Thanks To Jackson/Charvel and Fullers Vintage

[Bengal65]

Attended the very informative clinic today at Fuller Vintage Guitars. Nice meeting everyone who made it! Everyone was very nice. A really good crowd. Thanks to Mr. Fuller for putting this on and to John, Tim Wilson, Mike Shannon and Mike Kotzen for a very interesting insight into Jackson and Charvel guitars. I got there at 10:30AM and finally left at 5:30 PM! The clinic started off with John explaining the history of Jackson Charvel all the way back to Wayne Charvel and Grover Jackson. Then, John got into the marketing concepts, relationship with Fender, and then into construction of the guitars with technical details such as machining, hand work and painting. Mike Shannon and Tim Wilson covered the specific details of construction along with Mike Kotzen, a expert in woods. Along with the history, and changing of the designs, construction methods, and manufacturing in general a little comical notations were added as they went along. Lots of time for questions and answers was available. The one thing that was interesting to me is that everyone in the plant is cross-trained in one way or another. Many employees can do each other jobs and the most amazing, is that most employees are still with the company as when it started, or some moved over to Fender, but all one big family. Those that brought guitars were able to get them signed.
I've got a few pictures here. I know several folks had video taped the session, so that may show up soon.
Here's John kicking the show off: (Mike Shannon, Mike Kotzen, John and Tim) (left to right)

Tim explaining neck construction and woods:

Tim and Mike Kotzen (M. Kotzen is not in the pic) talking about the rareness of true White Limba (Korina)

Mike Fuller thanking everyone who came:


Thanks Again!
I have major GAS once again

I forgot to mention Kevin Bond. He spent most of the time jammin' in another part of the store, then came over to sign autographs.

[Jacksonfan]

Way cool!!! And I have to say that is one impressive wall of J/Cs! Have any more shots of the guitars on hand? Great pics! Thanks for taking them for all of us who couldn't attend! Sounds like you had a great time.

[Bengal65]

I didn't get any of the guitars Doh! There was so much going on! I did play a Warren D. blood/skull Charvel. Ah, I could have bought it on the the spot, but too many C.S. orders this year! Lots of neat stories. Tim Wilson mentioned Warren was at the factory awhile back and stated he was having to Deja-Vu. Tim asked him why? The paint job/guitar body was on a stick and brought up from the paint shop by the guy that brought the first one to him like 25 years ago in the same place. Wild! There were quite a few of guitars done with graphics by Mike Learn and a lot of 1 off customs with exotic woods. Mike Kotzen showed me a Koa/Maple body, Brazilian Rosewood neck archtop soloist that was his favorite. Just awesome. The fretboard is Brazilian and the neck rosewood is Honduran 100 plus year old wood from the stumps left years ago. All those guys really know their woods. I hope some of the other guy's got pics of the guitars and post them. My head is still spinning! I was talking with Mr. Shannon and it turns out we are old motocross fans and use our bikes after work as a stress reliever! Pretty cool.
They sold the U.S. Marines, new Camo design graphic C.S. guitar. I wanted that guitar. I've gone through so many towels keeping the drool of my chin it's not funny anymore.

[Erez]

I always miss all the fun damnit!

[Jack Napalm]

They sold the U.S. Marines, new Camo design graphic C.S. guitar. I wanted that guitar. I've gone through so many towels keeping the drool of my chin it's not funny anymore.

I knew it was wise to buy it early in the day. I think I talked to Mike Fuller about it sometime around 11:00. I'll have better pics of it later today.

[neilli]

Is that the matrix camo?

[Jack Napalm]

That's the one.

[neilli]

Cool From the pics on the Jackson site, it appears there may have been a red snakeskin PC1 there - is that correct, or is it one of the new series of Learn guitars?

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/custom...ges/628_md.jpg

[Bengal65]

Neilli,
Most of them (PC1's) are the new Learn graphics. There may have been a red snake skin in that row, next to the natural. The back wall was Mike Learn PC1's.

Jack, Oh you got that one. I was talking with Edel and he was setting it up for you. Yea, that matrix camo is really neat.

[Bengal65]

Another funny item mentioned when I asked a question about the new "TV" PC1 that Phil had on the Jay Leno show and VH1 was the difference in opinion about the Speedloader system. I asked if it will become a production model and it seems they have a difference in opinion amongst themselves if it would be viable! I vote for a production model with the Speedloader and the big Jackson logo! Let me tell you this, we have John on our side!

[cerealkiller]

Thanks for the info guys!

[JZ06]

awesome!

[dannyr]

Great info! Thanks for the great coverage. I wanted to go really bad, but I didn't get back in town in time to get over there. Jack, I saw that matrix camo at Fuller's a couple weeks ago. That's a great guitar. Congrats.

[Jack Napalm]

Thanks, I just put pictures up over in the Jackson USA Guitar forum.

[jackson1]

Bengal65, thanks for posting this! Very cool.