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Topic: Jackson Steel Guitars - A Class Act |
Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 4:27 pm |
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I am always impressed by the quality of Jackson steel guitars, but I am just as impressed with how the Jacksons treat both present AND past customers with equal respect and courtesy.
I sold my S10 Blackjack last summer because I wanted a double body guitar, and the Pro IV (the next up in the Jackson line) was a bit out of my league financially. In Dallas last week, the Jacksons treated me no different than they did when I played one of their guitars. It felt good to walk into the Jackson room and be greeted like a family member, even though they knew I was playing another brand. After some discussion with Harry and David as to why I changed brands, we quickly devised a plan to get me back into the Jackson camp. My original decision was based on finances and body size; the sound of the Blackjack was never the issue. So we sorted it out, and now I'm glad to say I will be behind a Jackson again soon. Deposit paid.
A little bit of communication goes a long way. If every company focussed on common courtesy, dignity, and doing whatever it takes to please a customer (or potential/past customer), business would never be slow. When a company treats me like family and promises to do whatever it takes to make me happy, why would I consider any other brand? I will say that I've met some very nice steel builders at the conventions, but the Jacksons really reached out and made a friend in me. Since I met them at the 2007 Dallas show, they've been incredibly supportive and complimentary. I never once felt pushed aside or overlooked. Sometimes as a younger guy at these conventions, builders can assume you don't have two pennies to rub together, and fitting treatment sometimes follows that assumption. David, Harry and Dawn have always treated me like a millioniare.  Because of that, they have a customer for life now.
I am a very busy musician; I am playing, setting up, tearing down, and lugging my steel around constantly. It's a bonus for me to know that the maker of that steel guitar truly cares about what I think of it, and whether or not it's giving me what I need and want. When I owned my Blackjack, David would check in by phone, making sure the steel was holding up at gigs and working properly. Can you imagine how it feels to have a legendary steel maker care about YOU and be thrilled that you've chosen their guitar over the competition? I miss that connection, and I'm looking forward to getting back into that swing of things for sure. |
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 4:39 pm
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| That's really great, Chris. What's on the horizon? SD-10 Blackjack? |
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Curtis Mason
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 4:59 pm
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Chris,
Good to meet you in Dallas...It's always good to put a face with a name. Do you have any recordings (CD's) MP3's etc... of you or your band playing? If you do, I would like to hear them.
Thanks
_________________
Star Steel Guitar, G.D. Walker's Stereo Steel System, Hilton Volume pedal, TC-M1 Effects Processor, Peterson StroboFlip Tuner |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 5:11 pm
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Marc, I am still ironing out details with Harry and David. But I will let you know when we get it all together. Thanks for asking.
Curtis, really nice to meet you as well! I am on myspace with a few tunes there: www.myspace.com/chrisledrew
I have two solo albums, one of which is on Itunes: Stronger Man. You can search it from the Itunes site and listen to samples.
I am also one half of Canadian pop/rock band Brothers in Stereo: www.brothersinstereo.com
We are on hiatus these days, but there are a few MP3s on there.
Most of my time these days is taken up with a local classic country showband called the 8-Tracks and a local pop/rock band called the Insiders. It keeps very me busy.
Hope you enjoy the links! |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 19 Mar 2009 5:39 pm
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Congrats on the new Jackson! What a great step up the tone ladder for you!
What, your not a millionare, Chris?? LOL!! We both are millionares if we count the many fine friends we have in the Steel guitar community!! I enjoyed visiting with the Jacksons again this weekend, and TC with his wonderful sounding "tone monsters".  |
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Charlie Tryon
From:
Glovertown Newfoundland, Canada
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 4:51 am
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Well good for you Chris it is great to hear you are back with the Jackson family.... we have missed you. I was talking to David last night he told me he had a nice Madison that was just for me so how about shipping some of that money to the main land...ole pal ole friend kind bud.....is it working???? I may have to get Denise after you. Well enough and yes if David does do a SD-10 Blackjack I think I just may get me another as they sure sound and play great I'm just to lazy to hold up my arms all night.
Charlie
_________________
My NEW TUBE AMP CWT Amplifiers I build, JACKSON COMMEMORATIVE all wood 3&5, Fender Steel King Amp,Telonics pedal
Last edited by Charlie Tryon on 20 Mar 2009 5:31 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 5:03 am
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James, you're spot on about the tone....it can't be beat!
Yes, Charlie, it's good to be back! David and I have discussed several options, none of which are completely in stone yet. I will certainly post when something becomes definite. |
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Bill Simmons
From:
Keller, Texas/Birmingham, AL, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 6:43 am Jackson Steels
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Hey Chris...great to see you again in Dallas!
Everything you said about the Jackson Family and their fine steels are true! I'm very impressed with their steels...get Charlie T. to buy you one...he's probably Jackson's biggest buyer of steels and he can only play one at a time...come on Charlie, have Denise send Chris a big check so our Canadian buddy can buy a beautiful Jackson!!
Chris...let me know when Charlie and Denise's BIG check arrives so you buy a Jackson Steel...Bill  |
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Chuck Brinkman
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 7:25 am
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| Hi Chris, You are so right.The Jackson folks are some of the nicest people you will ever deal with.Glad to hear you are getting back to the Jackson Steel Guitar group,great guitar.Thanks for playing my guitar I had there at the show.I was wanting to hear some real playing coming out of it. You did a great job.Hope to see again. Take care. Chuck. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Mar 2009 9:33 pm
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| It was a pleasure playing your wonderful Pro IV, Chuck. Thanks for the compliment, but I was only ever warming it up for Rusty. |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 11:37 am
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That's a great story, Chris.
You're right: personal attention makes a big difference. It's not just Jackson -- we have lots of that in the steel guitar community. You know the usual suspects: Bill Stroud, Keith Hilton, Mike Brown, Brad Sarno... most of the guys currently building steel guitars... the list goes on and on. It's a beautiful thing. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 3:12 pm
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Bill Simmons, it's always so great to see you. Too bad we didn't get a chance to jam again this year. Maybe St. Louis??
Tucker, it's very true that many of the builders provide the same level of kindness, consideration and courtesy. The steel world is great that way. |
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Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 5:46 pm
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Cris, you have explained just why I returned home to the Jacksons. Missed so much not getting to Dallas this year but the two things I missed most were hearing my wife, Joan play and visiting with the Jacksons. I can't wait to get my Madison 63.
_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967. |
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Tim Sergent
From:
Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2009 10:42 pm
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| As a traveling road musician there are a lot of choices in which steel guitar to play....I choose a Jackson......... |
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Gary Sill
From:
Mt. Zion, IL, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2009 2:29 pm The Jackson Room
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I also had the pleasure of visiting the Jackson room and enjoyed seeing the beautiful lacquer instruments they are producing. I had some very precious moments with the Jackson brothers talking about steel guitar. Such a great resource of knowledge they are.
A fine instrument they produce and what better shown than on a TC Furlong amplified unit.
Congratulations on a great show in Dallas. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 26 Mar 2009 7:16 am
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Gary, it sure was a great show, especially in the Jackson room with Rusty, T.C. and the others picking up a storm all weekend. And yes, the T.C. Custom amp is the perfect complement to the Jackson guitars.
Johnny and Tim, what better endorsement for Jackson than having players of your calibre choosing their guitar over the many options available these days.
I had a great chat with David yesterday. Can't wait to get my new guitar. I will be sure to post pics when it arrives, although it won't be a for a little while yet. |
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