JACKSON® HONORS EMMY®-WINNING MUSICAL DIRECTOR ADAM BLACKSTONE WITH
SIGNATURE PRO SERIES CONCERT BASS GUITAR
Paying Homage To Blackstone’s Grandmother Mrs. Gladys Jackson, The “Gladys" Jackson Pro Series Signature Concert Bass Features Custom Jackson BBE J-Style Pickups, Active 3-Band EQ, And Matching “Dolphin” Headstock In A Unique Blackstone Sparkle Finish
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (March, 27, 2024) — Today, Jackson® launches the Adam Blackstone “Gladys” Pro Series Signature Concert™ Bass paying tribute to the Emmy-award-winning musical director and GRAMMY-nominated multi-instrumentalist, Adam Blackstone. To honor a player like Blackstone is to honor the expansive and broad stylistic choices that have defined his career and this bass guitar is designed with that sonic exploration in mind.
An updated take on the iconic Jackson Concert bass shape, the ”Gladys” is optimized for pure sonic domination—every inch is optimized for playability, comfort, speed and precision. Named in honor of Blackstone’s beloved grandmother Mrs. Gladys Jackson, this signature concert bass guitar is about more than just honoring the man who inspired and designed it—it’s a tool crafted to help guide and inspire the next generation of players to be as fearless, driven and ambitious as Blackstone himself. Blackstone's relationship with Fender and its portfolio of FMIC brands started in 2018 when he received a custom-wrapped Fender Jazz Deluxe Bass featuring designs inspired by his son —also a pivotal part of his performance backing Justin Timberlake during The Super Bowl LII Halftime Show in 2018. He was later introduced to the Jackson brand and could be seen sporting custom David Ellefson CBXM-V Concert Bass guitars on the Super Bowl Halftime Stage in 2022 with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, as well as in 2023 on stage with Rihanna. Now, Blackstone takes his partnership with the brand to new heights with his very own signature model which combines elements mined from his rich personal and professional history with cutting-edge features.
“I feel incredibly blessed to have worked with the Jackson team on bringing this model to life. When the team came to me with the idea to make a signature bass I knew I wanted to make something that was accessible, looked good, and sounded great. I think we pulled that off and more with this bass. I’ve always loved the vintage look of a dolphin headstock so I knew I wanted that shape to be incorporated into the design. I think the gold finishes tie everything together and are a great complement to the black sparkle finish. The pickups we created work for any style of music and give me that clarity and punch I’m always searching for when I pick up a bass. Whether it be Saturday Night Live or the GRAMMYS - this bass has held its own on every stage. I’m thrilled to introduce this model to a new generation of Jackson players and hope they love playing it as much as I do,” said Adam Blackstone.
Adam Blackstone’s ascent into the world of music began at the age of four when he began playing drums for his local New Jersey church. Encouraged by the suggestion of his then-music teacher, Blackstone picked up the bass in the third grade, and by the time he graduated high school his playing had earned him a full ride to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The next twenty years saw Blackstone diving headfirst into the world of session playing until, inevitably, his singular ability caught the attention of some of music’s finest acts including Questlove, Jay-Z, and Rihanna. He was enlisted as both a touring musician and to spearhead the musical direction for their live shows. Since then, Blackstone has collaborated with a slew of top-tier artists and has overseen world-famous events including the Oscars, the Grammy Awards, and four Super Bowl halftime shows.
The Adam Blackstone “Gladys” Pro Series Signature Concert™ Bass is a unique instrument in its ability to appeal to just about any player regardless of skill level or genre. This is a bass guitar that is made to be played, full stop. Thanks to a custom neck profile, 9”-16” compound radius maple fingerboard, and twenty-two jumbo frets this instrument totes impressive levels of comfort and playability. The engine that drives this groove machine is the custom Jackson BBE J-Style pickups that are voiced to Blackstone’s personal specifications. Paired with an onboard 3-band EQ circuit, any player would be hard pressed to find a bass tone that is out of the Gladys’ reach. The “Gladys” Pro Series Signature Concert™ Bass originated in conjunction with Jackson’s world class design and production teams to capture the iconic artist’s signature sounds.
“This signature bass signifies a significant moment for Jackson. Artists like Adam Blackstone showcase the versatility and sonic capabilities of Jackson guitars,” said Jon Romanowski, Vice President of Category Management, Jackson. “We were especially drawn to Adam’s precision and musicality in his playing - he is a true virtuoso. The “Gladys” epitomizes this and provides the perfect balance of style and practicality. The pickups are killer, super versatile and have a thick low end while still being able to keep just the right amount of high-end to cut through. The iridescent Blackstone finish is truly one of a kind and the black block inlays add a customized look to the design. As a brand, we aim to celebrate the virtuosos of every musical style, we’re stoked to introduce the the “Gladys” signature.”
Details:
Adam Blackstone “Gladys” Pro Series Signature Concert™ Bass ($899.00 USD, £1,089.00 GBP, €1,259.00 EUR, $1,699.00 AUD, ¥126,500 JPY) This 34”-scale bass pairs a resonant poplar body and graphite-reinforced bolt-on neck design to generate formidable sustain, while the custom neck profile and 9”– 16” compound radius maple fingerboard and 22 jumbo frets make for super comfortable playability. The heart of this five-string bass has custom Jackson BBE J-style pickups, voiced to the artist specifications, paired with an active 3-band EQ circuit to dial in that perfect tone. A Jackson Hi-Mass™ bridge enhances note attack and sustain without altering tone while the open-gear tuners combine for stellar tuning stability with improved note punch and sustain. The Adam Blackstone “Gladys” Jackson Pro Series Signature Concert bass ups the ante in the style realm with all-new vivid black stone finish, creme pickguard, black block inlays, a mixture of black and gold hardware, dome-style control knobs, Jackson 4-and-one color matched paddle headstock and a gig bag.
For technical specs, additional information on new Jackson products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.jacksonguitars.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @JacksonGuitars on Twitter and @OfficalJacksonGuitars on Instagram.
