Guest Luthier Series - Grover Jackson

[Jessie Sammler]

Actually, I do have a question. That '84's neck feels a lot like the neck on my '77 Les Paul Deluxe, was that something Randy wanted, a neck that felt similar to his Les Paul?

Oh, good question! I've always felt that a neck-through Jackson is like a hybrid of a Strat and a Les Paul; is there any historical basis for that kind of theory?

[Grover Jackson]

Thanks for doing this chat with us, Mr. Jackson. I don't have any intelligent questions for you, but I wanted to say you guys did some awesome work back then in San Dimas!! I wasn't a huge fan of the Rhoads body shape, but I acquired an '84 Rhoads Student a little while back, and I'm a convert. NOW I understand why people love those older Jackson guitars so much!!!

Actually, I do have a question. That '84's neck feels a lot like the neck on my '77 Les Paul Deluxe, was that something Randy wanted, a neck that felt similar to his Les Paul?

And since pics are being posted, thanks for making this now battered old gem as well !!!

Hey, it's my pleasure and thanx to Seymour Duncan for allowing me to do this.

I appreciate your conversion and I see that the guitar has been well played...good man...play it to death.

You're on the money. Randy was old school and the LP neck is what we copied.

[Grover Jackson]

Oh, good question! I've always felt that a neck-through Jackson is like a hybrid of a Strat and a Les Paul; is there any historical basis for that kind of theory?

Very much so. I had been a vintage collector as well as a player and I had a little mental notebook of what I liked and did not like. Jackson was just a place for all that mis-spent youth to come together.

[Captain Tightpants]

Hey, it's my pleasure and thanx to Seymour Duncan for allowing me to do this.

I appreciate your conversion and I see that the guitar has been well played...good man...play it to death.

You're on the money. Randy was old school and the LP neck is what we copied.

Thank you, that guitar is one of my favorites!!! Take care Mr. Jackson, and have a happy 4th!!:

[Grover Jackson]

Thank you for making the time to be with us today, Grover. I know your work best by way of the company that bears your name, and I'd just like to say "Thanks!" for making these possible:

You're welcome. It was a heady time and there was excitement in the music business. It got overblown and became like a snake eating it's own tail by 1990 but at least it was vibrant. The record business is so different today.

[Evan Skopp]

Time to get in those last and final questions, guys.

[KeeperOS]

Hey, if we're posting pics I wanna play too!
Here are my babies:


BTW, I meant no disrespect to the Washburn of today, they still make great guitars, especially for the money, it's just that their past proves that they're capable of so much more, although I can understand from Mr Grover's post about how it played out why they'd be reluctant to go that road again...

Here's one last question if I may me allowed to, Mr Jackson, do you see yourself at some point going for a more central role in the guitar world again or are you happy with being out of the spotlight, doing your thing without drawing that much attention to yourself?

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for spending this time with us sharing all that you did and know that your life's work has made a huge difference to many of our lives

[Evan Skopp]

Grover, do you want to have the last word?

[BloodRose]

Ok, Im sorry to totally be a hog.. But Ive had these questions for years and not seen answers in print.

Last one..
I also have a Charvel model 4. These were also excellent guitars (LOVE the mid boost). And were basically industry leaders of going over seas for production. Was it difficult setting up the operation and all? Kramer was using ESP for thiers..

Thank you again!

[playas]

Do you remember exactly where did the Jackson slim neck shape came from and also what do you think made Jackson´s so appealing exactly during the 80s that they took off in such a huge way?

[Gearjoneser]

Grover, do you want to have the last word?

I think he did when he told us he plays Fender Teles!

[Evan Skopp]

Grover, just to reiterate what a lot of the forum members have already said, I'd like to thank you for spending some time with us today. I know you're generally one to stay out of the media spotlight and I respect you for that. But that just makes the time you shared with us today all that more valuable.

Thanks and best of luck.

[Grover Jackson]

Grover, do you want to have the last word?

Well, thanx to everyone and I hope I got to most of your questions. Thank you to Steve Ondich for getting the ball rolling. And a special thanx to Evan for being my 'bro for many years.