How Did Jackson Guitars Build Its Reputation For Shredding?

The early 1980s brought with it a new wave of cool and classic guitar brands aiming to give a bloody nose to the metal establishment.

Alongside Ibanez and other legends of the lawsuit era, Jackson Guitars built a reputation for being both a perfect starting point for new guitarists inspired by metal gods, but also the perfect platform for virtuosos to show their skills.

Guitars such as the Dinky and the Soloist have 24 frets, floating tremolo bridges, wild body designs and necks that are just as comfortable holding thick 11-gauge strings as they are slinky 8-gauge strings.

How did they build this reputation? The credit can be left at the feet of one of music’s greatest tragedies.

Who Inspired Jackson Guitars?

Jackson Guitars was founded by Grover Jackson, just after he had taken complete control of Charvel, an early lawsuit-era superstrat manufacturer based in California.

Already famous for making superstrats, Mr Jackson wanted to take the company further, and a chance meeting with heavy metal’s biggest young virtuoso gave him the chance.

Fresh from joining Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band, Randy Rhoads had a bold idea for a new guitar design, similar to the polkadot Flying V but sharper, more angular and with the superstrat flavour Charvel guitars were known for.

Mr Jackson was intrigued, but worried that branding them as Charvels would alienate his customer base.

He instead opted to brand them under his own name, leading to the Jackson Concorde, later renamed to the Jackson Rhoads after Randy’s tragically untimely death at the age of 25.

Whilst Randy Rhoads played prototypes of the Concorde, he sadly never got to play the final product before he passed away.

However, the Concorde, the Rhoads and the King V would live on in Jackson’s lineup of guitars, which would extend to include the superstrats previously sold under the Charvel name.

Is A Jackson Guitar Right For You?

Whilst Jackson Guitars have changed owners since, there is still a heavy metal essence that runs through many of their guitars.

If you were inspired by your favourite metal musician to give guitar playing a try, a Jackson Guitar such as the Dinky, which we currently have available in store, is a great place to start, especially if you’re keen to learn how to restring and adjust their signature floating bridges.