Jackson
Jackson is a manufacturer of electric guitars and electric bass guitars that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson. Their guitars have been universally lauded as the metal guitars; the shred machines, highly-original, high-performance instruments of distinctive style and formidable substance. From metals chart-topping peaks to its darkest recesses, for discerning guitarists all over the globe, Jackson is the only way to go.
Designed by metalheads for metalheads, Jackson guitars are engineered for pummelling riffs, searing leads and everything in between. Prized for their versatile tone, playability and characteristic style, Jackson guitars are the choice of some of the metal world's biggest names — Trivium's Corey Beaulieu, Gojira's Christian Andreu and Def Leppard's Phil Collen, to name a few.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced shredder, your choice of a Jackson guitar puts you in the ranks of these and other legendary names. And with a variety of models at different price points, Jackson offers quality instruments for every player.
Brand History
The Jackson brand dates back to 1980, when Grover Jackson, owner of Charvel's Guitar Repair — which was in the process of becoming another iconic name in metal guitar — was approached by Randy Rhodes to collaborate on a guitar for his upcoming tour with Ozzy Osbourne. The resulting Concorde, with its Flying V-inspired design, was so radically different from anything Charvel was doing at the time that it necessitated a unique label.
Over the years, Jackson worked with many of the metal world's leading players to develop signature and production models incorporating now de rigueur elements such as locking tremolo bars, shark fin inlays and graphite reinforced truss rods.
In 2002, Fender bought out Jackson. Under the stewardship of the iconic brand, the Jackson company continues to produce a wide range of metal guitars and basses.
Jackson Electric Guitars
Jackson guitars include options for beginners and experienced players alike. Some of the company's most enduring models include:
- Dinky: The Dinky offers a smaller, lighter form factor — approximately 7/8th the size of a Fender Strat — that's perfect for fast runs up and down the fretboard. From the well-appointed Pro series to the more accessible JK models, now anyone can get their hands on a quality Jackson electric.
- Kelly: The choice of top-tier players like Megadeth's Marty Friedman, the Jackson Kelly features an offset body — a more aggressive, metal-inspired take on the Gibson Explorer — and a thin profile neck. Multiple pickup options provide a range of tonal possibilities, making the Kelly perfect for everything from classic power metal leads to black and doom drones.
Jackson Basses
Jackson's basses prove that holding down the low end doesn't have to be boring. The company's Minion series comes in a range of colors, from black to over-the-top neon. Features include a PJ-style pickup configuration that blends thump and midrange-forward grind and a high mass bridge for added tuning stability.
Buy Jackson Guitars Online or In-Person
Bananas at Large® has a curated selection of Jackson guitars for sale in our two San-Francisco-area stores. Explore our current inventory online, or visit us in San Rafael or Santa Rosa to try one of for yourself. We're convinced you'll see right away why Jackson has been the choice of shredders for over 40 years.
Got a question about any of our guitars? Call or email the Bananas office to speak with a knowledgeable representative directly. We'd be happy to help you find the right ax for your needs.
