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Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
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Playability
78
Sound
79
Build
72
Value
61
Score
76
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Playability
72
Sound
77
Build
75
Value
65
Score
75
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Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist over Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Release Year
2018 vs 2012
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Jackson Standard vs Modern C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.85'' (21.6mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes

Reasons to Get
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster over Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Neck Profile
Modern C vs Jackson Standard
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.85'' (21.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Value Score
65 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S vs EMG 81
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S vs EMG 60
Different Neck Pickup
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
0
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Active
More output
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist wins when it comes to sound, playability. On the other hand, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to build quality, value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster is the better choice.

The Fender Jim Root Stratocaster meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist meets only 5. 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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Overview

  • From Jackson's 2018 Artist Signature series
  • Mick Thomson Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3-piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson MTB HT6 bridge bridge
  • Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2012 Artist series
  • Jim Root Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

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

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
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.

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.

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: Tie.

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 Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's online:

Both use Active pickups. These pickups use an additional 9v battery to be able to increase their output for high gain tones. This is why they're popular among heavy metal guitarists. Their disadvantage is that you need batteries for the pickups, so you'll need to spend money on batteries and time swapping them. Also, the clean tones aren't as clean as other pickups because they'll have really hot output.

Winner: Fender Jim Root Stratocaster.

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.

They both share the following switching options:

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist and Fender Jim Root Stratocaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist and Fender Jim Root Stratocaster's switch options

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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
Pickups 85
Sustain 90
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 79
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Pickups 90
Sustain 90
Versatility 47
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77

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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist compares to the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in United States.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist has 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.

On the other hand, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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: Tie.

Tuners

The Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Fender Jim Root Stratocaster.

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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist has a 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.

On the other hand, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
Quality of materials 41
Features 75
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 72
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Quality of materials 56
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 75

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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Nut Width
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Nut Width
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Jim Root Stratocaster, 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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist and Fender Jim Root Stratocaster'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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Neck Profile
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist's neck profile
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist has a D type of 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.

The Fender Jim Root Stratocaster, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist'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.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist and Fender Jim Root Stratocaster 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 USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 100
Playability 78
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist vs Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
General Jackson USA Signature Mick Thomson Soloist Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Brand: Jackson Fender
Year: 2018 2012
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Artist Signature Artist
Colors: White, Black Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Jackson MTB HT6 bridge 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: 3-piece Maple Maple
Decoration:
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Jackson Standard Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S (Humbucker / Active) EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Mick Thomson Signature Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-3S (Humbucker / Active) EMG 60 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 0 0