Jackson: Soloist SLX

Just a brief appraisal of this Jackson SLX I came across at Swee Lee days ago. This is one of the newer models in store, a zebra wood finish Soloist with Duncan Designed humbuckers & the (dreaded) Floyd Rose Special bridge. The overall tone of this instrument is geared towards distortion & it did not disappoint; the DD pickups did their job well. Not too keen with the clean tones though but there are other Jacksons in store to see that through. That zebra wood top is a laminated piece (basswood body) but we can't deny the more appealing aesthetics with it in place. The firm winner here is the SLX's neck. It's that shred neck profile but not too thin (nothing Ibanez Super Wizard) but definitely more inviting (& more comfortable, dare I say) than the Ibanez Standard RG necks. 

PS: Thank you Meng, for the invite 👍

Rating: 7/10

Availability: Swee Lee

List: $929

Squier: Hot Rails Strat

At the close of 2010, my final guitar purchase was Squier's Deluxe Hot Rails Strat. It's nothing fancy despite what the name suggested; a basswood body, 22-fretted guitar but...

...equipped with a trio of Duncan Designed HR-101 humbuckers. Yes, these are indeed the budget reproduction of Seymour Duncan's Hot Rails pickups but they aren't to be marginalized just because they are of Eastern origins. If you like saturated distortion, the HRs are superb for the job. I considered this guitar after reading the manufacturer's spec sheet; it actually sports a basswood body so I thought it'd be a perfect complement for the pickups (the HRs, should they replicate the original Duncan's pickup specs, would be a solid performer with a neutral body- nothing too inherently bright & massive) & given the right amp, it's a wonderful player indeed.