The Steel Guitar Forum

I'm in the market for a steel (I'm a guitarist, plays also banjo and mandolin, and want to play a little steel also. This is my first post here...)
Seems like the Jackson Blackjack is the way to go, but just wondered. The price was 1000usd in march 2007, and now it's 2000 for the same guitar??? Am I right?

Svein

Svein ...There is a guitar builder by the name of Chet Wilcox that can build you a guitar in your price range.His web site is Wilcox steel guitars. I am very happy with the sd-10 he made for me. A.J.

The original $1000 price didn't include a case, and the guitar only had 2 knee levers. Upgrading to 4 knees and adding the case pretty much brought it up to where it is now.

I played a Blackjack last week (thanks, Ray!) and if I were starting out, it would be a no-brainer for me. Not too pricey, but plays great, sounds great, and is certainly enough guitar for a gigging instrument.

Hello Svein-Helge,
Nice to see new norwegians in this forum.
You should join in with the norwegian steelers at: www.steelgitarklubb.com
I'm sure you will find many great friends and a helpful community. And with a bit of luck you might also find yourself a good instrument if you post an ad in our forum.

See yah...

Geir

For around $2000, there's a pretty good selection of brands available. In addition to the Jackson, there's the BMI, the BSG, the Simmons, and also the Rayline.

Upgrading to 4 knees and adding the case pretty much brought it up to where it is now.

$1000 for two more knee levers and a case? I don't think so! That is original price of the entire guitar!

2000 for a new professional grade guitar is still a very good price, and the blackjack is definately a professional grade guitar.

I got one of the first Blackjacks.....and I am glad I did.
They sound heavenly, but yes, the price has gone up.
I knew that they wouldn't stay at that price for very long.
The whole thing that Jackson guitars was trying to do was make a professional guitar for around $1000.
That is why it was stripped (two knees and 3 pedals).
That price didn't come with a case though.
No one seemed to want a steel guitar with just two knee levers. Thus, the price goes up.
However, notice now that the $1,999 price also includes a case. With adding two knee levers (each at $200, and the case at least that much, then you are looking at still a great price any way you look at it.
Try getting an Emmons, Franklin, Mullen, or Williams at that same price for that great sound.
I still haven't heard any that sound better, and none nowhere near that price.