The Music Zoo exclusives meld Jackson’s lesser-spotted 3S build with the specs of another limited run with the retailer – making for an unusual hybrid
(Image credit: Music Zoo)
Retailer Music Zoo has teamed-up with the Jackson Custom Shop on a limited edition model dubbed the SL Soloist 3S-V.
The most noticeable feature of the electric guitar’s spec is the distinctive scratchplate and Strat-like triple single-coil routing, which take their cues from Jackson’s early ’80s builds – the so-called ‘San Dimas era’ Soloists.
The other side of the mix is a previous Music Zoo-exclusive build, the SL2H-V, which was developed with Jackson’s legendary luthier Mike Shannon back in 2012.
That instrument essentially put a vintage spin on the HH configuration. It moved the two-knob control setup closer to the bridge end to create a more open picking space and added a Rhoads Concorde style headstock, alongside a non-recessed Floyd Rose vibrato.
The resulting Soloist 3S-V is a complex brew, then. Taking the control layout, vibrato and Rhoads headstock of the SL2H-V and pairing it with what appears to be a triple single coil configuration.
The beautifully retro Rhoads Concorde style headstock (Image credit: Music Zoo)
However, look a little more closely and you’ll spot an intriguing combination of Seymour Duncan pickups: namely a ST59-1b at the bridge, SSL-1 RW/RP in the middle position and SHR-1n in the neck.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
This means the neck and bridge units are actually humbucker designs, albeit in single coil formats, making for an H-S-H setup in disguise.
The seemingly single coil setup is actually an H-S-H configuration in disguise (Image credit: Music Zoo)
Tonewoods include an alder body and quartersawn maple neck with an ebony fingerboard, all coated in a variety of nitro finishes
Elsewhere, you’ll find a five-way pickup selector, EVH low-friction pots and brass control knobs. It’s a highly unusual, yet highly desirable combination and Music Zoo appears to be making good on its promise that they won’t hang around long.
The only Soloist 3S-V left unsold at the time of writing is in Daphne Blue – that’s yours for $5,499.
Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.
