Jackson Pro Chris Broderick SL7 FR FM

Overview: Signature Model for the Modern Soloist Player

The Jackson Pro Chris Broderick SL7 FR FM is designed as a signature seven-string electric guitar for Chris Broderick, known for his work with In Flames. This model, released in late 2025, delivers a range of modern metal and progressive features. Its price point of $1333 places it squarely in the upper mid-range category, reflecting its combination of premium woods, hardware, and electronics.

Materials and Build Quality

• Body: The body is constructed from mahogany, a tonewood prized for its warm midrange and solid low end, making it a staple for heavier genres and offering strong sustain.
• Top: The guitar features a flamed maple veneer, providing a striking visual highlight under the transparent black finish without altering the fundamental tonal characteristics of the mahogany underneath.
• Neck & Joint: The maple neck is set into the body, which typically offers greater sustain and a smoother heel for upper fret access, compared to bolt-on designs.
• Fingerboard: Ebony is used for the fingerboard, giving a slick and smooth playing surface with crisp attack and durability. Black binding adds a premium visual touch while protecting the fret edges.
• Fretwork: The guitar is equipped with 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, which are highly resistant to wear and provide effortless string bending and articulation even after years of heavy use.

Neck Dimensions and Playability

• Fretboard Radius: 305 mm (12 inches). This is a relatively flat radius, facilitating fast runs and low action, ideal for technical playing styles.
• Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5 inches). Standard for modern seven-string guitars, this length ensures crisp string tension, especially for the low B string, without becoming unwieldy for intricate solos.
• Nut Width: At 47.6 mm (1.87 inches), the nut allows generous string spacing, which is essential for complex fingerings and clean playing on a seven-string instrument.

Electronics: Voice and Versatility

• Pickup Configuration: A pair of DiMarzio Chris Broderick CB7 humbuckers (neck and bridge) are installed. These custom-wound passive pickups are designed to match the requirements of modern metal, with high output for aggressive tones but enough clarity to articulate complex chord voicings in both clean and distorted settings.
• Controls: The layout includes volume and tone knobs, a kill switch for instant signal muting (useful for stutter and rhythmic effects), and a three-way toggle to select between neck, bridge, or both pickups for tonal flexibility.

Hardware: Precision and Stability

• Tremolo System: The Gotoh GE1996T-7 double-locking system is a Japanese-engineered answer to classic locking tremolos. It provides not only rock-solid tuning stability, critical for players who use dive bombs and extreme vibrato, but is also known for smooth operation and durability over extended use.
• Machine Heads: Sealed Jackson die-cast tuners add another layer of stability and precision, important when tuning seven strings.
• Bridge and Nut: Both are part of the Gotoh double-locking system, so the strings are locked at each end to minimize slippage from heavy tremolo use.
• Strings: The guitar is shipped with nickel-plated steel strings in gauges from.010 to.054, balanced for tension and clarity across the scale length.

Finish and Aesthetic Details

• Color: The transparent black finish highlights the flamed maple veneer, lending the instrument a high-end, professional look tailored for stage or studio.
• Hardware Color: Black hardware throughout ensures visual cohesion and resists overshadowing the wood's natural glow.
• Inclusions: The instrument arrives with a hard case, reflecting its premium status and simplifying safe transportation for gigging or studio work. No gig bag is included.

Use Case and Target Player

The Jackson Pro Chris Broderick SL7 FR FM is purpose-built for musicians seeking a precise, versatile seven-string tailored to progressive metal, technical rock, and other high-demand playing styles. The hardware supports aggressive techniques and alternate tunings, while the electronics accommodate both brutal distortion and articulate cleans. The set maple neck and ebony fingerboard are designed for clean fretwork and rapid movement, crucial for solos and complex chording alike.

Jackson's choice of a double-locking tremolo and stainless steel fretwork shows a clear focus on longevity and resilience under heavy use. With the inclusion of dedicated controls, including a kill switch and a three-way toggle, the guitar encourages creative sonic possibilities on stage and in the studio.

Conclusion: Focused Technical Performer

The Jackson Pro Chris Broderick SL7 FR FM stands out for its full-spectrum specifications. Premium materials, a tailored pickup system, stable double-locking tremolo, and artist-specific features form a cohesive package aimed at advanced players who demand adaptability, reliability, and a modern edge in a seven-string platform. At $1333 and produced in Korea, this model provides a notable set of technical appointments for serious performing guitarists.