Born out of 40 years of passion, and over 4 years of research and collection of first-hand accounts, with the kind participation of:
Grover Jackson, Tim Wilson, Paul Gagon, Scott Zimmerman, JoAnn Pieroth, Kitsu Takuji, Gary Kahler, Dave Friedman, Jon “Sully” Sullivan, Steve Rosen, Steve Vai, Chris Holmes, and others.
A celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the foundation of Charvel Japan.
September 30, 2025 UPDATE
The book is now in production. I am expecting the delivery from the printer at the end of October. Exact day of release will be announced asap. If you wish to reserve a copy, please get in touch. Thx!
Time to lift the veil... Here is an overview of the contents, and a sneak peek at the graphic style.
Introduction
As the name implies, this is a chapter where I start with the creation and ascent of Charvel USA as a phenomenon within the wider cultural context of the ’80s.
Some cool historical photos.
A Word About Grover
In this chapter I talk a bit about Grover the man, behind the public achievements.
Super cool gallery of photos of Grover throughout his life.
The Genesis of Charvel Japan
Where I talk about the troubled circumstances that led to the creation of Charvel Japan, the search for a factory, early prototypes, early factory photos.
Be ready for stuff you never knew.
Cousins, Clones, and Counterfeits
Fun chapter about the many manufacturers and stores that surfed on the Jackson Charvel esthetics, and the many guitars with pointy headstocks and sharkfin inlays that populated a whole decade.
1988-1989, The Transition
Key chapter covering the very rocky couple of years when pretty much everything changed for Charvel Japan. The model line up evolution, the financial troubles, the ghost factories. Ah, and yeah, lots and lots of crackle porn.
The Rise of Jackson Japan
This chapter covers the fantastic production of the early ’90s, the more forgettable production of the late ’90s, more financial turmoil, the purchase by FMIC, up to the demise of Chushin Gakki.
Hardware and Electronics
Here I cover all the trems, pups, electronics, preamps, that anyone could come across on a MIJ Jackson Charvel guitar. Big sections on the GTM-6, the different lines of amps, original wiring diagrams, and more.
Plus photos I guarantee you have never seen before.
Chatting with Some Pioneers
A collection of extensive chats/interviews with some major actors of this saga:
Tim Wilson, Grover’s second historical hire, and the longest lasting
Charvel employee, until 2007.
Paul Gagon, famed electronics engineer, ex Fender, designer of all
Jackson pickups, electronics, and amps, between 1984 and 1990.
Scott Zimmerman, master builder, ex Fender, manufacturing engineer
in charge of the Charvel Japan operation, still based in Matsumoto to this day.
Chris Holmes, ex W.A.S.P., and Mean Man guitarist, one of the original OG Charvel Jackson players, and Grover’s dear friend.
Throughout the book, many extensive quotes from Grover, to illustrate events.
I am confident that this book will reveal a side of the story that has never been shared, countless documents and information presented for the first time in context, some healthy myth busting, and for sure, yet another demonstration that reality is both stranger and more exciting than fiction.
