The Jackson X Series Signature Adrian Smith SDXQ in Transparent Green is a performance-focused signature guitar inspired by the Iron Maiden guitarist’s familiar hot-rodded S-style instruments.

Built around a San Dimas-style basswood body with a quilt maple top, the SDXQ combines a graphite-reinforced maple neck, maple fingerboard and 12"–16" compound radius with a versatile HSS pickup layout and double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo.

This particular Pre-Owned example has also received several useful upgrades. The original neck single coil has been replaced with a Vansen Hot Rail pickup, while the Floyd Rose has been fitted with new saddles, a push-in tremolo arm and a brass tremolo block.

It is in Very Good condition, weighs an actual 9.02 lbs, and is supplied without a case.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Jackson
Model	Adrian Smith SDXQ
Series	X Series Signature
Finish	Transparent Green
Pickup Layout	Modified HSS
Tremolo	Floyd Rose Special – Upgraded
Weight	9.02 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Not Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ in Very Good condition.

The Very Good condition grade reflects a guitar that has been well looked after overall while showing the light signs of previous use expected from a Pre-Owned instrument.

Several modifications and upgrades have been carried out:

• Vansen Hot Rail fitted in the neck position

• New Floyd Rose saddles fitted

• Push-in tremolo arm fitted

• Brass tremolo block fitted

This individual guitar weighs 9.02 lbs.

No case is included.

KEY FEATURES

• Adrian Smith signature model

• Jackson X Series

• Transparent Green finish

• San Dimas-style body

• Basswood body

• Quilted maple top

• Bolt-on maple neck

• Graphite neck reinforcement

• Maple fingerboard

• 12"–16" compound radius

• 25.5" scale length

• 22 jumbo frets

• Modified HSS pickup layout

• Vansen Hot Rail neck pickup

• Jackson middle single coil

• Jackson high-output bridge humbucker

• 5-way blade selector

• Master Volume

• Master Tone

• Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo

• New Floyd Rose saddles

• Push-in tremolo arm

• Brass tremolo block

• Floyd Rose locking nut

• Black hardware

• Actual measured weight of 9.02 lbs

• Very Good Pre-Owned condition

• No case included

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

The Adrian Smith SDXQ already starts with a specification aimed squarely at rock and metal players, but the modifications to this particular guitar make it even more performance focused.

The bridge humbucker delivers the higher-output response expected from a hot-rodded HSS guitar, while the replacement Vansen Hot Rail in the neck gives the neck position a much thicker and more powerful voice than the original conventional single coil.

The Floyd Rose upgrades are equally useful. New saddles refresh important string-contact components, the push-in arm offers a more immediate tremolo feel, and the brass block changes a substantial part of the tremolo assembly while adding mass to the bridge system.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Adrian Smith Signature Design

Designed around Adrian Smith’s preference for modified S-style guitars, the SDXQ combines familiar double-cutaway ergonomics with Jackson features aimed at faster playing and heavier styles.

Basswood San Dimas Body

The basswood body provides a balanced platform with strong midrange response, while the San Dimas shape retains familiar S-style comfort and upper-fret access.

Quilted Maple Top

A quilt maple top gives the Transparent Green finish greater visual depth and makes the SDXQ stand apart from the plainer finishes found on some Adrian Smith models.

Graphite-Reinforced Maple Neck

The bolt-on maple neck uses graphite reinforcement to improve stability, particularly useful on a guitar equipped with a locking tremolo system.

Compound-Radius Maple Fingerboard

The 12"–16" compound radius becomes progressively flatter as you move towards the upper frets. This gives chords a comfortable feel lower down while creating a flatter surface for bends and faster lead playing higher up the neck.

22 Jumbo Frets

Jumbo frets provide a substantial fretting surface that suits bends, vibrato and technically demanding lead playing particularly well.

Vansen Hot Rail Neck Pickup

The original neck single coil has been replaced with a Vansen Hot Rail, giving this guitar a hotter, fuller neck sound with a more humbucker-like response than the stock pickup.

This makes the neck position particularly useful for saturated lead tones, thicker rhythm sounds and players who prefer greater output from the neck pickup.

Jackson Middle Single Coil

The middle position retains the Jackson single coil, preserving access to brighter and more traditional single-coil textures within the modified pickup setup.

Jackson High-Output Bridge Humbucker

The bridge position retains the Jackson high-output humbucker, giving the SDXQ the punch and output required for hard rock, metal and higher-gain rhythm and lead work.

Floyd Rose Special Tremolo

The Floyd Rose Special double-locking system is designed to maintain tuning stability during aggressive tremolo use, including dive bombs, pull-ups and rapid pitch effects.

New Floyd Rose Saddles

This guitar has been fitted with new Floyd Rose saddles, refreshing the individual string-contact components on the bridge.

Push-In Tremolo Arm

A push-in tremolo arm has been fitted in place of the conventional threaded or collar-style arrangement, allowing the arm to be inserted and removed quickly.

Brass Tremolo Block

A brass tremolo block has been installed as an upgrade to the tremolo system. The additional mass changes the construction of the bridge assembly and is a popular modification among Floyd Rose users.

9.02 lbs Actual Weight

This individual guitar weighs an actual 9.02 lbs, giving buyers a precise indication of how this specific guitar will feel rather than relying on a generic catalogue figure.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ is particularly well suited to rock, hard rock, heavy metal and technically focused players who want a hot-rodded S-style instrument with a Floyd Rose.

This modified example should especially appeal to players who want more output from the neck position and who value practical Floyd Rose upgrades rather than keeping a guitar completely factory original.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The SDXQ works particularly well for heavy metal, classic metal, hard rock, shred, progressive rock and high-gain lead playing.

The bridge humbucker handles tight distorted rhythm and cutting lead tones, while the Vansen Hot Rail gives the neck position a thicker voice for solos and heavier neck-pickup sounds.

The middle single coil provides additional contrast when cleaner or brighter textures are required.

HOW IT COMPARES

Modified SDXQ vs Standard SDXQ

A factory-standard SDXQ uses Jackson single-coil pickups in both the neck and middle positions. This guitar replaces the neck pickup with a Vansen Hot Rail, producing a hotter and fuller neck sound.

The Floyd Rose on this example has also been upgraded with new saddles, a push-in arm and brass tremolo block.

Adrian Smith SDXQ vs Traditional Strat-Style Guitar

A traditional S-style guitar usually focuses on single-coil sounds and a conventional tremolo. The SDXQ adds a high-output bridge humbucker, compound-radius neck and Floyd Rose locking system for much more aggressive playing.

Floyd Rose vs Traditional Tremolo

A traditional tremolo is generally easier to restring and adjust, but the Floyd Rose is designed to offer substantially greater tuning stability during extreme pitch changes.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Jackson
Artist	Adrian Smith
Model	SDXQ
Series	X Series Signature
Finish	Transparent Green
Body Shape	San Dimas
Body Material	Basswood
Top	Quilted Maple
Body Finish	Gloss
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Reinforcement	Graphite
Neck Finish	Satin
Fingerboard	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	12"–16" Compound
Scale Length	25.5"
Frets	22 Jumbo
Inlays	Black Dots
Nut	Floyd Rose Locking
Nut Width	Approx. 42.8mm
Bridge Pickup	Jackson High-Output Humbucker
Middle Pickup	Jackson Single Coil
Neck Pickup	Vansen Hot Rail – Modification
Pickup Configuration	Modified HSS
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	5-Way Blade
Bridge	Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo
Saddles	New Floyd Rose Saddles
Tremolo Arm	Push-In Style – Upgraded
Tremolo Block	Brass – Upgraded
Tuners	Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Hardware	Black
Pickguard	White
Weight	9.02 lbs
Case	Not Included
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Rock and metal players wanting an Adrian Smith-inspired HSS guitar with a locking tremolo and several useful performance upgrades.

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level Jackson models, standard HSS guitars and non-locking tremolo instruments.

Most commonly paired with: High-gain valve or modelling amplifiers, overdrive and boost pedals, noise gates, delay and reverb.

Our tip: With a Floyd Rose, keeping the same string gauge and tuning makes future setups much easier. Once balanced correctly, the double-locking system is excellent for aggressive tremolo work.

Showroom feedback: The upgrades make this example notably different from a standard SDXQ. The Vansen Hot Rail gives the neck position considerably more muscle, while the bridge modifications will appeal to players who already know their way around Floyd Rose-equipped guitars.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ can offer excellent value for players looking for a signature metal guitar with an established and highly usable specification.

This individual example is in Very Good condition, weighs 9.02 lbs, and has been upgraded with a Vansen Hot Rail neck pickup, new Floyd Rose saddles, push-in tremolo arm and brass tremolo block.

No case is included.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging guitars, amplifiers, effects and other musical equipment.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice, helping customers choose instruments that genuinely suit their playing style and requirements.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Jackson and Pre-Owned guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange against this Jackson.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Contact Fair Deal Music for a no-obligation valuation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Jackson Adrian Smith SDXQ in Very Good condition.

What finish does it have?

It has a Transparent Green gloss finish over a quilt maple top.

What is the body made from?

This version uses a basswood body with a quilt maple top.

What is the neck made from?

It has a maple bolt-on neck with graphite reinforcement.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a maple fingerboard.

What is the fingerboard radius?

It has a 12"–16" compound radius.

What is the scale length?

It uses a 25.5" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 jumbo frets.

Is the pickup configuration original?

Not completely. The bridge humbucker and middle single coil remain in the expected configuration, but the neck pickup has been replaced.

What pickup has been fitted in the neck?

A Vansen Hot Rail has been installed in the neck position.

What does the Hot Rail change?

It provides a hotter and fuller neck sound than the original conventional neck single coil.

What bridge pickup does it have?

It uses the Jackson high-output bridge humbucker.

Does it have a Floyd Rose?

Yes. It uses a Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo.

Have the Floyd Rose saddles been changed?

Yes. New Floyd Rose saddles have been fitted.

What tremolo arm does it have?

It has been upgraded with a push-in tremolo arm.

Has the tremolo block been changed?

Yes. A brass tremolo block has been fitted.

Does it have a locking nut?

Yes. It has a Floyd Rose locking nut.

How much does this guitar weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 9.02 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case is included.

What condition is it in?

This example is in Very Good condition.

Is it suitable for metal?

Yes. Its bridge humbucker, upgraded Hot Rail neck pickup, compound-radius fingerboard and Floyd Rose make it particularly well suited to rock and metal.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.