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Solar E2.6TBR SK
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
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Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
55
Value
74
Score
69
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Playability
77
Sound
78
Build
72
Value
71
Score
76
FIND IT ON:
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Solar E2.6TBR SK vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash

Reasons to Get
Solar E2.6TBR SK over Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs Speed
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
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
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
74 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash over Solar E2.6TBR SK

Decorative Top
Sandblasted Ash vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2020 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Solar C Shape
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Nut Material
Locking vs Graphite
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
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
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Solar E2.6TBR SK vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Sungkai vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar E2.6TBR SK vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash

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
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Solar E2.6TBR SK Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash 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 Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Solar E2.6TBR SK's 69 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Solar E2.6TBR SK has the upper hand when it comes to 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?

Both meet 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

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

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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.

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 >

Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Artist Signature series
  • Jeff Loomis Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Sandblasted Ash top
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast 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

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.

Woods Used in the Solar E2.6TBR SK

Sungkai wood pattern used for guitar building
Sungkai

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.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

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 Solar E2.6TBR SK has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash's online:

The Solar E2.6TBR SK's pickups are Passive while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash's are Active.

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: 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.

Solar E2.6TBR SK pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar E2.6TBR SK's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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

Solar E2.6TBR SK
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 75
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 78

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 Solar E2.6TBR SK compares to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash.

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 Solar E2.6TBR SK has 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.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash 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 Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash.

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 Solar E2.6TBR SK's brige is a 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.

On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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 Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Solar E2.6TBR SK's are Solar 18:1 while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash's are Jackson Sealed Die-Cast

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 Solar E2.6TBR SK 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 Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash 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 Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash.

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

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
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • 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 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar E2.6TBR SK
Quality of materials 41
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 55
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
Quality of materials 45
Features 90
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 72

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

Solar E2.6TBR SK Nut Width
Solar E2.6TBR SK Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar E2.6TBR SK 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 Solar E2.6TBR SK, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Solar E2.6TBR SK's Scale Length
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash's Scale Length
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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.

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash has the longest scale: 25.5". The Solar E2.6TBR SK is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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

Solar E2.6TBR SK Neck Profile
Solar E2.6TBR SK's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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 Solar E2.6TBR SK has a C type of 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.

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash, on the other hand, has a D 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

Solar E2.6TBR SK Fingerboard Radius
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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 Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash 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 .

Solar E2.6TBR SK:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar E2.6TBR SK Frets Size
Solar E2.6TBR SK's Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash Frets Size
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash's Frets Size

The Solar E2.6TBR SK has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash'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

Solar E2.6TBR SK
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 80
Playability 77
Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 100
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar E2.6TBR SK vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
General Solar E2.6TBR SK Jackson Pro Series Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly Ash
Brand: Solar Jackson
Year: 2018 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Type E Artist Signature
Colors: Red Matte Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Sungkai Basswood
Bridge: TOM Fixed Bridge Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Pearloid Sharkfin
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12" to 16"
Nut: Graphite Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0