Jackson Adrian Smith SDX and SDXQ - Honest review and how to make it GREAT!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ม.ค. 2021
- This is my unbiased and honest review after six months of owning these two Jackson Adrian Smith signature guitars - made in Indonesia.
I talk about the specs, the pros and cons and explain the small but significant improvements I made to get these to play and sound great!
Jackson Adrian Smith Signature Guitar: amzn.to/2Ykljkl
R2 Nut: amzn.to/39lHg9d
Floyd Rose Original Complete Tremolo Arm Assembly: amzn.to/3iQmAJl
Dimarzio Super Distortion: amzn.to/3t0ApKc
Seymour Duncan TB4: amzn.to/3a5yuvc
Seymour Duncan Classic Stack: amzn.to/3abnsEN
Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack: amzn.to/3pmoGDp - เพลง
Been gigging my SDX since 2017 non stop. It’s been on a few tours, bounced around in a trailer behind the van for weeks at a time and just refuses to die.
I just ordered my SDX white with black pick guard and some extra pickups for the guitar. Looking forward to playing it!
So pleased to have found your channel man. Between you and “let’s play all”, and 1 or 2 others I have all my musical bases covered!
I have a 2019 model it was made in Indonesia at the Cort facility incredible craftsmanship
Great video, awesome playing! You've inspired me & the mrs to start playing again! We started learning red & the black!
favorite SRV song @2:20 !!! Wicked job, brother!
Thank you. I've been curious about these models.
Amazing my friend, I have the withe one also and is my go to guitar since last year.
Cheers from Mexico, keep supporting metal!!
Isn't it crazy how good they can be?? I honestly didn't think I'd end up liking it so much! Cheers brother!
@@LicksOfTheBeast yes man! It makes me feel like in the somewhere in time/seven son era of maiden. Thanks man!
What a great review...thanks so much for posting.
Thank YOU!! Greatly appreciate the encouragement and I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
Brilliant video, well thought out and informative. 👍
1000 thanks!!!
Really good review. These guitars are an incredible value.
Thank you and yeah they're definitely fantastic guitars for the price. I was really surprised at how well they hold up to my high end guitars after these simple mods!
I think you nailed the adrian tone pretty well !
Thanks to you, I now own a SDXQ. I've been wanting one but wasn't sure because I have the SDX with the rosewood fretboard but this video convinced me I needed another Adrian Smith lol. Thanks a million! Love your videos! 🤘🤘
Hahaha glad to hear it!! The green quilt top on that one is just beautiful! And thank you for your support!!! 😃
@@LicksOfTheBeast it is beautiful for sure! And no problem! Keep up the good work! 🤘🤘
Thank you for making this video!
Thank YOU for watching!! 🤜🤛
This has been very helpful. I have been trying to save for a U. S version, but I couldn't justify the price tag. Grabbing one of these sdx models and upgrading may be the way to go. Thanks.
Hey man I really appreciate that and I'm really glad to hear it was helpful. Thank you! Honestly, I'm sure the US version is a premium guitar but I think it makes more sense if that's your dream guitar, if spending that kind of money on a guitar isn't really an issue for you or if you get a really good deal... maybe on a second hand one or a floor model that hasn't sold in some time. Otherwise I find these to be very good alternatives!
Excellent review. Thank you very much!!! Recently I bought White SDX like yours and I was missing something. I am also using Cort KX Custom, which is equipped with Seymour Duncan and I was getting a bit more out of it as from Jackson. Your suggestion to replace bridge pickup at least is way on place. Thank you again for making this review!
Hey thank you so much! It's great to hear it was interesting even to someone who owns the guitar!! Which pickup are you thinking for the bridge?
Ive ordered yesterday that trans green one sdx can't wait for it to arrive :O
Nice!! Congrats! It's a great guitar 🤘
Loving this channel. Cheers.
Man, that is really encouraging to hear! Thank you so much for watching and for taking the time to leave some kind words. It really is greatly appreciated! 🙇♂️
Thanks for the video. Very clearly talked through and appreciate the links to find the parts you swapped out.
I have the white sdx and love it. Not changed anything yet but probably going to swap the neck pickup for a hot rails as I pretty much only play maiden songs and would be good for Dave’s parts I think. Not sure but might also stick a super distortion in the bridge.
Thank you so much and I'm really glad you found this video interesting! I think ultimately what to change depends on so many things (your level, how you will use the guitar, what you will play and in which context etc) which is why I tried to give a few different perspectives in this video as opposed to just a standard review. Up to a few years ago, this guitar would have been just fine for me even stock without having to change anything at all!
Well done. I have several fixed bridge guitars and have been wanting something with a trem and held a JS32 a few days ago at a local shop and fell in love with the neck. The more I research about this model for $200 more seems to be the way to go.
Thank you! I think I would also pick this one over the JS32 as well even if it wasn't an Adrian Smith model. Only thing maybe is if you really prefer binding on the neck as opposed to rolled edges. Me, I like both but I find the rolled edges on these guitars especially nice 🙂
@@LicksOfTheBeast With some significant input from your review here, I've ordered the SDXM, all white with maple fingerboard. I had some reward points with Musician's Friend and they tacked on a 15% off coupon so it came in under four bills. Couldn't pass it up and it should be here in a few days. Thanks again!
@@LicksOfTheBeast Got my SDXM, love the neck and the rolled edges. Set up fairly well out of the box, but could you please confirm where the truss rod access is? The Jackson site states it's at the nut but unless it's underneath the locking nut I'm guessing you have to remove the neck. Thanks again.
Hi Nicko! Great review! Show us your distortion effects/amplifiers also... Maybe also how to sound more like Adrian :)
Hey thanks man! For now I am doing everything through Bias FX. Getting that Adrian Smith vibe is more a question of how you play than gear or settings and I will definitely be doing some videos about that in the future!
Very good and clear explanation 🎧! By the way, I heard the song that you mentioned and I loved 😊! I also could remember some other bands that I used to listened when I was young 👩🏼
Glad you enjoyed it! 😃
@@LicksOfTheBeast Muito obrigadaI I could understand almost everything you said even though I don't understand anything about guitar! 😀
Very informative. It means lot ..... Thanks a lot Nico🙏🙏🙏
Thank YOU my friend!
I picked up this guitar (black guard/maple neck) for a backup to my Charvel Pro Mod. For the price... this thing is Awesome! It has rolled fingerboard edges like a Charvel (but the Charvel has a smoother edge and back). The pickups are surprising good. I love the single coils so no reason to change those. The HB has a nice punch and bite - -also surprised at that and will keep it too. My only complaints are that the FR Special is tight to adjust and will require some break in time along with the back of the neck and the control knobs. The tone control actually works very well with the pup setup. The only really bad feature is the crappy tuners which you only use when replacing strings. I've had no other issues. Well worth the price (which is half of the Charvel)! I wholeheartedly recommend! This guitar is a real "sleeper" that roars!
I also have a Charvel and am heavily tempted with one of these. I just love a hot rodded strat. Can you tell the price difference much?
Thanks man. I have the white one and I really love it.
Awesome! I'm still very much enjoying mine too 🤜🤛
Great and very detailed rewiev... That White Jackson is a pure temptation!
1000 thanks! Yeah there is just something about a white superstrat...
High E slipping off the fretboard, i will try the r2. Thanks a lot man!
As a bassist and a wannabe guitarist, I got the gas for the SDX after watching this video🤩 Up till now, I’ve only been considering SG and Les Paul like guitar models.
I have this guitar, the only difference is I have the white pickguard. Love it, love the tone, both clean and distortion. Leads sound like they should or like I want them to sound. This is my fav. guitar to play right now. I really like the look of the trans. green though.
Awesome job man, ✌️
1000 thanks!!
Top-notch review, very useful, thanks so much. I have the USA Jackson but I must admit the green quilt looks amazing, I’ve really wanted one, but haven’t been willing to fork over the big bucks for a second USA Adrian Smith Jackson. Thinking maybe this is an option, I just wish you loved your green quilt top as much as you love the white SDX, although you had good things to say about both. Thanks for all the info on the mods.
The thing is you can get a white one with a "meh" neck and a green one with a great neck... It's that they're not as consistent but also my green one was good too. The only reason I didn't bond with it as much is I felt the neck was a little stiff for my liking. Some people really prefer a stiff neck... I sold my Player Series Strat for the same reason but again, some people prefer that. It seems that these Jacksons produced as of 2020 seem to be much more consistent so if you get a brand new one it will probably be really nice! Even now that I have the US model, I still really like my SDX a lot!
@@LicksOfTheBeast - Thank you!
@@LicksOfTheBeast - OK then! Took the plunge. SDXQ Will be here in about a week. This is the first time in a very long time where I almost certainly am planning to mod a guitar right out of the gate (thanks again for the guidance). I had to order this one site unseen and without being able to play it, there are none in my area currently. On the plus side the retailer gave me a pretty nice discount off of new pricing on this brand new guitar.
Nicko, the Metal Encyclopedia of the Beast 👏👏
Very tempting!
What I don't like in the Adrians signature Jackson: Opposing to the prototype guitar Adrian had been playing during '86-'90 period, this new white superstrat is equipped with the jack input on the side of the body instead of the classic fender strat position. Always it looks to me like something crucial is missing and kinda "empty"!
I love aaall your videos Nicko, especially the sea of madness intro, really helpful, BIG thanks for all the effort in your videos and your maiden enthusiasm! My best from Greece!
I actually prefer the input on the side. I think it just looks cleaner and more elegant like this. 🙂 Thank you so much for the encouraging words!!! I really appreciate it 🤜🤛
@@LicksOfTheBeast Same here, i always prefered the way Charvel and Jackson placed the input on the bottom side as opposed to the fender style top mounted.
Great Review, The Bridge Dimarzio Super Distortion Sounds Great, Proberly the 1st Mod if I buy this guitar.
Yeah, I like the Seymour TB-4 as well but the DiMarzio is a little bit better IMO.
@@LicksOfTheBeast both sounds good but maybe because my favorite guitarists in the past and now use dimarzio pickups.
Good honest review. I'll stick with my mij 90s jackson's. These do look really nice tho
Amazing playing
Much appreciated, thank you!
I really like that clean and im thinking about getting the white one I just needed to hear what it sounded like first.
Awesome! Just keep in mind the clean sound is with the Seymour Duncan pickups already swapped in. The original single coils are just fine but not as nice as these. Still a great guitar that I play all the time!
I have the SDXQ in transparent green. I also have the issue with the high e string slipping off of the fretboard. I figured it was because I'm just new. I really appreciate the reviews! I'm interested in doing the nut and trem arm and humbucker upgrades to see how it does. I would really like to get the USA San Dimas in transparent green someday!
Love that green finish!! The trem arm and humbucker are very good mods to do and if you do the nut, just be sure to add a shim to avoid unwanted fret buzz from the strings being too low.
Indonesia = Cort facility = exceptional quality craftsmanship
A lot of poorly cut neck pockets. Bad fretwork and E strings falling off the fretboard, wrong neck shape. Sold mine fast, bought the proper USA version. Night and day
@@booshting3520 yours wasn't from the Cort or Samick facilities that's very obvious
@@thepatriot4355 Are they made elsewhere in Indonesia ? Thats where the one I had was made. Very poor workmanship
@@underdog8797 and originally in India. Shocking workmanship
@@booshting3520 I have never personally have had a guitar that come out of any of the Cort facilities wind up bad Cort has always put out professional quality crafted guitars
Hey Nico! Love your videos. Owned one for awhile now, but the one downside to these I don’t see mentioned often is the basswood body. Those Floyd Rose inserts can come loose much quicker in that type of wood than say an Alder or Swamp Ash body and then that becomes a whole new problem to refit them. Love the guitar and thanks for the upgrade ideas!
Honestly, I wouldn't know about that but from my own limited experience, I've never seen that happen nor have I ever heard of that happening to anyone. And there are many guitars that are made with basswood - even some fairly expensive ones!
The one downside I can talk about now after having the guitar for 3 years is that the Floyd Rose Special and the quality of the maple used for the neck are not the best for tuning stability under harder conditions such as frequent and/or big fluctuations in temperature and humidity. I have no problems at home other than having to tune it up a bit every few days but when I use it at a gig, there can be some issues with tuning. Especially because in Canada, the weather can change quite drastically even within the same day so from a warm home to freezing temperatures outside, into a cold car that then becomes warm, to outside again and into the venue where it is fairly warm for soundcheck and then warms up more as the place fills with people. Then I play a 90+ minute set with the heat of my hands on the fretboard, the heat from the stage lights, bending strings, fretting notes... A few dive bombs... It doesn't hold up well under those conditions. To be fair though, that really is a lot to ask from an instrument of this price point!
@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks for the super detailed response! I've definitely noticed that it doesn't hold tune as well under harsher conditions but as you said it's a lot to ask for a guitar around $400-$500. When I was in training by a local luthier, he explained the reason behind the inserts becoming loose is due to the softer nature of the woods in the bodies. Over time with heavy trem usage the wood can soften and it will cause the insert holes to get ever so slightly bigger. This can be remedied in many different ways, but in some cases the wood can crack all the way down the body on recessed floyd rose cavities and cause major damage. I've seen it happen on numerous MIJ Jacksons from the 90s and 00s.
OneEcchiBoi That's interesting! I guess it must require some pretty extreme whammy bar use to lead to something like that 😬 the things you learn... 😄
I have a white SDX as well - bought at the same time I picked up my Dave Murray California model. Mine has the same issue with the high E being really close to the edge of the fretboard. Perhaps I'll try the R2 nut swap. I do like the slimmer neck more than the Dave Murray model. Now to watch your video on that guitar... LOL!
Great review, what strings do you use? Supposedly, they play 9-40?
Hey Nico, can you share some more details about replacing the stock nut on SDXQ with R2 nut? I am ordering Schaller Lockmaister for my SDX and I am thinking about using the R2 nut, but i notice on the website that height is somewhat lower (9.1mm compared to 10.3mm found on R3 nuts).
Did you have some problems regarding the action (or otherwise) on the guitar where you replaced the nut?
Thanks.
Very good! Thanks
Thank YOU!!
5:49 Hi Bro i Just want to ask! Are these Guitars have Truss Rod, I bought the SDX but i cant find the truss rod adjustment...can please share to me where to find it
These guitars have vintage-style truss rod access: at the heel of the neck.
You'll have to remove the neck - or at least detach it enough to allow access to the truss rod - adjust a bit, put it back, tune, check, and repeat until you're happy with the amount of relief. It's a bit of a pain in the ass, but it's not something you have to do often. 🙂
Awesome review. Getting the green one Tuesday. I’m a bass player but do a lot of writing on guitar. Seems like a perfect guitar for me as per your review. I’m sure I’ll do the mods. Mostly because I’m a spaz and love to mess with stuff. Lol.
Check out my version of Dejavu if ya get a chance. I’ve got the West Ham and the sparkle blue Steve models. Love them. Plan on making my own build on the classic Dave black strat. Thanks again for the review and tips🤘🏻👍🏻
th-cam.com/video/K1c0XoXYY3k/w-d-xo.html
Cool! Glad it was helpful 😊 The mods on the trem bar and pickup I think really help elevate the guitar a notch so definitely worth it. Hey I did check out your Déjà Vu and it was very cool indeed! And I love how your german shepherd is just hanging out while you play 😊
I have a green model and lately I put Seymour Duncan JB on the bridge. This is great improvement, better than DiMarzio I think. Peace!
I'm a big fan of the Super Distortion and I find it sounds a tad tighter but overall I think the JB might work a bit better with the basswood body (seems to make it a little brighter, gives a bit more clarity). Cheers!
I recently picked up a used SDX snow white with black pickguard. I have a number of guitars with the Seymour Duncan JB and very happy with them. Seeing that you have upgraded your green and white guitars with the JB and SD, do you have any recommendations? Which bridge humbucker are you finding more versatile and works best with these guitars? I could go either way. I like the idea of a little diversity in my guitars, but the JB has always been a rock solid performer for me. Thanks in advance. Love the channel.
Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the channel 🙂
I prefer the Super Distortion overall but both are great. The JB is a bit cleaner bit also has a bit more bite, while the Super Distortion is a little smoother and a bit darker. I find some things sound a bit better with one and some sound a bit better with the other... What I would say is if you have JBs in another guitar, go with a Super Distortion in this one... You won't be disappointed! 😃
My Floyd Special didnt stay in tune after few months of playing so i bought Schaller Lockmeister to replace it, tuning stability is unbelievable, and only costs under 200€, its basically like Original Floyd but only with Schaller logo 🤘
That's very interesting! I have heard VERY good things about those although her in Canada they're a bit harder to find and they can be more expensive than the Floyd Original. Ordering from Europe would probably be the way to go then...
@@LicksOfTheBeast You can buy directly from Schaller FYI
Thanks for the review man. Is this a stable guitar you can use for live gigs (stock parts), specially the Floyd Rose system?
Thank you for watching!
I haven't yet had an opportunity to play it at a gig and it's no longer stock anyway... But the Floyd Special works just fine and it stays in tune. The only issue I could think of in a live setting is the original bar doesn't stay in place so you'll have to reach for it when you need it. But if you're someone who actually uses the bar, that's a $40 fix: just get an original German replacement for the bar and coupling. The guitar feels and plays great and I would absolutely 100% feel comfortable using it at gigs.
Do you still keep the stock Jackson bridge pickups? If so, we might have a deal.
Nice review, Nico. It's cool how with some simple mods you can bring to life an instrument that otherwise would kinda "dissapoint" you. Never thought of learning to do maintenance by yourself? (truss rod adjust, etc.) Not difficult at all, once you get the courage to turn that nut haha. Take care!
Thanks so much! I think a lot of it is a question of context... As I mentioned in another comment, a few years ago this guitar would have been fine for me even 100% stock! As for doing my own setups, I don't mind doing some small adjustments myself but in Canada we have some pretty wild temperature and atmospheric changes a few times a year and sometimes it affects a guitar so much that I just don't want to touch it. I have a guy who does a great job so I'm happy to support his business and my guitars keep playing nicely 😃
I have the SDXQ and its amazing! I want to upgrade it to get a dave murray classic sound but I don't want to route the neck wood space for a paf 36th anniversary.
I was searching for what pickups will be fine and I found that dimarzio pro track is very similar.
I will change for these pickups: super distortion on bridge, pro track 1 on middle and pro track for neck.
What you think about this config for a classic maiden sound?
That's probably the closest you're gonna get to what you want in terms of pickups. You could probably even do without changing the middle pickup if you wanted. Depends on whether or not you like to use the in-between positions. I do, personally, but I know many who don't care for them...question of taste 😊
Wonderful breakdown.
Did you have to change the nut to an r2 and change the floyd rose on the white one as well or only on the green one?
The white one had no issues so that I didn't have to do anything to that one :) Still plays great and it's one of the guitars I use most often!
Hello Nico! Please, Im curious, what is the string action height you set on white SDX?
Great video btw, watched it numerous times before I bought my own SDX Jackie, thanx!
Ah thanks man! I don't do my own setups on my guitars so I'm not really sure about the height I usually have it low enough for it to be comfortable when playing faster runs but high enough so that bends don't choke out. Especially if I bend 2 steps or more (which I like to do sometimes) 😃
Hi! Nice to meet you my bro! The SDX is free from that problem at the higher E slipping from the neck, right? I think the SDX is more well constructed than the SDXQ
Hi Nicko! Loved this review... Is the neck at the White SDX too much Chunky and Thick? I have a Fender Squier California Series that has a very fat C shape...
Is this Jackson neck a little bit Thinner? Another question is: If I keep the original Jackson Pickups... Will I still have LOOOOTS of fun playing? Thanksssss - Mauro.
@Licks Of The Beast Hey Nico! I have played my Jackson SDX for a little over a week now and really love it. My only gripe with the guitar is the Floyd Rose Special on it is pretty far from special. It does not hold the tuning that well in my guitar and one time one of the strings popped out of the saddle while playing.
I want to switch out the tremolo and found a brand with model name called Schaller Lockmeister 6 Trem it is german and supposedly closer to a german built Floyd rose but at a more affordable price. Have you heard of that brand if it is good ? I see they have different sizes on their trems and I can not seem to find which size I need to buy to fit in the Jackson SDX instead of the FR special.
Other than that, what a great guitar for the money, like you said in one of your videos, the Dimarzio Super Distortion really transformed the guitar. I just love it and thank you for leading me to it !
I prefer the Super Distortion to the Duncan JB, or any Duncan, by a thousand miles. That's really THE classic Maiden guitar tone.
hi nico..still thinking of getting sdx model..prefer small fingerboard (something like fender 50s)...is the width +- the same? what do you think
It's quite different from a Fender 50s which has a 7.25" radius vs this one that has a 12-16" compound radius so even by the headstock it's much flatter. It's also a different shape... fender 50s is a v profile and the SDX is closer to a D shape.
How about the truss rod in Sdqx? Is that hard to adjust? Where is it? I, can't see that in video.
Top video really enjoyed this.
I've not got an Adrian Smith guitar yet but hopefully soon.
The tremolo arm system on one of my Jackson guitars slips a lot as you mentioned in the video, which replacement arm did you use?
Thank you!!
I changed it for an original Floyd Rose trem arm and coupling kit. It's a cheap and easy mod that solves the problem completely!
@@LicksOfTheBeast that's excellent thanks for the info and again great video! Shall have my Adrian Smith signature on the way soon 🤘
@@pjlcarpexpeditions Awesome! Glad you liked it and I hope you'll really enjoy playing your Jackson when you get it... I am still very much enjoying mine! 😀
Great video. Please, do the stock single coils on the white one sound good for a bluesier approach? I read somewhere that they are low output pickups, what maybe a good thing for blues, blues rock etc.
The stock singles... It's not that they sound "bad". I think my issue with them is that they sound a bit dull and lifeless. For blues you would want something with a little more chime, a little more nuance. I kept them on the green guitar and they're ok for the few times I use them. But because I use the white guitar a lot more, I did change them on that one.
@@LicksOfTheBeast Ok! I will probably buy a white one. Obrigado. Thank you!
Hi, thx for your video....I've also bought an R2 Nut, but this nut is also 1,5 mm shorter on height, so the strings are too low on the fretboard. Did you put something under the nut? How is your string height on your guitar?
I have to check with my luthier because I had him do it. I think it does need a shim underneath or you end up with pretty bad buzzing.
@@LicksOfTheBeast Yes, there must be a spacer under the nut. I hope I am able to find one in the same color and without a ridge at the end. Perhaps there are spacer direct from Schaller here in Germany.
I had 2 Indian versions of the white and maple SDX, they where both shocking. the Indonesian SDXQ is a tremendous guitar Ive only just gotten recently
Indonesian factory is doing some exceptional work. These guitars offer tremendous value!
@@LicksOfTheBeast Also want to say, your videos are extremely well constructed and the information shared is superb. Thank you
Thank you so much, man! Greatly appreciated 🙏
Cheers! 🤜🤛
This SDX Jackson sounds great I dont know whether to buy it or not. I want to get it from guitar guitar in Camden. Still not sure about it.
Hello ! Thanks for review.... Did you changed the SDX tremolo or only the SDXQ ?
And the Seymour bridge pickup seems to work well for maiden songs... I've have the Dimarzio SD in one of my guitars and sometimes it seems very "acid" .. Don't you have the same impression?
I have a ESP guitar that I've needed to changed the floyd rose tremolo to... it was terrible! So I've been using a Gotog that's amazing... Did you prefer the floyd rose ?
I changed the bar and coupling on both guitars but I have since sold the SDXQ so I only have the SDX with the Seymour in it now. I actually prefer the Super Distortion to the JB but both are great pickups. No experience with a Gotoh bridge so I can't compare it but I do like my Floyds. I have four different ones: a German made one on my Lado and on the US Adrian Smith Jackson, a 1000 series on the Dave Murray Strat, a Special on the SDX and a Floyd Rose Mini on my honey blonde Fat Strat. All of them do a fine job of keeping the guitar in tune 🙂
@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks so much foe the quickly response ! :)
I played the sdx and it wails! I want one bad. 450 dollars used and it plays like new. Bad ass axe. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Absolutely worth it!
wheres the link for the new locking nut, to stop string slip?
Nice. Which model does Adrian actually play? Is it the San dimas sdqm?
Thanks! Yes, he plays the US models only so SD, SDM, SDQM.
Hey man. What pickups are better for the white sdx. Dimarzio DP100 FBK or BK?
Either should be fine but the F-spaced version is intended to work best with guitars that have a Floyd Rose bridge, so the FBK.
What kind of Lado do you have? An Earth? Always been kern on one but even their late model neck through fusion super strats look amazing - sometimes for sale on eBay. What model is yours and how does it compare to your other high end gtrs? Cheers
I have a Lado II superstrat.
The II stands for 2-piece as these models had bolt-on necks instead of the usual neck-through design.
I bought it new back in 1991 when some music stores had Lado in their higher end guitars section (at least in Montreal and Toronto). It's got a very nice neck and fretboard, good pickups (especially the neck single coil) and it has a German Floyd built by Schaller. Great guitar that still gets played from time to time. I've used it on a few videos like my cover of Revelations. 😊
When you swapped the nut was it just take off one then put on the other or was there more to it? I’m thinking I want to swap the nut on mine cause the E comes off the neck on mine too. I have the white one. Thank you
Pretty much although ideally you'll want to add a shim under the smaller nut to avoid buzzing. I didn't and it feels like it needs one 😬
When you switched out the R3 nut for the R2, did you have to use a shim? The height of the R2 is quite low in comparison.
Oh you definitely need a shim! Otherwise the action will be off and there will be unwanted fret buzz.
Did u have any air pockets in the neck or anything bad when u first got it
I really want that white one. :)
White and black superstrat... how can you go wrong? 😃
eu tenho uma dessa Sdx muito boa guitarra, agora vou fazer a compra da segunda Sdx toda branca
adrian's the GOAT.
Cool!
Hi, from Portugal! Congratulations for the amazing guitar covers. It's a very valuable work you've already done so far, so keep it up, cause we're watching. ;). I've bought the same White SDX about a month ago, made in Indonesia. It looks stunning out of the box, and as a major Adrian Smith fan for decades, it was a no brainer. I took it to a luthier to make the usual adjustments, check the neck and intonation, change strings and lower the action. But, unfortunately, the action didn't change so much, to my disappointment. At home I've tried lower the bridge a little, but started to show a fret-buzz already noticeable from the amp, so I took it up again. From watching the video, I noticed that your model has the action it deserves, so if you don't mind by asking, do you know if there were any adjustments made to make it so low? Thank you.
@Louis George White Jr Hi! I came here only to give a shout out and a huge thank you to your advice. In fact, I swapped the original nut - which is a R3, for a matter of fact - for a R2 from Gotoh. It provides this guitar the behavior it deserves, since the low-E string won't come out of the fretboard, and all it allows the action to be smooth and comfortable, since the height from the nut lowered about 1mm from the start. The rest is up to everyone's different taste. So, once again, thank you for your advice, and this should be a small and cheap first upgrade for anyone who buys this guitar. Cheers!
Was wondering what your thoughts are on the SDX compared to mexican made strat? Do you have any experience with the MIM / Player series and if so do you think they would be worth the extra bit of cash?
Actually yes, the tobacco burst Strat I'm using in the Phantom of the Opera and Only the Good Die Young videos is a Player Series and I think it's a very good guitar. If I compare it to my two Jacksons, I think the craftsmanship and fit and finish of the Fender is better than both Jacksons. Overall though, I would say it is a little better than the green one but I don't think it's better than the white one. So based on my personal experience and what I have read and heard from others, I would say this: If you play mainly metal or heavy rock and you like the Jackson's styling and vibe and you can try it out first, go for that one. If you can't try it out and you think it might be a hassle to return it if there are any issues or if you also like to play some more classic rock and/or blues, then I would recommend the Player Strat. Their quality control overall is better and they are more versatile especially stock. I hope this was at least a bit helpful!
@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks a lot for taking the time to give your opinion, really appreciate it. Love all your maiden videos so keep em’ coming! 🇬🇧
Thank you for this great walkthrough of these guitars!
The fact that I'm a huve Maiden fan (who isn't?) is not why I'm here though. I love Fenders and I just died the first time I saw that green Jackson Adrian was using so when it was gonna be released as a "cheaper" signature model I died just a little bit too.
But once when I went to my luthier the white one was sitting there and I tried it on, and it was heavy as fuck and just didn't feel very well. This was a couple of years back though so it could have been changed.
But how would you consider the feel of the neck, profile and radius in comparison to a Fender?
I was thinking that if I didn't like the neck, I could just buy a Fender neck instead and have a luthier cut it out so that it fits with the Floyd Rose.
First of all it will depend on WHICH Fender you are comparing it to. My 1999-2000 model Deluxe Fat Strat with a C shaped neck and 9.5" radius, the Dave Murray signature has a slightly slimmer neck and a compound 9.5" - 14" radius and both play and feel great! I also had a 2018 model Player series Strat which had a neck profile and radius similar to my Fat Strat, great guitar overall but for some reason I never really bonded with it and I ended up selling it. Meanwhile I am still enjoying my SDX very much - it's one of my most played guitars, to be honest! The thing with guitars is even though there is a lot of mass production and machined parts, it can still vary from one specimen to another so the ideal thing is always to go for what you like and play it before making up your mind. Even if you order online, most reputable places allow you to return it if you're not happy so if you like the SDX, go with that one! :)
@@LicksOfTheBeast Yeah you're absolutely right there, but I am comparing it to my Fender Player Strat and my Classic 60's. I know those are two completely different beasts but those are the ones I'm playing the most, but I also have an older Lonestar Strat which is pretty similar.
Thanks for the tips and your response :)
I agree that even if they are machine made they can play very differently as well.
SDXM has the maple fretboard sdx has the Indian Laurel fretboard. Which is great substitute for rosewood
Hey Nico! What string gauge you use with these guitars?
Usually on strats I like 9-46
Gibsons get 10-46
didn’t you basically doubled the price while adding the new pickups?
Bel video mi serviva proprio!!😄io vorrei comprare la sdxq e dopo questo video ne sono più certo!
P.s. ma a te piace l'album the final frontier? ?
Ottima chitarra! Mi fa piacere che questo video ti abbia rassicurato o incoraggiato 😃 Final Frontier mi piace molto. È un po' più progressive con pezzi più lunghi, sviluppati lentamente con un suono particolare (un po' malinconico forse?) e quindi non è un album che posso ascoltare i qualsiasi momento.
io ho sia quella con manico in palissandro e sia quella con manico in acero, mi manca quella verde, una made in korea e una made in indonesia, nulla da dire finiure spettacolari legni di qualità e ottima costruzione, un prezzo cosi per una bomba del genere e' regalata.
mine was white 2018 Indonesian (Cort) batch... same high-E problem, and not keen with the bridge humbucker. But other than those, everything else are awesome, upgraded with X2N rather than Super Distortion 🤘🏼
Nice! How are you finding it with the X2N?
@@LicksOfTheBeast been playing mostly high output pickup(s) to cover my fretboard sloppiness, so X2N feels like home... stock SDX bridge pickup lacks harmonics for my preference. Btw greetings from Malaysia \m/
Just bought the SDX paid $600 dollars for it it's worth the price Sweetwater also said the Jackson pickups are wound to Adrian Smith Specs I said SOLD!
Just subscribed
Many thanks!!!
Hi Nico, just double checking, in your video you state that you’re using the classic stack for the middle pickup, but the link in the video description currently links to a neck pick up. Which is correct? The vendor that I’m going to purchase from has different options for the middle and neck pickups for the classic stack so I want to be sure I get the right one. Thanks 🙏
Hey man, the link is wrong... sorry about that!
It's classic stack (STK-S4M) Middle and Vintage Hot Stack Plus (STK-S7) in the Neck.
@@LicksOfTheBeast - Thanks a million!
@@LicksOfTheBeast - thanks again, it’s all ordered now. Got a little delayed (was going to get the stuff ordered a few weeks back but I ended up having my Les Paul worked on first). The STK-S7 vintage hot stack is getting mighty difficult to find, but I snagged one! I know Thanksgiving was celebrated in Canada already this year but we are celebrating ours here in the USA tomorrow. Thankful for you and this channel Nico…. Wishing you all the best!
Have a very happy thanksgiving man!
Thanks for the incredibly kind and generous support!
@@LicksOfTheBeast I look at the price point from S Duncan directly ;Its cheaper than others website shop :)))
Ciao! Ho 2 stratocaster, una con tastiera in acero e una in palissandro : ho comprato sia il DiMarzio Superdistortion che il Seymour Duncan Jb. Cosa mi consigli? Il JB su quella con palissandro e il Superdistortion su quella in acero? O viceversa? Grazie
Premettendo che sono un esperto in materia, nella mia esperienza limitata credo che, anche se la differenza non sarà enorme, complessivamente il JB essendo un po' più chiaro si abbina un po' meglio col manico in palissandro. Il Super Distortion ha i bassi un po' più pronunciati e quindi è più equilibrato con la tastiera in acero. Sulla SDX col manico in acero ho montato il JB e lo trovo leggermente troppo chiaro. Non è male ma forse manca un po' di "bottom end" per i miei gusti.
@@LicksOfTheBeast Grazie Nico! Alla fine dopo vari esperimenti ho messo il Superdistortion più 2 hot rails alla stratocaster con la tastiera in palissandro, ha quella combinazione perfetta per me che adoro i suoni di Somewhere in time. Sulla tastiera in acero invece gli humbucker non mi sono piaciuti, li trovo "vuoti", sia col JB che col Superdistortion... Alla fine ho rimesso i Texas Special che sui puliti, in posizione 2 e 4, sono il top. Grazie delle informazioni, i tuoi video sono il top, keep rocking!
Hi Nicko! Does the SDX need an F spaced super distortion pick up or the one with standard spacing? Thanks a lot
F-spaced is preferable 🙂
@@LicksOfTheBeast Thank you 😁
It would be interesting to see the US models Vs these.
Absolutely! If I could find a recent US model it would be nice but as of yet I haven't found a single one anywhere in Canada.
That zinc alloy strips VERY EASILY, not to mention the finishes on those specials wears off very quickly. Plus , the edges on the pivot points also wears , which in turn keeps it from returning to pitch after a while. At least on my special, it didn't have the steel inserts at the pivot points.
I am thinking about buying the Green Jackson and put them the 3 Seymour Duncan. I love its aspect but I would love a sound better than the original pickups.
That's what I did in the white one and I love playing that guitar! They're great value so if you get a good one, it's totally worth spending a bit of money on upgrades.
@@LicksOfTheBeast I might even just put the bridge pickup on it since I use this position 95% of the time. Not to mention I heard in this video that it sounds closer to Iron Maiden. Thanks for this review \m/
Does anybody know the "heel"size of the neck of the SDX ? is this a 2- 3/16 ?
What amp and distortion pedal (if any) do you use in the video?
I just used the Bias FX II plugin here.
As much as I enjoy the feel of playing through a nice tube amp when I'm just jamming, I use plugins in all my videos as it's much more practical.
Neural DSP makes some great ones - Archetype: Petrucci and SLO-100 both sound awesome!
Is this Adrian's specs now, or from his original white and black Jackson in the 80's..... The original is what I want; his tone was so lush on SIT and Seventh Son
It's based on the more recent iterations of that instrument. I think the old one was fairly similar though... Lots of the same specs. His late 80s sound was more the result of certain elements all coming together (GK amps, more chorus effect, Martin Birch and everyone else involved being absolute geniuses... )
GK 250 ml nice hot little beast ,Iv got mine but the clean canals broken 😢😢😢
Could you add an EVH D Tuna to this guitar?
Yeah, as long as you don't set up your trem to float
What floyd rose did u put in the white black pickguard
It's the stock Floyd Rose Special. Only thing is I changed the bar and coupling to a German original one to keep the bar from coming loose... now it stays where I want it and it works great!
Hi what value pots have you got in the white one after the pickup change, I has put a similar set in mine with a 250k pot
Hey! I don't do my own work but I had asked my luthier to change them to 500K if they weren't and he said they already were 500K stock.
@@LicksOfTheBeast ok thanks the guy who did mine put 250k in and said it may sound a little dark on the humbucker but will change them if I want, it did sound a little dark when we practiced the other night but I will see how I get on with it for a couple of weeks, cheers