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Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
Solar E2.6TBR SK
VS
Playability
82
Sound
64
Build
65
Value
70
Score
70
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Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
55
Value
74
Score
69
FIND IT ON:
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Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS vs Solar E2.6TBR SK

Reasons to Get
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS over Solar E2.6TBR SK

Decorative Top
Quilt Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Scale Length
28" to 26" vs 24.75"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Jackson Standard vs Solar C Shape
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Strings
8 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.85'' (21.6mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.875'' (47.6mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Reasons to Get
Solar E2.6TBR SK over Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Scale Length
24.75" vs 28" to 26"
Easier to adapt to
Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs Jackson Standard
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
Duncan Solar vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Graphite vs Plastic
Self-Lubricating nut for good tuning stability
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Strings
6 vs 8
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.85'' (21.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.875'' (47.6mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Value Score
74 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS vs Solar E2.6TBR SK

Bridge Pickup
Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking vs Duncan Solar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Sungkai
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
4-4 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS vs Solar E2.6TBR SK

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
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
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Solar E2.6TBR SK Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 70 compared to the Solar E2.6TBR SK's 69 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Solar E2.6TBR SK has the upper hand when it comes to sound, 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 Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS is the better choice.

The Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar E2.6TBR SK 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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Solar E2.6TBR SK
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Overview

  • From Jackson's 2018 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 28" to 26"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Staggered Individual Saddles bridge
  • Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Solar E2.6TBR SK Overview

  • From Solar's 2018 Type E series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Sungkai body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM Fixed Bridge bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Solar 18:1 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

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Solar E2.6TBR SK

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Sungkai wood pattern used for guitar building
Sungkai

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.

It's native to Indonesia, so it's cheap to use in guitar factories located in this country. People describe it as a resonant wood that looks similar to American Ash.

Winner: Solar E2.6TBR SK.

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

The Solar E2.6TBR SK pickups from a more specialized brand than the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Solar E2.6TBR SK.

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.

Only the Solar E2.6TBR SK comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's switch options
Solar E2.6TBR SK pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar E2.6TBR SK'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: Solar E2.6TBR SK.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 64
Solar E2.6TBR SK
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 75

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS compares to the Solar E2.6TBR SK.

Country of Origin

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

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS 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 Solar E2.6TBR SK comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Solar E2.6TBR SK.

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

Both come with regular tuners. The Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's are Jackson Sealed Die-Cast while the Solar E2.6TBR SK's are Solar 18:1

Winner: Tie.

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS 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 Solar E2.6TBR SK comes with 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.

Winner: Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar E2.6TBR SK
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
Quality of materials 45
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 65
Solar E2.6TBR SK
Quality of materials 41
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 55

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Nut Width
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Nut Width
Solar E2.6TBR SK Nut Width
Solar E2.6TBR SK Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS has the wider nut with 47.6mm (1.875'') vs 43mm (1.693''). This is a 4.6mm (0.182'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS, 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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's Scale Length
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's Scale Length
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Scale Length
Solar E2.6TBR SK's 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, the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS features a multi-scale of 28" to 26" while the Solar E2.6TBR SK has a regular scale of 24.75".

A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

On the other hand, the Solar E2.6TBR SK's 24.75" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Neck Profile
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's neck profile
Solar E2.6TBR SK Neck Profile
Solar E2.6TBR SK'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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS 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 Solar E2.6TBR SK, 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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's Compound Fretboard Radius
Solar E2.6TBR SK Fingerboard Radius
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Fingerboard 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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS 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.

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 X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Solar E2.6TBR SK:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Frets Size
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's Frets Size
Solar E2.6TBR SK Frets Size
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Frets Size

The Solar E2.6TBR SK has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82
Solar E2.6TBR SK
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS vs Solar E2.6TBR SK
General Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLATX8Q MS Solar E2.6TBR SK
Brand: Jackson Solar
Year: 2018 2018
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 8 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: X Type E
Colors: Black Burst Red Matte
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Sungkai
Bridge: Staggered Individual Saddles TOM Fixed Bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Set
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Solar 18:1
Fretboard: Laurel Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Offset Pearloid Dot Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 28" to 26" 24.75"
Shape: Jackson Standard Solar C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 13.78"
Nut: Plastic Graphite
Nut Width: 47.6mm (1.875'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Jackson Uncovered 8-String Blade Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1