Jackson

Overview

Jackson Guitars is a brand of electric guitars and basses known for high-performance instruments designed for metal and hard rock players. It specializes in superstrat-style guitars with fast necks, locking tremolos, and high-output pickups. Owned by Fender since 2002, Jackson occupies a niche in the high-end shred guitar market, competing with brands like ESP and Ibanez.

History

Jackson was founded in 1980 by luthier Grover Jackson in San Dimas, California, initially customizing guitars for players like Randy Rhoads. The company began producing guitars under its own name in the early 1980s, gaining fame for innovative designs like the Rhoads and Soloist models. It merged with International Music Corporation in 1986 before being acquired by Fender Musical Instruments in 2002, after which production shifted to Fender's facilities.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Higher-end Jackson guitars are manufactured at Fender facilities in Corona, California, USA, and Ensenada, Mexico. Budget models are produced by subcontractors in Indonesia and China. Custom shop instruments are hand-built in Corona.

Notable Products

• Rhoads - Reverse headstock guitar designed with Randy Rhoads, known for its V-shaped body and pointed headstock.
• Soloist - Streamlined superstrat with compound radius fretboard and locking tremolo, favored by shred guitarists.
• Warrior - Angular offset body design introduced in the 2010s for modern metal players.
• Kelly - Single-cutaway model blending retro aesthetics with high-performance features.
• Dinky - Compact double-cutaway guitar with versatile HSS pickup configurations.

Reputation

Jackson is praised by metal and shred enthusiasts for its playability, stable tremolo systems, and aggressive aesthetics. Professionals value the USA-made models for build quality and tone. Some criticize import models for inconsistent quality control compared to competitors.