Jackson Superstrat

The Superstrat Jackson San Dimas models is just a designation for the old school Strat body that was used on these guitars. They're very similar to the Charvels that were released around this era, and they play similar as well. The guitar features an alder body, a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, dot inlays, an original floyd rose, an HS configuration, one volume knob, one tone knob and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The guitar was a bolt-on, and the neck pocket was perfect on this. There were no major gaps that would have potentially hindered tone. The guitar itself was just right in terms of weight, and the edges on the neck were nicely rolled. It had that broken in feeling that I really love. The frets were quite nice on this, although the edges were a touch sharp. A quick file with a special triangle file that I have fixed that issue, but it's something to keep in mind with some of these older guitars. The guitar also has an original floyd which is one of the best bridges on the market.

SOUNDS

The guitar had a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in the neck. The Custom in the bridge really delivered a nice sound. It was fat, yet it had some cut to it. It's similar to the JB in that it can do nearly any genre you can think of, but I really think they excel once you start adding some gain to them. They're a little tighter than the JB, too. The Hot Rails in the neck is a great pickup for those ultra fat and smooth lead tones. It's very powerful, so keep that in mind. Clean tones aren't the best in the world, but they can work with the correct EQ.

OVERALL OPINION

These are pretty cool guitars, and I really liked the HS configuration on this. In fact, I generally prefer two pickup guitars to one or three pickup guitars. They just seem to be a bit more natural to me than anything else. You lose that in between position, but you gain some room for your picking hand.

Made with pride in the USA, I have one of those rare "superstrate" composed of parts assembled in San Dimas CA Ontario CA workshops, this being due to the removal activities Jackson, early 1986.
Superstrate, therefore, 3 singles, original Floyd Rose original oiled maple neck Rosewood fingerboard 22 frets (the thickness typical of the brand, a real chocolate bar!), Black hardware. This is the typical Jackson neck 80's, 4 screws screwed over San Dimas plate with serial number, fine and flat head Concorde course.
Originally, there were three mini switches ON / OFF, 1 Vol and 1 Tone, again a very classical config in Jackson at the time. Mine is bright orange, a bomb!

UTILIZATION

The handle is great, but it's the Strat, pure and simple, so balèze heel, access to acute 'period' (but I'm fine). Oiled finish is great.
The ergonomics of the switches is zero live, I replaced it all with a knob "Gibson" 3 pos, I turned the tone, and added a mini switch to split the mini double (rem) placed at the bridge.
Originally, the Jackson J100 single coil pickups are great "vintage", slap, dynamic, beautiful grain. Originally, this is very typical Strat ', but more wooded thicker.
I play Hard Rock, I replaced the handle by Di Marz 'Virtual Vintage Solo, and the bridge by a Duncan Lil' Screamin 'Demon (George Lynch).

SOUNDS

It's a bomb, it's the big skyscrapers, the neck pickup in crunch you play Hendrix, Stevie, and you believe it! More gain and is Yngwie! Trestle is shielded harmonics, it sings lead, the bass is powerful and TENSE! In agreement, the definition is great, it is never muddy or greasy. The texture is great, it's great riff. Basically, this is typical Hard Rock (I did not say Metal!)
Attention, there is not a lot of GAIN compared to other guitars, everything is in the GRAIN, which is fantastic. I just add one point gain on the preamp for the guitar, nothing bad!

OVERALL OPINION

I have 3 years and it is most SHOWTIME concerts, Hard Rock 80 times. I have many guitars, I've tried lots. The Jackson superstrate '86 is in my Top 3. This is a very good guitar, it still affects in France for about 700/800 Euros ... when it is because they are rare!