The Steel Guitar Forum

I like 'em...

That sunburst one above is stunning!

How about we applaud them just for *having* some unique styling? Do all pedal steels need to look like an Emmons? Anyone making a nice, traditional looking wood PSG is ok by me. I would love to own one of these.

When I wrote yesterday I should have acknowledged Stu for what he said about my steel when he got to play it in Phoenix. As you can see from the picture that Mike posted of Stu playing his Blackjack, Mike's guitar is stunning, too. Thanks to Mike, my steel guitar travels to more shows than I do! I got to see a gaggle of pedal steels in the Jackson room at the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree, and each instrument was a distinctive work of art. If you know what you want, the Jackson family can create it for you. They have an eye for detail and a love for steel guitar that is undeniable. I feel fortunate to have this state-of-the-art instrument in my stable of 40-, 50- and 60-year old instruments because it fits right in.

John,That's one great guitar that you've got!

I have been thinking about Doc's observation on this thread that the low profile neck would be a deal breaker for him because he likes a "traditional" look. I admit that the low profile is eye-catchingly different from pedal steels being made now, but what appeals to me about it is that it is like traditional steels guitars. It is like the profile on my Epiphone made ten string E-Harp and my double 8 Rick. So it is like playing steel guitar, only with four state of the art pedals and 5 knees! Plus the fret board and the pickup have the same visual power as my double 8 Sho-Bud. In other words, the Jackson Custom looks and sounds like a classic vintage steel, but does not fight you like my beloved double 10 ZB. It is stable and weighs nothing compared with the Fender steels I ordinarily lift and carry to jobs. This is becoming more of an issue for me the older I get...

I hope very much for the success of the Jackson Family in their return to the steel guitar business.

While my personal choice of their guitars favor, what "I" consider the more modern look, you cannot fault them for offering "different strokes for different folks."

My honest, first impression was that neither the movable tuner model, nor the sunken tuner head and all the chrome model, was not what I wanted. I sat down at out one of the others and it was more to my "old man" taste.

They sure captured their beautiful wood finishes of old on the wood models..

As Louie pointed out, the Jacksons had something that would appeal to just about anybody, and they understand how "picky"--no pun--steel players are.

I would say one thing about the height of the strings relative to both the low profile fret board and the inset tuner pan. The strings ride high above the fret board--even higher than my Sho-Bud or my Bigsby (which is my standard of perfection), but that is why I really like it. I play with a lot of attack, and I appreciate being far away from the fret board. Some recent-make steels I have played have little space between the strings and the fret board. Not the Blackjack or the Blackjack Custom. I don't know if there is that much height on a Madison, but the Madison is also comfortable for me in this respect.

I think the Black Jack would be ideal if it came in a keyless 12 string model.

i agree bob. i have a jackson blackjack custom and i am starting to think about 12 string guitars. gfi, williams, sierra are on my short list. wish jackson had one.

Lap steels come in all different shapes and people love the variety, but it seems that any variation from a standard pedal steel form is discouraged. Why is that? I don't get it.

Lap steels come in all different shapes and people love the variety, but it seems that any variation from a standard pedal steel form is discouraged. Why is that? I don't get it.

I don't think we really "discourage" variety in the designs. We are just stating that we don't care for a certain look. I could say the same about some lap steels. Like the age old debate over keyless guitars. Some just don't like the look of the shorter guitars or the lack of tuning keys. Even then, I could say I like the look of the Kline, but hate the look of the Sierra (actually I don't like much about the Sierra). Williams and GFI I could take or leave. All are fine guitars though. This is all about personal preference in how they look.

Of course, we could get into the debate over mica vs lacquer guitars.

it seems that any variation from a standard pedal steel form is discouraged.

Easy, b0b. Some of us were just stating how we felt about the BJ in regard to it's cosmetic appearance. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

Ah i See where your coming from. I wasn't however commenting on the blackjack due to it being sold on the forum. I saw one in a steel magezine a friend of mine has. I just flipped through the pages and noted what I did. I never said the maverick was special looking. I just stated that it could get the job done if necessary. My whole view point on my thread were cosmetics. And like the Maverick, I did not like the Jackson "maverick ashtray stylings".
I don't want to come across like a jerk. Im only here to gain information. Im glad you had fun.

Adam Moritz wrote:i agree bob. i have a jackson blackjack custom and i am starting to think about 12 string guitars. gfi, williams, sierra are on my short list. wish jackson had one.

Email or call Jackson... they can build a 12-string.
If you dig through their website pics you'll find a couple S12 examples. I inquired awhile back about it.

OK. This thread has been working on my mind. I've looked at the pix of some of the newer Blackjacks and I'm finding my taste is shifting. I'm digging the ashtray keyhead and the twin inlay work on the sharper edge body is pretty appealing. I'm going to have to try one out.

A triumph for reverse psychology!

Well, the look of the Black Jack is controversial; how about The Edge Ultralight?

I'm not sure the Edge Ultralight can be built into a universal 12. Jackson Guitar Company can build just about anything, so you might want to give them a call for more info.

You know it really comes down to personal taste and prefernce. I love the way the Jackson Blackjack looks.

I was just asking about reactions to the somewhat industrial appearance of the Edge Ultralight.

Kevin Hatton wrote:You know it really comes down to personal taste and prefernce. I love the way the Jackson Blackjack looks.

Kevin, I love the way the Blackjack and Blackjack Custom looks-both guitars are awesome! I'm a Jackson player myself and I love the Blackjack and Blackjack Custom

I was just asking about reactions to the somewhat industrial appearance of the Edge Ultralight.

I find it's appearance rather spartan, but I suppose fills a niche in the marketplace. Personally, for 3K I would buy a nice used "real" guitar. JMO

The Blackjack is a refreshing departure from the "Emmons clone" steels we see as the template for many steel builders these days. It's even a departure from the Sho~Bud design, which is the other rip-off design we see all the time (and they came up with that one). The Jacksons think outside the box and try to make things exciting. They TRY, which is more than some companies can say about their cookie-cutter designs.

If y'all wonder about how the Blackjack got its' name, it was at one time gonna be called the Renegade, but Dawn Jackson actually decided to call it the BlackJack because she thought the name Renegade wouldn't be good for a pedal steel guitar.

Brett