Two major proponents, - I want to say pioneers even - of the guitar sitting down together talking shop: I think, that's got to be any "stringslinger's" worth their salt dream! Every once in a while, people like you fine gentleman pop onto a scene that's been competitive as heck as it is - and still manage to make their mark and claim their place on the proverbial map! By the time you had your break in the business, Mr. Jackson, there had already been proficient rhythm guitar wizzes like e.g. Al McKaye w/ Earth, Wind & Fire or Tony Maiden of Rufus or Nile Rodgers to drop just a few names (and I wrote my reply before actually getting to the part when you mention him in the interview, so that tells me that I can't have been completely off the mark... O:;-) ). But there you went and made rhythm guitar into an art form in an of itself! ("He composes these guitar parts in the moment", said Brian Culbertson in one of his "vlogs" from back in the days when he started to document the whole "making of an album" process from his studio) And Mr. Reed-Smith - there had been two of the most successful electric guitars in all of music history, i.e. the Fender Stratocaster (or Teles for the other "camp") and the Gibson Les Pauls. And yet he came and managed to blend the best of both those "worlds" and forged an instrument the world hadn't even known that it had been waiting for forever! Really enjoyed this one, the mutual appreciation and reverence you shared with us, the anecdotes, even the stuff that sure as heck will have been difficult to deal with while in the situation - but turned out to be of service to you and those like me, who have been adoring what you've been doing all along. Kudos and thank you, sincerely for all that!
Hi, Paul. Probably you won't see this. But I'll give it a try. I was wondering what you think about PRS Multifoil 1988 and if there's a chance that you can make those (I think they're not produced anymore). I ask this because in Latin America there was a legendary band called "Soda Stereo" whose leader, singer and guitar player (Gustavo Cerati) had that PRS. And the first thing that comes to mind when we hear about PRS guitars is him, Gustavo cerati
Is it just me or does anyone else think it’s weird that when Paul Smith is talking to an artist he seldom looks at them? He is usually looking down, to the side, and all around. I’ve noticed it on all the Long Distance Calls.
I own a Paul Jackson, Jr. (“PJJ”) signature guitar from the Gibson Custom Shop (fear not Paul, I presently own 9 PRSi). It’s actually a very nice guitar, although as with every single Gibson Custom Shop guitar I have ever owned, it took all of a decade for the neck to settle down. I had to adjust the truss rod every single time I got the guitar out to play. Now that the neck has finally dried out appropriately, my PJJ guitar finally stays in tune. Now I understand that you normally don’t copy other body shapes, with the Silver Sky and the Santana models being notable exceptions. Since PRS has been willing to make signature guitars that resemble the prior guitars these other endorsees had played, perhaps it’s time to give PJJ his due. A guitar similar to the Gibson PJJ guitar would be a nice addition to the PRS lineup. Some might argue that PRS already has hollowbodied guitars in its lineup. Fair enough, but the Gibson PJJ guitar has something significant that the PRS hollowbodies lack - a thin neck. Paul, or “Günter” as I have nicknamed him, seems to have a thing for fat necks. Fat necks aren’t particularly good for making fast jazz chord changes. For example, my L-5 CES has a lovely thin neck. The PJJ has a much thinner neck than any PRS hollowbodied guitar. Moreover, the Gibson PJJ guitar also features a lovely compound radiused ebony fingerboard. Truth be told, I have had to either give away (don’t even ask) or traded several PRS guitars because I simply couldn’t adjust to the thickness of the neck. Typically my left hand would cramp up from trying to play those fat necks, Günter, please reconsider your fetish for fat necks. Fat necks are unattractive on both women and guitars.
Paul Jackson Jr. is a national treasure! What a sweet man and wonderful player! Both Paul's rock my world! Thank you for doing these!
Paul Jackson Jr! This guy is great!
Paul Jackson Jr. tone is insane!!!
One of the better interviews on the web. Inspiring & educational.
Love love love this interview
This one was great! A top 5 Long Distance in my opinion.
Music is something you never master. I think all musicians need to understand that!
💯💥🔥
This is how it's done.
Great series
Two major proponents, - I want to say pioneers even - of the guitar sitting down together talking shop: I think, that's got to be any "stringslinger's" worth their salt dream!
Every once in a while, people like you fine gentleman pop onto a scene that's been competitive as heck as it is - and still manage to make their mark and claim their place on the proverbial map! By the time you had your break in the business, Mr. Jackson, there had already been proficient rhythm guitar wizzes like e.g. Al McKaye w/ Earth, Wind & Fire or Tony Maiden of Rufus or Nile Rodgers to drop just a few names (and I wrote my reply before actually getting to the part when you mention him in the interview, so that tells me that I can't have been completely off the mark... O:;-) ). But there you went and made rhythm guitar into an art form in an of itself! ("He composes these guitar parts in the moment", said Brian Culbertson in one of his "vlogs" from back in the days when he started to document the whole "making of an album" process from his studio)
And Mr. Reed-Smith - there had been two of the most successful electric guitars in all of music history, i.e. the Fender Stratocaster (or Teles for the other "camp") and the Gibson Les Pauls. And yet he came and managed to blend the best of both those "worlds" and forged an instrument the world hadn't even known that it had been waiting for forever!
Really enjoyed this one, the mutual appreciation and reverence you shared with us, the anecdotes, even the stuff that sure as heck will have been difficult to deal with while in the situation - but turned out to be of service to you and those like me, who have been adoring what you've been doing all along.
Kudos and thank you, sincerely for all that!
Paul I love your guitars. I have a 10 top Custom 22
Hi, Paul. Probably you won't see this. But I'll give it a try. I was wondering what you think about PRS Multifoil 1988 and if there's a chance that you can make those (I think they're not produced anymore). I ask this because in Latin America there was a legendary band called "Soda Stereo" whose leader, singer and guitar player (Gustavo Cerati) had that PRS. And the first thing that comes to mind when we hear about PRS guitars is him, Gustavo cerati
PJJ is amazing guitarist.
Paul Jackson jr is the bomb Aloha.
herbie/headhunters/watermelon man bassline - one of the greatest EVER. and chameleon of course.
That's another Paul Jackson, sadly he passed away early this year.
Is it just me or does anyone else think it’s weird that when Paul Smith is talking to an artist he seldom looks at them? He is usually looking down, to the side, and all around. I’ve noticed it on all the Long Distance Calls.
Long distance Paul.
Which guitar is Paul Jackson playing?
I own a Paul Jackson, Jr. (“PJJ”) signature guitar from the Gibson Custom Shop (fear not Paul, I presently own 9 PRSi). It’s actually a very nice guitar, although as with every single Gibson Custom Shop guitar I have ever owned, it took all of a decade for the neck to settle down. I had to adjust the truss rod every single time I got the guitar out to play.
Now that the neck has finally dried out appropriately, my PJJ guitar finally stays in tune. Now I understand that you normally don’t copy other body shapes, with the Silver Sky and the Santana models being notable exceptions. Since PRS has been willing to make signature guitars that resemble the prior guitars these other endorsees had played, perhaps it’s time to give PJJ his due. A guitar similar to the Gibson PJJ guitar would be a nice addition to the PRS lineup.
Some might argue that PRS already has hollowbodied guitars in its lineup. Fair enough, but the Gibson PJJ guitar has something significant that the PRS hollowbodies lack - a thin neck.
Paul, or “Günter” as I have nicknamed him, seems to have a thing for fat necks. Fat necks aren’t particularly good for making fast jazz chord changes. For example, my L-5 CES has a lovely thin neck. The PJJ has a much thinner neck than any PRS hollowbodied guitar. Moreover, the Gibson PJJ guitar also features a lovely compound radiused ebony fingerboard.
Truth be told, I have had to either give away (don’t even ask) or traded several PRS guitars because I simply couldn’t adjust to the thickness of the neck. Typically my left hand would cramp up from trying to play those fat necks,
Günter, please reconsider your fetish for fat necks. Fat necks are unattractive on both women and guitars.
Fight the power Isley's
Ya… what is the difference between a vocal and melodic guitar solo?
Who is Jackson ? Never heard of him. More and more unknows are suddenly famous...by lack of real established Artists?
He is one the most famous studio musician that has played on the biggest records of all time since the 80s. Look him up.