Marty Friedman’s iconic 1985 Jackson Kelly San Dimas is up for sale over on Reverb and someone who absolutely shreds better buy this thing.
The Jackson was used by Friedman on everything from Megadeth’s Rust In Peace and Countdown To Extinction, to Cacaphony’s Speed Metal Symphony and Go Off!, to Friedman’s own solo albums Dragon’s Kiss and Scenes. The guitar is also believed to be one of the first 500 guitars Jackson ever built.
“I purchased it in Hawaii around 1985 while I was in the band Hawaii,” said Friedman in the certificate of authenticity. “It originally had a black-and-white tiger-striped graphic, along with two humbuckers and 2 tone pots. When I joined Megadeth, it was re-painted black and converted into a single humbucker with one volume pot.
“I did several Hawaii recordings and concerts with it. At one time, it even had a flame thrower on the headstock. This was my #2 touring guitar for most of my Megadeth years. Like Kelly #1 this guitar was featured in many ’90s magazines, Jackson catalogs, and advertisements.”
The guitar is being sold by Friedman’s longtime manager, who purchased it in 2011 during an auction to benefit the Jason Becker Special Needs Trust and the ALS Therapy Development Institute.
The 1985 Jackson Kelly San Dimas is going for $125,000 right here on Reverb, though the seller is open to bids.
