Kind of Odd Conversations at Gigs

[smitty_p]

So, this was a busy weekend. I played a four hour gig last night and a four hour gig this afternoon.

At each of these gigs I got into a conversation with another guitar player (a different guy at each gig). What was odd and kind of surprising was each of these guys asked me, while pointing to my guitars on stage, “What is that guitar on the end?” The guitar was my Jackson. Jackson began making guitars in the late ‘70s. It was kind of surprising to me that another guitar player, of a similar age to me, would not know what a Jackson guitar is.

Are Jacksons really that obscure?

 

[Clockworkmike]

So, this was a busy weekend. I played a four hour gig last night and a four hour gig this afternoon.

At each of these gigs I got into a conversation with another guitar player (a different guy at each gig). What was odd and kind of surprising was each of these guys asked me, while pointing to my guitars on stage, “What is that guitar on the end?” The guitar was my Jackson. Jackson began making guitars in the late ‘70s. It was kind of surprising to me that another guitar player, of a similar age to me, would not know what a Jackson guitar is.

Are Jacksons really that obscure?

Hardly! Extremely popular with anyone into metal or just music in general from about 1984 onward. It IS a favorite of the metal crowd due to heavy usage from the thrash crowd, as well as the hair metal scene but it's a guitar that's known very well outside of those lines as well, considering just how many pop acts used them up to the early 90s. They became popular again in the mid 2000s with lots of acts, but yeah, the metal scene did swarm back to them again. Can't shake that connection, much like Ibanez lol

 

[SG John]

Anyone into Eddie Van Halen from '78 to about '84 probably has a story of selling an early sixties Gibson or selling or modding a pre-CBS Strat to have a Frankenstein Strat or, a Charvel, or Jackson. Followed by "What was I thinking?" It's how I got my '76 Firebird for $300.00.

 

[Inspector #20]

Maybe he was a country player who knows only Telecasters...

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Perhaps he started playing more recently? Jacksons certainly aren't obscure, but it seems to me they're less visible in the 21st century than in the 80s and 90s when they were everywhere.

 

[smitty_p]

Perhaps he started playing more recently? Jacksons certainly aren't obscure, but it seems to me they're less visible in the 21st century than in the 80s and 90s when they were everywhere.

Both of the guys commented about having played for many years and gigging.

But, I suppose if someone stayed glued to the county or classic rock genres they may have completely missed these types of guitars. But, I thought that most players would at least know what they were.

I'm certainly not trying to cast aspersions against these two guys. I guess I had just never realized how stove-piped different genres could be.

 

[Inspector #20]

Both of the guys commented about having played for many years and gigging.

But, I suppose if someone stayed glued to the county or classic rock genres they may have completely missed these types of guitars. But, I thought that most players would at least know what they were.

I'm certainly not trying to cast aspersions against these two guys. I guess I had just never realized how stove-piped different genres could be.

I don't think it's a matter of being "stove piped" really. I'm quite likely the person with the most narrow musical tastes of all, but I'm fairly aware of all the different guitars that are out there.

There are - believe it or not - many players who are not gear junkies or equipment hoarders and to those fellows, gear may be simply viewed as a necessary tool.

That's how I've always seen it. I liked having a nice guitar, but at the end of the day, it was only a tool that i needed to make a living.

 

[Inspector #20]

Perhaps he started playing more recently? Jacksons certainly aren't obscure, but it seems to me they're less visible in the 21st century than in the 80s and 90s when they were everywhere.

Jackson has really declined in the market as they have resorted to building cheaper and cheaper Chinese models.

I have photos of Jackson returns that are so bad they are mind boggling.

 

[Kerry Brown]

There are - believe it or not - many players who are not gear junkies or equipment hoarders and to those fellows, gear may be simply viewed as a necessary tool.

That's how I've always seen it. I liked having a nice guitar, but at the end of the day, it was only a tool that i needed to make a living.

Many of the better players I know are in this category. They find one or two guitars they like and play them forever.

 

[Session 5]

So, this was a busy weekend. I played a four hour gig last night and a four hour gig this afternoon.

At each of these gigs I got into a conversation with another guitar player (a different guy at each gig). What was odd and kind of surprising was each of these guys asked me, while pointing to my guitars on stage, “What is that guitar on the end?” The guitar was my Jackson. Jackson began making guitars in the late ‘70s. It was kind of surprising to me that another guitar player, of a similar age to me, would not know what a Jackson guitar is.

Are Jacksons really that obscure?

Personally ,I don't find it surprising, when Godin guitars have been around for years and years and are the largest manufacturer of guitars in North America..and many still are not aware of who they are..

 

[Sapient]

You should have punched him in the face.



lol ..kiddin'

 

[smitty_p]

Personally ,I don't find it surprising, when Godin guitars have been around for years and years and are the largest manufacturer of guitars in North America..and many still are not aware of who they are..

Interesting. I see your point.

I suppose since I have been aware of Jackson (and Charvel) literally since the '80s, it just never occurred to me that by now they would still be an unknown to other players. But, maybe the fault is mine. Maybe, it's unreasonable for me to think that others should be aware of something that they never needed or which is associated with a genre they never played.

 

[smitty_p]

You should have punched him in the face.



lol ..kiddin'

Ha! What's funny is that they were both very complimentary of the band and how we were playing. They just had no idea what my Jackson was.

 

[Sapient]

Ha! What's funny is that they were both very complimentary of the band and how we were playing. They just had no idea what my Jackson was.

I was thinking he just couldn't see it "right" from where he was at. Could happen to anyone, if that was the case.

 

[Inspector #20]

@WavMixer visited with us yesterday and i pulled out three of my guitars - two are Les Pauls and one is my junkyard Stratocaster, built from a body, discarded by @SG John.

Funny, that i can play any guitar fairly decently, but aside from (occasionally) needing a tremolo, to replicate certain passages on a handful of cover songs, there's nothing that works better than a Les Paul.

The feel, and the distinctive tone, it just works and its no wonder they've been present on so many famous recordings.

In 7 years of recording for a living, in the SoCal studio network, the Gibson Les Paul was and is - without a doubt - the most frequently seen and used instrument of any other guitar, period.

That alone should tell you something.

I had a great Schecter Hellraiser C1FR and aside from needing a refret in 6 months of daily use, it was a really good guitar, but it never felt comfortable. I think part of that is the increased tension of the Fender scale length.

I shared with Grant yesterday that i paid for my "real" Gibson Les Paul 50's Standard Gold Top with proceeds earned by my fake Les Paul AFD that i got from Adrian (@esge) and @Hackmaster

How ironic is that???

Probably, for some of you, especially those with a significant retirement/investment stipends, that's nothing of great interest, but for a guy that must work for a living, with zero retirement possibilities, and had nothing but a guitar to earn a living with, it reminds me of just how blessed my music career has been.

 

[Inspector #20]

Many of the better players I know are in this category. They find one or two guitars they like and play them forever.

I was watching videos the other day, starting with Rick Derringer's Rock N Roll Hoochie Koo and it was awesome to see him wielding that Les Paul.

Nice work, switching pickups and rolling up his volume for the solo.

Yes, i know guys who have a huge stash of Telecasters too, but the Les Paul is the predominant instrument in SoCal session player circles, bar none.

 

[Session 5]

This my fav RocknRoll Hoochie Koo with Rick Derringer..

 

[Inspector #20]

That was filmed at Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California, on August 5th 2010, Rick's 63rd birthday...how do i know???

 

[SG John]

This my fav RocknRoll Hoochie Koo with Rick Derringer..

Can you name either the guitarist or keyboard player for The Jokers, and what bands they may have played with?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Personally ,I don't find it surprising, when Godin guitars have been around for years and years and are the largest manufacturer of guitars in North America..and many still are not aware of who they are..

Largest counting all their sub brands. But trying to compare to say Gibson or Fender, huge well known brands that have been around since the 50s? Add in the number of famous players using them?
It is indeed no wonder most haven't heard of Godin. I don't recall any ads in Guitar Player over the years.
Really great guitars, I love mine, but will not be the same stature as the big 2.