Jackson is a guitar manufacturer originally owned and operated by Grover Jackson, a partner of Wayne Charvel of Charvel Guitar Repair. It is probably best-known for its “Rhoads” V model guitar,[citation needed] originally designed and used by guitarist Randy Rhoads. Grover put his name on the Rhoads rather than the Charvel name because he felt the design was too shocking for Charvel’s regular customers. This model inspired Grover to start the Jackson guitar company.[citation needed].
Wayne Charvel sold his interest in the Charvel name to Grover Jackson on November 10, 1978. The shop was located in Glendora, California (while using a PO Box in neighboring San Dimas) and manufactured guitars in this location from 1979 to 1986, when the Company merged with IMC (International Music Corporation), a Texas based importer of musical instruments. The factory then moved to Ontario, California.
In the Fall of 2002, Fender Musical Instrument Corporation purchased Jackson/Charvel, and operations were moved to the Fender factory in Corona, CA. Fender is now manufacturing guitars that are almost exactly like the original San Dimas Charvels, save for a few details.[citation needed] Both Jackson and Charvel models are being produced at Corona. This had short term negative consequences, as much of the artists who were on the company’s roster list in th 1980s and 1990s left to endorse other guitar companies. Though significantly improved since the buyout,[citation needed] interference by FMIC is still stated to be a problem with Jackson,[citation needed]. Most however see that some of the new things that FMIC has instituted, such as the fairly low prices on high end USA models and improved quality[citation needed] in lower end models that the company will begin to experience a turnaround.[citation needed]
Jackson Guitars has become known for its slender and elegant models, often with an aggressive look popular with harder rock and metal music.
The Jackson headstockAlmost all Jackson (and many Charvel) guitars share the typical Gibson Explorer-like pointy drooped headstocks, originally designed by Randy Rhoads.[citation needed] Various models feature a reversed pointy headstock with the tip pointing upwards. Another trademark are their so called “shark fins” fret inlays (see picture below).
Charvel/Jackson was the target of many copyright lawsuits from Fender which ended the use of Stratocaster styled headstocks for Jackson and Charvel guitars until recently.[
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