Highlights include new models from Marty Friedman, Misha Mansoor, and more.
Scottsdale, AZ (January 14, 2021) -- Jackson today introduced its 2021 Winter and Spring collections showcasing elevated specs, bold colors and dynamic aesthetics. Launches includes all-new Artist Signature models, brand-new MJ Series, refreshed Pro Series guitars, all-new Pro Spectra Bass and expanded offerings for both the X Series and JS Series. Each addition celebrates distinctive Jackson design, outstanding tone, ultra-fast playability and ultimate value for metal and hard rock players around the globe.
ARTIST SIGNATURE SERIES
Jackson proudly expands its impressive Artist Signature Series with several new models, including a brand-new partnership with Black Dahlia Murder guitarist Brandon Ellis with the Pro Series Signature Brandon Ellis Kelly. Additional designs with existing signature artists include the Pro Series Signature Christian Andreu Rhoads RRT, Pro Series Signature Marty Friedman MF-1, MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT and Pro Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET6 and ET7.
● Pro Series Signature Brandon Ellis Kelly ($1,199.99 EST US Street, £1,399 MSRP, €1,269 MSRP, $2,699 AUD RRP) Black Dahlia Murder guitarist Brandon Ellis has been captivating the metal realm since taking over lead guitar duties on the band’s 2017 album Nightbringers. The brand-new Pro Series Signature Brandon Ellis Kelly seethes with metal sophistication in a Green Crackle finish with a reverse pointed black headstock featuring a matching green Jackson logo, reverse pearloid sharkfin inlays and black hardware. Delivering massive sound and high-performance efficiency, this sig model features poplar body-wings, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and a Seymour Duncan® Parallel Axis bridge humbucking pickup that rips with plenty of over-wound attitude for bright, expressive high-end and endless sustain. A single volume control, Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo system, Dunlop® dual-locking strap buttons and Jackson sealed die-cast tuners complete the package. Available April 2021.
● Pro Series Signature Christian Andreu RRT ($1,249.99 EST US Street, £949 MSRP, €1,049 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) French metal act Gojira blends thrash and progressive elements to create a monstrous groove metal sound like no other. Jackson once again teamed up with acclaimed guitarist Christian Andreu to collaborate on this Pro signature axe, available in a Natural finish with single-ply black pickguard, color matched pointed headstock and black hardware. This instrument has a poplar body with flame maple top, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and satin back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, single Jackson covered high-output humbucking bridge pickup, single volume control, Jackson TOM-style adjustable compensated string-through-body bridge and Jackson sealed die-cast locking tuners. Available February 2021.
● Pro Series Signature Marty Friedman MF-1 ($1,199.99 EST US Street, £999 MSRP, €909 MSRP, $2,699 AUD RRP) One of the most influential and respected players in the world, Marty Friedman defined modern guitar playing with Jason Becker in Cacophony, was a key element in the wildly successful rise of thrash pioneers Megadeth, and with his “Marty-esque” improvisations and exotic fusion of Eastern and Western music, has achieved global success as a solo artist. The Pro Series Signature Marty Friedman MF-1 is metal magnificent with a cracked Purple Mirror top, 3-ply white/abalone/white body binding, all-black hardware and a reverse Jackson 3x3 (3 over, 3 under) AT-1 black headstock. Other features include a 24.75” scale length, mahogany body, mahogany set-neck with scarf joint and graphite-reinforcement rods, bound 12”-radius ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid block inlays, dual passive EMG® MF signature humbucking pickups with three-way toggle switching, two volume controls, two tone controls and Jackson TOM-style adjustable bridge with anchored tailpiece. Available February 2021.
● MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT ($2,699.99 EST US Street, £2,749 MSRP, €2,479 MSRP, $5,199 AUD RRP) Jackson honors acclaimed djent architect Misha Mansoor of Periphery with the brand-new MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal 2PT — an exquisite beauty in Daphne Blue with color matched licensed Fender® Strat® headstock, white pickguard, parchment skirt-style control knobs and chrome hardware. Features include a basswood body, bolt-on caramelized maple neck with graphite reinforcement and oiled back finish, Bare Knuckle Ragnarok humbucking bridge and Bare Knuckle Trilogy single-coil middle and neck pickups with parchment bobbins, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume control, single tone control, 20”-radius caramelized maple fingerboard with rolled edges, 22 jumbo stainless steel frets and white dot inlays outlined in black and Luminlay® side dots. Available May 2021.
● Pro Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET6/ET7 ($1,299.99 EST US Street, £1,519 MSRP, €1,369 MSRP, $2,999 AUD RRP) New for 2021, Misha’s Pro Juggernaut models have received the EverTune® treatment. The Pro Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET6 comes in Chalk Gray with a color matched reverse Jackson 3x3 AT-1 headstock and black hardware, while the Pro Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET7 ($1,399.99 EST US Street, £1,469 MSRP, €1,639 MSRP, $3,199 AUD RRP) is available in Gulf Blue with a color matched Jackson 4x3 AT-1 headstock and black hardware. Other features include a basswood body, bolt-on caramelized maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and oiled back finish, 20”-radius caramelized maple fingerboard with rolled edges, 24 jumbo frets and offset white dot inlays, uncovered direct mount Jackson MM1 pickups, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume control and single tone control with push/pull select. Available April 2021.
MJ SERIES
Harkening back to the early ‘90s when import Jackson guitars were manufactured exclusively in Japan, Jackson introduced the all-new MJ Series — an exciting and innovative collection of instruments attentively crafted in Japan. The MJ Series blends Jackson’s world-renowned legacy of designing high-performance instruments with an assortment of top-tier features at a competitive price point.
Engineered for high-speed, virtuoso playing, the MJ Series includes a new Rhoads RRT model, a pair of Soloist models and six new Dinky offerings. These models include premium body woods, versatile Seymour Duncan® or DiMarzio® pickups, multi-piece rock-solid necks, 12”-16” compound radius ebony fingerboards, Luminlay® side dots, Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge or Jackson TOM-style adjustable bridge with anchored tailpiece, dynamic finishes and come in a foam core case. Models include:
● The MJ Series Dinky DKR is decked out in either Ice Blue Metallic ($1,999.99 EST US Street, £1,999 MSRP, €1,799 MSRP, $3,599 AUD RRP) with white pickup bobbins, pearloid sharkfin inlay at the 12th fret and chrome hardware, or in Satin Black ($1,899.99 EST US Street, £1,999 MSRP, €1,799 MSRP, $3,799 AUD RRP) with yellow pickup bobbins, yellow sharkfin inlay at the 12th fret and black hardware. Both models feature a color matched reverse Jackson pointy headstock. Other features include an alder body with sculpted shredder’s cut heel, graphite-reinforced bolt-on five-piece maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck, DiMarzio® Super Distortion® DP100 and DiMarzio PAF Pro® DP151 pickups that provide plenty of high-output attitude with bolstered mids, wide lows and fat highs, five-way blade switching, 24 jumbo frets and Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge. Available April 2021
● The MJ Series Dinky DKRA ($2,199.99 EST US Street, £2,239 MSRP, €2019 MSRP, $3,799 AUD RRP) is available in a Matte Black Ash finish with color matched reverse headstock, pearloid sharkfin inlays and black hardware. Other features include a mahogany body with ash top and sculpted shredder’s cut heel, graphite-reinforced bolt-on five-piece maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck, Seymour Duncan® JB TB-4 bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2N neck pickups for plenty of hot-rodded tonal clout that radiates with glassy treble tone and scooped mids, five-way blade switching, 24 jumbo frets and Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge. Available April 2021.
● The MJ Series Dinky DKRP ($2,199.99 EST US Street, £2,239 MSRP, €2019 MSRP, $4,199 AUD RRP) comes in Transparent Blue Burst color matched reverse pointy headstock, white body and headstock binding and black hardware. Features include a mahogany body with poplar top and sculpted shredder’s cut heel, graphite-reinforced bolt-on five-piece maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck, DiMarzio® Super Distortion® DP100 and DiMarzio PAF Pro® DP151 pickups with five-way blade switching, 24 jumbo frets and Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge. Available April 2021.
● The MJ Series Dinky DKR MAH ($1,999.99 EST US Street, £1,999 MSRP, €1,799 MSRP, $3,599 AUD RRP) is offered in Gloss Black or Snow White with color matched reverse pointy headstock and black hardware. Other features include a mahogany body with sculpted shredder’s cut heel, graphite-reinforced bolt-on five-piece maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck, Seymour Duncan® JB TB-4 bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2N neck pickups for plenty of hot-rodded tonal clout that radiates with glassy treble tone and scooped mids, five-way blade switching, 24 jumbo frets and Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge. Available April 2021.
● The MJ Series Rhoads RRT ($2,699.99 EST US Street, £2,749 MSRP, €2,479 MSRP, $4,999 AUD RRP) is cloaked in a Gloss Black finish with black pointy headstock, pearloid sharkfin inlays, chrome pickguard and chrome hardware. Its features include an alder body, graphite-reinforced through-body three-piece maple neck, Seymour Duncan® JB SH-4 bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2N neck pickups, three-way pickup toggle switch, individual pickup volume knobs, single tone knob, 22 jumbo frets and Jackson TOM-style adjustable bridge with anchored tailpiece. Available April 2021.
● The MJ Series Soloist SL2 ($2,499.99 EST US Street, £2,529 MSRP, €2,279 MSRP, $4,799 AUD RRP) is offered in classic Gloss Black or Snow White finishes with color matched pointy headstock, pearloid sharkfin inlays and black hardware. Its features include an alder body, graphite-reinforced through-body three-piece maple neck, Seymour Duncan® JB SH-4 bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2N neck pickups, three-way pickup toggle switch, 24 jumbo frets and Gotoh® GE1996T Series double-locking tremolo bridge. Available April 2021.
PRO SERIES
For 2021, Jackson expands its popular Pro DK Modern platform, adds several new models and colors across its more traditional Pro Series shapes and launches the all-new Pro Series Spectra Bass platform.
Designed for modern, progressive players looking for limitless possibilities from a modernized instrument, the Pro Dinky DK Modern platform is loaded with next-level features including an ergonomic basswood Dinky body, graphite-reinforced bolt-on three-piece maple/wenge/maple neck, heel-mount truss rod adjustment wheel, 12"-16" compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets, offset pearloid dot inlays and Luminlay® side dots and Fishman® Fluence® pickups. Models include:
● The Pro Series DK Modern EverTune® 6 ($1,599.99 EST US Street, £1,869 MSRP, €1,679 MSRP, $3,599 AUD RRP) arrives in the form of a Satin Graphite finish, complete with a reverse 3x3 AT-1 color matched headstock and black hardware. This model is equipped with active multi-voiced Fishman® Fluence® Open Core PRF-CO7 bridge and neck humbucking pickups pickups with five-way blade switching, single volume control, push/pull tone control and EverTune® bridge. Available April 2021.
● The multi-scale (25.5”- 27”) Pro Series DK Modern HT7 MS ($1,699.99 EST US Street, £1,989 MSRP, €1,789 MSRP, $3,899 AUD RRP) comes in a dazzling Eureka Mist finish with a reverse Jackson 3x4 AT-1 color matched headstock and black hardware. This model is equipped with multi-voiced Fishman® Fluence® Modern PRF-MH8 bridge and neck pickups with three-way blade switching, single volume control, tone control with push/pull knob and Hipshot® 7 fixed bridge. Available April 2021.
Jackson’s Pro Series platform also features our classic designs— each loaded with pro features, outstanding tone, light-speed playability, terrific balance, super-sleek feel, striking aesthetics and remarkable value. Models include:
● The Pro Series King V KVTMG ($999.99 EST US Street, £1,169 MSRP, €1,059 MSRP, $2,299 AUD RRP) comes in a classic Snow White finish with color matched pointy headstock and chrome hardware. Features include a mahogany body, graphite-reinforced through-body maple neck with hand-rubbed oil back finish and wrap-around heel, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and alumiloid piranha tooth inlays, EMG® 81 and EMG 85 humbucking pickups, three-way pickup toggle switch, single volume and tone controls and Jackson TOM-Style adjustable bridge with anchored tailpiece. Available March 2021.
● The Pro Series Monarkh SC ($749.99 EST US Street, £879 MSRP, €789 MSRP, $1,799 AUD RRP) is decked out in classic Satin Black with color matched 3x3 AT-1 headstock, three-ply w/b/w binding and gold hardware. Features include a 24.75” scale length, single-cutaway mahogany body, set maple neck with hand-rubbed oil finish on the back, scarf joint and graphite-reinforcement rods, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid ghostfin inlays, Seymour Duncan® (JB/'59) humbucking pickups, three-position pickup toggle switch, individual pickup volume controls, single tone control and Jackson fully adjustable radius compensated bridge with anchored tailpiece. Available March 2021.
● The Pro Series Monarkh SCP ($899.99 EST US Street, £1,049 MSRP, €949 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) is dressed in stunning Transparent Purple Burst finish with color matched 3x3 AT-1 headstock, three-ply w/b/w binding and black hardware. Features include a 24.75” scale length, single-cutaway mahogany body with poplar burl top, set maple neck with hand-rubbed oil finish on the back, scarf joint and graphite-reinforcement rods, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets and pearloid ghostfin inlays, Seymour Duncan® (JB/'59) humbucking pickups, three-position pickup toggle switch, individual pickup volume controls, single tone control and Jackson fully adjustable radius compensated bridge with anchored tailpiece. Available March 2021.
● The Pro Series Rhoads RR24 ($1,399.99 EST US Street, £939 MSRP, €849 MSRP, $3,199 AUD RRP) sizzles in either blue-and-white Lighting Crackle or red-and-black Maul Crackle with color matched reverse pointed headstock, color matched pickup bobbins and black hardware. This model features a basswood body, through-body maple neck with graphite-reinforcement rods, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, direct mount Seymour Duncan® JB TB-4 bridge and Seymour Duncan ’59 SH-1N neck pickups, three-way pickup toggle switch, single volume and single tone controls and Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo system. Available February 2021.
● The Pro Series Soloist SL3R ($1,399.99 EST US Street, £1,409 MSRP, €1,269 MSRP, $2,899 AUD RRP) features a dynamite Mirror top, white body binding, mirror piranha tooth inlays, chrome hardware and reverse Jackson pointed 6-in-line mirror headstock. Features include a basswood body, through-body maple neck with scarf joint, graphite-reinforcement rods and oiled back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets, direct mount Seymour Duncan® Distortion TB-6 bridge, Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat® SSL-6 RWRP Single-Coil middle and Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 Single-Coil neck pickups, five-way pickup blade switching, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo system. Available February 2021.
● The Pro Series Soloist SL2 comes in several new variations. All SL2 models feature through-body maple neck with scarf joint and graphite-reinforcement rods, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and piranha tooth inlays, Seymour Duncan® Distortion bridge and neck humbucking pickups, three-way toggle switching and single volume and tone controls. Models include:
The Pro Series Soloist SL2A MAH ($1,099.99 EST US Street, £1,289 MSRP, €1,159 MSRP, $2,499 AUD RRP) is dressed in a mystical Unicorn White finish with color matched pointy headstock, 2-ply black/celluloid pearl binding and black nickel hardware. This model features a mahogany body with ash top, Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge and pearloid inlays. Available May 2021.
The Pro Series Soloist SL2A MAH HT ($999.99 EST US Street, £1,169 MSRP, €1,059 MSRP, $2,299 AUD RRP) also comes in a mystical Unicorn White finish with color matched pointy headstock, 2-ply black/celluloid pearl binding and black nickel hardware. This model features a mahogany body with ash top, Jackson HT6 string-through-body hardtail bridge and pearloid inlays. Available May 2021.
The Pro Series Soloist SL2Q MAH ($1,099.99 EST US Street, £1,289 MSRP, €1,159 MSRP, $2,499 AUD RRP) is offered in an exquisite Transparent Purple finish color matched pointy headstock and gold hardware. It features a mahogany body with quilt maple top, Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge and alumiloid inlays. Available March 2021.
The Pro Series Soloist SL2P MAH ($999.99 USD, £1,169 MSRP, €1,059 MSRP, $2,299 AUD RRP) is sinister in a Transparent Black finish with color matched pointy headstock and black nickel hardware. It features a mahogany body with poplar top, Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge and alumiloid inlays. Available March 2021.
The Pro Series Soloist SL2P MAH HT ($899.99 EST US Street, £1,049 MSRP, €949 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) is sinister in a Transparent Black finish with color matched pointy headstock and black nickel hardware. It features a mahogany body with poplar top, Jackson HT6 string-through-body hardtail bridge and alumiloid inlays. Available March 2021.
● The all-new Pro Series Soloist 7-string comes in two new variations. Both models feature a 25.5” scale length, mahogany body with ash top, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and oiled back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid piranha tooth inlays, direct mount Seymour Duncan® Distortion 7 bridge and neck humbucking pickups, five-way pickup blade switch and single volume and tone controls. Models include:
The Pro Series Soloist SL7A MAH ($1,299.99 EST US Street, £1,519 MSRP, €1,369 MSRP, $2,899 AUD RRP) comes in a mystical Unicorn White finish with color matched reverse pointy headstock, 2-ply black/celluloid pearl binding and black nickel hardware. This model is equipped with a Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo system. Available May 2021.
The Pro Series Soloist SL7A MAH HT ($1,199.99 EST US Street, £1,399 MSRP, €1,269 MSRP, $2,699 AUD RRP) comes in a mystical Unicorn White finish with color matched reverse pointy headstock, 2-ply black/celluloid pearl binding and black nickel hardware. This model is equipped with a Jackson HT7 string-through-body hardtail bridge. Available May 2021.
The Pro Series Spectra Bass is a finely crafted instrument with its very essence right there in the name—a bass for professionals. A bold bass that’s more than just a cut above the others; a bass designed to deliver the finest to the demanding and adventurous pro player. The finest in style, tone, comfort and playability.
Premium features include a multi-laminate wood body, through-body five-piece maple/walnut/maple/walnut/maple neck with graphite reinforcement, 12”-16” compound radius caramelized jatoba fingerboard with 24 frets and oval dark pearl inlays, Nordstrand® single-coil soapbar bridge and neck pickups, three-band active EQ, two-way toggle switch (active/passive options), three-way toggle switch (variable mid-frequency), blend control and volume control, Jackson single-string hardtail bridge and color matched unique 2x2 or 3x2 headstock with an understated “J” logo. Models include:
● The 4-string, 34”-scale Pro Series Spectra Bass SBP IV ($899.99 EST US Street, £1,049 MSRP, €949 MSRP, $1,999 AUD RRP) features a unique multi-laminate poplar burl/walnut/maple/walnut/mahogany body wrapped in sophisticated Caribbean Blue with chrome hardware or Transparent Black Burst with gold hardware. Available April 2021.
● The 5-string, 35”- scale Pro Series Spectra Bass SBP V ($999.99 EST US Street, £1,049 MSRP, €949 MSRP, $2,299 AUD RRP) features a unique multi-laminate poplar burl/walnut/maple/walnut/mahogany body wrapped in an elegant Transparent Cherry Burst finish with gold hardware. Available April 2021.
● The 5-string, 35”- scale Pro Series Spectra Bass SBA V ($999.99 EST US Street, £1,169 MSRP, €1,059 MSRP, $2,299 AUD RRP) features a unique multi-laminate flatsawn ash/walnut/maple/walnut/mahogany body wrapped in a magnificent stage-stealing Blue Burst finish with black hardware. Available April 2021.
X SERIES
Think classic Jackson designs, outstanding tone, ultra-fast playability and highly affordable value for 21st-century guitarists. Built with the very latest in Jackson expertise and innovation, X Series models are steeped with an “X” factor that makes them perfect modern shred machines for a whole new generation of no-holds barred guitarists.
For 2021, Jackson is rolling out several new models including camo finishes for our Soloist and Rhoads shapes, a full line-up of Dinky bolt-on models, throwback SL1X Soloist, new Spectra Bass colors and more. Models include:
● The X Series Dinky DK2X and DK2X HT offer a poplar body, bolt-on maple neck with satin back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, active Jackson high-output humbucking bridge and neck pickup with three-position blade switching, single volume and tone controls, black hardware and reverse Jackson pointed 6-in-line black headstock. Models include:
The X Series Dinky DK2X ($599.99 EST US Street, £699 MSRP, €639 MSRP, $1,399 AUD RRP) is offered in classic Gloss Black or Snow White and features a Jackson-branded Floyd Rose®-licensed double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
The X Series Dinky DK2X HT ($549.99 EST US Street, £649 MSRP, €579 MSRP, $1,299 AUD RRP) is also offered in classic Gloss Black or Snow White and features a Jackson HT6 string-through-body hardtail bridge. Available February 2021.
● The X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS ($499.99 EST US Street, £589 MSRP, €529 MSRP, $1,149 AUD RRP) comes in Gloss Black, Cobalt Blue and Neon Green with a color matched reverse Jackson pointed 6-in-line headstock and black hardware. The Gloss Black finish also features white pickup bobbins and a white Jackson logo on headstock, while the Cobalt Blue and Neon Green finishes feature pink pickup bobbins and a pink Jackson logo on headstock. Other appointments include a poplar body with sculpted shredder’s cut heel, bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius laurel fingerboard with rolled edges, 24 jumbo frets and inverted pearloid sharkfin inlays, single Jackson high-output humbucking bridge pickup and dual Jackson single-coil middle and neck pickups, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Jackson-branded Floyd Rose®-licensed double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available March 2021.
● The X Series Kelly KEXM ($749.99 EST US Street, £879 MSRP, €789 MSRP, $1,699 AUD RRP) sports an extreme Neon Yellow finish with pointy black headstock and black hardware. Features include poplar body-wings, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound maple fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and black sharkfin inlays, dual Jackson high-output humbucking pickups, three-position toggle switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
● The X Series Kelly KEXS ($999.99 EST US Street, £899 MSRP, €819 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) features a wicked Shattered Mirror finish with matching Jackson pointed 6-in-line headstock, white body binding, mirror sharkfin inlays and black hardware. Features include mahogany body-wings with a unique shattered mirror top, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets, dual Jackson high-output humbucking pickups, three-way position switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
● The X Series King V KVX-MG7 ($899.99 EST US Street, £879 MSRP, €789 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) is cloaked in Satin Black with Primer Gray Bevels and has a pointed 7-in-line black headstock and black hardware. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, active EMG® 81-7H bridge and EMG 85-7H neck humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
● The X Series Rhoads RRX24 Camo ($799.99 EST US Street, £939 MSRP, €849 MSRP, $1,899 AUD RRP) commands attention in Black Camo or Woodland Camo with a matching camo reverse pointy headstock and black hardware. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, dual covered Jackson active high-output humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, dual volume controls and single tone control and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available March 2021.
● The X Series Rhoads RRX24-MG7 ($899.99 EST US Street, £1,049 MSRP, €949 MSRP, $2,099 AUD RRP) makes a bold statement onstage in a Satin Black finish with Primer Gray Bevels, reverse Jackson pointed 7-in-line black headstock and black hardware. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and satin color matched back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, active EMG® 81-7H bridge and EMG 85-7H neck humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, two volume controls and single tone control and Floyd Rose Special 7-string double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
● The X Series Soloist SLX DX Camo is dressed in Multi-Color Camo ($849.99 EST US Street, £939 MSRP, €849 MSRP, $1,899 AUD RRP) or Winter Camo ($799.99 EST US Street, £939 MSRP, €849 MSRP, $1,889 AUD RRP) with matching camo pointy headstock and black hardware. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, Jackson active covered high-output humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available March 2021.
● The X Series Soloist SL1X ($799.99 EST US Street, £939 MSRP, €848 MSRP, $1,889 AUD RRP) is decked out in shocking Platinum Pink or Taxi Cab Yellow finishes with black Jackson pointy headstock and black hardware. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and white dot inlays, Duncan Designed HB-103B humbucking bridge and Duncan Designed HR-101 Hot Rails middle and neck pickups with zebra pickup bobbins, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available March 2021.
● The X Series Soloist SL3X DX ($699.99 EST US Street, £819 MSRP, €739 MSRP, $1,599 AUD RRP) comes in a wicked new Absynthe Frost finish with black hardware and black Jackson pointed 6-in-line black headstock. Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, Duncan Designed HB-103B humbucking bridge and Duncan Designed HR-101 Hot Rails middle and neck pickups with zebra pickup bobbins, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
● The X Series Soloist SL3XM DX ($649.99 EST US Street, £879 MSRP, €789 MSRP, $1,799 AUD RRP) is finished in Satin Black and bears Jackson’s traditional appointments including black hardware, dome-style control knobs, black sharkfin inlays, zebra pickups bobbins and black pointed 6-in-line headstock. Other features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound maple fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets, Duncan Designed HB-103B humbucking bridge and Duncan Designed HR-101 Hot Rails middle and neck pickups, five-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Floyd Rose® Special double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
The all-new X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV is a highly versatile bass designed for one express purpose—bringing the thunder to your music. Upgraded electronics, classically brutal style and fast, efficient playability make this entry into the lineup a fundamental force to be reckoned with. Perfect for rock, punk or metal—or other styles that demand low, punchy bass—this instrument is an unbelievable value.
Features include a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and gloss color matched back finish, 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, active electronics with Jackson J-style bridge and Jackson P-style neck pickups, master volume, 3-band EQ (bass, mid and treble) and blend controls, Jackson bass Bacher IV string-through-body hardtail bridge and Jackson pointed 4-in-line black headstock. Models include:
▪ The X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV ($649.99 EST US Street, £759 MSRP, €689 MSRP, $1,499 AUD RRP) ups the ante in the style realm with all-new vivid Absynthe Frost, Gloss Black or Rocket Red finishes, each featuring a parchment pickguard, black skirt-style control knobs and chrome hardware including the bridge pickup cover. Available April 2021.
JS SERIES
Swift, sleek and affordable, JS Series guitars take an epic lead forward, making it easier than ever to get classic Jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank. Models include:
▪ The JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS24 DKAM ($299.99 EST US Street, £350 MSRP, €320 MSRP, $699 AUD RRP) is wrapped in a sophisticated Black Stain or Red Stain finish with pointy black headstock and black hardware. Features include a mahogany body with arched top, bolt-on caramelized maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound caramelized maple fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and black sharkfin inlays, dual Jackson high-output humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and 2-point fulcrum tremolo bridge. Available February 2021.
▪ The JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32Q DKA HT ($299.99 EST US Street, £350 MSRP, €320 MSRP, $699 AUD RRP) is decked out in all-new Transparent Black Burst, Transparent Green Burst and Transparent Purple Burst finishes with pointy black headstocks and all-black hardware. Features include a poplar body with quilt maple top, bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound amaranth fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, Jackson high-output neck humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Jackson HT6 string-through-body hardtail bridge. Available February 2021.
▪ The JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22Q-7 DKA HT ($299.99 EST US Street, £350 MSRP, €320 MSRP, $699 AUD RRP) is wrapped in a brooding Transparent Black Burst finish with all-black hardware and our Jackson 3x4 AT-1 black headstock. Features include a poplar body with quilt maple top, bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound amaranth fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid piranha tooth inlays, Jackson high-output 7-string bridge and neck humbucking pickups, three-position pickup blade switch, single volume and tone controls and Jackson HT7 string-through-body hardtail bridge. Available February 2021.
▪ The JS Series Rhoads JS32 MAH ($399.99 EST US Street, £470 MSRP, €420 MSRP, $949 AUD RRP ) cuts an elegant figure in a Natural finish with gold pickguard, black hardware and black pointy headstock. Features include a mahogany body, bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint, 12”-16” compound radius bound amaranth fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, Jackson high-output bridge and neck humbucking pickups, three-position pickup toggle switch, single volume and tone controls and Jackson-branded Floyd Rose® double-locking tremolo bridge system. Available February 2021.
For more information:
Jackson Guitars
“Practice Loud”! How Duane Denison Preps for a New Jesus Lizard Record
After 26 years, the seminal noisy rockers return to the studio to create Rack, a master class of pummeling, machine-like grooves, raving vocals, and knotty, dissonant, and incisive guitar mayhem.
The last time the Jesus Lizard released an album, the world was different. The year was 1998: Most people counted themselves lucky to have a cell phone, Seinfeld finished its final season, Total Request Live was just hitting MTV, and among the year’s No. 1 albums were Dave Matthews Band’s Before These Crowded Streets, Beastie Boys’ Hello Nasty, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Korn’s Follow the Leader, and the Armageddonsoundtrack. These were the early days of mp3 culture—Napster didn’t come along until 1999—so if you wanted to hear those albums, you’d have to go to the store and buy a copy.
The Jesus Lizard’s sixth album, Blue, served as the band’s final statement from the frontlines of noisy rock for the next 26 years. By the time of their dissolution in 1999, they’d earned a reputation for extreme performances chock full of hard-hitting, machine-like grooves delivered by bassist David Wm. Sims and, at their conclusion, drummer Mac McNeilly, at times aided and at other times punctured by the frontline of guitarist Duane Denison’s incisive, dissonant riffing, and presided over by the cantankerous howl of vocalist David Yow. In the years since, performative, thrilling bands such as Pissed Jeans, METZ, and Idles have built upon the Lizard’s musical foundation.
Denison has kept himself plenty busy over the last couple decades, forming the avant-rock supergroup Tomahawk—with vocalist Mike Patton, bassist Trevor Dunn (both from Mr. Bungle), and drummer John Stanier of Helmet—and alongside various other projects including Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and Hank Williams III. The Jesus Lizard eventually reunited, but until now have only celebrated their catalog, never releasing new jams.
The Jesus Lizard, from left: bassist David Wm. Sims, singer David Yow, drummer Mac McNeilly, and guitarist Duane Denison.
Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins
Back in 2018, Denison, hanging in a hotel room with Yow, played a riff on his unplugged electric guitar that caught the singer’s ear. That song, called “West Side,” will remain unreleased for now, but Denison explains: “He said, ‘Wow, that’s really good. What is that?’ And I said, ‘It’s just some new thing. Why don’t we do an album?’” From those unassuming beginnings, the Jesus Lizard’s creative juices started flowing.
So, how does a band—especially one who so indelibly captured the ineffable energy of live rock performance—prepare to get a new record together 26 years after their last? Back in their earlier days, the members all lived together in a band house, collectively tending to the creative fire when inspiration struck. All these years later, they reside in different cities, so their process requires sending files back and forth and only meeting up for occasional demo sessions over the course of “three or four years.”
“When the time comes to get more in performance mode, I have a practice space. I go there by myself and crank it up. I turn that amp up and turn the metronome up and play loud.” —Duane Denison
the Jesus Lizard "Alexis Feels Sick"
Distance creates an obstacle to striking while the proverbial iron is hot, but Denison has a method to keep things energized: “Practice loud.” The guitarist professes the importance of practice, in general, and especially with a metronome. “We keep very detailed records of what the beats per minute of these songs are,” he explains. “To me, the way to do it is to run it to a Bluetooth speaker and crank it, and then crank your amp. I play a little at home, but when the time comes to get more in performance mode, I have a practice space. I go there by myself and crank it up. I turn that amp up and turn the metronome up and play loud.”
It’s a proven solution. On Rack—recorded at Patrick Carney’s Audio Eagle studio with producer Paul Allen—the band sound as vigorous as ever, proving they’ve not only remained in step with their younger selves, but they may have surpassed it with faders cranked. “Duane’s approach, both as a guitarist and writer, has an angular and menacing fingerprint that is his own unique style,” explains Allen. “The conviction in his playing that he is known for from his recordings in the ’80s and ’90s is still 100-percent intact and still driving full throttle today.”
“I try to be really, really precise,” he says. “I think we all do when it comes to the basic tracks, especially the rhythm parts. The band has always been this machine-like thing.” Together, they build a tension with Yow’s careening voice. “The vocals tend to be all over the place—in and out of tune, in and out of time,” he points out. “You’ve got this very free thing moving around in the foreground, and then you’ve got this very precise, detailed band playing behind it. That’s why it works.”
Before Rack, the Jesus Lizard hadn’t released a new record since 1998’s Blue.
Denison’s guitar also serves as the foreground foil to Yow’s unhinged raving, as on “Alexis Feels Sick,” where they form a demented harmony, or on the midnight creep of “What If,” where his vibrato-laden melodies bolster the singer’s unsettled, maniacal display. As precise as his riffs might be, his playing doesn’t stay strictly on the grid. On the slow, skulking “Armistice Day,” his percussive chording goes off the rails, giving way to a solo that slices that groove like a chef’s knife through warm butter as he reorganizes rock ’n’ roll histrionics into his own cut-up vocabulary.
“During recording sessions, his first solo takes are usually what we decide to keep,” explains Allen. “Listen to Duane’s guitar solos on Jack White’s ‘Morning, Noon, and Night,’ Tomahawk’s ‘Fatback,’ and ‘Grind’ off Rack. There’s a common ‘contained chaos’ thread among them that sounds like a harmonic Rubik’s cube that could only be solved by Duane.”
“Duane’s approach, both as a guitarist and writer, has an angular and menacing fingerprint that is his own unique style.” —Rack producer Paul Allen
To encapsulate just the right amount of intensity, “I don’t over practice everything,” the guitarist says. Instead, once he’s created a part, “I set it aside and don’t wear it out.” On Rack, it’s obvious not a single kilowatt of musical energy was lost in the rehearsal process.
Denison issues his noisy masterclass with assertive, overdriven tones supporting his dissonant voicings like barbed wire on top of an electric fence. The occasional application of slapback delay adds a threatening aura to his exacting riffage. His tones were just as carefully crafted as the parts he plays, and he relied mostly on his signature Electrical Guitar Company Chessie for the sessions, though a Fender Uptown Strat also appears, as well as a Taylor T5Z, which he chose for its “cleaner, hyper-articulated sound” on “Swan the Dog.” Though he’s been spotted at recent Jesus Lizard shows with a brand-new Powers Electric—he points out he played a demo model and says, “I just couldn’t let go of it,” so he ordered his own—that wasn’t until tracking was complete.
Duane Denison's Gear
Denison wields his Powers Electric at the Blue Room in Nashville last June.
Photo by Doug Coombe
Guitars
- Electrical Guitar Company Chessie
- Fender Uptown Strat
- Taylor T5Z
- Gibson ES-135
- Powers Electric
Amps
- Hiwatt Little J
- Hiwatt 2x12 cab with Fane F75 speakers
- Fender Super-Sonic combo
- Early ’60s Fender Bassman
- Marshall 1987X Plexi Reissue
- Victory Super Sheriff head
- Blackstar HT Stage 60—2 combos in stereo with Celestion Neo Creamback speakers and Mullard tubes
Effects
- Line 6 Helix
- Mantic Flex Pro
- TC Electronic G-Force
- Menatone Red Snapper
Strings and Picks
- Stringjoy Orbiters .0105 and .011 sets
- Dunlop celluloid white medium
- Sun Studios yellow picks
He ran through various amps—Marshalls, a Fender Bassman, two Fender Super-Sonic combos, and a Hiwatt Little J—at Audio Eagle. Live, if he’s not on backline gear, you’ll catch him mostly using 60-watt Blackstar HT Stage 60s loaded with Celestion Neo Creambacks. And while some boxes were stomped, he got most of his effects from a Line 6 Helix. “All of those sounds [in the Helix] are modeled on analog sounds, and you can tweak them endlessly,” he explains. “It’s just so practical and easy.”
The tools have only changed slightly since the band’s earlier days, when he favored Travis Beans and Hiwatts. Though he’s started to prefer higher gain sounds, Allen points out that “his guitar sound has always had teeth with a slightly bright sheen, and still does.”
“Honestly, I don’t think my tone has changed much over the past 30-something years,” Denison says. “I tend to favor a brighter, sharper sound with articulation. Someone sent me a video I had never seen of myself playing in the ’80s. I had a band called Cargo Cult in Austin, Texas. What struck me about it is it didn’t sound terribly different than what I sound like right now as far as the guitar sound and the approach. I don’t know what that tells you—I’m consistent?”
YouTube It
The Jesus Lizard take off at Nashville’s Blue Room this past June with “Hide & Seek” from Rack.
Beetronics FX Tuna Fuzz pedal offers vintage-style fuzz in a quirky tuna can enclosure.
With a single "Stinker" knob for volume control and adjustable fuzz gain from your guitar's volume knob, this pedal is both unique and versatile.
"The unique tuna can format embodies the creative spirit that has always been the heart of Beetronics, but don’t let the unusual package fool you: the Tuna Fuzz is a serious pedal with great tone. It offers a preset level of vintage-style fuzz in a super simple single-knob format. Its “Stinker” knob controls the amount of volume boost. You can control the amount of fuzz with your guitar’s volume knob, and the Tuna Fuzz cleans up amazingly well when you roll back the volume on your guitar. To top it off, Beetronics has added a cool Tunabee design on the PCB, visible through the plastic back cover."
The Tuna Fuzz draws inspiration from Beetronics founder Filipe's early days of tinkering, when limitedfunds led him to repurpose tuna cans as pedal enclosures. Filipe even shared his ingenuity by teachingclasses in Brazil, showing kids how to build pedals using these unconventional housings. Although Filipe eventually stopped making pedals with tuna cans, the early units were a hit on social media whenever photos were posted.
Tuna Fuzz features include:
- Single knob control – “Stinker” – for controlling output volume
- Preset fuzz gain, adjustable from your guitar’s volume knob
- 9-volt DC operation using standard external power supply – no battery compartment
- True bypass switching
One of the goals of this project was to offer an affordable price so that everyone could own a Beetronicspedal. For that reason, the pedal will be sold exclusively on beetronicsfx.com for a sweet $99.99.
For more information, please visit beetronicsfx.com.
What are Sadler’s favorite Oasis jams? And if he ever shares a bill with Oasis and they ask him onstage, what song does he want to join in on?
Once the news of the Oasis reunion got out, Sadler Vaden hit YouTube hard on the tour bus, driving his bandmates crazy. The Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit guitarist has been a Noel Gallagher mega-fan since he was a teenager, so he joined us to wax poetic about Oasis’ hooks, Noel’s guitar sound, and the band’s symphonic melodies. What are Sadler’s favorite Oasis jams? And if he ever shares a bill with Oasis and they ask him onstage, what song does he want to join in on?
Check out the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera Dark Wine Red at epiphone.com
EBS introduces the Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable Kit, featuring dual anchor screws for secure fastening and reliable audio signal.
EBS is proud to announce its adjustable flat patch cable kit. It's solder-free and leverages a unique design that solves common problems with connection reliability thanks to its dual anchor screws and its flat cable design. These two anchor screws are specially designed to create a secure fastening in the exterior coating of the rectangular flat cable. This helps prevent slipping and provides a reliable audio signal and a neat pedal board and also provide unparalleled grounding.
The EBS Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable is designed to be easy to assemble. Use the included Allen Key to tighten the screws and the cutter to cut the cable in desired lengths to ensure consistent quality and easy assembling.
The EBS Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable Kit comes in two sizes. Either 10 connector housings with 2,5 m (8.2 ft) cable or 6 connectors housings with 1,5 m (4.92 ft) cable. Tools included.
Use the EBS Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit to make cables to wire your entire pedalboard or to create custom-length cables to use in combination with any of the EBS soldered Flat Patch Cables.
Estimated Price:
MAP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 6 pcs: $ 59,99
MAP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 10 pcs: $ 79,99
MSRP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 6 pcs: 44,95 €
MSRP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 10 pcs: 64,95 €
For more information, please visit ebssweden.com.