Wayne Charvel set up Charvel’s Guitar Repair in southern California in 1974. His shop undertook refinishing work for Fender, while catering to the needs of rock star clients such as The Who, Deep Purple, and Eddie Van Halen. In 1978, Wayne Charvel sold his business to a member of his staff, Grover Jackson, who continued to trade under the Charvel name.

He worked with many stars, including Ozzy Osbourne band member Randy Rhoads, and built a “Flying V”-like electric to his specification in 1980. Jackson was reluctant to use the Charvel name on this wild-looking axe, and signed his own last name on the headstock. The first Jackson guitar was born.

This is the current production model, the KVX10.