Jackson Guitars Legacy & The King V
Jackson guitars are one of the earliest pioneers of the “metal” electric guitar, and they have been making them since the late ‘70s when Grover Jackson was based in Wayne Charvel’s guitar repair shop in Glendora, California.
JS Series King V JS32
Jackson began back in the late 1970s, when rock music was emerging from classic to heavy metal. As the rock phenomenon grew in popularity, so did a small Southern California guitar repair shop. It quickly became the headquarters for a new generation of incredibly, talented shredders, who’s music was about to change the world.
In those days, there were only a few guitar choices available. It was mostly Fender Strats. If your guitar needed repairs, upgrades, or custom work, there was a small guitar repair shop on the border of Glendora and San Dimas, in California. If you lived in Los Angeles, city or valley, it was at least a 3o minute drive, to Glendora, a newly devoloping area, on the edge of the county. But, if your Strat needed new pickups, or you just wanted quality work done, Charvel’s Guitar Repair was the place to go. It was owned and operated by Wayne Charvel.
Charvel began to make his own parts and mods for Fenders and Gibsons. In 1978, Grover Jackson, an innovator and expert of guitar craftmanship, joined the Charvel shop. During that first year, they made Eddie Van Halen’s iconic, Bumblebee electric guitar. Soon after that, Grover Jackson had taken over the Charvel shop and the Charvel brand.
This was the late 70’s – early 80’s, the era of loud music, in the seedy clubs, on the Sunset Strip. It was the new generation of MTV, heavy metal, and getting record deals on major labels. There were endless amounts of extremely talented, and outrageous rock stars. This was a new breed of guitarists; they were shredders. Naturally they needed high-performance, custom guitars. Grover Jackson and his crazy crew of designers, were the answer.
The very first guitar, to display the name “Jackson” on its headstock, was made for a young, rising star. Jackson was contacted by an extremely talented guitarist, who had played with Quiet Riot, but had just joined Ozzy Osbourne’s new band. Unknown at the time, Randy Rhoads wanted Jackson to design a very distinctive, new guitar, that they had sketched out on a paper napkin. Shortly after their meeting, the Concorde was born. The name was the same as the airplane, that Rhoads had just flown on, after touring the U.K. with Ozzy. Concorde described the new, sleek white guitar, for its futuristic shape and angles. The new axe featured an offset, V-shape, neck-through-body construction, and the name “Jackson.
The Concorde truly was the first Jackson guitar and there are many photos of Rhoads playing it. It was eventually rejected, for the debut of a better, second version, that included many features that Rhoads wanted. There are only a few photographs of Rhoads with this guitar. Sadly, Rhoads’ life ended tragicly and untimely in March, 1982. The guitar became the legend. It was the break through, of the very first guitar, known and revered worldwide, as the Jackson Rhoads.
Jackson’s wickedly, talented staff changed and rewrote the history of heavy metal music. They quickly became the foundation of the new, extreme, generation of shredders. They proudly produced new high-performance, precision axes, in wilder, alternative shapes and designs. This was a very different type of guitar shop, compared to the old Charvel shop. Jackson had a crew of rough looking madmen, who were some of the most creative and skilled designers. They were creating a whole new standard in metal guitar design, and they made dozens of unique, custom models. Jackson guitars blew up, in the early ’80s, and the rest is history.
Jackson JS Series Rhoads JS32
Pro Series Rhoads RR24Q
X Series Rhoads RRX24
Jackson RRT-5 Rhoads Pro Series
To this day, Jackson guitars are praised, world-wide, as THE metal guitars; the shred machines. They are recognized as original, high-performance guitars, with distinctive style and powerful sound. The name Jackson, is synonymous with metal; from hair and glam metal to thrash and death metal. Some of the greatest shredders, around the world, can be seen, playing a Jackson; keeping their reputation strong.
In the ’80s, metal madness was spreading in America and Europe. Metal music continued to expand into metal sub-genres: thrash metal, speed metal, death metal, goth, industrial, alternative, nu metal, skate metal, grunge, metalcore, hard rock, ska, rap metal and countless others.
As the metal scene evolved, Jackson guitars found its way into each and every genre.
Jackson guitars continued to progress, along with the music. Throughout the ’80s, and into the ’90s, the popularity of Jackson guitars, was becoming legendary. Their reputation represented the best.
Since then, they have become one of the most recognizable names in the electric guitar market. They are known for their high-quality construction, fast playability, and powerful sound. They are a favorite among shredders.
Jackson guitars feature unique styles, with sleek and angular body shapes, and headstocks. The fretboards come with custom inlays, which add to their stylish appearance. They stand out over other guitar brands.
Jackson’s signature model guitars have been created for some of the most iconic musicians in rock and metal:
Chris Broderick – Megadeth; Corey Beaulieu – Trivium; Kerry King – Slayer; David Ellefson – Megadeth; Kirk Hammett – Metallica; Robin Crosby – Ratt; Phil Collen – Def Leppard; Mark Morton, Phil Demmel – Machine Head; Chris Beattie – Hatebreed; Adrian Smith – Iron Maiden; Dave Mustaine – Megadeth; Scott Ian – Anthrax; Marty Friedman – Megadeth; Misha Mansoor – Periphery; Jeff Loomis – Nevermore; Rob Cavestany – Death Angel; Wes Borland – Limp Biskit; and many other amazing artists.
The Jackson Custom Shop is the longest-operating, custom guitar shop in the United States. Many of their original staff members are still working there, producing top quality, world class, custom axes.
JS Series Rhoads MAH JS32
The King V is an electric guitar made by Jackson Guitars based on the Gibson Flying V. The Jackson King V was originally designed for and named after Robbin Crosby of Ratt, his nickname being “King”. Crosby popularized the guitar throughout the 80s.
Megadeth frontman, Dave Mustaine, eventually became the guitarist most identified with using this model. After creating a custom King V for Mustaine, the company later began mass-producing a Dave Mustaine Signature Series King V, which would become one of their best selling guitars.
The Jackson King V is a classic shape, redefined for out-and-out metal. Available across the spectrum of Jackson JS, X and Pro series ranges, the King V has a number of defining features. Most often seen equipped with a Floyd Rose floating bridge, the King V also boasts 24 jumbo frets, a 25.5-inch scale length and high output pickups.
JS Series King V JS32
Equipped on the JS King V, you’ll find premium features such as a graphite-reinforced neck, compound radius fingerboard and in-house made humbuckers for outstanding durability, sound and feel at an unmatched price. Taking things up a level is the X series, which adds a selection of great finishes, a through-body maple neck construction and EMG active pickups.
With one look at this guitar, the audience knows you’re serious, about playing the best. There’s no mistaking the distinctive style of a Jackson, and its legendary lineage. Elegant binding on the fingerboard, traditional, 6-in-line matching headstock, custom, eye-catching body shapes and designs, and the sound of a quality, precision guitar.
Signature Corey Beaulieu King V
JS Series King V JS32T
JS Series King V JS32
Signature Corey Beaulieu King V
JS Series King V JS32T
JS Series King V JS32
