Jackson American SRS SL2MG SB

Jackson American SRS SL2MG SB review

The Jackson American SRS SL2MG SB is a black, satin-finish electric guitar built around a neck-through-body design, a pair of EMG humbuckers, and Floyd Rose double-locking hardware. Its listed price is 2,139. That places it firmly in a higher-cost bracket, so the details that matter are how it is built, what the specification offers, and whether the reported playing experience supports the investment.

The available owner feedback is strongly positive. The player says they had generally considered guitars priced above 1,300 not worth the money, then changed their view after buying this model. They describe the build quality and setup as excellent and say the guitar plays exceptionally well. That is one player's account, not a guarantee that every instrument will arrive with the same setup or suit every guitarist, but it gives a useful impression of the experience behind the specification.

Construction and neck feel

The body is alder, with no separate top. A three-piece maple neck runs through the body, a construction choice that gives the guitar a continuous neck-and-body core. The fingerboard is ebony, fitted with pearloid sharkfin inlays. The owner specifically notes that the fingerboard looks darker in person than in photographs, which they preferred. The finish is listed as black satin, with black hardware.

The neck has a compound fingerboard radius that changes from 305 mm to 406 mm, or 12 to 16 inches. The listed scale length is 648 mm, equivalent to 25.5 inches, and the nut measures 42.9 mm wide. These measurements describe a long-scale layout with a radius that becomes flatter farther up the neck. The guitar has 24 jumbo stainless steel frets. Stainless steel is part of the supplied specification; no claim about fret life or maintenance is needed to understand what is fitted.

The reviewer reports that the setup was right on arrival and that playing the instrument felt immediately satisfying. They compare it with guitars they own from China, Indonesia, and Korea, at prices from 200 to 1,300, and say the Jackson feels like a substantial step up. Their description is personal and subjective, but it is more informative than a bare claim about premium construction: they specifically praise the finish, fretboard appearance, setup, and overall feel.

Pickups and controls

Jackson fits an EMG 81 humbucker at the bridge and an EMG 85 humbucker at the neck. The controls comprise one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way pickup selector. This is a direct, familiar layout, with separate bridge and neck pickups and a selector for choosing between them or combining them. The supplied details do not specify coil-splitting or additional switching options, so buyers should not assume those features are present.

The guitar ships with nickel-plated steel strings in a.009 to.042 gauge. That is the original string set listed for the instrument, rather than a promise about the strings a particular shop may install during setup. The owner's report of a good setup is encouraging, especially for a buyer who wants to play the guitar soon after unboxing, though individual setup preferences can differ.

Floyd Rose hardware and included case

A Floyd Rose 1500 Series double-locking tremolo is paired with a Floyd Rose 1500 Series locking nut. Gotoh sealed die-cast tuning machines are also specified. Together, these components define the guitar's locking tremolo setup. The available product information does not describe its range of adjustment or maintenance requirements, so those are worth discussing with a dealer if this would be your first guitar with this type of bridge.

A Jackson Foam Core case is included. The listing also confirms a case, while indicating that a bag is not included. That distinction matters when planning transport: the supplied protection is the case, not a separate gig bag. The product has been available since March 2024, and its item number is 584167.

Verdict

The American SRS SL2MG SB combines a neck-through maple construction, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, EMG 81 and 85 humbuckers, and Floyd Rose locking hardware in a restrained black satin finish. Its specification is clearly aimed at players who want a 24-fret instrument with a long-scale layout and a double-locking tremolo. The owner feedback adds a convincing account of strong build quality and a particularly enjoyable feel, while remaining a single player's experience rather than independent testing of multiple examples.

At 2,139, this is a considered purchase, not an entry-level guitar. The supplied review does not identify a specific drawback, but buyers should still try the neck, check the tremolo setup, and decide whether the controls and bridge suit their playing. For the player who wants these components and values the reported fit and finish, the Jackson American SRS SL2MG SB makes a strong case for its price.