'87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

R

revolution

New member
I own a 1989 Fender HM(heavy metal) Stratocaster(USA) and I am considering trading it for a 1987 USA Jackson Soloist. Both are H/S/S but the pickups make no difference because I am going to keep mine and he is going to keep his. The HM has a 5 way and a split switch. The Jackson has three individual on/off knobs. Both have three knobs and both have rosewood fretboards. The Fender is a bolt-on and the Jackson is a neck-thru. I'm not sure as to what either guitar is made of. The Jackson has a Floyd that floats and the HM has a Kahler Spyder that sits flat. What does everyone think of these two guitars? Should I trade straight up? You don't have to go into detail with your answer if you don't want to. You can answer either Strat! or Jackson!...POLL STYLE!!! If you have some more detail or analysis...by all means go ahead. I'm thinking seriously about this.

thanks in advance everyone!
 
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Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

Personally i would prefer the Jackson only because of the neck, i find them to one of my favorite shapes/widths etc.

If they are both in the same condition i would say it would come down to which one feels better in your hands.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

If he's up for the trade, jump on it without hesitation! He's offering up an $1800 guitar and you've got a guitar that sold for $549.

Run to his house, and convince him!!!! LOL
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

Of course, it's not all about price. But, if his guitar is worth 3 times as much, you could sell it and buy something else. USA Soloists were top end guitars and still are.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

If you went the Jackson route, it would have better resale down the road if you ever decide to sell it.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

The Soloist is more valuable, but you need to check the sound. The neck-through with a Floyd will sound quite different than a Kahlerized Strat. Your old pickups might come out very different.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

I would imagine the HM would be a traditional strat V/T/T control setup where the Soloist would have a J1200 Active Mid-Boost. Probably a J50 Humbucker and the J200 Stacked singles.

A little more food for thought.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

From what I understand the Kahler trems on the HM's can be trouble and difficult to repair/replace. I think from a specs and value standpoint the Jackson wins. But from an 80's sentimental standpoint the HM may have an edge, especially if it's one of the neon colors or speckled finishes.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

Get the Jackson, sell it, get another HM Strat, a cheaper Jackson and somethin else i dunno.
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

That's an unusual soloist if it as a rosewood fretboard.

Does it have dot inlays?

Are you sure it's a USA and not a MIJ?

There was a "student" MIJ Soloist that won't sell for over $500. Still an upgrade going from a bolt on to a neck thru IMO, however.

If you decide to back out, I have a HM strat to trade for a soloist, LOL!
 
Re: '87 Jackson Soloist vs. '89 HM Strat...

Yeah. It says "Made in USA" on it. It's like a real late 86 or something. It has the large Ontario cavity and the s/c slots routs wont allow a traditional s/c...only the active Jackson. The serial no is 2802 and the Ontarios begin at 2800. I'm figuring it to be some transitional San Dimas with Ontario features. Wierd.
 
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