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Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
63
Value
69
Score
74
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Playability
77
Sound
79
Build
68
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG vs Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Specs Comparison
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
General
Brand: Jackson Jackson
Year: 2024 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Pro Pro
Colors: Burst Brown Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Nyatoh Mahogany
Bridge: EverTune F6 Model Floyd Rose 1000 Series Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed)
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 3-Piece Nato Maple
Decoration: None Alumiloid Piranha Tooth
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Speed Jackson Standard
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Locking
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker / Active) Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 0 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No Yes
Hardware Color: Black Black
Show Diagrams Comparison
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG and Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG and Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's switch options

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG over Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH

Release Year
2024 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.85'' (21.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Evertune vs Floyd Rose
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH over Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 12"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Nut Material
Locking vs Plastic
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.85'' (21.6mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Evertune
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
75 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG vs Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH

Bridge Pickup
EMG 81 vs Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
EMG 85 vs Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Nyatoh vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Nato vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG vs Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH

Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Decorative Top
Poplar Burl vs Flame Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
D
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

    New Player Friendliness

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
    • Comfortable shape
    • Locking tuners
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Short scale
    • Easy-to-use bridge

    New Player Friendliness

    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
    • Comfortable shape
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Comfortable neck
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners
    • Easy-to-use bridge

    Sound Quality Comparison

    The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

    Woods Used in Both

    Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ebony

    Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

    Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG

    Nato wood pattern used for guitar building
    Nato
    Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
    Nyatoh

    Nato a hard and dense wood similar to Mahogany, but cheaper and not quite as hard. Tone-wise, it's also similar, but it doesn't have quite the same attack as Mahogany.

    Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

    Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
    Mahogany

    Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

    Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH.

    Pickup Configuration

    Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

    Pickups Quality

    Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

    However, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

    You can purchase similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG's and use them on any guitar:

    We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's online:

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG's pickups are Active while the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's are Passive.

    Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG.

    Versatility Comparison

    Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

    Switch Options

    Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

    Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

    When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
    Pickups 95
    Sustain 80
    Versatility 49
    Tuning Stability 100
    Sound 81
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
    Pickups 85
    Sustain 80
    Versatility 64
    Tuning Stability 85
    Sound 79

    Build Quality Comparison

    When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG compares to the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG is built in South Korea while the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH is made in Indonesia.

    South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

    Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

    Winner: Tie

    Nut Material

    If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

    On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH.

    Fret Material

    Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

    Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

    Winner: Tie.

    Bridge

    The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG's brige is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

    On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

    Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG.

    Tuners

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

    Nevertheless, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG.

    Neck Joint

    Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

    The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

    On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

    Winner: Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH.

    Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
    • Locking Tuners
    • Expensive Wood
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
    • Luminescent Inlay
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • Made in South Korea
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Tremolo
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
    • Expensive Wood
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Neck-Through Build
    • Tremolo
    • Compound Radius Fretboard
    • Strap Lock
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Retainer Bar

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
    Quality of materials 45
    Features 65
    Quality Control 80
    Build Quality 63
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
    Quality of materials 45
    Features 85
    Quality Control 75
    Build Quality 68

    Playability Comparison

    Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

    Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

    Nut Width

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Nut Width
    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Nut Width
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Nut Width
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 1mm (0.038'') difference

    This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

    Scale Length

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG and Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's Scale Length
    Both have the same scale length

    The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

    In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

    This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

    However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

    Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

    Neck Profile

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Neck Profile
    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG's neck profile
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Neck Profile
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's neck profile

    No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

    Both the Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG and the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH have a D-shaped neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

    Fretboard Radius

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG Fingerboard Radius
    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG's Fingerboard radius
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Fretboard Compound Radius
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH's Compound Fretboard Radius

    Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

    In this case, the Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

    Fret Size

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG and Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH Frets Size
    Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

    Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

    Final Playability Scores

    Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe Monarkh DR12MG
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
    Chord Playability 60
    Solo Playability 90
    Playability 77
    Jackson Pro Series Soloist SL2FM MAH
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
    Chord Playability 60
    Solo Playability 100
    Playability 77