For a more detailed analysis and my full thoughts on this guitar, check out the comprehensive review here.

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The Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SLA3W Walnut showcases Jackson’s commitment to high-performance guitars, blending sleek design, versatile tones, and quality craftsmanship for modern players.

Design and Build Quality

This guitar features a neck-through-body construction, enhancing sustain and stability—ideal for precision and reliability. The Okoume body, finished with a protective gloss, delivers warm tones with midrange emphasis. The three-piece Maple and Walnut neck, with a smooth ebony fretboard and polished jumbo stainless steel frets, offers strength and a fast playing surface. Its compound radius neck, from 12 to 16 inches, is perfect for both chords and solos, with a satin finish for added comfort.

Hardware and Electronics

The SLA3W comes equipped with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo, ensuring stable tuning even during extreme dive bombs and pitch shifts. Its Jackson-branded sealed die-cast tuners offer reliable and smooth operation. The guitar’s electronics feature a versatile HSS configuration, with a high-output Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 humbucker at the bridge for tight, aggressive tones, and Seymour Duncan Flat Strat SSL-6 single-coils at the middle and neck for bright, clear sounds across various genres.

The 5-way pickup selector enhances tonal versatility, allowing seamless blending of pickups for diverse soundscapes. Combined with a single volume and tone knob, the SLA3W delivers straightforward control over a broad range of styles, from metal and rock to jazz and funk, making it a highly adaptable instrument.

Playability

The Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SLA3W Walnut is built for speed and precision. The neck-through-body design, combined with the compound radius fretboard, allows for easy access to the higher frets, making it ideal for soloing. The jumbo stainless steel frets ensure that notes ring out clearly, even when bending or applying vibrato.

The sculpted heel design further enhances upper fret access, allowing players to reach the 24th fret with ease—a feature that’s particularly valuable for those who play intricate solos.

Build Quality and Finish

The SLA3W Walnut is a meticulously crafted instrument, showcasing exquisite attention to detail in every facet of its design. The Okoume body, finished in a luxurious chocolate hue, is beautifully complemented by gold hardware. Elegant six-layer body binding and single-layer neck binding enhance its visual appeal, making this guitar not only stunning to look at but also rich in tone and versatility.

Stainless steel frets are a notable upgrade from the more commonly used nickel-silver frets, offering increased durability and a smoother playing experience. The ebony fretboard not only looks luxurious but also provides a fast, responsive surface that’s perfect for high-speed playing.

Price and Value

Priced at $1700 USD, the Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SLA3W Walnut sits in the higher mid-range market, offering great value with its high-quality materials, hardware, and Seymour Duncan pickups. Although it’s made in China, the craftsmanship and quality control are impressive, making it a solid investment for serious players despite the origin.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The Seymour Duncan pickups: Featuring a TB-6 humbucker paired with two Flat Strat SSL-6 single-coils, this setup provides a versatile and rich tonal palette, suitable for various genres.
• High-Quality Craftsmanship: The neck-through-body design, stainless steel frets, and ebony fretboard contribute to the guitar’s premium feel and playability.
• Elegant Design: The rich Okoume body finish, gold hardware, and binding details make this guitar visually stunning.
• Excellent Playability: The compound radius neck, jumbo frets, and sculpted heel enhance comfort and accessibility, especially for soloing.

Cons:

• Made in China: The guitar’s country of manufacture may be a downside for some buyers, despite its high build quality.
• High Price Point: At $1,700, the SLA3W Walnut is an investment, and its cost might be prohibitive for some players.

Conclusion

The Jackson Pro Plus Series Soloist SLA3W Walnut delivers impressive performance and aesthetics with its versatile HSS pickup configuration and excellent craftsmanship. While its $1,700 price and Chinese origin may raise concerns, the guitar’s quality and versatility make it a strong contender. For those willing to invest, it offers a well-made, comfortable, and visually striking instrument, perfect for serious players who seek excellence without the higher cost of a USA-made guitar.