Which Jackson pro series should I get?

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Which Jackson would you choose?

  • Jackson sls3 (super light soloist)

    Votes: 7 63.6%
  • Jackson Dominion

    Votes: 4 36.4%

  • Total voters
    11

Paw

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Jun 22, 2008
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Hi guys! I'm currently on the lookout for a good hardtail guitar to do a good variety of styles..everything from blues and jazz to Dream Theater and Metallica. I mostly play heavy, but go softer once in a while, and I understand that the guitar can't be the perfect guitar for every style.

I want a mahogany-bodied guitar as I feel they have a better bottom end than the alder ones. I have a variety of guitars (Gibson, Jackson, Ibanez, Fender) and my mahogany USA Soloist is probably the best sounding one in the herd, while my alder USA Kelly is probably the best playing one. I would love to have a good hardtailed one for easy change of tunings and easy maintenance that I could rock out a bit more with without worrying about making dings in the guitar (the USA ones are just too beautiful imo).

I've looked at the Japanese pro series, and it looks like the sls3 would be right down my alley for the specs, but lately the Mark Morton Dominion has also been a bit intriguing, and has even more possibilities, like coil split and a chambered body with a quilted maple top.. The sls3 is about $1150, while the Dominion is about $1400, new. Both have the Seymour Duncan '59/'59 combo. I've never tried the '59 in the bridge and I wonder how it sounds.

I want you guys to vote for the guitar you'd choose if you were to get one of these guitars, and explain why you chose this guitar over the other (you may take appearance in consideration if you want to). If someone has tried one or both of them, your opinions and experience would be greatly appreciated. If you want to suggest other guitars, go ahead, but I'd still want you to vote for one of my chosen guitars from your own preferences, and tell me why you chose that one.

..and I usually play through a Mark IV:)

Thanks guys!
 
The '59 in the bridge sounds awesome in mahogany guitars (and alder, just brighter. More rounder and darker in mahogany) The JB-4 and TB-4 pickups are choice for almost everything Duncan related in the bridge, the 59 is too dark. The Mark IV is going to be the best amp for your playing though, bar-none.

Guitar wise, the Soloist is a fantastic choice! Im a King-V guy myself, but I like the stage presence it brings (alot of dudes will argue "its hard to play sitting down, but the upper fret access IS different). My professional opinion, as someone who has worked music retail for over 6 years, sold MANY MANY Jackson guitars out of the custom shop, and owned many is the soloist. The Japanese pro-series are also spectacularly made guitars as well if the Kelly series doesnt fit you as well (and are willing to dish out the extra $300+ for all the trimmings).

To me, there are better options than the Dominion. I own a PRS Paul Allender and it is a SWEET artist guitar for half that price.
 
Finally some feedback! Greatly appreciated..

About the 59 sounding dark, I like dark :twisted: As the sls3 has a carved body, it will be a bit brighter sounding than a regular soloist, so the 59 might be just right for that guitar.

I've never tried a king v, but all select series are top notch quality from my point of view. I've also been looking at PRS' from time to another, but have never wanted to dish out for one :lol: Guess if I first were to spend that much I'd get a Suhr pro series s3 or s4..maybe. Anyway, the Japanese pro series seems like a really good alternative to the more expensive select series (which, by the way, doesn't come with the right specs).

This video shows the sls3 in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hAZ4IJTkGg
 
My vote goes to the SLS-3. While I have never played one, I do have the SL-3 (regular soloist shape, alder w/ maple top, H-S-S, floyd) and the build quality and playability are top-notch especially at the price. I also have a USA-made SLS (carved maple top on mahogany, '59 neck/pearly gates bridge, hardtail, 24.75" scale) and it is a thing of absolute beauty. Looks, playability, and tone...easily my #1. If the MIJ is even close, at a third the price its the bargain of the century.
 
All in all, its up to you brother! My words of wisdom; go to your (biggest; or favorite) Jackson dealer, find the best tube amp you can, and lay down the law. The big difference between the '59 and say a JB in the bridge is the '59 is gonna sound meatier/hunkier in the 250hz-1000hz range, versus the more "scooped" sound you get that you're used to hearing out of every Duncan equipped Jackson. Imagine the tone of a 500T bridge equipped Gibson versus a 490R. Its that kind of a difference. Same bass and treble, just more lower midrange hump. Cleans will be almost identical, nice and full. Pretty much a preference thing.

The carved top is definitely a sweet plus, not to mention the bound neck and the 3+3 headstock looks super cool. The string-thru body would give it more sustain too if you know you are ready to give up the tremolo...

As for my PRS preference, the Paul Allender has dropped in price (like $599 @ GC.com). Its Korean made (shame shame, I know) but DANG its a sweet metal axe!!! Its my personal weapon of choice when paired with my Mesa...Its got something to do with both the maple top and the special "Paul Allender" pickups just on that model voiced for metal...they rock...God made them for Mesa...and me...lol

Hope this helps!
 
Cool! I'll have to check out the Paul Allender PRS, although I'm biased towards American and Japanese models. It's a bit stupid actually, I'm sure other countries makes good instruments as well, although I would never buy a Floyd-equipped guitar from any of them (I don't think anyone can make a good, reliable floyd without top notch parts). As for hard-tailed guitars I think they can offer some really good instruments for a nice price.
 
Wow what a good question. Id personally would go for the Dominion. It might not be a straight up lead machine. But, it is FAR more versitile then the SLS3. If you dont just play metal, its good for everything from clean runs, to fingerpicking. BUT, it plays a wicked metal. Seymour Duncan 59's, Neck thru, and two graphite rods in the neck for added stability, if you use huge strings. And, it's weight relived, so you get a better acoustic tone, and is as light as the SLS3.
 
Thanks for all input! Finally got the sls3 with the crazy green swirl finish, just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

Thanks again! 8)
 
I've heard alot of good things about the Dominion, specifically its versatility.
 
Sweet. The white/black humbuckers make that model stand out like a champ too. Post some pics when you get it! So far, the Eerie Dess Swirl is my fav Jackson finish (other than natural...)
 

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