Monarkh – Jackson’s New Series of Guitars

This year’s NAMM definitely didn’t disappoint many fans of Jackson guitars, announcing a brand new single-cut body shape for their guitars, known as the Monarkh, as well as the new Soloists and signature Christian Andreu, Chris Broderick, Dave Ellefson and Misha Mansoor models from Gojira.

But for those who attended the event, the biggest news they announced is the reveal of the Monarkh. Their new single-cut design will be launched all across the Pro, X and JS Series, showing that it’s not just your typical Fender-owned metal guitar brand.

In other news, the Soloist design is also getting a boost with two new models announced: the Pro Series SL2M and the X Series SL3X. Meanwhile, Misha Mansoor unveiled the limited-edition eight-string Juggernaut. Now any live sound session will sound even better, especially with the right guitar effect processor, once these guitars roll out onto the market!

Below is the basic lowdown on all of the new models, with brief descriptions of each series. More of their details can be read at the main Jackson site.

1.)    Pro Monarkh SC

This model brims with technology and style, featuring mahogany bodies with arched maple tops, set-neck construction, 24.75” scale, one-piece maple necks with scarf joint and graphite reinforcement, 12”-16” compound radius ebony fingerboards with 22 jumbo frets, Seymour Duncan Blackouts active humbucking pickups, die-cast locking tuners and Dunlop dual-locking strap buttons. It’s currently available in Gloss Black, Silver Burst, Trans Red Burst, Trans Purple Burst and Tobacco Burst finishes.

2.)    X Series Monarkh SCX

Its main features include mahogany bodies, set-neck construction, 24.75” scale, one-piece maple necks with scarf joint, graphite reinforcement and speed neck profile, 12″-16″ compound radius rosewood fingerboards, high output Jackson humbucking pickups, Jackson compensated and adjustable TOM-style bridge and anchored tail piece, one-ply white body binding, 3×3 AT-1 headstock and black Jackson tuning machines. The 6-string SCX model is available in Quicksilver and Satin Black, while the SCX 7 is offered in a Gloss Black finish.

3.)    JS22 Monarkh

The J Series are basically a more affordable version of Jackson’s single cutaway Monarkh, but with cutting-edge features such as a poplar body, bolt-on body construction, 24.75” scale, one-piece maple necks with scarf joint, graphite reinforcement and 22 jumbo frets, 12″-16″ compound radius rosewood fingerboards, high output Jackson humbucking pickups, Jackson compound radius compensated bridges and 3×3 AT-1 headstock. The JS22 Monarkh comes in Satin Black, Snow White, Trans Black and Trans Red finishes.

4.)    Christian Andreu U.S.A. Signature Rhoads

Featuring a sleek Satin Black with Gray Bevel finish, a unique Gojira Dragon design on the body with all-black hardware and a Jackson pointed 6-In-Line headstock for classically sophisticated metal aesthetics.

5.)    Christian Andreu X Series RRXT Rhoads

Features 22 jumbo frets top the ultra-fast 12”-16” compound radius fingerboard, similar to the version found in the US. The RRXT features a variation of the Gojira Dragon logo on the body, with an all-black hardware, a Jackson reverse 6-In-Line headstock, sealed die-cast machines and compensated strings-thru-body bridge which can be adjusted by the user, in addition to the graphite reinforcement rods.

6.)    Chris Broderick U.S.A. Signature Soloist HT6 and HT7

The new hard tail models feature mahogany sides and back, quarter-sawn maple neck, direct mount Chris Broderick- designed custom DiMarzio pickups, 12″-radius ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, 25.5″ scale, Planet Waves Auto-trim tuning machines, Ernie Ball strap locks, kill-switch, quarter-sawn maple neck and natural body and neck and headstock binding.

7.)    David Ellefson U.S.A. Signature Concert Bass

The all-new U.S.A. Signature Concert Bass is available in both 4-and-5 string models featuring an alder body with black binding, hand-rubbed urethane finish, quarter-sawn neck-through neck with white binding and scarf joint, compound radius fingerboard (12″-16″), outlined shark fin inlays, 21 jumbo frets, EMG humbucking neck (35CS) and bridge (35DC) pickups, five black domed control knobs (volume control, three-band EQ, blend), Jackson high mass bridge and Hipshot® open-gear locking tuners.

8.)    David Ellefson Concert Bass CBX IV And V

The CBX V also features a basswood body, a Jackson HiMass 5-string bridge and a pair of EMG HZ40 active humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions that provide plenty
of girth and cut as an active 3-band EQ bolsters their native power, shaping and refining it for maximum impact and versatility. Similar to the CBX IV, the 5-string model also features a 12”-16” compound radius rosewood fingerboard and a blend knob.

9.)    Limited Edition U.S.A. Misha Mansoor Juggernaut HT8

The instrument is powered by two of Mansoor’s signature Bareknuckle Juggernaut 8-string humbucking pickups for earth-rattling tone.

10.) Pro Soloist SL2M

The ergonomic Soloist body shape is designed for player comfort and increased balance, eliminating the much-hated “neck dive”.

11.) X Series Soloist SL3X

The X Series Soloist SL3X is a new entry of high-tech guitars, melding classic style with modern materials and construction for this precision music machine.