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Topic: Jackson Blackjack Pleasant Suprise |
Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 7:31 am |
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I just received my Blackjack yesterday. After converting it from Day to Emmons and flipping around some KL changes, I realized how innovative the Jackson family had been with their new guitars. It is different from other all pull guitars mechanically; in several ways. The only downside I encountered were flipping the KL's. The bell cranks ride on either side of the cross shaft; raises on bottom and lowers on top. It did require removing most of the pull rods and three cross shafts to switch the two left KL's on the E's. Once I got past that I tuned it up and started to play. This guitar plays like butter, has very appealing tonal qualities and is ergonomically perfect. The recessed key head lets you play all the way to the roller without hitting the tuning key on string 10 (or12). The pickup is the stock Jackson issue and sounds good. I'm sure I'll try a few others out of curiosity. I need to add an LKV to lower the B's and a pull rod to raise the 2nd string to E. Otherwise, I think this is a keeper for sure. It weighs 1/3 of my PP! BUT, I'll keep the Emmons also, as long as I can pick it up. Congratulations to the Jackson's for coming up with something uniquely different in design, while capturing the tonal and mechanical qualities most of us are looking to acquire.
Now, what's this about the Madison being a hotrod Permanent? I might need to start saving up!  |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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John Polstra
From:
Lopez Island, WA, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 9:01 am
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Congratulations, Tim. I'm curious -- how long did you have to wait for Jackson to ship the guitar after you placed the order?
John |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 9:53 am
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John, I was very fortunate in buying this 6 month old guitar from Dan Burnham. I assure you, I would not have had to change the set up if I had ordered it from the Jackson family. It was just a really good deal on a new guitar. I don't think the wait on a BJ is that bad. I went through several all pulls before this and I assure you this is really a guitar to enjoy playing in every aspect. I probably should have ordered one of these a while back and saved myself a lot of time and trouble, HA! Now, it makes me want another Jackson; like The Madison. I think I'll start saving.
Hit the links and send an email, or call them. I'm sure they will be happy to help in any way. |
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John Polstra
From:
Lopez Island, WA, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 10:22 am
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Tim, unfortunately Jackson doesn't appear to make any U-12 guitars -- or at least I don't see any sign of them on the website. I'm pretty intent on a U-12, so I don't think I can get a Jackson.
John |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 10:48 am
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John, I understand they are introducing a 12 string in the very near future; I think as in now. After that, it's a matter of pedals, kl's and copedant. I was talking to Mickey and I am sure he has a 12 string under construction. I think he intends to tune an Ext E9th. I also believe it is a BJ model. With that in mind, I am not sure you could get all the pulls you would want. Unless I'm missing something, the BJ appears to be limiting on the number of lower pulls. But, they could use a different changer. Heck, it would be worth an email, or phone call. I think their products are developing faster than the website. Apparently, they are adding different models at a pretty rapid rate. I think they offer 5 models at this point on their website. No doubt others to be added very soon. Pretty cool concept offering so many great choices. We sure do have a lot to choose from these days don't we?  |
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John Polstra
From:
Lopez Island, WA, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 10:58 am
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Heh ... yes, we sure do have a lot to choose from these days. I wouldn't wish it any other way, but it's killing me. I'm fixing to get my very first PSG, and the number of choices to make is pretty overwhelming. It's a good problem to have, I guess!
John |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2009 11:07 am
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| Go to the Dallas show in March. You need to play several before you buy if possible. Dallas will have most of the current builders demoing their instruments and there are always used guitars for sale; some at bargain prices! Great weekend to boot. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 18 Jan 2009 1:27 am
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| John Polstra wrote: |
Tim, unfortunately Jackson doesn't appear to make any U-12 guitars -- or at least I don't see any sign of them on the website. I'm pretty intent on a U-12, so I don't think I can get a Jackson.
John |
I spoke to Dawn about this, and she said she'd build one of somebody ordered it.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Mickey Adams
From:
Bandera Texas
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Posted 19 Jan 2009 6:19 am St louis
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Im going to talk to Dawn (and/or) Dave today about my 12 which im sure Dave is getting close to completing. I recall seeing a U12 Blackjack at St Louis guys...5+4 If I recall...Tim, Its a great guitar for travelling too. My BlackJack is with John Grayboff, Steel player for Ryan Adams band, the Cardinals in NY, and will be home in a week or two...Enjoy!..>Call!...Mickey
_________________
ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders! |
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Tim Sergent
From:
Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2009 12:22 am
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Tim, you might want to check out the Pro IV...I had my mind set on the new Madison 63, but due to copedent inabilites on the Madison... I went with the Pro IV. It will have wooden necks, cause I guess I'm just tired of aluminum necks. I have an Emmons P/P that's rosewood, but it has wooden necks. If you ever see that guitar for sale then I'm REALLY strapped for money.....( or I just want a really nice boat!)
When I get my Pro IV, I'll try and post something on YouTube or somewhere that's more thought out and on my own setup than what's on there now from the Jackson Jam at Bobbe Seymour's Steel Guitar Nashville.....and I may even use a tuner this time!!
I also have a Black Jack coming soon that I'm going to use as a fly guitar...or maybe for Opry spots or to set up in the dressing room or maybe for my studio at the house.....or MAYBE it sounds like I'm gonna order another guitar or two!!! I need to clear that up with the boss ( my wife! ) first, though.
Bottom line is, Jackson Steel guitars have offers something for everybody. From the Shot Jackson Commemorative down to the Ulta Lite....which by the way, sounds amazing and it only weighs 19 pounds! They've put some kind of piano sound board in it I think is what David told me. Dawn Jackson can tell you more than I can. I had been in rehearsals all day long and was just glad that I got to stop by the Jackson Jam Bobbe Seymour's Steel Guitar Nashville on the way home.
I have Johnny Cox's Shot Jackson Commemorative at my house right now. I will be playing it on the Today Show, Regis & Kelly, and The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno coming up in the near future. Dierks Bentley has a new CD coming out on Feb. 3rd...so we're doing a bunch of TV to promote it. I'll post dates as I know them.
I'm so glad that the two Jackson brothers ( or Shot's two sons) David and Harrry, have decided to start producing steel guitars again. As I told David at Bobbe's shop....there's WAY too much knowledge in those two minds to let it go to waste.
Not only that...David, Harry , and Dawn are the nicest people you will ever meet in your life!
I've had numerous conversations with all three of them...and that's just since I've had Johnny Cox's guitar at the house....can't wait to get my Pro IV and my Black Jack!
God bless us all,
Tim |
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Tim Sergent
From:
Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2009 12:25 am
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Tim, you might want to check out the Pro IV...I had my mind set on the new Madison 63, but due to copedent inabilites on the Madison... I went with the Pro IV. It will have wooden necks, cause I guess I'm just tired of aluminum necks. I have an Emmons P/P that's rosewood, but it has wooden necks. If you ever see that guitar for sale then I'm REALLY strapped for money.....( or I just want a really nice boat!)
When I get my Pro IV, I'll try and post something on YouTube or somewhere that's more thought out and on my own setup than what's on there now from the Jackson Jam at Bobbe Seymour's Steel Guitar Nashville.....and I may even use a tuner this time!!
I also have a Black Jack coming soon that I'm going to use as a fly guitar...or maybe for Opry spots or to set up in the dressing room or maybe for my studio at the house.....or MAYBE it sounds like I'm gonna order another guitar or two!!! I need to clear that up with the boss ( my wife! ) first, though.
Bottom line is, Jackson Steel guitars have offers something for everybody. From the Shot Jackson Commemorative down to the Ulta Lite....which by the way, sounds amazing and it only weighs 19 pounds! They've put some kind of piano sound board in it I think is what David told me. Dawn Jackson can tell you more than I can. I had been in rehearsals all day long and was just glad that I got to stop by the Jackson Jam Bobbe Seymour's Steel Guitar Nashville on the way home.
I have Johnny Cox's Shot Jackson Commemorative at my house right now. I will be playing it on the Today Show, Regis & Kelly, and The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno coming up in the near future. Dierks Bentley has a new CD coming out on Feb. 3rd...so we're doing a bunch of TV to promote it. I'll post dates as I know them.
I'm so glad that the two Jackson brothers ( or Shot's two sons) David and Harrry, have decided to start producing steel guitars again. As I told David at Bobbe's shop....there's WAY too much knowledge in those two minds to let it go to waste.
Not only that...David, Harry , and Dawn are the nicest people you will ever meet in your life!
I've had numerous conversations with all three of them...and that's just since I've had Johnny Cox's guitar at the house....can't wait to get my Pro IV and my Black Jack!
God bless us all,
Tim
p.s.
I thought I even saw Robert Randolph playing a U12 for those interested. |
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Tim Bridges
From:
Hoover, Alabama, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2009 1:27 pm
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| Tim, I know where a real nice Pro IV S10.5 is with a woodeen fretboard. Charlie Tyrone had one for sale. The Blackjack is really a sweet guitar. Plays a lot better than I could have ever imagined and the thing sounds awesome. I went to play last night with the BJ, a 6 string and a bag of stuff. Lightest load I've had in years, HA! Thanks for the heads up on the Pro IV. |
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Tim Sergent
From:
Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2009 8:20 pm
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| Looks like I gave you a couple of heads ups!...Sorry about the double post. How does that happen when you only hit the submit button one time? |
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Jeremy Threlfall
From:
now in Western Australia
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Posted 22 Jan 2009 11:28 pm Re: St louis
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| Mickey Adams wrote: |
| My BlackJack is with John Grayboff, Steel player for Ryan Adams band, the Cardinals in NY, and will be home in a week or two...Enjoy!..>Call!...Mickey |
So, i suppose I'll be looking at it when I go and see the Cardinals this Sunday night (the 25th) at the Metropolis in Fremantle (Western Australia) ? |
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