Jackson Guitars: Loud, Fast and Unapologetically Metal

Guitars, Music
July 14, 2025

Jackson Guitars: Loud, Fast and Unapologetically Metal

By Frank O'Day

Absolutely. Here’s the updated article with notable Jackson-using bands woven throughout the text, both Australian and international, while keeping everything m-dash free and written in a conversational, magazine-friendly tone for an Aussie audience.

Jackson Guitars: Loud, Fast and Unapologetically Metal, and Very Much at Home in Australia

Some guitars are built for subtlety. Jackson is not one of them.

From the moment you pick one up, you know exactly what it’s made for. Blazing solos. Dive bombs. Riffs that hit like a freight train. Whether you grew up trying to nail Randy Rhoads’ licks or you’ve just discovered drop tunings and downpicking, Jackson has probably already made its way into your guitar dreams.

Here in Australia, where heavy music is just as sacred as sport and meat pies, Jackson guitars have carved out a loyal fan base. They’re built for the way we play, hard, honest and loud.

Born in a Workshop, Raised on a Stage

Jackson’s story started in late 1970s California, when luthier Grover Jackson built a custom offset V guitar for a young Ozzy Osbourne guitarist named Randy Rhoads. That guitar became the first official Jackson model, and the beginning of a very loud legacy.

Within a few years, Jackson was everywhere. Bands like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden (through Adrian Smith) were all turning to Jackson for guitars that could match their speed, aggression and on-stage presence. The brand quickly became a staple in the thrash metal scene, known for its radical body shapes, neck-through designs and lightning-fast fretboards.

What Makes Jackson a Metal Machine

Ask anyone who plays Jackson and they’ll probably mention these four things:

Fast, flat necks

Jackson necks are built for speed. Whether you’re sweep picking, tapping or just hammering through tight rhythms, these necks feel effortless.

High-performance hardware

Think Floyd Rose bridges, locking nuts, hot-rodded humbuckers and durable tonewoods that can handle years of abuse.

Aggressive body shapes

The Rhoads, King V, Kelly and Warrior don’t just stand out. They own the stage. Even the more streamlined Soloist and Dinky scream attitude.

Made for customisation

From colour to pickups to scale length, Jacksons are made with modding in mind. Especially handy for Aussie guitarists who love tinkering in between gigs.

Australian Bands Who Bleed Jackson

Plenty of Aussie guitarists have reached for Jackson when it comes to tone, feel and all-out stage presence.

Thy Art Is Murder are probably the most famous Jackson endorsees from Down Under. Guitarists Andy Marsh and Sean Delander have wielded Jacksons on festival stages around the world, delivering crushing tones that define modern deathcore.

Chris Brooks, known for his instrumental shred work and progressive solo albums, has flown the Jackson flag for years. His technical playing style is a natural fit for the brand’s smooth necks and versatile hardware.

Other bands known to use Jackson guitars live or in the studio include Truth Corroded, Gravemind and members of Polaris. Even local legends like Mortal Sin, part of Australia’s original thrash wave, had members rocking Jacksons in the 80s and 90s.

And Internationally? Jackson’s Got History

Globally, Jackson’s artist roster reads like a Hall of Fame for heavy music.

Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), the man who helped launch the brand with his signature offset V.
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), played Jackson King Vs during the band’s early years.
Marty Friedman (Megadeth), used Jacksons during the band’s golden era.
Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), regularly uses Jackson SDX models for their reliability and tone.
Phil Collen (Def Leppard), has several signature Jacksons, proving the brand works for arena rock as much as metal.
Scott Ian (Anthrax), known for his custom King V models and thunderous rhythm playing.
Mick Thomson (Slipknot,: one of the heaviest tones in modern metal, and all through a Jackson signature seven-string.

And let’s not forget newer-generation players like Wes Hauch (Alluvial) and Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder), who continue to push Jackson’s legacy forward with modern metal precision.

Guitars That Feel Like Stage Weapons

If you’re wondering which model is right for you, here’s a cheat sheet:

Rhoads: Pointy, iconic and designed for lead players. Feels like a classic metal machine.

Soloist: Sleek, versatile and ergonomic. Great for both rhythm and lead, across multiple genres.

King V: Aggressive and symmetrical. The go-to for headbangers with wide stances.

Kelly: Jackson’s take on the Explorer, chunky tone with a futuristic edge.

Dinky: Smaller body, huge tone. One of the most mod-friendly models in the lineup.

It’s Not All Screaming Distortion

Jackson guitars might be born for metal, but they can stretch a little further than people expect. Thanks to features like coil splitting, five-way switching and quality tonewoods, they can handle cleans, layered effects and even the occasional funk or indie set.

That said, if you spend most of your time playing doom jazz or fingerstyle blues, Jackson might not be your first call. But if your playlists lean toward Slayer, Northlane or Architects, you’re in very good company.

The Custom Shop Dream

If off-the-shelf isn’t your thing, Jackson’s Custom Shop is where you get to go wild. Whether it’s a neon green Rhoads with glow-in-the-dark binding or a baritone 8-string Soloist with active pickups, they’ll make it happen.

Custom Jacksons don’t come cheap, but they do occasionally pop up in Australia through shops like Deluxe Guitars or as direct imports. Some local players even band together for group orders.

Jackson in the TikTok and YouTube Era

Jackson is no longer just for big stages and magazine covers. Today’s players are just as likely to be uploading 60-second riffs to Instagram as they are touring the East Coast.

Jackson in Aussie Stores and Bedrooms

You don’t need to be playing at a festival to enjoy a Jackson. Head into just about any decent Aussie guitar store, like Sky Music, Cranbourne Music or Guitar Brothers, and you’ll find Jackson guitars hanging proudly.

The JS Series is one of the most popular options for beginners and intermediate players, offering proper Jackson style and playability without the huge price tag. The Pro Series is the next step up and perfect for gigging musicians, while the USA Select and Custom Shop models are the dream-tier choices for pros and collectors.

In the last few years, Jackson sales spiked thanks to online tutorials, lockdown shredding and the rise of metal YouTube culture. Whether it’s a kid trying to learn Trivium solos or a bedroom producer laying down djent riffs in Logic, Jackson guitars are everywhere.

Aussie players like MitchTheKid and others are bringing Jackson’s legacy to new platforms and helping inspire the next wave of metal guitarists. The gear has changed, the platforms have changed, but the vibe is still the same: play hard, play fast, play loud.

Why Jackson Still Matters

In 2025, when boutique gear and retro reissues are everywhere, Jackson still does one thing better than anyone else. It gives players the tools to go full throttle.

No pretence. No compromise. Just full-on, riff-ready energy from the first fret to the 24th.

In Australia, where the music scene thrives on authenticity and intensity, that attitude fits like a glove. Whether you’re playing to 20 mates at a local RSL or blasting a crowd at Download Festival, a Jackson guitar is a statement.

It says you’re here to be heard.

Let me know if you’d like this adapted for print layout, broken into social-sized pieces, or expanded with a sidebar like “Top 5 Jackson Guitar Solos” or a mini feature on a specific Australian Jackson player.