Help deciding Jackson Kelly Brandon Ellis sig or Solar V slime green?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Metalhex
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Metalhex

Metalhex

Well-known member
Jackson pros:
- Easier to play sitting down in the non-classical position
- looks like it has slightly better upper fret access at least on the bass side
- fret inlays look so much better than the owl
- being a sig model, it has no glaringly distinct/odd graphic

Solar pros:
- It's less expensive
- It's not a sig model (I have one of those irrational pet peeves about owning a sig model).
- has a neck pickup

Jackson cons:
- it is more epensive
- It's a sig model (yes, I know)
- no neck pickup

Solar cons:
- unfamiliar/uncertain about the pickups
- that stupid 12th fret inlay

I know this thread is pointless but it might help me decide in one way; maybe I'm forgetting something. Solar has SS frets.which I've never tried that I know of. Both are on preorder, perhaps the Solar will available sooner? But which one do you think I should get?
 
For me it’s a kelly over a V any day. I am just not a V player. Owned 5 thru the years. Kelly shape and playability to me is my choice.
 
Yeah, sounds like you may want to shop around unless you're dead set on those 2 brands. I've got a solar V, theyre pretty solid overall and the duncan solar pickups are decent. If you like to sit and play in the non-classical position a V might not be your thing though. If you need a neck pickup the Ellis sig might not work for you either.
 
dainbramage0 said:
Yeah, sounds like you may want to shop around unless you're dead set on those 2 brands. I've got a solar V, theyre pretty solid overall and the duncan solar pickups are decent. If you like to sit and play in the non-classical position a V might not be your thing though. If you need a neck pickup the Ellis sig might not work for you either.
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Don't let this a-hole lie to you. The duncan solar pickups are tits. I am pretty sure they are a straight rip of the SD 59/custom. They test to the same ohms and they sound exactly the same to my ears (I have had 4-5 pairs of the 59/custom). Also, neck pickups are just in the way
 
Seriously, though. If you look at the Kelly, the volume knob is in same position as the solar. This is the correct position. I bought a kiesel one time. I didn't think to tell them to put the volume knob in line with bridge. I hate palm muting with my pinky running into the volume. With the correct position of the volume in line with the bridge, you can rest your pinky on volume so that you can roll, but you never accidently hit it. Both have the reverse headstocks, which kick ass. If you use steel strings, definitely get SS frets. Dainbramage and me both bought solars when they first came out. I always use NYXL strings, but he used the steel string version (XYL?). I think he was having some fret wear. nickel on nickel is safe, but steel is obviously harder than nickel. I am with you on not wanting sig models, but sometimes that is a good way to find some features you can't anywhere else besides custom.
 
Have you ever played a Kelly? I've owned a couple of them and talked to many other people who have owned them. Neck dive is a major issue. This is because the body is incredibly small, so they don't balance properly. Also, if you're a person of larger proportions, they look silly because of how small they are. It's too bad Jackson won't go back to using the King Kelly body size. If you're smaller and manage to find one that doesn't neck dive, they're great.

Personally I prefer the V. I don't understand when people say they can't play a V sitting down. The lower point goes between your legs, the upper point over your right leg. Works for me. Plus, I like the slime green (dragon burst) finish way better. You're on the right track with any green colored guitar though. Green guitars sound 10% better than any other color. It's scientifically proven.

I'm probably biased.
GRpJzWQ.jpg
 
ZEEGLER said:
Have you ever played a Kelly? I've owned a couple of them and talked to many other people who have owned them. Neck dive is a major issue. This is because the body is incredibly small, so they don't balance properly. Also, if you're a person of larger proportions, they look silly because of how small they are. It's too bad Jackson won't go back to using the King Kelly body size. If you're smaller and manage to find one that doesn't neck dive, they're great.

Personally I prefer the V. I don't understand when people say they can't play a V sitting down. The lower point goes between your legs, the upper point over your right leg. Works for me. Plus, I like the slime green (dragon burst) finish way better. You're on the right track with any green colored guitar though. Green guitars sound 10% better than any other color. It's scientifically proven.

I'm probably biased.
GRpJzWQ.jpg
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Adrian smith vibes on that one for sure. Nice lado
 
Smashedguitarist said:
Don't let this a-hole lie to you. The duncan solar pickups are tits. I am pretty sure they are a straight rip of the SD 59/custom. They test to the same ohms and they sound exactly the same to my ears (I have had 4-5 pairs of the 59/custom). Also, neck pickups are just in the way
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And I've always head that the Solar Duncans are a copy of the Custom 5 cause that's what Ola used for a long time while creating the solar line.
 
The Duncan Solar pickups are indeed a Custom 5 and '59 wind, but crucially they have copper tape around the outside of each coil (like the Dimarzio Super Distortion/Gibson Dirty Fingers), which is a common feature of most of the pickups SD has come out with aimed at "modern", "progressive" players (Nazgul, Sentient, Pegasus, etc).
The copper tape dulls down the top end response significantly, so the Solar pickups are darker in tone than the standard Custom 5/'59.

FWIW I had a Solar guitar. The pickups were fine but I thought the workmanship was a bit shoddy. I returned the first one they sent because the neck-through join was very poor. The guitars are comfy and play nicely, just the details, especially in areas that are hidden (pickup routes, cavity etc) are lacking.
 
Ok I think I will try the Solar first then. I've been super lusting for a green, non strat shape guitar for a while now; and since I don't see any Warriors that really appeal to me yet, I just follow my other head which is pointing to one of these pointy green guitars! It just sucks they're not available until late march it seems.

By the way, does anyone know if its difficult to pull out of a preorder? Alsp is it difficult returning Solar guitars since I live in the US?
 
I wish they made the Solar V in that finish, but with a TOM rather than a Floyd.
 
ok so my current 2 guitars are a Jackson pro series soloist and a solar a1.6D. I love THIS jackson but Ive had a bunch that I didnt like or rather had problems with. Ive owned 5 solar and probably double the Jacksons. Solar is chocked full of features for your buck. And ive seen people complain about QC issues but Ive never had a single one. Solar has spoiled me with ss frets and evertune to where I dont really gas for other guitars that much. The jackson is a shred guitar. The solar is more for chugging not to say you cant shred on it just the neck is a tad thicker and rounder but comfortable. As long as the brandon ellis is at least a pro series it will probably be great. The Solar will also be great but if you have an issue there isnt much of a return policy with Solar.

If I had money for another guitar I would get another solar in an instant without hesitation. In fact I have a mayones custom on order and if it wasnt for that I would own 2 more Solar at least. The Vinter model is calling me as is a few of the other models. I had to sell my poplar burl limited edition a few weeks ago and it hurts. I had #1 of 100. Anyway Im spoiled with evertune now so I will live.
 
Well they ship direct from Spain. So if you have a QC issues they either refund you a portion of the fees or you have to ship it all the way back to Spain which is a huge hassle. Thankfully Ive never had to do it. Just something to keep in mind vs something like Sweetwater. I will say Xavier and Gregg at Solar have went above and beyond to accomodate me on some orders. Even Ola sent me a message one time about a particular model I was interested in. Actually one time I stripped the screws in my pickups(my own stupidity) and I emailed support to see if they had any I could buy and they said they didnt but would let me know when they do. I ended up forgetting about it but a couple weeks later a package showed up with a handful of screws and there was no charge. I appreciate the little things like that.
 
ClintN667 said:
Well they ship direct from Spain. So if you have a QC issues they either refund you a portion of the fees or you have to ship it all the way back to Spain which is a huge hassle. Thankfully Ive never had to do it. Just something to keep in mind vs something like Sweetwater. I will say Xavier and Gregg at Solar have went above and beyond to accomodate me on some orders. Even Ola sent me a message one time about a particular model I was interested in. Actually one time I stripped the screws in my pickups(my own stupidity) and I emailed support to see if they had any I could buy and they said they didnt but would let me know when they do. I ended up forgetting about it but a couple weeks later a package showed up with a handful of screws and there was no charge. I appreciate the little things like that.
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Yeah that's definitely some good customer service......bummer about the return to Spain thing for sure.
 
if you get something with a qc issue they do typically either give you a discount our they reimburse you to have it repaired. Still..
 
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