Jackson Soloist SLX DX Red Crystal

Jackson Soloist SLX DX Red Crystal review

The Jackson Soloist SLX DX Red Crystal is a 24-fret electric guitar built around a poplar body, a maple neck, and a pair of Duncan Designed humbuckers. Its defining hardware feature is a recessed Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo. Jackson lists the model at a price of 722, though no currency is specified in the product information. It has been available since March 2022.

Owner feedback points to strong workmanship, a comfortable playing feel, and pickups with plenty of output. The main caveats concern the tremolo setup and expectations for the finish color. Those details matter for a guitar aimed at players who want a fast neck and pitch effects, and they should be weighed alongside its straightforward control layout.

Neck and playing feel

The maple neck is finished in a gloss color matched to the body and joins a laurel fingerboard with pearloid sharkfin inlays. The fingerboard has a compound radius that transitions from 12 inches to 16 inches, with 24 jumbo frets. Jackson specifies a 42.86 mm nut width and a 648 mm scale length.

One owner describes the neck as a thin speed profile that feels especially comfortable in the hand. That account also praises the string action and describes the guitar as quick to play. The supplied specifications do not give a neck profile designation, so the playing impression is more useful than assigning it a label that Jackson has not listed here.

The 24-fret layout offers a broad playing range, while the compound radius is designed to provide a more curved feel near the nut and a flatter surface farther up the neck. Players who prefer a substantial neck may find the reported slim feel less suitable. Those who favor a quick, low-effort grip are more likely to appreciate it.

Pickups and controls

The two humbuckers are Duncan Designed HB-103B at the bridge and HB-103N at the neck. A three-way blade switch selects the pickup configuration, with separate volume and tone controls. The control set is uncomplicated, making pickup changes direct while playing without adding extra switching or onboard effects.

Feedback describes the pickups as good and high-output, with owners also praising the guitar's sound overall. That suggests a strong starting point for players who want a firm, assertive signal, although the available reports do not provide detailed comparisons across amplifiers or playing styles. The actual result will depend on the rest of the signal chain and how the guitar is set up.

Floyd Rose Special and setup

The recessed Floyd Rose Special is a double-locking tremolo with Floyd Rose Special locking saddles. Jackson also fits sealed die-cast tuning machines and black hardware. One owner found the tremolo useful and satisfactory, while another regarded it as the guitar's weakest point. The different impressions underline an important practical issue: a floating locking tremolo can be demanding to adjust, especially for someone unfamiliar with balancing string tension and spring tension.

An owner recommends having the guitar set up by a guitar technician, or adjusting it at home only if you know how to work with this type of tremolo. That is sensible advice for buyers who have not previously set up a double-locking system. The supplied string gauges are.009 to.042, but a change in gauge can affect the tremolo balance and may call for further adjustment.

Finish, build, and included items

The Red Crystal finish gives the guitar its most distinctive visual feature. An owner describes the metallic red appearance as striking, while another expected a brighter shade. Color perception is subjective, and the feedback does not point to a build problem. The body has no listed top, and the pointed Jackson six-in-line headstock completes the model's angular look.

Owners generally report good construction and hardware that works properly. The guitar is sold as a single piece, and neither a bag nor a case is included. Buyers should factor that into their budget if they need protection for transport or storage.

Verdict

The Jackson Soloist SLX DX Red Crystal makes a convincing case for players seeking a slim-feeling neck, 24 jumbo frets, high-output humbuckers, and a locking tremolo at a listed price of 722. Reports praise its workmanship, action, sound, and comfortable neck. The main reservation is the Floyd Rose setup, which may be less welcoming to players without experience maintaining a floating tremolo. The finish may also look less vivid in person than some buyers expect. For an intermediate player comfortable with tremolo setup, the package offers a focused, fast-playing design with useful hardware and a distinctive red finish.