Starting this week, we've kicked Premier Collector up a notch. You'll learn a bit more about the collectors through a series of questions we'll be asking, including stories from gigs and personal tone philosophy. Of course, if you have your own gear and stories you'd like to share, drop us a line at
rebecca@premierguitar.com.
Without further ado, introducing Roger Jackson and his collection, in his own words:
Name: Roger Jackson, aka “The Phantom Man”
Years played: 42
Home turf: Southern Arizona
Current/former bands: Various, currently doing consulting work for several local luthiers
First guitar: ’66 Fender Stratocaster
Favorite guitar: (tie) Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul
Favorite amp: any Fender with vacuum tubes
Favorite effect: Compression
Favorite strings: GHS Regular Boomers
From L to R: '62 Gibson Les Paul SG (Historic Shop re-issue), Fender MIM '50 Classic Stratocaster re-issue, '59 Gibson Les Paul flame-top (Historic Shop re-issue), 2001 Fender American Standard Telecaster, 1977 Gibson Les Paul Standard (my "touring guitar").
From L to R: Custom-built '63 hardtail Strat, Custom-built '65 hardtail Strat, CIJ '65 Strat re-issue (modded), MIM Classic '50s re-issue Strat (modded), Custom-built Jeff Beck Strat clone.
"After years of dissatisfaction with off-the-rack Stratocasters I
decided to assemble my own, using parts combinations not generally seen
with regular Fender production guitars. Some pieces came from Mexico
while others hail from Japan. Stage situations dictated a change to
noiseless pickups, thus all are equipped with either DiMarzio Virtual
Vintage or Fender SCNs with S-1 switching. The trem-equipped guitars
all feature steel blocks for maximum sustain and tuning stability while
the hardware is of the vintage-style variety. Ash bodies with the
traditional S/S/S routing were selected for their sonic properties,
mated to vintage-spec necks. I liken the Fender Strat to the ’69 Chevy
Camaro – easy to build, easy to hot-rod, and a joy to drive."
Custom-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb re-issue: hot-rodded chassis, larger
blonde/wheatstraw furniture, 15-inch JBL D-130F speaker. Custom
cabinetry by John Hinsdale, aka "The Cab Guy." I call this amp my
"Spankmaster Reverb."