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
Shannon uses gauged calipers to ensure every aspect of the Rhoads Tribute Relic is true to the original.
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
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' 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
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
Chip Ellis and Mike Shannon inspect and measure 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's black Jackson utilized gold Gotoh crown head tuning keys.
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
Shannon carefully and closely examines the Concorde.
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
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 isnÑ?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
Shannon makes detailed notes of each measurement.
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
After careful measuring, the iconic guitars were placed safely back in their original cases.
Randy Rhoads' Second Jackson Concorde V
Chip Ellis and Mike Shannon inspect and measure Rhoads' second Jackson Concorde V.
Want more Jackson? Check out our gallery inside the Jackson factory and our in-depth feature with Mike Shannon.
The Ariel Posen Signature String Set from Stringjoy
Ideal for B Standard, Open C, and other lower tunings, this set offers exceptional tone and feel for players who want to explore new sonic territory while maintaining their guitar's unique voice.
Each string in this set is built with Stringjoy’s trademark quality: wound at tension with high compression winds for maximum output, durability, and smooth playability. The result? Strings that hold up under pressure while delivering a natural, expressive voice—perfect for hybrid playing and expressive slide work.
Ariel Posen Signature Set Specs:
• .014 – .018p – .026w – .038 – .050 – .062
• Wound 3rd string
“If you didn’t know these were 14-62 gauges, you’d swear they were just 11s tuned down,” said Ariel Posen. “They feel like home and preserve the sound of the guitar, even in lower tunings. That’s the biggest thing—it still sounds like guitar.”
“We’ve spent ten years experimenting and testing together to find the right combination,” said Scott Marquart, Stringjoy Founder & President. “This release is more than just a new product—it’s the culmination of a shared journey between friends and musicians. Ariel’s set is uniquely him, and I think players will love how it feels and responds.”
Stringjoy’s Ariel Posen signature string set carry a street price of $13.99. Learn more at at stringjoy.com.
There’s nothing subtle about Billy Idol, so it tracks that there’d be nothing subtle about the guitars used onstage by his longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens. Famous for his guitar work with Idol and the Grammy-winning symphony of sustain “Top Gun Anthem,” Stevens brought a brigade of eye-popping signature electrics and some choice other jewels out on the road with Idol this spring.
The tour touched down at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville in May, and while Stevens was jetting into town, PG’s John Bohlinger met up with tech and guitar builder Frank Falbo to learn the ins and outs of Stevens’ rig.
Brought to you by D’Addario
Cherry Pie
This cherryburst is one of a score of single-cut Knaggs Steve Stevens signature models in Stevens’ arsenal. He plays with heavier Tortex picks and uses Ernie Ball strings, usually .010–.048s.
More, More, More (Sustain)
This Knaggs Steve Stevens Severn XF, complete with a Sustainiac pickup system, was designed to mimic the look of one of his old guitars, and the stage lights make this finish go insane. It comes out for three to four songs in any given set, including “Rebel Yell.”
Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
This Knaggs Steve Stevens, finished in silver sparkle, is outfitted with a killswitch, push-pull control knobs, and Fishman Fluence pickups. Falbo was on the R&D team that helped design the Fluences.
Other guitars backstage include a red sparkle Knaggs with PAFs, a Godin LGXT with piezo saddles and Seymour Duncan pickups that sends three signals (synth, electric, and piezo), a pair of piezo- and MIDI-equipped Godin nylon-string guitars, a dazzling Gibson Les Paul with stock Gibson pickups, a Suhr T-style electric, and a Ciari Ascender for travel and dressing-room rehearsal.
Tube Heart, Digital Brains
Stevens runs through a pair of Friedman heads—a B100 and Steve Stevens SS100, plus a third backup—with each panned hard to either the left or right. Both signals run through a Neve 8803 rack EQ into two RedSeven Amplification Amp Central Evo loadboxes, and through their impulse response programs to front of house. A Neural Quad Cortex is on hand as a backup and for fly dates.
Steve Stevens’ Pedalboard
Stevens’ pedal playground is masterminded by an RJM Mastermind GT, which lives on its own board alongside a Fractal FM3 MK II. He orchestrates most of the changes himself, but Falbo is ready to flip switches backstage in case Stevens is away from his board for a key moment.
The centre hub, built on a Tone Merchants board, carries a TC Electronic PolyTune2 Noir, Xotic Effects Super Sweet Booster, Vox wah, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Mission Engineering expression pedal, DigiTech Whammy Ricochet, Suhr Discovery, JHS Muffuletta, DigiTech Drop, ISP DECI-MATE, Walrus Voyager, Suhr Koji Comp, Zvex Super Ringtone, DryBell Vibe Machine, and Ammoon EX EQ7. An Ebtech Hum Eliminator, two Strymon Ojais, and a Strymon Zuma keep the wheels greased.
The board to the right carries a Boss RV-500, Fender Smolder Acoustic OD, Lehle Dual Expression, Boss GM-800, Empress Bass Compressor, Grace Design ALiX preamp, Fishman Aura, and a Peterson tuner. Utility boxes include an Ernie Ball Volt and a Radial J48.
