all excellent in my opinion. I have 2 from the early 90s (both custom shop) and 3 modern USA models. All are slightly different, and all have their own characteristics. I could not part with any of them. The older models are certainly interesting because they feel unique, and have features that the new stuff doesn't. They are also tonally more interesting. But the best player is my 2005 DK1 probably due to the neck and fretboard.

[axetogrind]

Well, I started the thread so I thought I'd go ahead and show you guys what I eneded up with. So without further adue - (the one on the right)

[Jacksons Shred]

The Pro's are the best..They're old. Even the old usa's own the new ones.

Old > New.

[Monni]

Snakeskin <3

[phill_up]

The Pro's are the best..They're old. Even the old usa's own the new ones.

Old > New.

Everything about this statement resembles an opinion

Edit: Hey Axe? in a couple of weeks would you care to give some feedback on what you think about the new USA guitar? What year is it?

[axetogrind]

Everything about this statement resembles an opinion

Edit: Hey Axe? in a couple of weeks would you care to give some feedback on what you think about the new USA guitar? What year is it?

I'll chime back in after I really work through the guitar and try it through all of my amps, but I can tell you that so far.... I love it!!!
This is my first USA Jackson. I have had a couple of Charvels and MIJ Jackson and liked all of them. They were all good guitars. This thing however is sweeeet! I can see why they carry such a high price tag although I bought this used to save some coin, the guitar is mint condition though. Looks brand new.

[VitaminG]

very nice, Axe. Looks like you need to update your sig now

[axetogrind]

very nice, Axe. Looks like you need to update your sig now

Done!!!

Man, I've gotten rid of allot of good gear!

[AndyK]

Hey-
I have an '85 Soloist w/ factory Floyd. LOVE the guitar and would never sell it. The neck just feels perfect, and the guitar reminds me of everything I loved about guitars in the mid 80's!

That said, I have owned stock SL-1s from the late 90's, and have to say the quality on these was equal or better than my old '85. Beautiful paint, fretwork, inlays, etc. And they were/are built by some of the same workers from the original San Dimas factory. I just HATED the recessed Floyd and strange neck angle.

When the Shannon Soloist came out, I jumped on one. Sounded DEAD to me, and I wound up selling it. Looked really authentic though.

Back in the day, having a Charvel was cool, having a custom Jackson was IT! I miss those days!