SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 30, 2012) – Jackson is proud to introduce a blistering arsenal of 11 world-class X series guitars to its 2012 collection, all built to exceed metal players’ high-performance needs.

The series welcomes eight arch-top Soloist™ (SLAT) guitars-–including four extended scale length seven-string models-–two Limited Edition Kelly™ models, and one Phil Demmel artist signature model.

The new six-string SLAT body shape guitars include the SLATXMG3-6, SLATTXMG3-6, SLATXMGQ3-6, and SLATTXMGQ3-6 models. Their most distinctive features are listed below:

SLATXMG3-6 (in Black and Snow White)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 81 neck and 85 bridge pickups
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• Floyd Rose^® Special bridge

SLATTXMG3-6 (in Cobalt Blue and Matte Black)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 81 neck and 85 bridge pickups
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• String-through-body Tone Pros^® Tune-O-Matic bridge

SLATXMGQ3-6 (in Trans Amber Sunburst and Trans Black)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 81 neck and 85 bridge pickups
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• Floyd Rose^® Special bridge

SLATTXMGQ3-6 (in Trans Black and Trans Red)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 81 neck and 85 bridge pickups
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• String-through-body Tone Pros^® Tune-O-Matic bridge

The new seven-string SLAT guitars are the SLATXMG3-7, SLATTXMG-7, SLATXMGQ3-7, andSLATTXMGQ3-7. Their most distinctive features include:

SLATXMG3-7 (in Quicksilver and Matte Black)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 707 neck and bridge pickup set
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• 26.5″ extended scale length
• Floyd Rose^® Special bridge

SLATTXMG3-7 (in Black, Silverburst and Slime Green)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 707 neck and bridge pickup set
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• 26.5″ extended scale length
• String-through-body Tone Pros^® Tune-O-Matic bridge

SLATXMGQ3-7 (in Trans Red QM and Trans Black)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 707 neck and bridge pickup set
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• 26.5″ extended scale length
• Floyd Rose^® Special bridge

SLATTXMGQ3-7 (in Trans Black and Tobacco Burst)

• Arched-top Soloist basswood body with a quilted maple top
• Three-piece through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement for superior stability
• EMG^® 707 neck and bridge pickup set
• Bound compound-radius (12″-16″) rosewood fingerboard with Piranha Pearloid inlays
• 24 jumbo frets
• 26.5″ extended scale length
• String-through-body Tone Pros^® Tune-O-Matic bridge

Also new to the X series are the Limited Edition KEXMG and KEXTMG Kelly™ models. Available in Transparent Black and Black with White Bevels, the KEXMG Kelly™ features a basswood body (quilt maple top on trans finishes), three-piece through-body maple neck, compound-radius bound rosewood fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and classic Jackson Shark Fin inlays, EMG^® 81 (bridge) and 85 (neck) pickups, and a Floyd Rose^® Special bridge.

The Limited Edition KEXTMG Kelly™, available in Matte Black and Tobacco Sunburst, offers the same features as the Limited Edition KEXMG, minus the Floyd Rose^® Special bridge which is replaced by a string-through-body Tone Pros^® Tune-O-Matic bridge.

And last but certainly not least is the PDX-2 Demmelition King V™ artist signature model honoring Machine Head guitarist and master of shred Phil Demmel. Built to Demmel’s exact specifications, the upgraded PDX-2 now features a three-piece through-body maple neck, EMG^® HZ pickups, Floyd Rose^®Special bridge, 24 jumbo frets, bound compound-radius, rosewood fingerboard with Shark Fin inlays, two volume controls and a three-way blade pickup selector switch.

For more information, and to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jacksonguitars.com.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is a leading, global musical instruments company whose comprehensive portfolio of brands includes Fender^®, Squier^®, Guild^®, Tacoma^®, Gretsch^®, Jackson^®, Charvel^®, EVH^®, SWR^® and Groove Tubes^®, among others. Fender^® instruments include the Telecaster^®, Stratocaster^®, Precision Bass^® and Jazz Bass^® guitars. For more information, visit www.fender.com.

In 2007, FMIC acquired KMC Music, one of the largest independent U.S. distributors of musical instruments and accessories. In 2011, KMC Music and Musicorp united their sales and catalog divisions as KMCMusicorp, creating a leading wholesaler of musical instruments, accessories and lighting equipment. KMCMusicorp produces and/or distributes Ovation®, Takamine® and Hamer® guitars; Latin Percussion^®, Gretsch^® Drums, Gibraltar^® Hardware, Toca^® Percussion, Sabian^® cymbals and Genz Benz^® amplifiers and more. For more information, visitwww.kmcmusicorp.com.