Jack White has once again extended his generosity and love for guitar craftsmanship by gifting one of his signature Fender Acoustasonics to none other than Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. The gesture culminated in a memorable live debut of the guitar during Pearl Jam’s May 6 show in Nashville, where Vedder used it to perform the band’s deep cut, Green Disease.
White, known for his gear experimentation and devotion to analog tones, released an impressive lineup of signature Fender instruments last year. These included the mod-laden Triplecaster, a uniquely versatile amp, and a fresh version of the hybrid electric-acoustic Acoustasonic – the latter of which made its way into Vedder’s hands.
“This is my new guitar, given to me by Mr. Jack White, another future Hall of Famer. He’s such a great human,” Vedder told the enthusiastic crowd, acknowledging White’s ongoing impact both musically and personally.
Reflecting on White’s Third Man Hardware company – known for its innovative pedals such as the Knife Drop – Vedder added a bit of humor and insight: “You wanna know the secret between having a quality product and making money? The secret is you won’t make money, but you’ll make people happy. That’s what we’ve seen Jack do. I’m very proud to be his friend, and thank you Jack for my nice new guitar.”
Choosing Green Disease, a gritty, punk-charged track, was no accident. Vedder’s energetic performance perfectly matched the raw tone of White’s Acoustasonic, blending musical tribute with emotional resonance.
Vedder now joins an impressive list of musicians who’ve been on the receiving end of Jack White’s signature gear. Earlier, Living Color’s Vernon Reid received a Triplecaster after a chance meeting with White at an airport, prompting an impromptu gear swap. Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, too, has taken White’s Triplecaster for a spin, joking that his famed “Greeny” Les Paul was feeling left out. In return, White was honored with a production model of the Greeny guitar and even got the rare chance to play the original on stage.
White hasn’t limited his generosity to household names. He’s also spotlighted emerging talent, notably gifting a Triplecaster to his favorite up-and-coming guitarist based in Japan.
Later this year, Jack White, celebrated for his groundbreaking work with the White Stripes, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He joins other overdue inductees such as Soundgarden. White’s legacy includes one of the most Googled guitar riffs, reportedly born out of a spontaneous moment during a soundcheck in Australia.
Despite his fame, White remains grounded and outspoken. Earlier this year, he took to Instagram with a fiery post explaining his no-frills approach to live performances, emphasizing why fans shouldn’t expect a three-hour set from him. And in November, he shared the stage with Paul McCartney in Mexico for an unforgettable Beatles jam session.
From late-night jams to heartfelt gifts, Jack White continues to shape the rock world not just with his music, but with his ethos. Eddie Vedder’s Nashville performance was just the latest chapter in that ever-evolving legacy.
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