Jackson is an American electric guitar brand founded in 1980 by luthier Grover Jackson, who at the time was operating the Charvel guitar shop in San Dimas, California. The brand emerged from a collaboration with guitarist Randy Rhoads, who sought a custom instrument built to his specifications. The resulting design—a radically pointed variation on the Flying V—became the iconic Rhoads model and established the aesthetic template the brand would build its reputation on: aggressive angular body shapes, fast necks with compound-radius fretboards, and features tailored to high-gain playing.

Throughout the 1980s, Jackson became the instrument of choice for many of heavy metal's most technically demanding guitarists. Alongside the Rhoads, the company developed several other models that have endured as classics: the Soloist, one of the earliest superstrat designs; the Kelly, a sleek angular single-cutaway; the King V, an elongated sharp take on the V shape; and the Dinky, a more approachable double-cutaway format. These instruments became associated with players including Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, among many others across the metal and hard rock spectrum.

Jackson was acquired by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 2002. Under Fender's ownership, the brand expanded its lineup to include more accessible price points alongside its American-made instruments, with guitars produced at Fender's facilities in Corona, California, as well as in Japan and Mexico. The brand offers everything from entry-level production models to high-end Custom Shop pieces, maintaining its focus on the heavy music market while catering to players across a wide range of experience levels.

Jackson has 898 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Extended Range Guitars. Their gear is featured by 427 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian, and Mick Thomson. Jackson's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.