Winter NAMM 2005: Spotlight on Gibson

by Rick Messock
Photos by Brent Peters and Vaughn Youtz

Friday, January 21, 2005. Day two of the 2005 Winter NAMM Show. Off we go to the Gibson booth where we're dazzled by this year's offerings. Here's a glimpse of the experience.

Gibson Line

Gibson's digital Les Paul captured our attention immediately. The guitar is a radical extension of the Les Paul's capabilities within the familiar Les Paul package. The pre-production model was finished in a beautiful "digital blue" and at first glance, looks just like a Les Paul. However, you quickly notice there are some differences- the control knobs, the output jack, the inlays, and the tuners are different from the traditional Les Paul. There is also an additional "digital pickup" located near the bridge that is the heart of the digital guitar.

The digital Les Paul can be used in the traditional manner, with two humbucking pickups plugged into a conventional amp. But it can also be used with the digital pickup that senses the sound of each string and converts it to a digital signal. The signal is routed through an Ethernet port, located near the traditional output jack, to Gibson's "Magic Box." The box separates the signal into six analog outputs- one for each string- that can be directed to additional processors or direct to multiple amplifiers. Additional digital adapters are on the horizon, but not available yet.

The output jack on the guitar includes a headphone jack and volume control for the headphones so that you can play the guitar at 2:00 AM without a visit from the police.

The tuners on the digital LP are unusual in that they have knurled knobs rather than conventional tuner keys. Gibson doesn't know if the production model will include the keyless tuners.

The guitar is in beta testing now, with several artists, including Lenny Kravitz and Jimmy Page, providing feedback to Gibson so that final tweaks can be made before production. Gibson doesn't have an official date for introduction at this point, but will probably release it later this year.

Other Gibson news includes the new Americana series- thin line, solid body acoustic guitars that have chambered bodies for increased resonance. An LR Baggs piezo pickup filtered by four sliders for volume and three-band EQ provides the output. Because they are essentially solid body guitars, the guitars are virtually immune to feedback. These guitars are available in two models- the Pioneer Cutaway, modeled after a J45 shape, with a retail price of $2198 (street price of $1499), and the Ranger, modeled after an L-00 shape, with a list price of $1898, and street price of $1299.

Also new is the Gibson Firebird Studio model, which looks like the traditional firebird, but has a set neck rather than neck-through design.




The Les Paul line gets a new addition with the Les Paul faded series. These guitars, available in Honey Burst, Cherry Burst, and Tobacco Burst, have a thin matte finish. The finish is attractively faded as if the guitar had been exposed to 30 or so years of sunlight. Also unique to the line are zebra Burst Bucker pickups. Models can be obtained with '50's or '60's profile necks.

New signature models on display included the Alvin Lee ES-335 Signature Model and the Neal Schon Signature Les Paul.

Epiphone/Gibson Montana Lines

Epiphone has a number of new products as well, and the image of Epiphone as budget Gibson clones seems to be changing with unique Epiphone offerings. One of these is the "guitar of the month" which will allow unique guitars to be sold through exclusive dealers across the country. There are 13 models that will be sold during the year. They include:

• The Elitist Twisted Sister Les Paul- a shocking pink-burst guitar with the Twisted Sister Bone logo included on the headstock.
  
• The "1965" G400 SG style guitar with a Maestro tremolo.
  
• The Midnight Les Paul Custom with all black hardware and 3 EMG active pickups.
  
• The Black & White Flying V, a set-neck guitar done in black and white.
  
• The Wildcat Metallic in "give me a ticket" red metallic finish
  
• The Les Paul Custom Chrome, which is an LP Custom with reflective chrome pickguard, mounting rings, hardware, and inset knobs. The guitar also includes open-coil classic alnico pickups.
  
• The USA Map Guitar. This guitar is totally unique, with a body carved in the shape of the lower 48 states. You'll impress your friends if you can pick out your state.

Epiphone's piece de resistance was the Paul McCartney Epiphone Texan guitar. Reproduced from McCartney's own 1964 Epiphone Texan, the first 40 guitars will contain every nick, scratch, and wear-mark on McCartney's original instrument. The first 40 guitars also include Paul McCartney's signature on the bout. These guitars are exact reproductions of his guitar and are built by Gibson Montana. No price has been set.



An additional run of 250 guitars will also be produced by Gibson Montana, but will have Paul McCartney's signature reproduced on the soundhole label and sell for $7998. Another run will be made in Japan and sell for $2998.

All these guitars will be available in left or right-handed configurations. Some of the profits from the sale of these instruments will go to the Adopt A Minefield Campaign, a charity that raises funds for mine clearance and promotes awareness about the problems associated with landmines.

More Gibson/Epiphone images...

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