The Jackson Soloist is an electric guitar model introduced by Jackson Guitars in 1984, although prototypes were available before then. The design is a typical "superstrat"; it varies from a typical Stratocaster because of its neck-thru design; tremolo: Floyd Rose or similar, Kahler; or a fixed Tune-O-Matic; premium woods; a deeper cutaway at the lower horn for better access to the higher frets, and a sharper body with squared-off edges. History San Dimas era (early-mid 1980s) Grover Jackson began developing ideas that would manifest in the Soloist while he was running Charvel. Early examples have set necks, Stratocaster-shaped bodies, Explorer-style headstocks, and often Charvel appointments like vintage tremolos. The general Soloist style continued to evolve after Jackson started his own company. Early Soloist-styled models, called "Custom Strat" or "Neck-Through Body Strat", were typically custom guitars that varied in size, shape, and control placements. The design had been standardized when the first official Soloist, serial #J0158, was completed on August 28, 1984 (though later serial numbered guitars were completed a week and a half earlier). Customers thenceforth could order variations. Original platforms The Soloist Custom: standard neck-thru the body, 24 frets, ebony fretboard, "Sharkfin" or dot genuine pearl inlays, binding on the fretboard and headstock. The Soloist Student: standard neck-thru the body, 24 frets, rosewood fretboard (Brazilian rosewood 1984 - early 1985), genuine pearl dot inlays, lacks binding on the fretboard and headstock. The intended meanings of the model designations was to be similar to Gibson Les Paul Standard (Student in this case) and Les Paul Custom. The designations do not make one a lower quality instrument and the two are made in exactly the same fashion. Original options Originally the customer had the choice of 3 different bridges: Floyd Rose tremolo; Kahler cam tremolo; String-thru Tune-o-matic Pickup options were vast. A customer could get any configuration and any brand. The standard pickup brand was Seymour Duncan until very early 1985 when the company began using in-house wound pickups standard. Finishes were practically unlimited. While the standard colors were Platinum Pink, Ferrari Red, Ivory and Black, any custom color or airbrushed graphic was available for an upcharge. Some items changed to help cut costs and speed up production. An example of such a change was in the mid-1980s, when the hand-shaped nibs in the binding beside the frets were discontinued to save time hand-shaving the binding between each fret. In-house manufactured