The Soloist was an electric guitar made by the company Jackson and was a model that combined the old and the new, changing how electric guitars were made. While early designs were made available to select customers in the early 80s, the production of the Soloist officially started in 1984.

The Soloist existed as an idea before the Jackson company was foundered and was simply a side project when Grover Jackson was managing Charvel Guitars. Prototypes could be bought in the early 80s. These earlier models were authentic custom guitars that had no particular specifications.

The original Soloist was made in 1984 and had the serial number J0158. While the prototypes were purely custom made, these new Soloists had a core design and customers could ask for enhancements or changes as they saw fit.

For the 1980s custom era, the standard classifications were the Student and Custom model. Student models can be identified by rosewood fretboards and dot inlays. Custom models feature ebony boards, sharkfin inlays, and binding on the headstock and neck.

Early models included features such as set necks, Stratocaster-shaped bodies, Explorer style headstocks, and often Charvel appointments like vintage tremolos. Oftentimes, a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo bridge, as well as premium woods made the Soloist a recognized high-end guitar. The Soloist was extensively commended in both rock and metal music, particularly by lead guitarists.

There are a lot of other examples which distorts these divisions. Frequently, one can find models with an alternate fretboard material, or Students can have binding. Keep in mind, any option was offered to Jackson’s customers.

Fender, Gibson, and Martin have all presented a moderately straight copy of the Soloist in the past. Innumerable import and domestic companies have thrived manufacturing Soloist copy guitars. Guitars that have become more famed than the Soloist, such as the Ibanez RG series and the ESP M series guitars would almost certainly had not survive in the present day if it were not for the innovations that the Soloist introduced into practice.

The Soloist is possibly the most under appreciated guitar of the eighties. Different from many guitars, the Soloist became radical through construction, paired it with the relaxed and well-known Fender shape with Gibson neck specs, frets, and electronics. It was the perfect synergy of old and new creating an ultimate product exceptional in tone and feel from anything else.