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GALLERY: Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde Vs

A look into the inspection and measuring process of Randy Rhoads'' original Concordes.

Rhandy Rhoad's Concorde VS
A direct comparison of the progression of the Jackson logo between the headstocks of Rhoads' two Concordes.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Rhandy Rhoad's Second Jackson Concorde V
Chip Ellis and Mike Shannon inspect and measure Rhoads' second Jackson Concorde V.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Shannon uses gauged calipers to ensure every aspect of the Rhoads Tribute Relic is true to the original.

Randy Rhoads' Concorde Vs

Randy Rhoads' Concorde Vs
Randy Rhoads's two Jackson Rhoads guitars (initial and second prototype) appear together for the first time in decades, as depicted in the (now) vintage magazine feature.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Rhoads' second V sits in its case awaiting inspection. Rhoads only had the second Concorde V for a few months before his untimely death.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
The headstock of Rhoads' original Jackson Concorde V. Note the early version of the Jackson logo.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
In preparation for the Custom Shop Randy Rhoads Tribute Relic, Jackson's Mike Shannon and Chip Ellis traveled to Delores Rhoads' Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood to meticulously measure every aspect of the original Concorde V.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Chip Ellis and Mike Shannon inspect and measure Rhoads' second Jackson Concorde V.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Randy Rhoads's second Jackson guitar featured a Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup and Jackson brass tune-o-matic bridge.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Randy's black Jackson utilized gold Gotoh crown head tuning keys.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
The headstock of Rhoads' second Concorde as it sits on the measuring table.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Shannon carefully and closely examines the Concorde.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Shannon (right) Ellis (who worked on Eddie Van Halen's EVH Frankenstein reissue) measure every aspect of the original Concorde V.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Although Rhoads was often photographed with his first Concorde V, some players may be surprised to learn it has a 3-way pickup selector that was usually out of view in concert photos. Jackson's Mike Shannon isnƑ?t certain whether Rhoads made specific electronics requests, but the Tribute Relic features Duncan SH4 (bridge) and SH-2N humbuckers and Les Paul-style controls.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Shannon makes detailed notes of each measurement.

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Original Jackson Concorde V
Shannon measuring the Concorde V at Delores Rhoads' Musonia School of Music in North Hollywood in 2009.

Randy Rhoads' Concorde Vs

Randy Rhoads' Concorde Vs
After careful measuring, the iconic guitars were placed safely back in their original cases.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Chip Ellis and Mike Shannon inspect and measure Rhoads' second Jackson Concorde V.

Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V

Want more Jackson? Check out our gallery inside the Jackson factory and our in-depth feature with Mike Shannon.

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PG's demo dude expands his flirtation with active pickups by dropping a set of EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers into his warhorse 2003 Gibson Les Paul. Luthier friend Dave Johnson handles the surgery and shares a few key tips to make the project go smoother for you.

Previously, John Bohlinger was curious about what active pickups could do for his anemic 1994 Stratocaster and EMG offered their drop-and-go Steve Lukather SL20 Pickguard set. JB was floored with the guitar's fresh voice and responsive dynamics he wanted to expand the active experiment to his beloved 2003 GibsonĀ Les Paul. So we got a set of EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers that required a full install and our luthier friend Dave Johnson walks us through the whole process before John got to test out his old friend's tonal makeover.

Learn more about EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbuckers here.

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