So many people whining. These guitars are sick. I am about to buy my second one. For comparison I also have a Caparison Horus and these stack up in terms of playability.
I agree, who cares if it doesn’t have stainless frets, all of a sudden that’s a big issue, lol, I ordered the Platinum Pearl one , can’t wait, I like the looks of them, they look clean and classy
And I'm looking forward to seeing these white SL3's becoming slightly yellow over time, like the original 80's guitars. That's hands down the classiest superstrat look and my favorite guitars from back then. //Kris
Sl3x dx in frostbite is my favourite I prefer the sound of the cheaper ones Maybe I’m Just cheap !! Lol Thanks guys !! Ps Guillaume.. dark horse getting his 80s on !
Thank you for the great demo guys. Being born in the 80', such "tests, comparisons, and honest feelings" about the guitars could have totally broke the myth of “if it's made in the USA, it must sound 10x better...while it's definitely not. After playing with almost every price range from Jackson during the years (except custom shop, may be one day who knows?), differences between affordable instruments and high-end productions ones cannot (or almost) be seen, felt without having the instrument in your own hands. And that's why store like Thomann are great because you have all the different price tags at your disposal. So at the end of the day, there is indeed no shame being totally satisfied with a mid-price instrument if the feel you have for it is perfect. But on the other hand, it's totally fine too to buy more expensive instrument cause there is always some place of improvement in terms of craftsmanship, playability, reliability, … People generally stop at the sound difference, but each time you want a slight improvement on your instrument, whatever it is, the price goes exponentially. That's the “sad” reality. By the way, very great playing guys!
If you don't have $2500 just lying around, the Pro Plus Series Soloist is a really, really nice alternative. A sweet combination of the Pro Series and the American. Like, it has the super convenient truss rod adjust wheel from the American Soloist, but also has those cool piranha inlays from the Pro. As well as stainless frets and a 5-piece maple/walnut neck. And the price is right there in the middle, too.
I've seen them in store, and they feel, and play really great. If I was buying it, I wouldn't care about tremolo, and probably buy it... It's pretty good.
Hello guys! Nice tones and killer guitars. Those Jackson’s are amazing, especially the green one. Maybe somewhere in the future I will afford a Jackson like this (it is my dream to own one). Cheers guys.🤘
A little heavy on the '80s references. I have an original '86 Jackson Soloist and I find it to be very versatile and capable of doing many genres of music beyond "'80's". My only criticism of the new guitars is the lack of neck binding on a guitar at this price point. The original ones had full neck & headstock binding, as do the much cheaper import models.
Kris, You guys could make strings attached to a stick and tuna can sound fantastic. Jackson sounds good stacked. No matter the color and they are made in the US of course. Awesome 👌
Great playing and enjoyed the video. Wondering if you’d do a comparison between Jackson Virtuoso and a Pro or Pro Plus DK/DKA guitars? Just wishful thinking 🙏
these have the Korean floyd rose 1000 series (1500 version), not the German/Schaller floyds. Quality is the same in my experience, but just for correction it needs to be said. for this price, i'd go with the MJ jacksons
True, sorry for the misinformation. The info sheet that we found when making the video (that was before the website with all the final specs went online) said that it's a "Floyd Rose". We figured, yeah well then it's the original but it isn't. That being said, I owned 2 guitars with 1000 series Floyds over the years and they were as stable as one can wish for. Even after many many wiggles and dive bombs. Cheers //Kris
I love the Gotoh 1996T on the MIJ series..I have purchased a few of them and I just mounted one on a Jackson guitar..stays in tune and made the guitar sound so much better.
@@rosskrause3926 The Gotoh 1996t is an excellent Style floyd bridge...Some prefer it over the German original floyd. The MJ Jacksons are serious instruments that i would prefer over the current Jackson USA SL3.
Quality is not the same...You need to see both up close..I own a guitar with a 1000 floyd and guitars with German ones.. Fit and finish not the same at all... the MJ Jacksons are killer guitars btw that are equipped with the Gotoh 1996t floyd style bridge.
I own one. I have had it for over a month and been playing guitar for over 35 years. The hate these are receiving is total garbage. Yeah other models have an original floyd. They also have bolt on necks and dont play as well. The frets on this guitar are the most perfect I have ever seen. They are a work of art. This guitar also plays better than many of the other guitars I've been pushing forever like MIJ Jacskons and Charvels. I got mine new for $1800 from Guitar Center. Was still in the factory packaging and was never even on the shelf.
Outrageous Colors, outrageous pricing. Anyone who pays 2400 for a generic Superstrat without a proper floyd rose in todays market has lost the plot. With that being said, i still hope they´ll release Rhoads USA Standards in classic colors.
Yep, a whole lot of suckers in this thread. At least they give you stainless steel bridge lock and string lock screws for your cheap Korean Floyd 1500 🤦♂️😅
They do not have the original Floyd! It's the Korean made 1500 series! I can't get behind the fact that they don't use the original Floyd on the American series while the current Jackson MIJ concept series, which is a bit less expensive, has the original Floyd.
Yes, sorry for the false info. On the pre-release info sheet we only found "Floyd Rose". That's a surprising decision indeed. That being said, these were as stable as the original Floyd and I only had great experience with 1000 series Floyds in the past. Cheers //Kris
It's unacceptable, their imports for HALF the price have binding and an OG Floyd. All they are missing is the MOP logo. It's unbelievable how expensive these bare-bones, garbage parts-casters are nowhere near worth the asking price. I'm guessing the 40th Anniversary SL1 is going to be $10,000.
@@FortessofShred I agree that an OG Floyd should have been used but I don’t think you can call a neck-thru guitar a partscaster, it doesn’t make any sense.
This is because "Bean Counters" not a guitarist spec-out the guitar. Same goes with the neck-binding and stainless steel fretts. All a Corporate Move for Maximum Profits over form and function. You must only look at it as we are lucky they made enough to do it, or they wouldn't have. Just Saying 😎
For a more interesting comparison, why not swap the pickups around? I think you'd find the SL3X would then have more clarity. I have never seen a music shop do this and I can only think it's because they're afraid the cheaper guitar will sound better.
I was quite excited about these when they came out, but for this price is huuuge downgrade for USA guitar to use non original Floyd Rose, this was pure rip off and there is no chance to go with these anymore, even the colours are awesome, is buch better to stick with Charvel and Jackson USA, or even some ESP in this price range where you get a real deal German Floyd Rose.. :) Anyway, great video guys as always!! :)
Just a thought! Can you guys pull the same sounds out of the Fusion series Harley Benton guitars? My 40 year old Fender still rocks, however since I own a HB, I am really curious. You gentlemen sound great.
I would say yes, you can pull off the same sounds with an HB if you use the same pickups, but you won't get the same build quality. Is the marginal build quality difference really worth $2000+ more than a Fusion FR is the question. They both essentially have the same tremolo,(1000 vs 1500) that i would replace for a Gotoh1996T anyway. The HB FR has available locking tuners, spoke heel adjustment, maple or roasted maple neck with stainless steel frets.instead of 3 piece maple with Ni/Ag. frets on the Jackson. They're not as far apart as one would think after playing both a USA Jackson and a Harley Benton Fusion-III FR with upgraded pickups and the 1996T tremolo.
How can I play South of Heaven, Seasons In the Abyss, Rust In Peace, Countdown to Extinction, Master of Puppets, AFJA albums with these this kind colored guitars ?
Would like to know how these SL3s would stack Against the JP Jackson series (japanese Jackson) that are equipped with the excellent Gotoh 1996t bridge. A comparison video in the making Thomann?
I buy American made interments because I actually care about American workers and want to keep both these jobs, businesses, and most importantly guitars made in the USA where they belong, not China!
Thanks to Kris' guitar tech tips, no one has to pay premium pricing for the upgraded guitars just for better fret work. We can just polish our own frets and dress the fret ends ourselves. So we only have to buy the premium guitars to get better woods, finishes and components. For the premium price (or maybe another $75-$100) Jackson is charging for the new American guitar, it should have the real Floyd Rose on it, not a licensed one. Great video guys! 🤘
Exactly dude. The Charvel USA selects at the same price have an original Floyd Rose. The fact that Jackson chose to put a Korean Floyd on this at this price is BS.
If you're into the Metallica vibe this might be a really cool guitar in your budget: www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_ex_84_modern_emg_bk.htm Cheers //Kris
IMHO, the USA guitar sounds way better, more clarity and less harsh when compared side-by-side In fact, the difference in sound was so dramatic that I think I would be able to spot the difference without the side-by-side format
I have a SL2Q HH in Translucent Blue with the 1000 Floyd on it and payed $1000 4 years ago for it..Made in Indonesia...and I play it more than my 06'-08' USA HSS Soloist in Black. I have only changed the bridge pickup to a SD Black Winter and installed stainless steel saddles and on it..plays and sounds amazing..before I switched the saddles I had no complaints I was just bored I guess...Like others have said here for the money the new American series line should have the German OFR on it..I do like the Gotoh Magnum locking tuners on them so..
No binding? The inlays are upside down. I started playing Jacksons in 1987. Never seen a neck thru sans binding. Had a Dinky without. Don't like it. American Made and Custom Shop is a rip off.
I'm afraid the time of 1500-1600 dollar US guitars is pretty much over. I mean look at the American Professional Strat, etc. Same as gas, power and all other prices, guitars are also more pricey than let's say 6-7 years ago. One thing is sure, you can definitely tell why the American SL3's cost more than the more affordable SL3X. They feel SO MUCH better to play. Cheers //Kris
Sorry about the false info on the bridge. Our only pre-release information on it was that it's a "Floyd Rose". Full stop. And since it's clearly not a 1000 series nor a Special, we were sure it's an original one. Then again, it's insanely stable and has the same materials as the original Floyd, so this is more of an emotional "issue" than a practical one. Cheers //Kris
I don’t really give a fk where a guitar is made. The only country that has stellar precision is Japan. I’ve bought Mexican guitars that sound better than American strats. Chinese Ibanez that sound better than a Japanese Ibanez. Basically, it’s about the quality of the parts and the workmanship of the individual instrument. Although the SL3 looks great but no original Floyd rose is ridiculous.
I think they should have used a German-made Floyd at this price but the 1500 series is not trash at all. Also, not everyone likes SS frets so that’s not really a problem for all players. Some of the most expensive guitars today still come with nickel silver frets.
I'm sorry to hear that this seems to be your experience. It's the opposite actually according to service statistics (which also reflects my personal experience). I rarely see any production, construction or QC issues on American made production guitars. Also a HUGE benefit is that if you want to swap any parts or mod anything on them (pickguard, bridge, tuners, pots) you will find fitting replacement parts. That is much trickier already on Mexican Fender instruments and get's sometimes even more so on Asian made "metric instruments" (a lot of replacement parts have imperial measurements and won't fit these). Long story short, a US made guitar is a long term investment and holds its value much better too. If you're not interested in these, you of course don't have to get one of them since affordable guitars are super nice nowadays too. //Kris
@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses i bought two usa gus g san dimas custom shop and they both came with the same defects. Crappy nut and finish issues. I also bought the jeff loomis kelly and had tons of fretbuzz. The hard cases for the gus g stars do not properly accommodate the neck of the guitar. Its all crooked. Thats typycal for all cases. The san dimas gus g has the tilt back headstock and the tip of the headstock rests on the case before the neck even rests on the neck pocket of the case. I could go on forever. Chinese pro seres? Cmon.
@@AlanElias350 I find crappy nuts on guitars in all price ranges these days - nobody seems to know how to cut the slots properly anymore. Having said that, these have locking nuts so it’s obviously a non-issue.
Geologically speaking you're absolutely right of course. Still, if someone says America, pretty much everyone thinks of the USA. If you say North, Middle or South America, that's a very different story. Also, these guitars are literally called the American Series Soloist SL3. So it would be weird to call them anything else, right? 😅 Cheers //Kris
For that price they're trash. And I've already heard horror stories of improperly installed trem posts destroying the knife edges of their Fischer-Price "Floyd Rose".
