Guest Luthier Series - Grover Jackson

[Vincent Vespa]

Do you still make a lot of guitars, and what are your favorite woods to use (and why?)

[Grover Jackson]

Thank you for you time Mr Jackson.

Was there a specific point when you knew that the guitars you were making were going to be a huge success?

The whole thing started so modestly and we were really broke. For the first several years the most important office task in the morning was to call the bank and see what checks we were going to bounce. We had until 2:00 to scrape the dough together and cover the checks. But in the spring of 1982 I remember coming in one morning, before anybody got there, and realizing that there was momentum. I mean it taken on a life of it's own and even though there was still a lot of work to do it wasn't going to fail...that day.

[playas]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for giving up your time. How was the bagel?

What one style of guitar do you feel you are most associated with?
Is it the one you´d most like to be associated with (and if not which would be)?

What´s the single most important requirement for a guitar maker in your opinion?

[frankfalbo]

Welcome! You were clearly influential in the popularity of the neck-through guitars. Can you describe how the neck-through construction influenced your choice of wood types for the side wings? Was it different than a bolt-on or set-neck, or did you pretty much just go by the same guidelines? Do you have a favorite wood combination for a neck through?

[BloodRose]

Mr Jackson,
Welcome!! And thank you for sharing your time with us!
I have followed the rise of Charvel , Jackson and followed much of your career and have always loved the fruits of your labor!

I especially love the guitars produced during your time with Washburn! I currently have an MG104 and 2 MG130 Steve Salas models that are among my favorite players. Ive had others but had to sell due to family responsibility. Anyhow, these guitars seem to be a well kept secret. Why do you think that is? Is it the Washburn name, or where they not marketed aggressively enough? (I have some of the catalogs from that time describing your contribution)
Also, any particular reason compound radius necks were not used on these?
And, I once shared an email with Stevie Salas and he said that model was not really as per his wishes. Why was it changed? I happen to LOVE it with being the superstrat shape and shorter scale, set neck. Its close to my favorite.
And, not to be greedy of your time, but are there any other insights to that period of your career you'd like to share?? The products were stellar!
Evan mentions that your relationship with him started at that time. Perhaps due to the Duncan pickups used?

Thank you again and all the best to you!

Bryan

[Grover Jackson]

Welcome to the SDUGF Mr. Jackson. I just wanted to say Thank You! I have no idea what I would be playing if it was not for you. THANK YOU!!!

Hey, that's a great quote from Becker. It wasn't that I thought I wouldn't die it's that I thought I was SuperMan. Then I had kids and as Christopher Hitchens says it's our obligation to pass on at some point so the next generation can have their time.

[JohnnyGuitar]

Thank you for your time Mr. Jackson.

Washburn has been associated with Nono Bettencourt for quite a long time, and you've produced quite a few rocking guitars with him, some of them even had Duncan prototype pickups on them as far as I know. Can you tell us about the company's work with him?

If we're at "innovation" - I know that Washburn and Parker guitars are part of the same organization - will we see any unique Parker designs on Washburn models, and vice-versa? is there already some synergy between the two companies?

[ex-250]

this is somewhat mentioned in KeeperOS's post, so you may answer it in your response to that, but here it is anyway-

what is your personal favorite guitar, your go-to guitar that you own and play/enjoy the most?

thanks, and welcome.

[Grover Jackson]

Mr Jackson,
Welcome!! And thank you for sharing your time with us!
I have followed the rise of Charvel , Jackson and followed much of your career and have always loved the fruits of your labor!

I especially love the guitars produced during your time with Washburn! I currently have an MG104 and 2 MG130 Steve Salas models that are among my favorite players. Ive had others but had to sell due to family responsibility. Anyhow, these guitars seem to be a well kept secret. Why do you think that is? Is it the Washburn name, or where they not marketed aggressively enough? (I have some of the catalogs from that time describing your contribution)
Also, any particular reason compound radius necks were not used on these?
And, I once shared an email with Stevie Salas and he said that model was not really as per his wishes. Why was it changed? I happen to LOVE it with being the superstrat shape and shorter scale, set neck. Its close to my favorite.
And, not to be greedy of your time, but are there any other insights to that period of your career you'd like to share?? The products were stellar!
Evan mentions that your relationship with him started at that time. Perhaps due to the Duncan pickups used?

Thank you again and all the best to you!

Bryan

eek...big topic
I am very proud of what we did at Washburn. When I walked in to that factory the morale was so low it was unbelievable. I went into downtown Chicago and bought a pirate flag and hung it over the door. I told the guys not to come back unless they wanted to pirates. We built a really great crew and some fine gutiars for that period of time.

On the other hand there were some corporate restrictions that I just could not overcome...which had a lot to do with me leaving...insert more alcohol here.

As far as artists I would just say that some were a joy to work with and some ...not so much.

[Gearjoneser]

Sorry for the second question, but...

Can you tell us how the end of the Charvel strat and tele headstocks came about? Was it a letter from Fender? Did you have to slam the brakes on that headstock design and instantly go with the bird head style?

[BiggerThanVegas]

Hey Grover! I have an old '83 Jackson Strat in Dweezil Green. Love it!

You have lived one of the great American success stories, no doubt. With that said, do you have any regrets or remorse about what could have been (artists that slipped out of reach, or ideas that just never materialized)?


Thanks,
BTV

[Grover Jackson]

Thank you for your time Mr. Jackson.

Washburn has been associated with Nono Bettencourt for quite a long time, and you've produced quite a few rocking guitars with him, some of them even had Duncan prototype pickups on them as far as I know. Can you tell us about the company's work with him?

If we're at "innovation" - I know that Washburn and Parker guitars are part of the same organization - will we see any unique Parker designs on Washburn models, and vice-versa? is there already some synergy between the two companies?

Nuno was a highlight at Washburn. I don't want to say he's hard to deal with because I think we got along great but he's a real artist...with real artist sensibilities. If things don't feel right you might as well be talking to a brick wall. But when he plays man that's what it's all about. I just think he's one of the most exciting guitar players in the last 25 years.

[Grover Jackson]

Do you still make a lot of guitars, and what are your favorite woods to use (and why?)

I do CAD/CAM programming and job shop work. This has allowed me to stay under the radar and raise my kids. I'm a full time single dad to two beautiful monsters...er young ladies.

Right now I'm really into old growth sugar pine.

[ejpii]

Hi Grover, Just wanted to say Hi! and thank you for building my 84 Rhoads Custom I have owned since new. It is still my main goto guitar.

EJ

[Jackson Distortion]

Which Jackson guitar did you find the most difficult to produce?

[Vincent Vespa]

I do CAD/CAM programming and job shop work. This has allowed me to stay under the radar and raise my kids. I'm a full time single dad to two beautiful monsters...er young ladies.

Right now I'm really into old growth sugar pine.

Sounds pretty laid back.

What kinds of projects do you work on now adays? Do you ever work side by side with artists anymore?

Do you ever miss the challenge of building a guitar company from scratch?

[Grover Jackson]

Welcome to the forum, and thanks for giving up your time. How was the bagel?

What one style of guitar do you feel you are most associated with?
Is it the one you´d most like to be associated with (and if not which would be)?

What´s the single most important requirement for a guitar maker in your opinion?

I guess the RR guitars will be the thing I'm most associated with...and that's fine. Of all the pointy things that happened in that era, and even now, in my humble opinion it's the best. It's the clean lines and lack of adornment that make it classic. Funny enough the Soloist was our biggest seller in the 80's though. I was also real proud of the Phil Collen guitar. He and I worked on that guitar a lot and it felt great to wear one. The ergonomics of gutiar design have always been important to me. There are some cool looking guitars out but when you put a strap on them they just don't balance.

[mogwai73]

Hey Grover...

Congratulations on your work!
A life-long dedication to music... and musical instruments!

What do you consider to be the perfect guitar?
Is it optimizing a guitar for each style or a versatile one?

And considering a versatile guitar, what's the perfect configuration (woods, hardware, pickups & electronics)?
Do you think a Floyd Rose (even upgraded) diminishes the sound quality?

Thank you and best wishes!
Hugo

[astrozombie]

Hi Grover,

what can you tell us about the Rhoads Prototype V that was accidentally sold at a convention?

[stevie_bees]

You have a long association with Seymour Duncan pickups. Which SD pickups have you/do you use/d in your guitars?