“Jackson Charvel Japan, The Untold Story”.
Born out of 40 years of passion, and nearly 5 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.
The second edition
will be available
around third week of April.
Exact date will be announced soon.
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Some very kind words about the book…
“The book is great, and in fact stunning in its comprehensiveness.” GROVER JACKSON
“OMG! Fantastic! Finally, someone has given the topic a proper treatment. It was such a special time. Thanks again! Can’t say how much it’s appreciated.” TIM WILSON
“Wow! This book is incredible. So much interesting information and so many great photos. I absolutely love it. I’m so happy that it’s being received so well. You did such an amazing job. Congratulations my friend.” PAUL GAGON
“All I can say is GREAT JOB! It’s over the top in every respect: details, quality, everything (…) You have cemented your legacy in the instrument world with this monumental work. Congratulations, and thank you for allowing my part of the story to be heard.” SCOTT ZIMMERMAN
“If you’re interested in the history of Charvel/Jackson, this is a must have. Looking through this reminded me of so many great times I had working with Grover and everyone at the shop. The rockstars who would just show up anytime. Holdsworth rehearsing in the next room as I was building out guitars. Christian Metrailler has captured a beautiful segment of this time in history. Thank you.”🙏 MIKE ELDRED
“You achieved a rare thing. Not only being the first on the topic, but being so comprehensive, you managed to eliminate any need for anyone else to even try and cover it.” JIM SHINE – Guitarcheology
“Omg! WOW! I had no idea this book was in the works, but I’m glad I found it. Clearly a huge effort has been put in, likely more than any other book focusing on a brand. As a huge fan of the Jackson and Charvels, I can’t wait to delve into all the details. Congratulations, I hope you have all the success you ever hoped for!” PERRY ORMSBY
Here is an overview of the contents, and a few sample pages of the book.
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.
