Jackson Guitars

The Jackson Rhoads

Posted February 23, 2010 by Charvel Jackson Randy Rhoads in Blog, Jackson Guitars | No comments yet

The Jackson Rhoads guitar, which was designed for legendary guitarist Randy Rhodes, was originally called the Original Sin, but after the death of Randy Rhodes, it was renamed the RR, or the Randy Rhodes in honor of the one who inspired its design. The guitar features two wings, one each a bit bigger than the other, that come to distinct points. The guitar comes in many different colors with many different cosmetic designs, but one thing does not change about the real Jackson Rhoads guitar this guitar is a metal monster that was especially designed to crank out high-velocity, screaming tones and killer crunch for those who play the very heaviest music.

There are several different types of Jackson Rhoads guitars available nowadays. Most of them feature the following:

• Alder wood body
• Thin, thru-body neck made of rock maple
• Scarf joint headstock
• sealed die cast tuners
• Ebony compound fretboard
• 24 jumbo frets for screaming solos
• One EMG 81 hum-bucking pickup
• Volume control knob
• Floyd Rose Double locking Tremolo bridge
• Black hardware
• Scale length of 25.5 inches

This is what you can expect to get if you choose to order the RR24 Randy Rhoads Electric guitar from Jackson. But this is not the only Randy Rhoads option that Jackson makes. There is also the RR1, which is a very high quality version of the guitar that features a few different options than the RR24.

This model features a Mother of Pearl Shark fin position inlay design, a bound headstock and fingerboard, the classic RR V shaped body, the Jackson logo inlayed with Mother of Pearl, a Seymour Duncan JB TB4 Humbucking pickup, and a Seymour Duncan Jazz SH2N Humbucker. The pickup selector has three positions, which includes bridge pickup, bridge and neck pickups, and neck pickup. The hardware on this model is black, or chrome on transparent colors.

This model is said to be a serious guitar with a serious attitude. It is meant to be played, and played hard. Built for metal heads and serious rockers who want some finesse to their macho tones, the RR1 is the perfect option for intermediate rock guitarists looking to expand their sounds with the superior tones of a Jackson V body.

The Jackson Rhoads guitars are made for serious rockers, but luckily, not all of them have serious price tags. They are actually quite affordable, especially the RX10D, which is a little less than half the price of the other RR models. Most of the Randy Rhodes guitars come in black, but there are other colors available, like a silver color, and some of them are two-toned for maximum visual appeal. All of these guitars are crafted for one purposeto rock as hard as possible. Between hot, hardcore looks and a killer tone that is deadly right out of the box, the Randy Rhoads series really pays homage to its father in a personal way. After all, the guitar was designed for him, and it shows.

The Jackson Kelly

Posted February 23, 2010 by Charvel Jackson Randy Rhoads in Blog, Jackson Guitars | No comments yet

The Jackson Kelly is actually a version of the popular Explorer guitar built by Gibson which was made popular by a guitar player named Marty Friedman, who played for Megadeth. In fact, Marty Friedman actually had a signature model made for him, which is called the KE1. All in all, the Jackson Kelly helps to embody the true style and feel of the original Explorer, but does it in true Jackson style, pumping out monster tone and screaming sustain while at it.

Here are some of the specs on this amazing piece of musical gear:

• Alder body
• Maple top
• Neck thru body design, made from quartersawn Maple
• Die cast tuning pegs
• Ebony fretboard
• Jumbo sized frets 24 of them
• Two EMG hum bucking pickups
• Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo 2 point
• Pickup selection toggle
• 25.5 inch scale length

A lot of people compare the Jackson Kelly to other Explorer-like body styles made by other companies, but everyone who plays a Jackson guitar agrees there is no substitute for a real Jackson! This axe might cost a few dollars more than the competition, or even a few dollars more than the cheaper Jackson Kelly (there are two kinds, one made in the U.S.A. and one made in Japan). But if you can, buy the one made in the U.S! Why? Because, for one, it has the neck through body design and it also comes with a maple fretboard, while the Japan-made Kelly has a bolt on neck, and a Rosewood fretboard. Of course, the Japan made KE3 only costs a fraction of what the KE2 costs, you will be glad you spent the money if you are at all thinking of gigging out on any wide scale.

If you gig out a lot, play a LOT of music in the practice room, need a chunky, full-toned guitar to record with, or love the sound of a Jackson at its best then you are probably going to love the Jackson Kelly. Jackson is known for making hardy instruments that do not falter, and the Jackson Kelly is no different.

One thing that the Jackson Kelly does boast is a chunky, full tone that you can only get with a solid wood, thru body neck. That much wood, combined with the EMG hum buckers, give the guitar some serious kick, some monster sustain, and some amazing tones. The tones range from dark-branded audio assaults to mellow, lighter sounds as you switch between the pickups and if you have an amp that can deliver, this guitar will never fail you. Some guitar players own two of these guitars, and they claim to be set for life!

Some Jackson Kelly owners have even gone as far as to say that once you own a Jackson Kelly, you will never be able to play another electric. And since the body style is so beautiful, your fans will love how it looks almost as much as how it sounds!

The Jackson Soloist

Posted February 23, 2010 by Charvel Jackson Randy Rhoads in Blog, Jackson Guitars | No comments yet

The Jackson Soloist guitar is a guitar that was crafted for optimum efficiency when it came to lead guitar players. The guitar features a signature cutaway style that gives the player complete access to the fret board, even the highest parts of it. The body is sleek and curvaceous, and the headstock is curved and sharp-looking, as this is a look that appeals to guitar players playing heavier music. The guitar itself is made to deliver screeching tones that would make any lead guitar player envious, and is designed to have good enough action to accommodate any playing style, from the gentle playing of jam musicians to the machine-gun scales of metal monsters.

One of the most popular models of the Jackson Soloist is the SL1. This guitar features the following:

• Alder body with Flame Maple top on transparent colors
• Neck-thru-body design
• Die cast tuners
• Ebony fingerboard
• 24 frets, jumbo in size
• Three pickups, including a Seymour Duncan JB TB4 Humbucker on the bridge, a Seymour Duncan Classic Stack hum bucker in the middle, and a Seymour Duncan Classic stack hum bucker on the neck side.
• Pickup selector with a five position blade
• Black hardware, which is chrome on transparent finishes
• A scale length of 25.5 inches

There are other models of the Soloist available from Jackson, but this is one of the most popular ones available. You might be wondering just how many different colors this guitar comes in. Well if you are, don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from! Not only can you get it in all of the classic colors, like black, red, white, and grey, but it comes in a large variety of natural finishes and even some special paint jobs, featuring artwork like flames, skulls, and even one type that has a galaxy on it! It also comes in a left handed model for those who play with their left hand.

The SL1 Jackson Soloist is said to be a reliable instrument with a rich, chunky tone that metal players will love. It is also said to have low action and high playability, making it ideal for players who need to deal out quick riffs and screaming solos during live performances. When you have a task this demanding, you need a guitar that can support you, and that is exactly what the Soloist was designed for.

So if you are looking for a fantastic instrument with a hint of the dark side in it, then the Soloist just might be the best deal for you. With its great looks, it is sure to get attention and with its monster tone, you are sure to sound truly awesome! Whether you are touring, gigging weekly, playing with friends, or just jamming out by yourself, the Soloist is an instrument that will serve you well. It is a bit on the expensive side for a hobby guitar, but if you are on any kind of professional level, it is not a deal that can be matched by many.