Jackson USA Signature Adrian Smith San Dimas - The PERFECT guitar?!

[@logandumont]

I’m picking mine up tomorrow! Bucket list guitar for me. Watching these videos to get hyped!

[@lducati]

Dear Nico, I am glad to hear that you are happy with your AS Jackson. My snow white black pick guard with maple neck is amazing. I totally agree with your comments. UP THE IRONS!

[@ghastlynavigator]

What an absolute beauty! It's 3am here and I still had to click when Nico uploads! I was up anyway jamming to the parchment...UP THE IRONS! 🤘

[@CC-qb9sm]

The Parchment just doesn’t get old does it?? Such a great track! 🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thanks man! And funny enough The Parchment was the last thing I was working on before going to bed 😁

[@atgv43]

Hi Nico, I am not a guitar player but I still enjoy your videos a lot. My enjoyment comes from watching the mighty Adrian Smith and alike and great players like yourself play. Your reviews are very articulate and informative and as just a fan still fun to watch! Keep them coming!

[@thorcerchi5341]

The lick at the beginning is awesome 🚀🚀🔥🔥

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you!! 😃

[@WildChildMcCloud]

The DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup really makes this guitar top notch. It has a clear midrange punch that is classic. 👍🏻

[@PedroLopez-sg2bu]

you should totally do a comparison between the two! I

[@MetalMan73100]

Another great video. Up close views of the neck make it look as if the fingerboard is friendlier than a typical Fender neck with its concave fingerboard that makes soloing and string bending more of a challenge than on a typical shredder´s guitar. I like a nice, flat fingerboard myself, and the Adrian Smith model looks quite reassuring in this video. Also, great playing!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah if you like a thin, wide neck with flat radius, this guitar is definitely right for you! The cool thing is that even though I normally prefer a thicker neck and more rounded radius I actually got used to this one very quickly!

[@willman100]

Great video, stellar playing and awesome guitar. A comparison video would be enjoyed.

[@cbr9914]

i played one of the low end models (i'm a bassist, mainly into fusion), and was blown away how fantastic this guitar is.

[@neilrobinson7615]

FYI, you need to correct the description. Great review, incredible instrument. I'd love one of these!

[@bluesdude1194]

I love the green model.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That quilted top really is beautiful!

[@gcoza11]

@@LicksOfTheBeast I have the green model. Here is the question: On my guitar floyd radius (10 or 12" I am not sure) does not follow the neck radius properly (16") so B and A string are much lower then D or G. Is this the case on your guitar? Also, I have R2 locking nut on mine. What is on yours?

[@MidgardGamesTV]

I want one so bad ! White with black pick guard and the lighter coloured fretboard, much like what you showed Adrian playing around 86-87

[@indigenousamerican3148]

Hell yeah it is. I decided to take the plunge and buy a 2021 USA Adrian Smith same as the one you have and omg everytime i pick it up to play its a blast. I'll never get rid of it. Maybe one thing they could've added is fix the neck joint at the bottom but it doesn't bother the master himself Adrian Smith so its all good.

[@tefterakos]

Great video as always. I would love to see a comparison video between this guitar and the Fender Signature(Dave Murray's) as far as the tone and the overall playability, and finally which one is more value for the money guitar.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Cool! Thanks for the feedback 😃 I can tell you right away that in terms of VALUE, the Dave Murray signature by a mile!

[@martinclayton7260]

I look forward to seeing your videos. I'd love to see a comparison between the two Jackson's!

[@booshting3520]

After owning mine for 2 years it's developing a nice cream colour to the body.

[@Albee213]

Was it case kept or left exposed to sunlight? I bought a new one in 2018 and it seems to look the same as the day I bought it.

[@booshting3520]

@@Albee213 No its been mostly kept on a stand in my living room because it's one of my favourites.There's no direct sunlight on it at all though.

[@tomdurkin5149]

Great playing on that intro man. I know it's a Maiden channel you're running but I'd love to see you do more improv stuff!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thanks so much!! I do enjoy writing, composing and jamming out over backing tracks so if it's something people want to see I'll definitely do more of that!

[@tomdurkin5149]

@@LicksOfTheBeast that's mainly what I do for enjoyment now that I'm no longer in a band. I just learn songs or jam to backing tracks. I for one would like to see more of your own composition and improvs for sure man 👍

[@metalpianomusic5635]

Please make a comparison video between the two!

[@Yonlawlawlaw]

I will be very happy when you show us your presets in Bias FX, your tone is awesome :D

[@Harry_van]

That would be great, specially for the ones like me that use Guitar Rig... Then we can copy the equipment 🙂

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you! Fory exact settings, just go in the Tonecloud and search Licks of the Beast. You'll find the two settings I use on almost everything. For this video I used the one called Licks Of The Beast II 😊

[@CC-qb9sm]

I absolutely love mine too Nico! It’s definitely not a guitar I will ever part with. Hey!! Loved you riffing through Starblind in position 3!!! Probably my favorite track on The Final Frontier!! Maybe a lesson on that one Nico? Great review, have an awesome Sunday!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Starblind is one of my faves off Final Frontier - the only thing is the way it's my mixed makes it a bit difficult to actually capture the nuances of what the guitars are doing on a lot of parts so I never ended up learning much of the song...maybe someday! Have a good one 🤜🤛

[@CC-qb9sm]

@@LicksOfTheBeast - It’s not every day you see someone riffing through Starblind. Love this channel!

[@diegoleiva6496]

The perfect and iconic!! Amo las JACKSON y esta mas

[@ssejr01]

It sounds amazing.

[@MatteoAn93]

Great review! This Guitar Is great!

[@enriquesoto6534]

Your playing is amazingly tasty, Nico! Beautiful! Awesome 👏🏼 guitar. Thoroughly well explained and executed video performance!! I believe I read in an interview that Adrian had that beautiful Black and White 1986 prototype Jackson at the end of 1985, beginning of 1986. Also, I loved that Synth Jackson Dinky that he used on the Somewhere In Time record and tour!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you! I really appreciate that 😊 That white Jackson with the midi controls was very cool indeed!!

[@ryos.5974]

It looks and sounds absolutely beautiful! I’m also really jealous of your shirt B.T.W.-I tried to get a Senjutsu shirt at practically the only legitimate band merch store in my country and (cue gasp sound effect) it’s been out of stock since day 2 of release.

[@nadtrzw7788]

Doesnt Iron Maiden have an official online shop for their Merch? I would assdume they do international shipping of that's an option maybe!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you! 😊 I got my two Senjutsu t-shirts from the official Maiden online merch store. Maybe check that out as they should still have stock... Cheers!

[@antonioroman4895]

Very nice review. I just bought this Guitar. I like everything except the Super Distortion. I think I will like something brighter and with more midrange.

[@suetruett3812]

I've got this guitar but with the maple fretboard.. I love this guitar and it is my favorite{for now}.. .lol..the tone of this guitar and the sounds you can come up with are outrageous.. I will keep this one forever, playing it and being happy I made this decision to cough up the price but with as nice a guitar as this is, the cost was no biggie.

[@HarryThomsen]

Gerat video, great playing, great info - exactly what I was looking for - thank you !

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you!! Glad this was useful 😊

[@HarryThomsen]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Did I understand it correctly: Is the neck of the USA model wider than on the SDX model? (would indeed be glad to see a comparison video between the two :-)

[@hermanbylund9341]

the 12:30 section was so fucking beautiful and well made, great video !!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Oh thanks so much!!! I'm really happy to see someone enjoyed that 😊

[@DarioGrillo]

Amazing guitar

[@soulcrusherstar-ax9548]

Wicked bro. Excellent work

[@sidneyferreira3007]

I always wonder what the difference is between charvel and jackson. great video man

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

If you're comparing a US Charvel to a US Jackson, there probably isn't very much difference! I have tried a few of the MIM Charvels and they were phenomenal too... Incredible value for the money!

[@tomosedwards8369]

What a terrific looking and sounding instrument. One day maybe il own one 😂.

[@mr.m.u.k.5944]

Hi Nico, greetings from Germany! Awesome and interesting review video, well done. One question in regard to your overall superb Maiden sounds. I've read that you're using Bias FX 2 for creating those amazing and authentic Maiden sounds, aren't you? Could you perhaps explain your favourite Maiden settings and say a few words in terms of why this is the way to go for you plugin wise? What makes it the prefered choice for you in contrast to i.e. the plugins by Neural DSP? Many thanks in advance! Keep doing your great work an up the irons!

[@mladen1982]

I was about to write the same thing, thanks!...Nico, what are You waiting for? This is definitely my favorite Maiden channel, and lot's of us are waiting for the tone video :) Аll the best from Serbia!

[@gergelyzanyi7752]

Hey buddy, goin' in a BIAS FX2 Tonecloud, and the name of Licks of the beast you'll find the perfect tone settings.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah like Gergely said, you can find my two main settings in the Tonecloud. The one I used for this video is Licks Of The Beast II. Just with the chorus settings turned down to barely 1. I find Neural DSP plugins have better quality sound overall and they're especially better for more modern metal or tighter metal in general. But I find Bias is more versatile and comes loaded with effects and more tonal options. It also seems to work better for a more classic metal kind of sound.. at least for me 😊

[@mladen1982]

@@LicksOfTheBeast I use other product, not Bias....it's not about just downloading patch, it's about hearing Your toughts about achiving the right Maiden tone, recording and mixing. I bealive we can learn much from You, all the best! 🎸😎

[@mr.m.u.k.5944]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Many thanks for your respond. I guess then I will have to give it a chance and try it out. :-) 😁

[@franckerrev9417]

Great Review ! J'ai possédé une SDX, mais je ne l'ai pas du tout aimé. Le floyd rose special était très mauvais, je l'ai changé pour un lockmeister bien meilleur, mais au final je n'arrivais pas à me faire au manche, et la lutherie me paraissait moyenne, d'ailleurs mon luthier n'avait pas été convaincu par cette guitare. C'était un modèle assez ancien et peut-être que les SDX plus récentes sont meilleurs, mais je préférerais investir directement dans un modèle US mais cela est trop cher pour moi pour l'instant. Par contre j'ai aussi la Dave Murray MIM et elle est juste parfaite pour moi !

[@RChinini]

Suggestion for guitar cover: Montsegur

[@danbal4185]

Spectacular song!

[@k2vaja00]

Would really love a comparison video between this guitar and the SDX! F.e. does the SDX have a narrower neck than this more expensive guitar? And what is the Dinky version? Is it the same guitar but with a smaller body?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah the neck on the US version is a lot more substantial as is the fretboard... it's a nice slab of ebony! I find the SDX is plenty of value for the price and the Floyd special is good enough for most situations. The pickups aren't the best just because they're a little generic but you can still get good sounds with them with a little EQ 😊 I have a full review of the SDX as well if you haven't seen that. Dinky is the body style of both models... It's just a tad smaller than a standard Strat. I dunno... it still feels like a Strat body to me 😄

[@k2vaja00]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks for the reply! Yes, I've watched your other review video. I guess the SDX would be better for my smaller hands and money wise for my skill level. But I already got a fixation for this pricier model. Anyway, I live in Finland and looks like Thomann is the only place I can get this model and they are out of stock, will take several months till they have it. So plenty of time to ponder!

[@skookum696]

I would really like to see this as well. An all-angles comparison and zoom in on specific areas of fit and finish where the American version is of higher quality. Thanks for your awesome channel and content!

[@k2vaja00]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Decided to get the US custom version and got it way earlier than expected. Awesome guitar, I could not be happier! I'm sure there are better guitars in the price range, but nothing beats the feeling of playing your idol's guitar!

[@JD-vj4go]

Beautiful guitar. I really hope the SDX gets the truss rod wheel. Jackson if you're lurking make it so. A comparison video for the USA and SDX guitars would be very cool.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Guitar techs everywhere would definitely be happy with that upgrade 😄

[@fifrelinbigre4198]

Hi ! Is the comparison between USA and Indonesian versions still on the table ? I would love to see that have your opinion Love the channel 🤘🏻

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Hey! Thanks so much man! I didn't think there was that much interest in that comparison but if that changes, I would definitely make a video about it. In the meantime, if there is something you'd like to know about the two models, don't hesitate to ask! I'll be happy to answer the best I can 😊

[@xypher2]

That's a great sounding guitar! Could you cover some of your bias fx 2 for iron maiden songs? It would be really helpful for fellow Iron Maiden fans who use bias fx 2 as well. Cheers!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

If you have Bias, just go on the Tonecloud and look for Licks of the Beast and you'll find my two main presets available for download. On this video, I used the one named Licks of the Beast II. 🙂 Cheers! 🤘

[@thefenian32]

Awesome guitar but pricey, especially as I don’t do many gigs these days. Next up, your Dave Murray strat review. Cheers!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah like all low production US models, I think it's a little pricier than it should be. For live gigs, I use the SDX model as I don't want to risk bringing this one where it can easily get banged up or stolen. The SDX has been fantastic and it's one of my go-to guitars even! I hope you enjoyed the Murray Strat review vid as well 😃 Cheers!

[@dy3662]

Awesome, love this. How do you find the Super Distortion compared to the JB you dropped into the SDX (if I’m not mistaken…)

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

If I compare them both plugged straight into my amp, the US model with the Dimarzio definitely sounds brighter, punchier and clearer. I can't count for how much of an effect, if any, the wood and electronics have on the overall sound though. This is just a direct comparison of both guitars as they are into my amp without adjusting the settings.

[@dy3662]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Interesting… I have an RG with a Duncan Distortion and I’ve always found it a bit muddy. I also have a Pacifica with a JB that sounds superb, bright and open, great tone I associate with 80s rock and metal. I’ve been considering swapping out the Duncan Distortion for either a JB or Dimarzio Super Distortion, which seems to be used by a lot players whose tone I enjoy. Always good to get another opinion besides just videos through a phone speaker so thanks for sharing!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

@@dy3662 I really like how the super distortion sounds and I'm using it on three of my guitars now! Ultimately there are so many factors that affect tone and according to a really cool test that Glenn from CTS Studios recently did on his channel, speakers play a massive role - not that it's surprising but still very interesting to see it play out!

[@crazytrain591]

I have a 2016 and I adore it. First time I held it I felt the quality oozing out if it. It also stays in tune better than any guitar I’ve ever played. I bought it 4 months ago and have yet to run out of space on the fine tuners. However I have one issue with mine and it’s that I feel as though the SCN pickups have to be wayyyyy closer to the strings than in a regular Strat to match the output of the humbucker. Coming from Les Pauls my whole life, I’ve always had trouble playing without hitting the middle pickup on a Strat to begin with and on this guitar I feel I can’t play it over the middle pickup at all and end up having to strum between the middle and neck pickups which feels unnaturally close to the fretboard for me and that I lose some high end. Would be interested to hear your pickup heights because yours sounds great and you don’t appear to be having any trouble.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm still experimenting with the single coils actually. Right now they are about the same height as my Strat and it's fine for picking but I'm not thrilled with the results tonally. I don't really have issues with hitting the pickups even if they're pretty close and I guess that's just in the way I pick... But I'll come back to this comment once I've played with them a bit more. Cheers!

[@crazytrain591]

@@LicksOfTheBeast thank you - looking forward to hearing more about your experience. It’s otherwise a perfect guitar. I like Iron Maiden but was never seeking one of these out or really paid any attention to them at all. But in my search for an alternate guitar to my one and only Les Paul, this guitar kept coming up and checking off all the boxes for the features I was looking for. It’s a Strat shape but the neck angle is slightly different than other Strats and super strats (or at least mine is) and the way the bridge sits (or should I say, floats) over the body, the picking angle feels very similar to a Les Paul which was a huge draw for me and one I realized was probably because Adrian came from Les Pauls as well. Plugging it into an amp set for my Les Paul, I had very little tweaking to do which was also nice. I ended up buying it after trying and selling/returning various other offerings from Charvel, EVH, and Jackson and it honestly knocked those out of the park for me personally in all categories. Picking it up, you can feel it is built superbly and the first thing I noticed was how thick the slab of ebony on the fretboard was. If I get the pickups sorted out, it’s the perfect guitar and I’m not even a huge Maiden fan so for someone who’s an absolute Iron Maiden fanatic like yourself, I’m sure you’ll never part with it.

[@crazytrain591]

Hi Nico - following up to see how you’re doing with this?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Pickups are still at the same height as when I first got it 😄 I'm not sure what the exact height is now as I'm in the UK and thus quite far from my guitars but I haven't felt any need to tweak the pickup height other than bring the bridge pup just a bit closer the the strings.

[@crazytrain591]

@@LicksOfTheBeast sweet, thanks for getting back to me!

[@fredericadda]

I have this exact guitar but the previous model, where you had to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod 😬 I have to say I love it, but not as much as my Charvel San Dimas made in Mexico that cost me half the price. 🤷‍♂️

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I played a few of the MIM Charvels and I absolutely love them! The ones with the roasted necks are out of this world...

[@fredericadda]

@@LicksOfTheBeast and the DK24 necks have this nice sculpted access joint, it's the only weak point of the San Dimas / So-Cal IMO

[@TheLithGH]

Thought of getting one, not because I'm a Jackson fan, but because Adrian is my favorite guitar player, so the purchase would be to pay homage to the MAN!! But not sure if the homage is worth 3,200 US, ha!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

They're pretty expensive and the fact that they're pretty much custom shop guitars AND the artist has to get a cut influences the price for sure. But seriously, the neck alone is phenomenal! If you can find a second hand one at a good price, I highly recommend it!

[@WildChildMcCloud]

Is that a DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup? It's got a nice roar to it.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yup. That comes stock with this model.

[@mathias6423]

I am also amazed how high output and sheer volume that vintage, SCN or what the Fender "Single coil" pickup is called, gives compared to the much hotter Super distortion in the bridge. Those Fender pickups sounds really amazing. They are not really single coils though, hence Fender is calling them only "pickups" instead of Singe coils. They are in fact double stacked on top of each other instead of beside each other like a traditional humbucker that is why they are noiseless. So they are more like a humbucker closer to hot rails and the Duncan JB rather than single coils. They sound truly amazing, I prefer them in the neck more than Dave Murrays hot rail in the neck. I would love to see a comparison with these Fender pickups and the more modern Fender Gen 4 noiseless pickups since the Gen 4 is much easier to get and the SCN pickups in this video is getting much harder to buy separate. I wonder if Adrian Smith uses that fender pickup in the neck a lot or if he goes more for that Super distortion. I have to double check some of the live videos now, I have not really thought about it earlier =)

[@13Gozz13]

I got the cheap one. The one thing that bothers me about it is that you have to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Even on the US models up until last year it was like that - vintage style. 🙂 I have the SDX as well and for sure it's a bit of a pain in the ass if you do your own setups but I usually just take it to my luthier once or twice a year depending on weather.

[@Harry_van]

This model is the one most used by Adrian since Final Frontier I think. Am I wrong?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

For a while it definitely was. I think since the Legacy tour he started favouring the green quilted top with maple fretboard.

[@Harry_van]

@@LicksOfTheBeast yes, that's true! 🙂

[@MAPRIDEL]

Hi Nico, what I have noticed is that you love to play the white guitar with Seymour Dunca pickups. And you've only played 1 video with the trans green with Super Distortion bridge pickup. So I have not decided to buy it and knowing from you that it has a very thin neck and is subject to less stability in tuning. I bought the white ice and ordered the S.D pickups according to your specifications, and I will have to change pots, capacitor........... And I have already bought a brass one for the bridge, and more things that I will change. And as you well say, those who do not understand many instruments and buy a guitar for €500 cannot explain why the USA ones are worth 4 or 5 times more, and they do not know that an original Floydrose bridge is worth €500, the neck another 500 or more and so on with everything, pickups, potentiometers......etc. And soon I will buy the ice white USA, since it has beautiful finishes on the Ebony fingerboard and with abalone inlays. I think I like this one better than the Trans Green. From my point of view, the D. Murray signature guitar with the ebony neck would have been better since the rosewood fingerboard has to be hydrated from time to time because it dries out a lot. And as always, thank you very much for sharing your time and explaining your tastes and wisdom.

[@mathias6423]

@MAPRIDEL I bought the White Jackson SDX with the black pickguard , I have the Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and for now the Jackson single coils in the middle and neck until I know what do swap them for. I am in love with the guitar, for the money it is one of the best I have played. Did you buy your ice white USA model yet ? If you did what do you think of it ? Also what white guitar with Seymour Duncans are you referring to in the beginning of your comment ? Wait that is my guitar you are writing about of course. The white guitar with the black pickguard and Nico put Duncans in it while I am thinking about putting Fenders in it like the more expensive USA model has =) I wonder if it is easy to switch out the Floyd Rose special in this cheaper Jackson for a much better German Floyd Rose 1000 or something of that better quality. I will ask the guitar tech in town for help on that change if it is possible.

[@pz1792]

I am just wondering if Adrian is playing the one that is available in shop or they built him some masterbuilt, selected wood etc. There are companies like Musicman, that artists have exactly the same instruments that others can buy, wondering how it is in other brands like Jackon for example

[@joemana27]

Where you bought that shirt?

[@stefhan4667]

Thanks for the presentation. But we all know that H's REAL signature six string remains his beat up LP Goldtop, don't we? 😇😉 Epic fail by Gibson not to have approached him in the first place.

[@motnostaw2813]

Maybe in a decade we will get a goldtop Gibson signature and I'll buy that too. :)

[@mathias6423]

WOW Nico you got this guitar too ?!? So you have like everyone of Adrians guitars, both the cheaper versions and the more expensive 😅 I got a question for you Nico, I just ordered my SDX with the Super distortion and I am looking at also replacing Jacksons single coils with these noiseless fender single coils from the guitar in your video here. Which single coils do you like more the Fender ones in your more expensive Jackson or the Duncan ones in your cheaper SDX and why? I tend to lean more on the Fender noiseless single coils than the Duncan hot vintage and the other one you got simply because I like the fender single coil sound a bit more. Also the volume knob seems to be a little too close to the bridge for my liking, seems that it could be in the way when strumming/playing, did you notice that aswell, I see your hand is against it when playing lighter strings. Maybe it is not too hard to move it. I guess you feel that this guitar feels more premium than your Dave murray mexican Fender that you mentioned did not feel like a premium guitar ? Also Nico, sorry for all the questions but the Floyd rose on the SDX model, it looks like there is no room to really pull it up before it touches the guitar body on the backside or am I wrong ? It looks like you can just really use it to push down, there usually is a hole on the back of the tremolo so that you can pull it up more ? Thanks in advance!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Both are very good. Maybe I prefer the SCNs because they're actual single coils with a more pure straty sound

[@mathias6423]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Ah then we feel the same.

[@chrismaluf]

Hi nico! how does the single coils sound, I am a little worried they sound too thin or too “straty’’ what are yout thoughts on them? And also, how would you compare this guitar with a Charvel mij/usa? Thanks a lot!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

You can hear them in this video from 9:44 to 11:03 They're stacked singled so straty enough for a superstrat but more in the vein of the newer noiseless than anything vintage. Compared to MIJ Jacksons and Charvels it's similar in most things except the neck and fretboard. They're great on the MIJs, but exceptional on this one. 😊

[@chrismaluf]

@@LicksOfTheBeast got it, thanks a lot Nico!

[@ijaudkoceng]

sold my SDX guitar few months ago, because I'm kind of "struggling" with that guitar 😅 fret not, I still have my Charvel So-Cal Style 1 HH, the best guitar in my arsenal so far

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

The SDX can be hit or miss - especially the ones made before 2019 for some reason.... But yeah the Charvel So-Cals are incredible guitars!

[@ijaudkoceng]

@@LicksOfTheBeast mine was a 2018 model, fret edges were filed almost 45 degree and the high-E string sits just a mere millimeter from the edges... easily slipped during wild vibrato

[@jonshaw9472]

@@ijaudkoceng I bought an sdx a couple of years ago and decided it wasn't as good as my Mexican stratocaster so sent it back saved up for another year and bought the Charvel Sol Cal and yes it's fantastic, the best guitar I've played worth every penny of the £750.

[@jeffersononetwo]

I do not get a good mix with bridge and second position single coil Not sue if my wiring is messed up but it sounds thin. Other positions sound fine. Thoughts? SDX model with Dimarzio pickups

[@WildChildMcCloud]

The sdx doesn't come with DiMarzios

[@jeffersononetwo]

@@WildChildMcCloud Yeah, I put them in - one was out of phase but sounds killer now. That's was Maiden uses - Super Distortion

[@transcendentalarts5942]

What song is that in the beginning? 😎

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

It's just something I put together for this video. 🙂

[@jonshaw9472]

Is there the same problem with the E string slipping off because of the R3 nut on this model like on the SDX?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Not at all! My white SDX doesn't have that problem either. The newer SDX models are really great guitars... Very close to the Mexican Charvels actually!

[@jonshaw9472]

@@LicksOfTheBeast you're absolutely right, after seeing this review I bought my 14 year old son an all white Sdx and yes it's very similar to my charvel (which cost twice as much)... amazing value for the money.

[@marcograziotin6844]

eccezzionale, io ho ambedue le sdx sia acero che palissandro, e sono due ottime chitarre, non oso pensare quanto sia spettacolare questa sotto le mani. Peccato costi troppo per le mie tasche avendo gia un les paul standard che pesa sulle finanze.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

È una chittarra veramente ottima su tutti i punti di vista. Detto questo, tra questa e la Les Paul Standard non vedo nessuna differenza qualitativamente parlando. Solo che la Les Paul ha più fascino... Quindi direi che con le due SDX e la LP fondamentalmente non ti perdi nulla 😃

[@twenty-yearbeginner2660]

Wish the SDX has the same heel mount truss rod adjustment or at least at the headstock.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Definitely! Even the US models before 2020 had the same "vintage" adjustment where you have to remove the neck... Not the best when you live in a place like Canada where the climate changes constantly! 😒

[@twenty-yearbeginner2660]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Hopefully it will come soon, upgrading the bridge to a Gotoh 1996T and pickups are the way to go with the SDX if given the chance to own one.

[@carlosperina6402]

Hello! what amp and /or pedals are you using for the overdriven tone?

[@Karol-jg8mi]

what's the name of the distortion riff on position no 4?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Solar Fire from Smith/Kotzen 🙂

[@Karol-jg8mi]

@@LicksOfTheBeast thanks, such a cool riff

[@lovecraftmusic8717]

what finish is that? olympic, artic or polar white?

[@LucasVieira-qe4yb]

what's the name of the riff on position no 2? 9:22

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Oh, that's part of a song I wrote maybe 20 years ago 😊

[@LucasVieira-qe4yb]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Really cool man. Is there a Full a song?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

@@LucasVieira-qe4yb Only in my old, horribly recorded demos 😅

[@bastianbeivers7997]

It seems like there is as color difference between the one with the black pickguard and the white pickguard. I really want the "all white" look and would probably swap the pickguard if the body-color is different. Which one looks more white? is is the same color on the body?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm traveling at the moment, so I can't compare my white/black SDX to this one but...Both colours are listed as "snow white" so the difference is likely due to the contrast with the pickguard and neck. I love the all white look of this guitar with the ebony fretboard!

[@bastianbeivers7997]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks for responding. The color description is snow white, that's correct. And I am pretty sure they dont change the color (just a bit) for another pickguard. That would be useless work. But if I compare pictures of them, the colorcode is different. Would be cool to get a exact answer. I really want to buy the white pickguard one, if the color is the same white^^

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

@@bastianbeivers7997 I just got back home, looked at both the white/black SDX and white/white US model side by side on the stand so I can't see the pickguards and yeah they're the same shade of white. Good luck with whichever one you choose!

[@bastianbeivers7997]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Thanks alot dude. definitly going for the all white one.

[@brianelkins8604]

Lol ok so the best answer I have been able to find, as much as it may had been a joke it's the only one I've seen that actually rang true in the least bit... first off I also found out it not just labeled a san dimas, but a san dimas dincy lol, I know. Which just makes this answer ring even more true...now that fender owns them, it's just that fender don't know their ass from a whole in the ground when it comes to Jackson/Charvel. I did find one other answer that If true might actually be it, but I gave to look into it, unless you may just happen to know. Apparently so cal is strictly a charvel thing and it's a san dimas because it's a jackson, supposedly. I know I've seen lots of jackson san dimas guitars but can't off the top of my head recall ever seeing a Jackson so cal. Shouldn't be hard to find out that one though, I just cant look into it right this minute.

[@brianelkins8604]

Lol never mind, that was way easy. Just found a standard jackson model so cal with the exact same configuration so no, looks like fender are just stupid lol.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Oh well 🤷😂

[@ilredeldeserto]

e rispetto alla signature di Dave? Sono chitarre simili (hanno anche entrambe il Floyd Rose originale fisso, credo) ma la Fender costa circa la metà di questa Jackson, siccome le hai entrambe, quei soldi di differenza sono in qualità o solo in dettagli estetici?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Il Floyd sulla Fender DM è un 1000 Series che sarebbe identico all'originale ma prodotto in Corea. L'altra differenza è nel paese di produzione della chitarra e nel volume: la Jackson è fatta negli Stati Uniti in piccoli numeri mentre la Fender viene prodotta in Messico e ce ne sono di più sul mercato. Per quanto riguarda il livello di qualità, sono entrambe ottime ma il manico della Jackson è tagliato di quarto ed sembra più ricco. Non è una differenza enorme però e se vado in base al piacere di suonare direi che siamo pari - solo questione di cosa preferisci. Per il rapporto qualità/prezzo invece, la Dave Murray vince indubbiamente!

[@piotrzajac3972]

Do you know the values of volume and tone pots?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm guessing 500K but I don't know for sure.

[@ioannisdenton]

Nico may i ask where are you from? Yiir origins? I am asking cause of your accent.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I am originally from southern Italy but I live in Canada. I think my accent is the result of having spent my whole life speaking Italian, English and French - often in the same conversation 😄

[@MikeBiscuits27]

@@LicksOfTheBeast which city? Also Canadian here!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Cool! I'm in Toronto

[@pz1792]

how it compares to your fenders?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

If I compare it to my American Deluxe Fat Strat, which comes with the roller and the very rare Mini Floyd Rose, they're close in terms of quality and fit/finish...just a bit different in form and function. The Jackson has a wider neck which is quartersawn, slightly nicer wood, and I like that it doesn't have a gloss finish. Both fretboards are nice but the Jackson looks a bit more impressive with its thick slab of ebony. The compound 12-16" radius feels different from the 9.5" rad. of the strat, so the guitars feel different, which is cool because it means I approach the two instruments differently. Both guitars are great stock and need no mods of any kind. The only thing I changed on the Strat is I replaced the stock humbucker with a Pearly Gates just because I found the stock pup a bit harsh for that guitar. I think the Jackson went a bit overboard with the new price increase, but it is a signature model and a part of that has to go the artist. Plus, these are essentially Jackson custom shop instruments so I guess it's reflected in the higher retail price.

[@MichaelH-ez7cy]

can anyone tell me what the difference is what is the sdx and the sdxm?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Literally just the color of the pickguard. Both are made in Indonesia, and have the same body color, same neck, bridge, pickups, frets, tuners, and electronics. My SDX is actually my main live guitar and all I did was change the pickups and the trem arm!

[@MichaelH-ez7cy]

@@LicksOfTheBeast thank you

[@Hadouken5150]

@@MichaelH-ez7cy nice name.

[@guitargod5992]

How to adjust the neck?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thumbwheel adjustment at the base of the neck. Very easy

[@guitargod5992]

@@LicksOfTheBeast I can not find the screw or the hole!!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Oh I see... If you have a model before 2020, it'll have the vintage style adjustment, in which case you have to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod.

[@guitargod5992]

@@LicksOfTheBeast thank you very much!!!

[@Trbochv69]

Im shocked you have to pay that much and have to get a fret level on a brand new guitar thats 3k. I would be hot

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

It happens even on very expensive guitars. Now if it was brand new I could have had it taken care of by the retailer but in this case I bought it on Reverb so of course I had to eat that expense too but in the end it all worked out 😊

[@Trbochv69]

@@LicksOfTheBeast Ahh makes sense. I didnt realized you purchased used.

[@brianelkins8604]

Hey Nico my brother, hope you're doing well. I know this is an old video and probably a hundred people are more have already pointed this out to you. If not, I'm sure you yourself have already noticed. But none the less, the Adrian smith signature is a so cale not a San dimas.

[@brianelkins8604]

Lol wait no my bad dude lol I had a damn brain fart. Lol scratch that you had it right. Damn. That's what I get for jumping on you tube and opening my mouth as soon as I wake up before my ass has even crawled out of bed lol. Please excuse me. Could have just deleted the comment, but I'll own my dumb assery.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Actually...I don't think you're wrong, technically. San Dimas models are typically backloaded and don't have a pickguard, so this layout should (as far as my limited knowledge goes) make it a So-Cal. But I'm in no way an expert on Jackson/Charvel's model naming history and practices so... if they call it a San Dimas, I'll say it's a San Dimas. 🤷😂

[@brianelkins8604]

@@LicksOfTheBeast yeah, thats what caused the brain fart but for some reason they are labeled as san dimas I have a hard time remembering that because I dont understand why, and I tried looking into it. As of yet I have found no answers.

[@brianelkins8604]

Lol as I read that back I noticed I forgot that punctuation is a thing lol. Just insert periods and shit in your mind as needed lol.

[@akselgumus5385]

Agent Smith

[@phenixreturns]

the sound is as dark -metallic as possible: = not the brightness we want

[@SillyDeal1604]

Eddie Guerrero is not dead, he's still alive and playing Iron Maiden songs.

[@danbal4185]

Why they've blocked your latest video? Absurd!!!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Yeah it's ridiculous. It's blocked in most countries... It's been a real struggle trying to get anything from the new album on KZbin. I will post it to my Instagram page tomorrow 😊

[@danbal4185]

​@@LicksOfTheBeast Great! My fav song and solos on the new record!

[@phenixreturns]

no because no boost no good neck joint no Clapton boost no Beck's trem no out of phase no pure bypass no telecaster sound with a wiring not a great color not all alnico pickups

[@Iheartdgd]

What’s a ‘beck trem’? Just regular blocked trem? Also the neck joint has never bothered me, but I get it.

[@harryballsonya4347]

I have $500 can I get good too?

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

They now cost $600.00 U.S.A dollars in 2022