Now Playing: The Jackson Adrian Smith San Dimas® DK™

Introduced in January 2009, Smith’s pair of signature Jackson guitars at long last formally cements the relationship between Jackson and one of metaldom’s biggest, most enduring and most beloved acts. Smith’s molten, incredibly fast legato guitar work is an integral part of why Iron Maiden has remained such an influential band over the decades, and the man himself is a most enthusiastic champion of his namesake signature model—as evidenced by its frequent use on Maiden’s top-grossing 2008-2009 Somewhere Back in Time tour.

“When Jackson sent me a prototype of my signature guitar, I liked it right away,” Smith said. “So much so, it became my number one choice onstage for the Somewhere Back in Time tour. It passed the test with flying colors, performing the all-important basics like staying in tune, (having) great electronics and providing me with a great means of expression. It’s one of the loudest guitars I have. I can’t wait until the next tour.”

Based on Smith’s original late ’80s Custom Shop guitar, the Jackson Adrian Smith San Dimas DK comes in two Snow White versions—one with an ebony fingerboard, mother of pearl position inlays and single-ply white pickguard; and one with a maple fingerboard, black dot position inlays and single-ply black pickguard. Both models have an alder body and bolt-on quartersawn maple neck with a 12” to 16” compound radius fingerboard and 22 jumbo frets.

The formidable electronics in both guitars comprise a DiMarzio® Super Distortion™ humbucking bridge pickup, single-coil Fender® Hot Samarium Cobalt Noiseless™ Strat® middle and neck pickups, five-way switching, a master volume control and a master tone control.

Other features include a Floyd Rose® Original™ double locking two-point tremolo bridge, Gotoh® die-cast tuners, black hardware and a deluxe molded case.

Iron Maiden formed in 1975 and became one of the biggest bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. After more than 20 albums, the band remains a potent force in metal and a top-selling concert draw. Smith joined Iron Maiden in 1980 and continues to share the stage with vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist and founder Steve Harris, and fellow guitarists Dave Murray and Janick Gers.

The Jackson Adrian Smith San Dimas DK signature models.