I sold my S10 Blackjack last summer because I wanted a double body guitar, and the Pro IV (the next up in the Jackson line) was a bit out of my league financially. In Dallas last week, the Jacksons treated me no different than they did when I played one of their guitars. It felt good to walk into the Jackson room and be greeted like a family member, even though they knew I was playing another brand. After some discussion with Harry and David as to why I changed brands, we quickly devised a plan to get me back into the Jackson camp. My original decision was based on finances and body size; the sound of the Blackjack was never the issue. So we sorted it out, and now I'm glad to say I will be behind a Jackson again soon. Deposit paid.
A little bit of communication goes a long way. If every company focussed on common courtesy, dignity, and doing whatever it takes to please a customer (or potential/past customer), business would never be slow. When a company treats me like family and promises to do whatever it takes to make me happy, why would I consider any other brand? I will say that I've met some very nice steel builders at the conventions, but the Jacksons really reached out and made a friend in me. Since I met them at the 2007 Dallas show, they've been incredibly supportive and complimentary. I never once felt pushed aside or overlooked. Sometimes as a younger guy at these conventions, builders can assume you don't have two pennies to rub together, and fitting treatment sometimes follows that assumption. David, Harry and Dawn have always treated me like a millioniare.
Because of that, they have a customer for life now. I am a very busy musician; I am playing, setting up, tearing down, and lugging my steel around constantly. It's a bonus for me to know that the maker of that steel guitar truly cares about what I think of it, and whether or not it's giving me what I need and want. When I owned my Blackjack, David would check in by phone, making sure the steel was holding up at gigs and working properly. Can you imagine how it feels to have a legendary steel maker care about YOU and be thrilled that you've chosen their guitar over the competition? I miss that connection, and I'm looking forward to getting back into that swing of things for sure.
