Does Phil Collen have a new Silver Crackle?

[Bryan]

I just watched Viva: Hysteria and noticed that for several songs Phil sported a silver crackle Jackson.

Anybody know if this is his original or did he get a new one?

[vklobucar]

That is indeed Phil's original 80's Crackler that was heavily worked on just prior to the show by Jackson. It now has the sustainer unit as well as some Ti bling from Adam Reiver from Fu Tone.com

http://www.fu-tone.com/catalog/images/artists/FU-PC-1-800.jpg

What is really cool is the stripped down sustainer that was installed. No additional knobs and just the two mini switches for an uncluttered look.

[tonemonster]

interesting. didnt that guitar had a kahler on it originally?

[vklobucar]

yup!

[Johnnyryche]

Was cool to see Phil playing that old soloist. Didn't realize/notice it had a sustainer in it too.

[tonemonster]

I like it. that guitar is a classic.

[Ward]

Agreed. That's some nice crackle.

[neilli]

I'd love to see a clear close-up pic to see how they 'hid' the kahler holes, or if it's just the crackle makes them 'disappear'..

[vklobucar]

Phil is obviously not scared to mod this guitar as its had its share of tweaks over the years. The Kahler was dumped in favour of a Schaller floyd in the early 90's and that was swapped out for an OFR a few years later. The Kahler style behind the nut locknut was pulled and a proper floyd nut installed as well.

Pickups were Dimarzio Super 3's until the Sustainer was installed.

Kind of surprised that Phil did not just leave this one alone and has Jackson built a new 2012 Crackle to his tastes but I guess its a well toured and played axe that he just loves.

BTW does anyone else notice the rounded over headstock tip just like his Bela and Archtops too?

[neilli]

Phil is obviously not scared to mod this guitar as its had its share of tweaks over the years.

That's just like his Bela - that started life with a Kahler fulcrum trem, then had a regular Kahler, now a Floyd, plus it had (I think) a 3 pot setup originally that gradually got refined to what it is now, holes and all..

[vklobucar]

Here is a close up shot courtesy of a cool friend...

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

What's up w/the last inlay on that crackle & bela??

[vklobucar]

His name of course!

[Bryan]

vklobucar I should have known you'd have the answer for me!

I'm also happy it's the original crackle. It's just that with the Sustainer and the Floyd it looked new. Plus it showed up superb under the lights for a guitar that old.

[vklobucar]

Thanks!

His tour played guitars are in remarkable shape given that some of them are nearly 30 years old. Well played but well cared for too.

Besides nowadays its pretty much his Supreme and PC1 that gets played.