UBCNews - Business - Iconic Guitars, Epic Riffs: The Real Story Behind Jackson Guitars In Heavy Metal

Episode Date: November 16, 2025

Ever wonder how a chance meeting between a young guitarist and a luthier changed the entire scope of heavy metal? Today we're getting into the story of Jackson Guitars and their legendary place in metal history. I'm joined by someone who knows these instruments inside and out. So, let's start with the origin story - how did Jackson Guitars actually come to be? Sam Ash City: Hicksville Address: 278 Duffy Ave Website: https://www.samash.com/

Ever wonder how a chance meeting between a young guitarist and a luthier changed the entire scope of heavy metal? Today we're getting into the story of Jackson guitars and their legendary place in metal history. I'm joined by someone who knows these instruments inside and out. So let's start with the origin story. How did Jackson guitars actually come to be? Well, it all started back in November 1978 when Wayne Chorvel sold his company to Grover Jackson. But the real magic happened a couple years later in 1980 when Randy Rhodes approached Grover with this wild idea for a custom guitar. Randy was playing with Ozzy Osbourne at the time and needed something that could match his explosive playing style.

That's fascinating. What made that collaboration so special? Randy worked with Grover Jackson, Tim Wilson, and Mike Shannon to create what they called the Concord, basically an innovative revamp of the flying V design. This guitar later became known as the Jackson Roads, and it was absolutely groundbreaking. The slender design and aggressive motifs were perfect for the hard rock and metal musicians who were emerging at the time. Mm-hmm. Incredible stuff. And from there, Jackson guitars really took off in the metal scene, right? Exactly. Within a few years, Jackson guitars became incredibly popular in the thrash metal scene. bands like Megadeth and Slayer were all turning to Jackson for their radical body shapes, neck-through designs, and lightning-fast fretboards.

The guitars were built specifically for speed and aggression. Everything metal guitarists needed. What specific features made Jackson guitars such metal machines? I mean, what sets them apart from other guitars? There are really four key elements that make Jackson special. First, they have these incredibly fast, flat necks that are built for speed, whether you're sweep picking, tapping, or just hammering through tight rhythms. Second, they use high-performance hardware like Floyd Rose Bridges, locking nuts, and hot-rotted humbuckers. Third, those aggressive body shapes like the roads, King V and Kelly, don't just stand out.

They own the stage. And fourth, they're made for customization. That point about customization really sets up our next piece. The different Jackson series available today. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Looking to check out the legendary Jackson guitars? At Sam Ash, you'll find an incredible selection of Jackson models, from the entry-level JS series, perfect for beginners,

to the professional grade pro series for gigging musicians. Whether you're after that iconic Rhodes V-shaped or the versatile soloist, our expert staff can help you find the Jackson that matches your playing style and budget. Visit samash.com to discover your next metal machine. Picking up on that customization point, how do the different Jackson series actually cater to different players and budgets? Great question. Jackson really covers the whole spectrum. The JS series is their entry-level option, perfect for beginners who want that authentic Jackson feel without breaking the bank. Then you've got the Pro Series, which is probably their most popular line.

These are ideal for gigging musicians who need reliability and performance. At the top end, you have the USA Select and Custom Shop models for professionals who want the ultimate instrument. I see complete range there. Now let's talk about some of those iconic models. You mentioned the Rhodes earlier. What other shapes have become legendary? Oh, man, where do I start? The Roads is obviously the classic.

pointy, iconic, design for lead players. The soloist is sleek and versatile, great for both rhythm and lead across multiple genres. Then there's the King V, which is aggressive and symmetrical. Perfect for headbangers. The Kelly is Jackson's take on the Explorer with a futuristic edge, and the dinky has a smaller body but huge tone, plus it's one of the most mod-friendly models in the lineup.

That's quite a lineup. And I understand Jackson's Custom Shop has been creating these dream instruments since the very beginning? Absolutely. The Jackson Custom Shop has been going since 1980, offering players the chance to create their ultimate instrument. We're talking extensive customization, colors, pickups, scale length, you name it. I actually had a friend who ordered a custom seven-string soloist with active pickups and a compound

radius fretboard. It took months to arrive, but when it did, it was absolutely perfect for his gent playing style. That sounds incredible. Now for our listeners who might be wondering, what makes Jackson guitars specifically suited for metal and shred playing? It really comes down to the construction details. Jackson guitars typically feature thin necks and smooth fretwork, making them perfect for fast playing and lead techniques.

Many models have compound radius fingerboards. They're rounded near the nut for comfortable chord playing, but flatten out at the higher frets for easy soloing. Plus, they often come equipped with high-output humbucker pickups that are ideal for metal and hard rock styles. Right. Those technical specs really matter. And these guitars have been endorsed by some pretty legendary players over the years, haven't they? Have you ever tried to play like any of these metal gods? Oh, definitely. Besides Randy Rhodes, who started at all, you've got Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden using Jackson guitars regularly, Phil Colin from Def Leopard with his signature models,

and Scott Ian from Anthrax with his Custom King Viz. More recently, players like Wes Halk and Brandon Ellis from the Black Dahlia Murder continue pushing Jackson's legacy forward with modern metal precision. And to answer your question, I think we've all tried to nail Randy's crazy train solo at some point. Ha! Guilty is charged there. For someone listening who's thinking about their first Jackson, what would you recommend they consider?

I'd say think about your playing style first. If you're into lead playing and want that classic metal look, the Rhodes is perfect. For versatility across genres, the soloist is hard to beat. The dinky is great if you want something more compact, but still powerful. And honestly,

Jackson guitars are popular among both experienced and new musicians because of their accessibility and quality. You really can't go wrong. Perfect advice. You know, what strikes me about Jackson is how they've maintained that reputation for being loud, fast, and unapologetically metal, while still evolving with the times. These guitars really do give players the tools to go full throttle with no compromise, don't they? It's that same no-compromise attitude that's kept them relevant. That's exactly right. Whether you're playing to 20 mates at a local venue or blasting a crowd at a major festival, a Jackson guitar. makes a statement, it says you're here to be heard. That attitude has kept them relevant for over four decades, and I don't see it changing anytime soon. Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for sharing all that insight into Jackson guitars. For more information and to check out their incredible range

of metal machines, visit samash.com.