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Ibanez RG550 vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Ibanez RG550 is cheaper at $1199.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Ibanez RG550 or Jackson American Series Soloist SL3?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Ibanez RG550 is the cheaper at $1199.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Ibanez RG550 Jackson American Series Soloist SL3
US price $1199.99 $2299.99
BrandIbanezJackson
Released
Body wood Basswood Alder
Neck wood 5-piece Maple/Walnut, Super Wizard profile, bolt-on 3-piece Maple, neck-through-body with graphite reinforcement
Scale length (in) 25.5 25.5
Pickup configuration HSH HSS
Number of frets 24 24
Bridge type Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo
Fingerboard material Maple, black dot inlays Ebony, 12"-16" compound radius
Finish Gloss polyester; Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, Desert Sun Yellow, Black, Electric Blue, Gray Metallic Flat, White Flat Gloss, color-matched neck; Gloss Black
Weight (lb)

Sources — Ibanez RG550: ibanez.com (verified 2026-08-01). Jackson American Series Soloist SL3: jacksonguitars.com (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Ibanez RG550 and Jackson American Series Soloist SL3?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Body wood: Ibanez RG550 Basswood vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 Alder
  • Neck wood: Ibanez RG550 5-piece Maple/Walnut, Super Wizard profile, bolt-on vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 3-piece Maple, neck-through-body with graphite reinforcement
  • Pickup configuration: Ibanez RG550 HSH vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 HSS
  • Bridge type: Ibanez RG550 Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo
  • Fingerboard material: Ibanez RG550 Maple, black dot inlays vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 Ebony, 12"-16" compound radius
  • Finish: Ibanez RG550 Gloss polyester; Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, Desert Sun Yellow, Black, Electric Blue, Gray Metallic Flat, White Flat vs Jackson American Series Soloist SL3 Gloss, color-matched neck; Gloss Black

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