How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

Easy. There are no new MIJ Jacksons or Charvels. They are now MII, MIC, MIM. Look for a used MIJ soloist PRO from the early 90's. It will blow these new ones away.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

DonP said:
Easy. There are no new MIJ Jacksons or Charvels. They are now MII, MIC, MIM. Look for a used MIJ soloist PRO from the early 90's. It will blow these new ones away.
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Really? I thought the pros all where MIJ even to this day. Well this is embarrassing.

Where it's made isn't super important, but that's pretty pricy for a MIM. Definitely crazy for a MII!

At that point I might put together a warmoth now that I think of it...
 
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Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

Well, you are getting a neck thru guitar with a quilt maple top and bound ebony fretboard. Considering the workmanship of the MII stuff I've played (no Jacksons though), I'd say that's a more than fair price.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

I have four MIJ Dinkys, and they are great guitars. Iirc, they were all made in the late '90s/early '00s.

And as far as the new MIM Pro series, I've fondled a couple of them a year or two ago. They were well built, and they played & sounded great like a Jackson should. The only glaring difference is the 3 screw neck joint on the bolt on models. IMHO, the MIM Jacksons are good to go, just like the MIM Fenders. Same company, good quality.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

bababa3216 said:
but what's yall opinions on quality of parts and finishes of the newer MIJ Jacksons?
genting crown
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Jacksons are no longer made in Japan, period. That stopped about 2009 or 2010, I think.

I've got a 2012 MII Jackson KVMG that is an awesome guitar, easily on par with any Japanese Jackson I've played over the years, and there have been many. Neckthrough, ebony board, the whole nine yards. I did not think Jackson would make an import of that quality again, since the 1990-94 neckthrough Pros were identical to their USA counterparts (I've owned both - this is not an exaggeration).


I've yet to lay my hands on a MIM Jackson, though. If they're made in the Fender factory that's been doing awesome Mexi-Strats for 30+ years, you got nothing to worry about.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

I happened to come across a Jackson Soloist circa 2014-2015 literally today. They are MiI. I didn't get tot play it but I did visually inspect it.

Flawless fit & finish, pretty darn good looks (it had a trans black quilted maple top), what looked like Ebony board, run-of-the-mill hardware, SD pickups, final price at 680€ cash (including tax).

I will agree with El Supremo, they are more than fairly priced for what you get.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

That's the funny thing - even the "low end" Made In Japan Charvel Model series from the 80s were high quality. Not just "high quality for the price", but literally high-quality. It was probably the mid-90s before anyone except a radical Puritan "Heil USA" snob could find one to thing complain about. Even today, Model 2s sell for more than any other Japan-made axe from the same time period (with the notable exceptions of artist and rare models).

I don't see Hondo Rhoads copies going for big bucks, and no one remembers the neckthrough Arbors.


Like I said, my 2012 Indonesia-made KV is a killer axe. Comparing it to my USA KV2T, I'd say there's little to complain about. I like it better than I did the USA KV2 I had, with its thin and wide neck that was not at all comfortable. I don't get along with many Vs, including Gibsons (owned at least 5 over the decades), so the KV2T and the MII KV are it, aside from a KV3 that only had 22 frets and an old 70s Vantage FV575.

I even had an ultra-rare Y2KV import that I could not stand. Dave Mustaine KV Pro - gone. 3 different USA Rhoadses, including a PCS - gone. "Big Red" King V/Double-Rhoads - gone. USA aluminum Roswell - gone. Import Roswells - gone.

So when I say a specific V is worth it, it's worth it.
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

I didn't know Jackson no longer offers MIJ guitars–always thought they were awesome especially for the price!

I did play a MII Jackson Adrian Smith that had one of the best feeling necks I've played in a sub $500 guitar. Was not looking for a Floyded guitar so I passed, but may get one–really liked that neck!
 
Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

This isnt adding anything new to whats being said, and kind of echoing DrNew's statement. I remember back in the day when Charvel and Jackson started Japanese production. Many thought it was horrible, almost blasphemous. Now, years later, we covet those guitars as they were exceptional guitars at a good price.. haha. To the thread starter, no more Japanese built Jacksons, but I would not have a problem buying any Japanese built guitar. I have had older Model series Charvels that were amazing , I have a Japanese Charvel Pro mod - amazing!

I do have to laugh as someone else said, the prices of Ibanez' seem to be going crazy high these days.

As Ive seen manufacture move from China to korea, to indonesia to timbucktwo, most all of these countries are making decent guitars these days. Unlike long ago where you could pretty much be assured of a turd from xyz country.. If you buy a certain level of guitar, you most likely will get a decent product. Meaning there are still major cost cutting measures to make cheap guitars . Its a good time for guitar players. You can get alot of guitar for low dollars these days. Then, of course you have certain ones that are mediocre guitars for crazy money, but we wont go there.
 
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Re: How are the newer MIJ Jackson Soloists?

I have 3 of these MII or MIC Jacksons from the X series (a King V, Kelly and RR24XT) and they're all excellent. I've had LOADS of MIJ Jacksons over the years and their lack of neck binding really irritated me. I've sold them all now, apart from the SL3 which was my number 1 for years but even that is now up for sale since I got a PC-1. Oh, and the JDR-94 which I doubt I'll ever sell as it's such a great little cheapo!

Look for a used X series Soloist, you won't regret it.
 
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