Jackson Endorsements

[Bengal]

I think the idea of actually making artist buy their gear is a good thing. *IF* they quality is there. I think the other thing people have to realize is that Ibanez and other brands probably have an extremely cheap work force building their stuff. It's nothing to give away a guitar that costs them 200 dollars if it's going to give them a return of thousands of dollars. Considering Jackson is starting to take years to build QS orders, obviously they don't have a giant talent pool working for beans. They have (I assume) five or six guys who build these. If fender/jackson doesn't pay these guys what they are worth there's other places that'll snatch them up quickly (In fact didnt Shannon leave Jackson for Fender well before they got bought out?)

I'm not sure really endorsers really do anything for a company anymore. I'm not sure a lot of the kids coming up can actually tell the difference between crap and quality.

I also have to wonder, is EVH actually paying for his guitars? Has his endorsement of Fender/Charvel whatever actually raised any sales? The guy is a f-n icon and can even make guys wet, if anyone can raise sales you would think it's him.. but is he?

Not quite sure how to try and answer this. I don't have any sales data for EVH but lets look at it another way. Would the Peavey Wolfgang been as popular and sold like they did if it was called the Peavey Standard and no one famous played one?

Take that a step further. Would the Les Paul be as popular if Jimmy Page didn't pick one up in the late 60's? Hell, would the Les Paul even be around if he didn't play one?

Would the Ibanez Jem sell as well if Steve Vai didn't play it? If it was just the Ibanez Veger?

See where I'm going? Artists do sell a lot of guitars. Look at Ibanez and ESP. Doing very well right now and have a ton of artists.

I've fallen for it. I still want an Ibanez PS10 because Paul Stanley played one. I love Les Pauls mainly because Ace Frehley played one. I love Strats because David Gilmour plays them.

Not just because of that, mind you. They are good instruments too but the first time I ever saw one, they were in the hands of my favorite guitarists. That does something.

So artists do a ton for the company. That's why we still have endorsements. If it wasn't benificial to the company, they wouldn't do it.

And I highly doubt EVH pays for anything gear related.

[Newc]

Another point: if a low-ranked endorsee that gets freebies has a problem, what leg do they have to stand on to get it resolved?

At least if you bought it you can wave a receipt and warranty and demand what you paid for - quality included.

If they're giving it away free, it must not be worth buying.

[_koppen]

A question, if an endorsed artist needs a new instrument, does he have to wait in line for his QS guitar fo about 2 years, or can he just pass that one, and get it within a couple of months?

[Bionic]

Another point: if a low-ranked endorsee that gets freebies has a problem, what leg do they have to stand on to get it resolved?

At least if you bought it you can wave a receipt and warranty and demand what you paid for - quality included.

If they're giving it away free, it must not be worth buying.

The Warranty Applies to Artist Guitars... it's no different.

[~K~]

They generally get preference because they are going on tour or whatever and it is visibilty for the company. I've been told at times production was off because they were pushing out some artist guitars or something...

A question, if an endorsed artist needs a new instrument, does he have to wait in line for his QS guitar fo about 2 years, or can he just pass that one, and get it within a couple of months?

[roodyrocker]

A question, if an endorsed artist needs a new instrument, does he have to wait in line for his QS guitar fo about 2 years, or can he just pass that one, and get it within a couple of months?

I don't know about now but I have one of Marty Friedman's Kelly's that was built about 10 years ago. It took about 4 months if I remember correctly. I got a copy of the work order back when Celeste over at Jackson would help us with such things. My own custom shop Rhoads took about a year at the time. So I'd have to guess yes, they get theirs quicker. Granted my Rhoads was a bit more complex but I'm sure had Marty ordered that it wouldn't have taken a year at the time. As an endorsed artist I would also expect them to get theirs quicker.

[Jacksons Shred]

I don't know about now but I have one of Marty Friedman's Kelly's that was built about 10 years ago. It took about 4 months if I remember correctly. I got a copy of the work order back when Celeste over at Jackson would help us with such things. My own custom shop Rhoads took about a year at the time. So I'd have to guess yes, they get theirs quicker. Granted my Rhoads was a bit more complex but I'm sure had Marty ordered that it wouldn't have taken a year at the time. As an endorsed artist I would also expect them to get theirs quicker.

I....Envy....You....

[phill_up]

okay I'll bite... what the heck is a "QS Guitar" ?

[Sunbane]

okay I'll bite... what the heck is a "QS Guitar" ?

That should probably be "CS", as in "Custom Shop".
...but I figure "Qustom Shop" works as well.

[FastJunkie]

I really wish Mustaine would go back to Jackson, it would be good for them and good for him because seeing him playing deans makes me want to puke

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

Not quite sure how to try and answer this. I don't have any sales data for EVH but lets look at it another way. Would the Peavey Wolfgang been as popular and sold like they did if it was called the Peavey Standard and no one famous played one?

Take that a step further. Would the Les Paul be as popular if Jimmy Page didn't pick one up in the late 60's? Hell, would the Les Paul even be around if he didn't play one?

Would the Ibanez Jem sell as well if Steve Vai didn't play it? If it was just the Ibanez Veger?

See where I'm going? Artists do sell a lot of guitars. Look at Ibanez and ESP. Doing very well right now and have a ton of artists.

I've fallen for it. I still want an Ibanez PS10 because Paul Stanley played one. I love Les Pauls mainly because Ace Frehley played one. I love Strats because David Gilmour plays them.

Not just because of that, mind you. They are good instruments too but the first time I ever saw one, they were in the hands of my favorite guitarists. That does something.

So artists do a ton for the company. That's why we still have endorsements. If it wasn't benificial to the company, they wouldn't do it.

And I highly doubt EVH pays for anything gear related.

I think you summed it up. It does make an impact when a high profile artist plays X brand. Jack White of the White Stripes played an old plastic Airline guitar on the MTV awards, and the next thing the prices of those went through the roof on ebay. If that was an old Charvel, the same thing would happen there.

[Jacksons Shred]

I really wish Mustaine would go back to Jackson, it would be good for them and good for him because seeing him playing deans makes me want to puke

I like Dave Mustaine as an artist, but a lot of people I know hate him because of who he is, and won't touch anything he endorses.

I don't think having Dave play Jackson really matters anymore. Marty on the other hand would probably rake in quite a few bucks now, especially that he's the shit in Japan.

[RobRR]

Aside from Rhoads, Mustaine was the biggest endorsee Jackson ever had. Most consider him an ass, but the fact is, he takes his music VERY seriously and doesent fuck around. Thats why Megadeth is still going STRONG, hasnt strayed all too far from their roots, and still writing amazing songs. Jackson would benefit big time from getting him back, but I dont think it will happen... mostly because JC really doesent seem to give a shit.

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

you know ... i'm not sure who i would sign right now if i could pick one.

[Seef]

I'd probably pick Jackson as an endorser... I'd rather have someone who cares rather then a lot of free guitars. Sure it would be cool but i don't have any use for more than 3 guitars. If I had to pay cost for 3 RR1's or custom shops I'd be set for years to come.