Jackson is paying tribute to the players who helped define heavy metal with four new signature instruments inspired by iconic guitars and basses originally built for David Ellefson, Marty Friedman, Randy Rhoads and Scott Ian.
The collection features the Limited Edition Legend Series Signature David Ellefson CB V Concert Bass, Limited Edition Legend Series Signature Marty Friedman Kelly KE-1, Limited Edition Legend Series Randy Rhoads CD1 and Legend Series Limited Edition Signature Scott Ian Rhoads RR22.
Faithfully recreated from the original instruments, the vintage-inspired designs celebrate four defining pieces of Jackson history, connecting the brand’s legacy with a new generation of musicians.
“My Jackson Concert basses have always been the sleek, high-octane version of what I consider to be a great bass,” said David Ellefson. “My original 1987 Concert bass gave me the freedom to fully develop my playing without limitations from the instrument. Jackson basses have become an integral part of who I am and the music I’m known for.”
For Marty Friedman, the KE-1 represents a lifelong ambition realised through a collaboration with Jackson.
“When I had the opportunity to create my own signature guitar, I went all out with Jackson to build the ultimate heavy metal guitar,” Friedman said. “After thousands of concerts and countless recordings, the KE-1 remains a huge part of my journey and an iconic instrument that people associate with me.”
Kathy Rhoads D’Argenzio, Randy Rhoads’ sister, welcomed the release of the new CD1 model, noting the guitarist’s enduring influence on rock and metal.
“Randy’s historic legacy has remained in the spotlight for over 40 years. There is no doubt Randy would be so honored to know the impact he has had on Jackson Guitars and on the world of rock and metal guitar,” she said.
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian also reflected on the significance of his iconic instrument, affectionately known as the “Not” Rhoads.
“I discovered my tone with it. It’s been used on every Anthrax record — it was the main guitar on those first five albums in the ’80s,” Ian said. “It’s the guitar that kind of made my life. I love that people connect with it.”
For more than 45 years, Jackson has helped shape the sound and visual identity of heavy metal. Rhoads fused classical technique with hard rock, Ian established a distinctive approach to thrash rhythm guitar, Ellefson brought a melodic voice to the bass in Megadeth, and Friedman expanded the possibilities of metal lead guitar.
Their influence continues to resonate across generations, with the techniques and styles they helped establish remaining central to heavy music today. According to figures cited by Jackson, heavy rock shows increased by 14% in 2025, with metal accounting for 13% of arena and stadium shows.
“Randy, Scott, David and Marty didn’t just play Jackson instruments — they helped define what Jackson became and pushed heavy music forward in the process,” said Jon Romanowski, Jackson’s VP of Product.
“Making these instruments available to players isn’t simply about recreating the past; it’s about putting them into the hands of the players who will take that influence somewhere new.”
Signature Model Features
Limited Edition Legend Series Signature David Ellefson CB V Concert Bass
- Alder body and three-piece quartersawn maple neck: Through-body construction, graphite reinforcement rods and a stable neck designed to support aggressive playing.
- EMG 40DC and CS pickups with 3-band EQ: A noise-free signal and flexible tonal shaping to help bass lines cut through dense guitar mixes.
- Jackson HiMass 5-string bridge: Designed to improve sustain and deliver a tighter low end.
- Open-gear Hipshot tuners: Precise tuning adjustments and reliable stability.
Limited Edition Legend Series Signature Marty Friedman Kelly KE-1
- Alder body and three-piece maple neck-through construction: Designed to deliver balanced tone, stability and sustain.
- Seymour Duncan JB pickup: Provides articulate output suited to Friedman’s melodic and technical lead playing.
- Kahler 7330 fixed bridge: Offers tuning stability for aggressive picking and expressive bends.
Limited Edition Legend Series Randy Rhoads CD1
- Alder body and bound ebony fingerboard: Features 22 jumbo frets and a 12″-16″ compound-radius fingerboard for comfortable chord work and expressive soloing.
- Seymour Duncan JB/’59 humbuckers: Combines high-output bridge tones with warmer, vintage-inspired neck tones.
- Vintage-accurate six-saddle tremolo: Supports expressive pitch bends and vibrato.
Legend Series Limited Edition Signature Scott Ian Rhoads RR22
- “Not” body graphics: Recreates the distinctive design associated with Ian’s guitar during Anthrax’s 1980s recording and touring era.
- Neck-through construction: Enhances sustain and resonance, with graphite reinforcement for added neck stability.
- Top-mount Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo: A double-locking system designed to maintain tuning through aggressive playing and dive-bomb effects.
The Legend Series celebrates the artists and instruments that helped establish Jackson as one of metal’s defining guitar brands, while giving today’s musicians the opportunity to carry that legacy forward.
Watch Jackson’s intimate interviews with the guitar legends, filmed at the brand’s Japan showroom, as Ellefson, Friedman and Ian reflect on the stories behind their iconic instruments and share the inspiration they’ve drawn from Randy Rhoads.
Explore the signature models: