Takamine Test Site

When Jackson Dean expressed interest in a nylon string Takamine, we couldn’t help but be a little curious as to the application the "Fearless" singer-songwriter might have in mind.

In the three busy years since the then-20-year-old Jackson first signed with Big Machine Records and began his life of touring, the Takamine P3D had firmly established itself as his full-time performing partner for both stage and studio. The Pro Series 3, cedar-topped, satin-finish dreadnought earned its keep with Dean on many fronts, specifically its ability to maintain a full-throated voice while plugged-in and played with purpose, filling large venues with true acoustic tone night after night.

So how would a nylon string fit into the Jackson Dean equation? We were happy to introduce him to Takamine’s flagship classical TC132SC and refrained from fishing for details.

Not long ago, Jackson released a guitar/vocal rendition of the timeless Percy Sledge classic "When a Man Loves a Woman," featuring his TC132SC, and at least part of the nylon string puzzle was solved. Check out a video of the killer performance.

Jackson's penchant for sitting in front of a studio mic and crushing solo-acoustic versions of self-penned hits like "Don't Come Lookin'" and "Fearless" have become celebrated and somewhat expected. Still, given that the great Percy Sledge released "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966 and Jackson was born in 2000, we were a little surprised that he chose this challenging classic from the American R&B songbook, but not that he nailed it.

As new artists go, Jackson Dean’s rise within the crowded ranks has defied the odds from the start. Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut album Greenbroke and single "Don’t Come Lookin’," the Maryland native has rewritten the record books by becoming the youngest male in Radio and Records history to land a #1 with their debut single. Factor in the added distinction of being named the most heard new artist on the Country Aircheck Chart for 2022, and you begin to get a sense of how Jackson Dean’s talent stands out.

Jackson’s 2024 tour is well underway with some 65 major dates lined up. As good as his recordings are, if you have yet to see JD live, we highly recommend cherry-picking a date near you and treating yourself to a performance by an American musical mainstay in the making. Meanwhile, click here for all things Jackson Dean.