Jackson Guitars
Jackson Guitars, founded in 1980 and a subsidiary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, manufactures high-performance electric guitars and basses for metal and rock musicians, organized into price tiers from entry-level JS Series ($209.99) through premium Pro Plus and Custom Shop instruments ($2,429.99+), distributed via direct e-commerce and a global dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAlexandria, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Jackson Guitars does
Jackson Guitars, operating as Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc., is a US-based manufacturer of high-performance electric guitars and basses founded in 1980 as a custom shop and now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). The company serves primarily metal, hard rock, thrash, djent, and progressive rock musicians through a portfolio of iconic body shapes including Rhoads, Dinky, King V, Soloist, Kelly, Warrior, Juggernaut, and Death Angel, supported by signature models from 30+ professional artists such as Scott Ian (Anthrax), Misha Mansoor (Periphery), Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), Christian Andreu (Gojira), and Rob Cavestany (Death Angel).
Jackson's product architecture is organized as a tiered platform with guitars and basses as core offerings, segmented into price/feature series: JS Series (entry-level, $209.99-$469.99), X Series (mid-range, ~$799.99-$899.99), Pro Series (professional, $1,249.99-$1,649.99), Pro Plus Series (premium professional with Fishman Fluence, EverTune, Bare Knuckle, $1,499.99-$2,429.99), American Series (USA-made), and the Artist Signature line. Underlying technical features include neck-through-body construction, compound radius fingerboards (12"-16"), Floyd Rose locking tremolos, EverTune constant-tension bridges, and pickups sourced from Seymour Duncan, EMG, Fishman, and Bare Knuckle. The Custom Shop program offers bespoke instruments built by named master builders.
Jackson operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct e-commerce through jacksonguitars.com with an extensive authorized dealer network (Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Musicians Friend, American Musical, plus a Custom Shop Showcase Dealer tier), supported by artist-driven community marketing across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and X. In 2025 the company executed seven new product launches, a Diablo IV crossover collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, and Klarna financing integration. Revenue, headcount, and detailed financial data are not publicly disclosed, consistent with its status as a privately held brand within FMIC.
Jackson Guitars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Jackson Guitars
- Legal name
- Jackson/Charvel Manufacturing, Inc.
- Website
- https://jacksonguitars.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Jackson Guitars, founded in 1980 and a subsidiary of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, manufactures high-performance electric guitars and basses for metal and rock musicians, organized into price tiers from entry-level JS Series ($209.99) through premium Pro Plus and Custom Shop instruments ($2,429.99+), distributed via direct e-commerce and a global dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Jackson Guitars industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Guitars
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF), Musical Instrument Retail (Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Band/Orchestra) (CRALAEAA)
Keywords
Where Jackson Guitars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Jackson Guitars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electric Guitars: Primary revenue stream from electric guitars across multiple series including JS Series, X Series, Pro Series, Pro Plus Series, American Series, and Artist Signature models. Prices range from entry-level ($209.99) to professional instruments ($2,429.99).
- Bass Guitars: Bass guitars across series including JS Series, X Series, Pro Series, and Artist Signature models for bass players.
- Accessories: Strings, picks, straps, cases, gig bags, and other guitar accessories sold through the same channels as instruments.
- Apparel and Merchandise: Jackson-branded clothing, collectibles, and lifestyle merchandise.
- Custom Shop: Bespoke custom guitars built to customer specifications through the Jackson Custom Shop, offering premium pricing for personalized instruments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | JS Series - Entry level guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | X Series - Mid-range guitars with quality components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Series - Professional grade guitars |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Plus Series - Premium professional instruments |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Klarna Payment Plans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
Jackson Guitars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Jackson Guitars designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance electric guitars and basses built primarily for metal, rock, and hard rock players. The portfolio spans entry-level to professional and premium-custom price tiers, organized into JS, X, Pro, Pro Plus, American, Artist Signature, MJ, and Concept series, complemented by a Custom Shop program for bespoke instruments, plus accessories, apparel, and merchandise.
Product overview
Jackson Guitars is a manufacturer of electric guitars and basses primarily serving the metal and rock genres. The company operates a platform-plus-modules architecture with guitars and basses as core products, organized into multiple sub-brands differentiated by price tier and feature level: JS Series (entry-level under $500), X Series (mid-range value), Pro Series (professional-grade), Pro Plus Series (advanced professional with premium components), American Series (USA-made premium), Artist Signature Series (collaborations with professional artists), MJ Series, and Concept Series (experimental designs). The Custom Shop offers bespoke instrument building. Accessories including cases, gig bags, strings, picks, and straps, plus apparel and merchandise, round out the portfolio. All guitars feature Jackson's signature aggressive body shapes including Rhoads, Dinky, King V, Soloist, Kelly, Warrior, Virtuoso, Juggernaut, Surfcaster, and Death Angel.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Rhoads: Iconic offset V body shape engineered for clean lines, sharp attack, and lead precision, inspired by Randy Rhoads' original design.
- Dinky
- King V
- Soloist
- Kelly
- Warrior
- Virtuoso
- Juggernaut
- Surfcaster
- San Dimas
- Monarkh
- Death Angel
- Jackson Custom Shop
Products and services
- Jackson Electric Guitars Flagship electric guitar lineup designed primarily for metal and rock players, organized into multiple series (JS, X, Pro, Pro Plus, American, Artist Signature, MJ, Concept) with iconic aggressive body shapes engineered for high-gain tone, fast playability, and tuning stability.
- Jackson Basses Electric bass guitars for metal, rock, and progressive players, available in Concert Bass, Spectra Bass, and Kelly Bird shapes across Pro Series, X Series, and JS Series tiers.
- JS Series Jackson's entry-level guitar series offering Jackson body shapes and playability at accessible price points, with models starting at $209.99 (JS Series Dinky JS11).
- X Series Jackson's mid-range guitar series featuring value-conscious designs with quality hardware, versatile configurations, and artist-inspired options such as the Scott Ian King V KVXT ($799.99) and X Series King V KVXMG ($849.99).
- Pro Series Jackson's professional-level guitar series with premium components such as EMG and Seymour Duncan pickups, Floyd Rose bridges, and high-quality tonewoods; models range from $1,249.99 (Pro Series King V KVTMG) to $1,649.99 (Rob Cavestany Death Angel).
- Pro Plus Series Jackson's advanced professional guitar series with premium finishes, Seymour Duncan and Fishman Fluence pickups, EverTune bridges, and superior craftsmanship; models range from $1,499.99 (Soloist SL1A Pure Metal) to $2,429.99 (Christian Andreu Rhoads RR24 EVTN6).
- American Series Premium guitars manufactured in the USA with the highest-quality components and craftsmanship.
- Artist Signature Series Signature guitars designed in collaboration with 30+ professional artists including Wes Borland, Misha Mansoor, Lee Malia, Brandon Ellis, Rob Cavestany, Scott Ian, Christian Andreu, Jeff Loomis, and many others.
- MJ Series Professional-grade guitars designed for advanced players with premium features.
- Concept Series Innovative experimental guitar designs pushing the boundaries of guitar construction.
- Jackson Custom Shop Bespoke custom guitar program offering personalized instruments built to customer specifications by master builders including Pat Campolattano, Dave Nichols, Joe Williams, and Rob Knowles, available through designated Custom Shop Showcase Dealers.
- Jackson Accessories Supporting products for Jackson instruments including strings, picks, straps, cases, and gig bags.
- Jackson Apparel and Merchandise Branded clothing, collectibles, and lifestyle merchandise featuring Jackson branding for fans and players.
- Pro Plus Series Signature Christian Andreu Rhoads RR24 EVTN6 Signature Rhoads model for Christian Andreu (Gojira) with Fishman Fluence OpenCore Modern pickups and EverTune F6 constant-tension bridge.
- Pro Plus Series Limited Edition Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET8 Limited edition 8-string signature model for Misha Mansoor (Periphery) with EverTune F8 bridge for constant tuning stability in extended-range playing.
- Pro Series Signature Wes Borland King V KV Signature King V model for Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) with Seymour Duncan Invader pickup and Floyd Rose 1500 bridge.
- Pro Series Signature Rob Cavestany Death Angel Signature Death Angel model for Rob Cavestany (Death Angel) with EMG 81 / EMG HA pickups and custom offset-X body shape.
- Pro Plus Series Signature Brandon Ellis Kelly KE27 Signature Kelly model for Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder) with 27 frets and Seymour Duncan Dyad Parallel Axis pickups.
- X Series Limited Edition Kelly Diablo IV - Lord of Hatred Limited edition X Series Kelly model produced in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, featuring Diablo IV artwork and the Mephisto "Lord of Hatred" graphic on the body.
- Pro Plus Pure Metal Limited Edition Soloist SL1A Limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal Soloist SL1A with Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup, delivering tight bass, aggressive mids, and soaring highs for high-gain metal tones.
Quantifiable outcome
- All guitars inspected by Jackson Certified Quality Assurance Technician before shipping
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Jackson Guitars
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Jackson Guitars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Jackson Guitars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Blizzard EntertainmentflagshipJackson Guitars and Blizzard Entertainment collaborated on a limited edition Diablo IV guitar featuring the menacing visage of Mephisto on the guitar body with additional Diablo artwork. The collaboration represents a gaming/music crossover targeting shared audiences of gamers and metal musicians.
- KlarnacoreJackson Guitars offers Klarna payment options including Pay in 4 interest-free installments for purchases between $35-$1,000 and flexible financing for cart totals of $299 or more. This partnership enables customers to purchase higher-priced instruments with payment flexibility.
- SweetwatercoreSweetwater is a major authorized dealer for Jackson Guitars, offering the full product range to customers with strong customer service and support.
- Guitar CentercoreGuitar Center serves as an authorized dealer for Jackson Guitars with both physical retail locations and online sales presence.
- Seymour DuncancoreJackson instruments feature Seymour Duncan pickups across many signature models, including the Seymour Duncan Invader in Wes Borland models, Dyad Parallel Axis in Brandon Ellis models, and various other Seymour Duncan pickups in signature instruments.
- FishmancoreFishman Fluence OpenCore Modern pickups are featured in signature models like Christian Andreu's Rhoads, providing multi-voice pickup technology with three selectable voicing options.
- EMG PickupscoreEMG 81 and EMG HA pickups are featured in Rob Cavestany's Death Angel signature models, delivering the high-output aggressive tone required for thrash metal applications.
- EverTunecoreEverTune constant-tension bridges are featured in signature models including Misha Mansoor's Juggernaut ET8 (8-string) and Christian Andreu's Rhoads RR24, providing perfect intonation maintenance across temperature and humidity changes.
- Floyd RosecoreFloyd Rose double-locking tremolo systems are featured extensively across Jackson's product line, providing superior tuning stability for aggressive playing styles and dive bombs.
- Bare Knuckle PickupscoreBare Knuckle Holy Diver pickups are featured in the Pro Plus Pure Metal Soloist SL1A, delivering tight bass, aggressive mids, and soaring highs for high-gain metal tones.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Jackson Guitars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Solar Guitars: Solar is a fast-growing modern metal guitar brand founded by Ola Englund, targeting progressive and djent players with strong YouTube/social presence - a credible emerging alternative to Jackson's progressive metal offerings.
- Kiesel Guitars: Kiesel is a direct-to-consumer custom guitar builder offering made-to-order metal and high-performance instruments at competitive lead times, increasingly overlapping Jackson's Pro Series and Custom Shop offering.
Direct peers
- Music Man (Ernie Ball): Music Man produces high-performance electric guitars and basses (John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Eddie Van Halen signatures) with comparable premium positioning, neck-through construction, and player-focused innovation.
- ESP Guitars: ESP is the most direct competitor to Jackson in the high-performance metal/rock guitar category, with a parallel artist signature model strategy (Kirk Hammett, Jeff Hanneman, James Hetfield), comparable body shapes, and similar price-tiering from entry-level (LTD) to custom shop.
- Ibanez: Ibanez is a major high-performance electric guitar competitor with strong metal/rock DNA (RG, S, AZ series), an extensive artist roster (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi), and broader international distribution than Jackson.
- Schecter Guitar Research: Schecter is a direct peer in the metal guitar segment with comparable body shapes (Hellraiser, Demon, Custom), signature artist programs (Synyster Gates, Jeff Loomis), and a similar price ladder from entry-level to custom.
- Charvel: Charvel is Jackson's sister brand under FMIC, sharing parent distribution and manufacturing while targeting overlapping high-performance players (superstrat, San Dimas-style builds) - a true brand-level peer within the same corporate portfolio.
- B.C. Rich: B.C. Rich competes in the metal/shred guitar niche with aggressive body designs (Warlock, Mockingbird, Ironbird) historically associated with hair-metal and modern metal players.
- Dean Guitars: Dean is a long-standing metal guitar competitor with iconic body shapes (ML, V, Z), Dimebag Darrell signature heritage, and overlapping player base in metal and hard rock.
Others
- EVH (Eddie Van Halen) Guitars: EVH is another FMIC-owned high-performance guitar brand with the iconic Stripe/5150 models; relevant as a portfolio sibling and adjacent premium metal/hard-rock offering competing for similar player dollars.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Jackson Guitars social profiles
Digital presenceJackson Guitars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Jackson Guitars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Jackson Guitars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Jackson Guitars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Jackson Guitars
What does Jackson Guitars do?
Jackson Guitars designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance electric guitars and basses built primarily for metal, rock, and hard rock players. The portfolio spans entry-level to professional and premium-custom price tiers, organized into JS, X, Pro, Pro Plus, American, Artist Signature, MJ, and Concept series, complemented by a Custom Shop program for bespoke instruments, plus accessories, apparel, and merchandise.
Is Jackson Guitars a public or private company?
Jackson Guitars is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Jackson Guitars founded?
Jackson Guitars was founded in 1980. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Jackson Guitars based?
Jackson Guitars is headquartered in Alexandria, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Jackson Guitars make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Electric Guitars are the primary driver. The others are bass Guitars, accessories, apparel and Merchandise and custom Shop.
Who are Jackson Guitars's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Solar Guitars and Kiesel Guitars. Direct peers are Music Man (Ernie Ball), ESP Guitars, Ibanez, Schecter Guitar Research, Charvel, B.C. Rich and Dean Guitars. EVH (Eddie Van Halen) Guitars is listed as an others.
Does Jackson Guitars have an API?
No public API is recorded for Jackson Guitars.
What industry is Jackson Guitars in?
Jackson Guitars's product category is Electric Guitars. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAA, Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.