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Topic: A Jackson Blackjack Rave |
Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 19 Nov 2007 6:55 pm |
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I went to Dallas last year to try out a bunch of S-10s. I was pleasantly surprised by the solid, sturdy single-neck Jackson Blackjack. So I decided to order one when I returned home. And waited. And waited. And it finally came. And I gigged with it last weekend. So now I’m ready to give my review.
I must admit that before my experience with the Blackjack, I had resigned myself to the belief that a single-neck guitar would never have the fullness and sustain of a D10. The old ’69 Sho~Bud Baldwin D-10 I had was the pinnacle of tone for me: rich, full, singing in the high frets, and just ethereal in sonic quality overall. As soon as I plugged my Blackjack into my Session 400, I couldn’t believe my ears. My first thought was, “The Baldwin”. I’m not kidding. I went immediately up to the 18th fret, waiting to be let down (like I always am) and presto! There it was….rich, full tone in spades.
This guitar is so responsive. The pedal and lever action is tremendous. This guitar is not a featherweight, which is a grand relief. Mind you, it’s not cumbersome either, just solid with enough weight to make it sturdy and capable of rumbling without falling off the tracks. It about the same weight as my Pro 1, give or take a pound. When I was tweaking the nylon tuners, I noticed that when I hit the string I was tuning I could really feel a noticeable vibration going through the tuner, to the wrench, and into my thumb and forefinger – a string vibration I had never felt before when tuning any of my guitars….except, of course, the Baldwin Sho~Bud. 
The pickup is apparently designed after the original Shot Jackson pickup from the '60s. This may play some sort of factor in its old-school tone, although the changer seems to transmit so much vibration that the guitar's tonal richness must be heavily attributed to it as well.
I don’t want to compare this guitar too much with a Sho~Bud, because it has its own thing going on. I love my Pro 1. It’s a totally different guitar than the Blackjack. The Pro 1 does what it does tremendously. But I always wanted a bit of Emmons with my ‘Bud…. you know that bit of metallic zing? Well, the Blackjack seems to be satisfying that urge for me. It has a lively tone in that respect, but it still sounds warm. It sounds old and it sounds new. It’s hard to describe. You have to just buy one and find out for yourself.
I will do my best to answer any technical questions about this model, although the Blackjack does not yet have a manual and I'm still learning the mechanics. By the way, I spent a bit of time underneath it on Friday night, with David Jackson on the telephone. This is customer service, I can tell you. He told me he wants to make sure I'm 100% satisfied with this guitar in every respect, and he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. David, you took care of 90% of that when you built this guitar. I will be making a youtube video demo of this guitar in the next week or so.
For more info on the Blackjack, you can visit www.jacksonsteelguitar.com
Here is mine, resting in the stall before the next run:
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com
Last edited by Chris LeDrew on 19 Nov 2007 7:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Charlie Tryon
From:
Glovertown Newfoundland, Canada
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Posted 19 Nov 2007 7:26 pm Blackjack
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Well Chris welcome to the Jackson family. When you told me you had ordered a Blackjack I new you would be very pleased with it. David and all the folks at Jackson make you feel so special and they really want all of their guitars to work the way you want it to work. I have had many conversations with David and he is always interested in what I think and always asks what he can do to make thier products better. My problem is how do you make something this good better. Only David knows and he is always coming up with great idea's IMHO. Anyway enjoy that new guitar, I sure enjoy mine.
Charlie
_________________
My NEW TUBE AMP CWT Amplifiers I build, JACKSON COMMEMORATIVE all wood 3&5, Fender Steel King Amp,Telonics pedal |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 19 Nov 2007 7:31 pm
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You got that right, Charlie. It's nice when a builder actually asks you to call back and keep in close contact.
So far, there are a good few of us Canadian players with Jackson guitars now.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Dan Meadows
From:
Texas
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Posted 19 Nov 2007 9:57 pm
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Chris:
Well I see that you will recommend the Blackjack. I am a raw beginner having yet to even own or attempt to play a pedal steel. I am glad you were able to give a rave review of the Blackjack because I have looked at this guitar on the website and with little knowledge of the steel guitar I could sense the quality. My plans are to attend Dallas next year and I understand Jackson will be there and surely with a Blackjack. I am looking at BMI but I should look at this guitar also. Your Jackson looks as sturdy as a bridge! Pretty too. Is the
wait time typically several months from order date until you get it? I'm glad you love it so much! From your pictures I can see why. I know so little about a pedal steel at this point but I'm happy for you that this guitar turned out to be everything you believed it would be. I want my first pedal steel to be a great experience and with all you AND Charlie have said I have to add the Blackjack to my list of serious considerations.
Dan |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 4:27 am
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Dan, this would be a great first guitar, and if you stay on E9 then it would be all you'd ever need really.
I just found out that there is indeed a manual for the Blackjack, and I'll be getting one in the mail very soon.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 5:12 am
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Hey Chris, could you share your copedant??  |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 5:19 am
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Does this Blackjack model not have return springs in the changer? I am curious.
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LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 5:36 am
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James,
My copedent is:
Emmons pedals
LKL Raising E's
LKR Raising 1&7 full tone, 2 half-tone
RKL Lowering E's
RKR Lowering 2 half and full, 9 half-tone
TB, if you look at the undercarriage you will see the return springs at the opposite side of the guitar, under the headstock.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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John Jeffries
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 9:56 am
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Chris, I can sure relate to your elation about this fine steel guitar. I recently received my new Blackjack "full House" and used it on it's "maiden voyage" (1st gig) last Sat. night. I couldn't have been more pleased! It plays like a dream and sounds awesome through my old SHO-BUD amp, not to mention how good it looks! Hats off to the folks at Jackson who have "raised the bar" in my humble opinion - they are doing a super job in being able to produce an instrument of this calibre and making it available for a decent price that we steelers can afford.
I'll be posting some pic's of my new "addition to the family" soon! |
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 20 Nov 2007 10:12 am
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That's one sharp looking guitar, Chris. Congrats! I could not have waited this long (I was NEEDING a new steel last April) but I'm sure I would have been happy with the Blackjack!
Looking forward to sound samples. |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2007 7:47 am
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| Does anyone understand the changer on this guitar? It actually seems like a push-pull from the orientation of the bellcranks and rods but the design of the changer is puzzling to me. Please enlighten me.... |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 23 Nov 2007 7:56 am
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Hi Gary,
As I mentioned, I'm not completely up on the exact workings of the changer. David Jackson said that many people think it is push-pull, but it's not. Check out the link above and see if there is an explanation on their site. As I get to know the guitar better, I will figure out the exact workings of the changer. Whichever way it works, it certainly sounds great.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2007 9:18 am
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| I find it hard to believe it's a push-pull but I just don't get it from the photos. One thing that is not helping is that the changer shown on the Jackson site on the "Blackjack" page does not look like the one shown in the pictures in this post. The lower rods seem to have compression springs at the tuning peg end but I don't think this model lowers with the tuning pegs rotating like the other new Jackson models. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 23 Nov 2007 9:54 am
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Gary,
I'm expecting a manual in the mail soon. Hopefully I can answer your questions soon. Maybe Charlie Tryon will see this and answer them as well, if he can.
You're right....the tuners at the headstock do not lower like the Commemorative. The Blackjack is a different guitar than the Commemorative in many ways, including elements of the changer.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Charlie Tryon
From:
Glovertown Newfoundland, Canada
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Posted 23 Nov 2007 2:46 pm
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Chris and Gary my changer is the same as the one on the web site and it is so different from yours Chris. I will be upgrading to this changer so until I get it I can not answer any questions on the type on Chris's guitar. I'm sure if you were to send off a note to Dawn she would get all the answers for you.
Charlie
_________________
My NEW TUBE AMP CWT Amplifiers I build, JACKSON COMMEMORATIVE all wood 3&5, Fender Steel King Amp,Telonics pedal |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 12:05 pm
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Here is a little demo of the guitar. The sound has a bit of a high-end hiss, but otherwise it's not too bad for youtube. I ended with some improv, and the last note is flat.....so be kind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VVgAQEiO_A
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com
Last edited by Chris LeDrew on 24 Nov 2007 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Gary Cosden
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 1:12 pm
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| Hey Chris - sweet sounding guitar! Good job and I'm not being kind. |
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 1:32 pm
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| Sound great Chris! |
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Charlie Tryon
From:
Glovertown Newfoundland, Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 2:17 pm
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OK Chris how come mine did not come with all the licks that your guitar has???? That was some fine playing Chris and sounds real nice. It really is to bad the band width on you tube was not better but I know how good these guitar sound and yours sounds great.
Charlie
_________________
My NEW TUBE AMP CWT Amplifiers I build, JACKSON COMMEMORATIVE all wood 3&5, Fender Steel King Amp,Telonics pedal |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 5:37 pm
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Chris,
Nice playing !!....That Blackjack has a great tone and sure sounds good all the way up the neck ...I'd love to have a 12 string version of the B.J. ...Jim |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 24 Nov 2007 8:23 pm
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Thanks guys! I'm not crazy about my intonation in spots, but overall I guess it's okay enough to showcase the guitar a bit.
James Q., I believe there's a pic of a red 12-string Jackson on their website. It looks really nice.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Robert Dominick
From:
Bradenton, FL
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2007 4:09 am
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Thanks guys..Its a Jackson 12 string to be sure,but not a BlackJack ..
If I can get that model 12 string for the pricing of a BlackJack, I'll buy it today !!.....I'm looking for a BlackJack 12 !!....Yeah, that's the ticket ...A price that doesn't hurt ya, and a great sounding steel ...Heck, I won't even complain that it doesn't have a keyless tuner like my Excel  ..Low price for a really nice gigging ax ....Jim |
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Waisznor
From:
Berlin, Germany
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Posted 25 Nov 2007 4:19 pm
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I would know, what changer I get, if I order a BlackJack!
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Horst Waisznor |
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Dan Meadows
From:
Texas
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Posted 6 Dec 2007 8:12 pm
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Chris:
Any good new comments on the Blackjack? Still enjoying it I'm sure.
Dan
This one's on my short list! |
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