Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?




I opened up the control cavity and low and behold...there's a 9V Battery...but there's no switch on the top so it's active/mid-boosted at all times? Certainly explains the "beefy" tone.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Thx to a few Jackson/Chavel Owners at the KF for sorting it out for me...until late last night I did not know it was active. So in essence the Active Mid-Boost is always ON and the Controls are Volume/Tone/Mid-Boost Level. I'll look forward to installing a new 9V and fiddling with the Controls properly tonight.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

80's Jackson USA Soloists in standard colors will probably prove to be the most collectible Jackson's, not negating graphic ones or imported ones as players though.

When I worked at GC Lawndale, Ca. in the late 80's, I sold bunch of Jacksons. There's some in my mind that were such gems, I'd love to have them, although I'm not a big Jackson player. But they were great guitars.....and many were ones I special ordered from Jackson.

This is what I thought when I read the original post question.. I didnt work with them like this, but being a guitar fan back in that era, it was my impression that the mid to late 80's Jacksons were pretty much THE ultimate guitar.. That seems to be getting confirmed in that there are alot of special runs being done (Music zoo and others carry) that are being made to emulate that era..

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

If I had known that Jacksons and Charvels with 80's graphics would someday be sought after again, I would have been buying them furiously out of the LA Craigslist and Recycler back in the 90's. People were practically giving them away to buy traditional looking guitars. I'm talking about $2000 custom Jacksons for $350, just because nobody wanted to be seen with one.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

I didn't think Cool Custom Graphic Paint EVER went out of style...course I was around in the Eightie's and a teen/20 Something so all those crazy graphics and neon colors were the top of the line at their time and MTV actually showcased Music Videos by the bands that were rockin' them...all before they became RTV (Reality Televison).

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

amazingly cool guitar, man. I've got an 1989 soloist if I recall correctly, in the lightning bolt-graphic. Plays fine. sounds huge. Got better guitars, though, but I couldn't pass this one up. I remember having a huge crush on Jacksons when I started playing and this one just fit the bill. It's an exact version of Alexander Kuoppala, who played in Children of Bodom in their early days, when they were still super-underground and no one ever heard of them Strange, how nostalgia can hit you in the face, sometimes.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

amazingly cool guitar, man. I've got an 1989 soloist if I recall correctly, in the lightning bolt-graphic. Plays fine. sounds huge. Got better guitars, though, but I couldn't pass this one up. I remember having a huge crush on Jacksons when I started playing and this one just fit the bill. It's an exact version of Alexander Kuoppala, who played in Children of Bodom in their early days, when they were still super-underground and no one ever heard of them Strange, how nostalgia can hit you in the face, sometimes.

Thanks! It was too good to pass up. Would love to see pics of your Lightning Sky; one of my favorite graphics; had a Dan Lawrence Lightning Sky B.C. Rich Warlock myself. You pegged it with playing nicely and sounding huge...the Active Mid-Boost is a real tone monster. Had an '86 Kramer Stagemaster (ESP Japan) in DayGlo Pink that was a great guitar and my only other neck-thru...it sounded great but was in no way as substantial as this one or of the same build quality. The Jax is definitely a time period piece and a fine example of the era.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Awesome guitars! I've loved every soloists I've ever owned! I think this white/tan crackles look awesome, the darker ones kinda loon cheesy personally; however, I'd try my best not to pass one up if it came available!

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Awesome guitars! I've loved every soloists I've ever owned! I'd try my best not to pass one up if it came available!

That was the predominant response from just about everyone I inquired of when I was considering the purchase of the GITD. I agree after having the experience with this one. :usa1:

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Awesome! Still looking around for a nice crackle myself.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

After much debate...I dropped the Jax off to have the Trem Arm Assembly changed to a Floyd Rose Replacement Screw In Bar rather then the Collared Variety and to have the Bridge Pickup swapped out for a Pre-2004 Seymour Duncan Custom Shop "Evenly Voiced Harmonics" Trembucker. Will retain the orignal parts and while the Bridge Pickup sounded great...it was not a Trembucker and both the low and high "E" were a bit lost...particularly the low E.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

After much debate...I dropped the Jax off to have the Trem Arm Assembly changed to a Floyd Rose Replacement Screw In Bar rather then the Collared Variety and to have the Bridge Pickup swapped out for a Pre-2004 Seymour Duncan Custom Shop "Evenly Voiced Harmonics" Trembucker. Will retain the orignal parts and while the Bridge Pickup sounded great...it was not a Trembucker and both the low and high "E" were a bit lost...particularly the low E.

I think you made the right decision (and you can keep the original parts in case you ever decide to switch back.) I prefer the tremolo bars that screw in--I prefer the tremolo arm stay in one spot rather than "fall down" after I let go. And I think you'll be eased with the pickup change too.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

I think you made the right decision (and you can keep the original parts in case you ever decide to switch back.) I prefer the tremolo bars that screw in--I prefer the tremolo arm stay in one spot rather than "fall down" after I let go. And I think you'll be eased with the pickup change too.

Thanks. I did some research on the Jax Mid-Boost and had picked up the SD CS EVH and a SD CS Lynch SUPER V and listened to clips on SD and youtube and figured the EVH would be a good choice for the Jax. And you pegged it on the change of the arm...I simply like the fixed position of the arm w/the Screw In and truly like the "feel" much better over the collared version. Not sure why they ever changed to the collared, although I'm sure some love that version over the screw in. Different strokes. Def retaining the original parts.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Thanks. I did some research on the Jax Mid-Boost and had picked up the SD CS EVH and a SD CS Lynch SUPER V and listened to clips on SD and youtube and figured the EVH would be a good choice for the Jax. And you pegged it on the change of the arm...I simply like the fixed position of the arm w/the Screw In and truly like the "feel" much better over the collared version. Not sure why they ever changed to the collared, although I'm sure some love that version over the screw in. Different strokes. Def retaining the original parts.

Keep us posted on how it turns out--I'm curious about the pickup change...

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

will do.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

If I had known that Jacksons and Charvels with 80's graphics would someday be sought after again, I would have been buying them furiously out of the LA Craigslist and Recycler back in the 90's. People were practically giving them away to buy traditional looking guitars. I'm talking about $2000 custom Jacksons for $350, just because nobody wanted to be seen with one.

This.

Bill

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

Every once in a while you "get lucky"...a Minty '86 Kramer Stagemaster Custom in Dayglo Pink w/OHSC, Kramer Case Candy and Original Purchase Receipt for $199.99 at a Pawn Shop and a super clean 1 of 25 Produced '89 Fender Custom Shop Charcoal Burst Floyded Strat for $749.99 at GC being my two best finds to date. While the Jax wasn't $350.00...I definitely snagged it at about a great value.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

That looks seriously great.

I'll have to pick one up myself when the time and the finances are right.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Thoughts on Late 80s Jackson Soloists?

That looks seriously great.

I'll have to pick one up myself when the time and the finances are right.

Thanks! Completely unplanned purchase and a very pleasant surprise post-purchase. Highly recommend if you run across one.