Stanley Jordan discusses metal album and ESP Iron Cross
Stanley Jordan talks about a metal album, an ESP Iron Cross and his tandem-guitar setup in an October 11 Guitar World interview excerpt.
Stanley Jordan is working on a metal album, and a James Hetfield signature ESP Iron Cross is part of the plan. The guitarist discusses the project in a Guitar World interview excerpt published on October 11.
Two guitars, separate effects
Jordan says he has returned to a tandem setup, playing two guitars simultaneously while running separate distortion and wah effects. He identifies a PRS Santana for the right-hand position, citing its shorter scale and relaxed string feel as helpful for his touch technique.
Guitar World also reports that the Iron Cross is being adjusted for the arrangement. The excerpt does not specify those modifications.
Touch technique meets a heavier instrument
Jordan’s official biography explains how his background as a pianist informed his two-handed tapping approach. It lets him separate melody and chord parts and extend that independence across two guitars. His 1985 Blue Note breakthrough, Magic Touch, introduced that approach to a wider audience.
For model context, ESP’s Iron Cross listing specifies a 24.75-inch scale and EMG JH Set active pickups. Those are stock-model details; the interview does not establish the complete specification of Jordan’s individual instrument.
The project remains an album in progress in Jordan’s account. The published excerpt supplies no title, track list or release date.
Editorial illustration based on “Stanley Jordan 04.jpg” by Joe Mabel (Jazz Alley, Seattle, 2017), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Reinterpreted as an original illustration with new composition, colour and typography; not a photograph of the new album sessions.
