Australian progressive metalcore titans Northlane have consistently pushed boundaries since their formation in 2009, carving out a unique space within the genre. A cornerstone of their innovative and crushing sound is founding member and rhythm guitarist, Josh Smith. Recognizing his pivotal role, Jackson Guitars proudly introduces the Pro Series Signature Josh Smith Soloist™ SL7 ET, a 7-string instrument meticulously crafted to meet the demands of his intricate playing style and sonic vision.
This signature collaboration is built for sonic exploration, starting with a 27″ scale length. This extended scale is crucial for achieving the wide range and deep, resonant low tunings that are fundamental to Smith’s distinctive sound and Northlane’s djent-infused metalcore. The Soloist™ body, crafted from alder, boasts a sleek and ergonomic design ensuring maximum playing comfort even during extended sets and complex performances. Paired with a graphite-reinforced through-body caramelized maple neck, the guitar delivers exceptional stability and sustain, vital for maintaining clarity and power in aggressive playing styles.
The fretboard is designed for effortless shredding and intricate chord work. Featuring a 12″-16″ compound radius ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets, it offers a comfortable and rounded feel near the nut for chord work, transitioning to a flatter profile higher up the neck for lightning-fast solos and effortless string bending. Understanding the needs of touring musicians, Jackson has incorporated Luminlay® glow-in-the-dark side dots for perfect fretboard visibility on dimly lit stages. Furthermore, the heel-mount truss rod adjustment wheel allows for quick and easy neck adjustments on the fly, ensuring optimal playability in any environment.
Powering this sonic weapon is an HS pickup configuration featuring Josh Smith’s signature Bare Knuckle Impulse pickup set. The bridge position houses the Impulse humbucker, engineered for a full and tight response, perfectly handling down-tuned guitars while retaining versatility for medium-gain applications. It delivers muscular rock mids and overdriven tones that cut through the mix without sacrificing clarity. Complementing the humbucker, the Impulse single-coil neck pickup provides a focused low end with a remarkably smooth treble response, offering a wide palette of tones for diverse musical textures. The intuitive control layout includes a three-way pickup blade switch and dedicated black skirted Strat®-style volume knobs for each pickup, providing precise tonal shaping.
Ensuring unwavering tuning stability, the guitar is equipped with an EverTune® F7 bridge. This innovative bridge system guarantees that the guitar will remain perfectly in tune, eliminating tuning frustrations and ensuring consistent intonation across the entire neck, even with extreme low tunings and aggressive playing. Every note remains tight and focused, crucial for delivering those signature Northlane chugs and riffs with precision.
Visually striking, the guitar is finished in a captivating Aquamarine finish and features a color-matched licensed Fender® Stratocaster® headstock in 7-string configuration. All-black hardware, including the PPS nut, Dunlop® strap locks, and Jackson locking tuners, completes the sleek and aggressive aesthetic. For secure transportation, a Jackson foam core hardshell gig bag is included. The Pro Series Signature Josh Smith Soloist™ SL7 ET is more than just a guitar; it’s a statement, built for players ready to explore new sonic territories.
