The Jackson Adrian Smith SDX is an affordable way to gain access to the sound and playability of the more expensive model that the Iron maiden guitarist actually uses on stage. This one features a basswood body, bolt-on maple neck, compound radius rosewood fingerboard, Jackson pickups in an HSS configuration, white pickguard, Floyd Rose Special tremolo system, and black hardware. Case sold separately.
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SPECIFICATIONSAdrian Smith SDX
products generalModel Name: Adrian Smith Signature SDX
Series: Artist Signature
products body
Body: Basswood
Body Shape: San Dimas
Body Finish: Gloss
products neck
Neck Shape: Speed Neck
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Jumbo
Position Inlays: Dot
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Oiled
Nut Width: 1.6875" (43 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm)
Truss Rods: Dual-Action
Truss Rod Nut: Butt Adjustable
products electronics
Pickup Configuration: H/S/S
Bridge Pickup: Jackson Humbucking Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup: Jackson Single Coil Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup: Jackson Single Coil Neck Pickup
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
products hardware
Bridge: Top Mount Floyd Rose Special
Tuning Machines: Jackson Tuning Machines
products tools
Truss Rod Wrench: Standard Truss Rod Wrench
Floyd Rose Nut Adjustment Wrench: Yes
products miscellaneous
Strings: NPS, Gauges: .009, .011, .016, .024, .032, .042
Unique Features: H/S/S pickup configuration, 22 jumbo frets, maple neck w/rosewood fingerboard, Floyd Rose Special bridge, 5-way selector switch
products accessories
Pickguards: White
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidityOther plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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I love this guitar. When I first got it about a year ago, I loved it from the moment I pulled it out of the box. The Licensed Floyd system was set up and intonated properly. I pulled the stock pickups out within a few months and put in DiMarzio's. Now it screams! I plan on switching out the licensed Floyd for an original Floyd since the stability on the original, as well as the tonality, is much better. But for the price of this guitar, I have no complaints. It has a very bright clear sound. The tone is more bright and clear rather than the warm more gooey sound you'd get from a set-neck mahogany bodied guitar. The sustain is nice but Im sure will increase with an Original Floyd with a good brass tone block. I got the maple fretboard version. The neck is very comfortable and the frets are quite nice. The fretwork was pretty good. Ive had it completely apart a couple times and the tolerances of the work are very tight. As I mentioned earlier, just put in high end pickups of your choice and this guitar is a real workhorse strat.Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
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Plays really well and sounds great. All pickups sound great.But to get it this way needed quite a bit of work.
1. Needs New Nut. The stock nut is 10" radius. Fretboard radius is compound 12" to 16". Replaced stock nut with a 14" radius nut. Filed down nut slot to get the height right. Fixed. Most all Jacksons have this issue. Strange. Also shimmed the high and low e-string at the bridge for a flatter radius. Still a little buzz on the low E string but acceptable.
2. Neck pickup can't be adjusted high enough so it is too quiet compared to bridge pickup. The bridge sits too high. The fix: shim the neck. Works perfectly. Neck pickup sounds great.
3. Trem arm too loose, replacing that too.
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.I was a bit weary when I saw these were crafted in India, but that fear was soon laid to rest. This is honestly one of the nicest necks I've played on; the fret edges are well dressed, and the neck and fingerboard are ridiculously smooth. I bought my SDX from here, and I've played 3 others at various music stores, all with the same results; fantastic playability.
The tremolo stays in tune perfectly, though I had to raise the action a tiny bit to remove the fret buzz offered by unbalanced tremolo levels. A quick and simple adjustment on the spring tension fixed any buzz problems I had out of the box, however minor or major.
The pickups sound great! I had been considering a swap before the guitar arrived, but I'm quite pleased with the tone they give. No adjustments were necessary here.
The only qualm I have is that it seems the high e string sits too close to the edge of the fingerboard, and I have to exercise caution when playing there as to not pull the string off the side of the fingerboard. This has only been an issue on mine, however. The other 3 I've played have not had this problem.
The finish is top notch, the neck is among the best I've ever played (on par
with American Standards and Deluxes ), and it's a versatile beast.
Overall, this is honestly one of the best guitars you can buy for less than half a grand. I've actually considered buying another one or two to have my entire arsenal be this dependable. Check one out, you won't be disappointed!
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.nice gutiar setup was good out of the box .nice feel to neck can,t stop plaing it.
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.I hate to dig on a Jackson like I hated to dig on my Fender Steve Harris P bass. But this won't stay in tune, pick guard is junk and the "you get what you pay for" lesson comes home again. I love Adrian and Jackson but this doesn't do either one justice. Get it for your collection but forget it for playing live. It will look nice on your wall of trophy guitars though. Don't think though Jackson can't otherwise come through for little money. My Jackson concert bass (350.00) stomps the heck out of the Fender Steve Harris model (1300.00)for sound and quality. The Harris is the most beautiful bass ever though and again looks fantastic on the wall. The SDX? Trophy only believe me. Thank you
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.This is a very nice instrument for the pricepoint. I love the feel of the instrument and to me THAT is key.. The body feels right. The neck feels good. The fretboard and fretwork out of the box for me was VERY nice. The abalone inlays are just icing!
The Floyd Rose is middle of the road. I've seen far better and far worse. It's stable but the fine tuners are what you would expect at this pricepoint. A bit coarse...Not my immediate item to upgrade. The single coil pickups however, ARE! They have to go!
Actually, it's my intent to have a new HXS pickguard made and to load my own pickups of choice. The Bridge humbucker may stay, it's decent. But the stock Single Coils are subpar.. Hence, my 4 rather than 5 rating..
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.I have this one as well as the real USA version, therefore the focus of my review is to compare the imported version vs. the USA version. I must say that the SDX comes pretty close in tone and feel to the USA version...the craftsmanship is pretty good. I think that the US model is a little pricey and this is definitely a better overall deal. Believe it or not, I actually like the humbucker in this one better than the Dimarzio super distortion in the USA version...I feel that its brighter, which I prefer. My only gripe on this guitar is the noiseless single coils. I feel that the output on these are a little weak. They are great clean, but for solos I usually have to use my overdrive pedal to give it more bite. One thing about the noiseless single coils on these is they sound more like a single coil that the SCN's in the USA model, which sound more like a humbucker. I honestly feel that the only upgrade needed on this guitar is a neck pickup swap...other than that its an amazing guitar and a fantastic deal.
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.Plays just like the custom shop model. I want to buy multiples and keep them in different tunings because its so fun to play! Fast neck, smooth floyd, killer action, and some pretty killer stock pickups, but I'll be dropping some Bareknucle pickups in this little beast. Dont hesitate, buy this guitar.
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.I ordered this guitar on looks alone; as a life long Jackson player I expected Jackson quality to be there. For whatever reason, I wanted a Jackson with a Strat headstock, watching Adrian playing his Jacksons onstage only fueled that desire.
So the looks of the guitar are excellent. No issues with the paint job or with the finish on the hardware.
The neck is excellent and the frets are finished perfectly. The grain in the rosewood fret board is tight and the board is smooth.
Like other reviewers, I do have issues with the pickups. Experience has shown me that guitars in this price range, running "stock" pickups, usually leave a lot to be desired and I assumed that a swap would be in order even as I added this guitar to my cart. In the case of my SDX, I do not like the stock single coils. While I don't expect their output to match the bridge humbucker, they aren't even close. Both single coils are thin sounding and through my rig lack bass and midrange. Adjusting their height hasn't helped any. I do like the bridge humbucker and it will stay in the guitar.
The Floyd Rose Special feels solid and staying in tune hasn't been an issue. The volume, tone, and the 5-way switch feel solid with no noise.
So, while I don't like the single coils, they are still usable until I can swap them out. The neck plays great, the hardware on the guitar is solid...I feel that the SDX is gig-worthy and does a good job of representing the Jackson brand.
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
.I am a bass player at heart but flirted with 6 strings over the years. I have owned a Jackson Rhoads in the past and wanted to own a Jackson again. Something about their mystic when you grew up in the 80's. Adrian's SDX is a bet worth taking. Affordable Hot Rod Strat quality at about 1/4th the price it should be. Sounds and plays like it should. It is hard to put down and usually don't until my Warwick gets jealous. Buy this thing!
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX Snow White Rosewood Fingerboard
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