Jackson Guitars – Screaming Heavy Metal Machines
The Beginning…
As many know, Jackson Guitars was born out of Charvel Guitars when the Heavy Metal music genre was at its peak. Charvel was originally co-owned by Wayne Charvel and Grover Jackson with Charvel’s name on the guitars. In 1978 Jackson bought out Charvel and took control of the company with the Charvel name remaining on the guitars.The Jackson-built Charvel Guitar debuted at the 1979 summer NAMM show in Atlanta and quickly became popular with the
heavy metal stars of the period.
The Birth of Jackson Guitars…
In late 1980, Jackson was approached by a young guitar virtuoso named Randy Rhoads, formerly of Quiet Riot. At the time Rhoads had joined forces with Black Sabbath’s former vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne, and wanted a totally distinctive guitar designed for him.
The result was a sleek, white, v-shaped guitar initially called the Concorde. The look was similar to the Gibson Flying-V but the lower wing of the guitar was about half the length of the upper wing. The typical Charvel guitar was much more conservative in appearance so, deciding that the new guitar was too radical for the regular Charvel customers, Jackson put his own name on the guitar and thus Jackson Guitars was born. Rhoads played the guitar for a time but wanted a model designed with features of his own specification. The Concord was dropped in favor of the new model, which became known and revered as the Jackson Rhoads(sometimes called the Rhoads Half-V). The Rhoads was the first of the Jackson Electric Guitars.
The Legend Grows…
The Rhoads was a springboard for Jackson to stake its claim in the Heavy Metal industry as a leader in the manufacture of high quality, ultra high performance guitars
that were innovatively and often radically designed. Due to their radically original designs, high production quality and excellent playability, Jackson electric guitars soon became highly popular during the mid and early 1980′s. This period saw the creation of the legendary and enduring Kelley, King V, Dinky, and Soloist models as well as the Concert bass. The later part of the decade saw the creation of the PC1(designed for Def Leppard’s Phil Collen) and the ultra-cool Warrior line. Jacksons continue to be popular with signature models created bearing the names of many of the top Metal stars such as Mark Morton and John Campbell(Lamb of God), Adrian Smith(Iron Maiden) and Matt Tuck(Bullet For My Valentine) and many others.
Jackson Guitars Today…
To date, Jackson Guitars has changed hands a couple of times over the years. In 1985 Jackson Guitars was purchased by the Texas based International Music Corporation. IMC continued the high quality and performance standards that Jackson electric guitars had become famous for and in 1986 produced the highly popular King V model. The King V was originally designed for Robbin Crosby of Ratt and was highly praised by many top level Heavy Metal musicians, including Dave Mustaine of Megadeth.
In 2002, Fender acquired Jackson guitars. Jacksons suffered a decrease in popularity due to the fear that, as often happens when a company like Jackson is merged with a long standing brand like Fender, that a decrease in quality occurs as the parent company doesn’t want the brand in competition with their main lines. Fender had no such intention, however, and artists soon saw that Fender maintained the same high standards that the Jackson electric guitars were known for. Jackson Guitars are now as popular as ever and can be seen in the hands of top artists such as Zakk Wylde, Mark Morton and Phil Demmel.
About the Author
Jeff Irick has been involved in music for over 30 years. His experience ranges from school choirs to school bands, Rock bands and playing Classical Guitar semi-professionally. He is the owner of Electric Guitar Wizard which is devoted to his main musical passion, the electric guitar.For more information on the various Jackson models visit http://www.electric-guitar-wizard.com/jackson-electric-guitars.html. See you there.
Jackson Guitar Reveiws
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Jackson Dinky Guitar Die-Cut Photographic Magnet Another good-looking fridge magnet from Paper House Productions. This flat, die-cut magnet features a glossy photographic image and a full magnetic back. Measures approximately 1.5″ x 4″. Ships in an attractive gift sleeve…. |
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Music Night Light – Michael Jackson – LED NIGHT LIGHT $18.49 This is a very colorful Michael Jackson night light! The image is by talented artist Leonid Afremov. This light makes a very unique gift and perfect as a stocking stuffer, office gift, or grab bag gift. This is a very popular light and will look great in any room in your house! This photographic image is printed in the USA using high quality inks. **PLEASE NOTE** Unlike cheaper night lights, the l… |
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Music Night Light – Michael Jackson $14.99 This is a very colorful Michael Jackson night light! The image is by talented artist Leonid Afremov. This light makes a very unique gift and perfect as a stocking stuffer, office gift, or grab bag gift. This is a very popular light and will look great in any room in your house! This photographic image is printed in the USA using high quality inks. **PLEASE NOTE** Unlike cheaper night lights, the l… |
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Jackson Jackson 280 3050 879 Wc Pc1-Sol Usa Phil Collen Solar Chameleon Jackson JACKSON 280 3050 879 WC PC1-SOL USA PHIL COLLEN SOLAR Chameleon… |
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Happy Birthday Jackson, you rock cool guitar! Card 5 x 7 inch premium quality folded paper greeting card. Birthday cards for the whole family are available at Greeting Card Universe. Show your loved ones you care with a custom paper card to make the occasion memorable. Send a paper Birthday card from Greeting Card Universe this year. This paper card includes the following themes: Happy birthday Jackson, Jackson, and birthday. Greeting Card Univers… |
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Brand New Randy Rhoads Mouse Pad Jackson Guitar $7.99 A great collector item or a perfect gift. It measures 8″ by 9 3/8″ rectangular shaped with slightly rounded corners and is 1/4″ thick. The mouse pad is made with “easy clean” 100% polyester fabric tops. (high quality open cell neoprene rubber, not foam)…. |
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Brand New Randy Rhoads Mouse Pad Jackson Guitar $7.99 A great collector item or a perfect gift. It measures 8″ by 9 3/8″ rectangular shaped with slightly rounded corners and is 1/4″ thick. The mouse pad is made with “easy clean” 100% polyester fabric tops. (high quality open cell neoprene rubber, not foam)…. |
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VICTORiOUS Electronic Portable Keyboard $43.77 VICTORiOUS musical keyboard, ages 4 and up, by First Act…. |
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Bif Bang Pow Scott Ian 8 Action Figure $10.00 Here he is, folks! Scott Ian has made the transition from Anthrax rocker to action figure! This rockin’ figure of the famed guitarist stands 8-inches tall, includes a mini reproduction of Scott’s custom Jackson┢ guitar, and features multiple points of articulation and real fabric clothingâ?¦ all in a retro style evocative of the most popular action figures of the 1970s. Rock your world by ad… |
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Little Tikes Pop Tunes Big Rocker Keyboard $19.99 Get ready to rock ‘n’ roll. This keyboard is simple and easy to use and serves as a great tool to help kids develop musical appreciation. It includes flashing lights that pulse to the beat-either play along to existing songs or freestyle a new tune! Keyboard plays five kid-friendly versions of famous songs, including “ABC,” “Love Shack,” “Hot Hot Hot,” “Allstar,” and “Wide Open Spaces.” Little Tik… |
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Jackson`s Mixed Martial Arts (Paperback) $22.84 Greg Jackson is the most accomplished and celebrated mixed martial arts coach in the world. In Jackson`s Mixed Martial Arts, he brings you into his stable of fighters, which includes UFC Welterweight Champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre,… |
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Michael Jackson – Michael Jackson`s This Is It $15.83 Disc 1:DISC 1:Wanna Be Startin` Somethin`JamThey Don`t Care About UsHuman NatureSmooth CriminalWay You Make Me Feel, TheShake Your Body (Down to the Ground)I Just Can`t Stop Loving YouThr… |
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Brenda Jackson`s Truly Everlasting (DVD) $17.59 Description not available. |
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Lindsey Jackson’s Pilates Essentials (DVD) $23.8 Pilates instructor Lindsey Jackson delivers an easy-to-approach fitness system appropriate for all fitness levels. Users will have fun while strengthening their core, abs, and back muscles through routines targeted at each different level. At the sam… |
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Michael Jackson`s This Is It (Paperback) $16.02 The hit movie Michael Jackson THIS IS IT offered Michael Jackson fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place in the summer of 2009. This Easy Piano fo… |
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Various Artists – Smooth Jazz Tribute to Michael Jackson`s Thriller [1/31] $13.62 Disc 0:No track list available |
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Millie Jackson – E.S.P. (Extra Sexual Persuasion) $16.16 Description Not Available |
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Ella Jenkins/Franz Jackson`s Original Jass All-Stars – Play Your Instruments … $14.84 Description Not Available |
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Michael Jackson`s Great Beers of Belgium (Paperback) $24.06 Description not available. |
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Pocket Edition Jackson`s Hallmarks $11.25 Includes over 1,000 makers whose work is of particular interest. The most up-to-date guide available. |
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Jackson`s Mixed Martial Arts (Paperback) $22.84 Greg Jackson was raised in a neighborhood where he had to fight to survive. He tried every martial art he could get his hands on, only to find they all lacked practicality. He developed his own system instead, and is now the most accomplished and … |
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Michael Jackson:Fan’s Collecti $14.72 |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Not Reading (Hardcover) $10.09 Middle schooler Charlie Joe is proud of his success at avoiding reading, but eventually his schemes go too far. |
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Jack Jackson`s American History (Hardcover) $22.12 Jack Jackson loved American history and creating comics. He combined these into a single vocation and created a legacy of historical graphic novels that has never been equaled.Jackson is credited with creating what many consider the first und… |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Not Reading (Paperback) $6.92 Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. And so far, he’s managed to get through life without ever reading an entire book from cover to cover. But now that he’s in middle school, avoiding reading isn’t… |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Extra Credit (Hardcover) $11.09 Bright but unenthusiastic middle school student Charlie Joe Jackson signs up for the school play in an attempt to get straight As on his last quarter report card in order to avoid having to go to Camp Rituhbukkee over the summer. |
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La guia de Charlie Joe Jackson para no leer / Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to … $16.59 Charlie Joe Jackson podria ser el lector mas reticente que ha nacido. Se las arreglo para pasar por la vida sin haber leido un libro entero de principio a fin. Pero ahora que esta en la escuela intermedia, evitar la lectura no es tan facil como solia s… |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Not Reading (Compact Disc) $10.09 Description not available. |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Not Reading (Compact Disc) $10.09 Description not available. |
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Charlie Joe Jackson`s Guide to Not Working (Compact Disc) $13.54 Description not available. |