Epiphone Guitar of the Month Series

by Tom Watson

Thinking of a new addition to your guitar collection? You might want to consider one (or more) of Epiphone's [website] new "Guitar of the Month" series.

Metallic Wildkats, chrome Les Pauls, and a map of the USA, highlight the series that will debut in 2005. The 13-guitar, limited-edition collection features favorite Epiphone and Gibson models with special finishes, hardware and pickups. Each comes with a "Limited Edition" logo on the back of the headstock. The first guitars will appear in stores in April and the series will continue into 2006.

Only 500 of each instrument in the series will be made. While in the past, limited production runs tended to equal crippling expense, making quirky models the reserve of the well-heeled international rock star and resigning everyone else to more traditional models, Epiphone plans to change all that.

Each month will see the release of a different guitar, every one totally unique and available in strictly limited numbers. While based on legendary models from the past, Epiphone will customise each instrument with special finishes, hardware, pickups and trimmings to make them genuine collector's items.

Large images of the Guitar of the Month Series: Wildkat-Metallic | Les Paul Custom "Chrome" | USA Map Guitar | "Worn" SG-Special Zebra | Les Paul Studio Deluxe | Thunderbird IV Bass | Twisted Sister Elitist Les Paul Standard | "1965" SG-400 with Maestro Tremolo | "Midnight" Les Paul Custom | Les Paul Custom 3-Plus | Special-II "Zebra" | "Black & White" '67 Flying-V | Wildkat Deluxe

The Wildkat-Metallic has the same traditional f-hole archtop design as the the popular Epiphone Wildkat series, but with the customized look of a gorgeous Red Metallic finish. See large image »

The Les Paul Custom "Chrome" adds a flashy, glamorous touch to the "Black Beauty" with chrome pickguard, chrome mounting rings, chrome hardware and chrome insert knobs. Open-coil Alnico Classic pickups complete the package. See large image »

The USA Map guitar is based on early '80s promotional Epiphone and Gibson guitars with bodies cut into the shape of a map of the United States. The new USA Map model has a solid mahogany body and a three-piece maple neck, and it comes with a gig bag. See large image »

The"Worn" SG-Special Zebra creates a vintage vibe as it brings the popular "worn" finish to Epi's top-selling SG Special, with the extra attraction of Zebra-coil (cream/back) humbucking pickups. See large image »

The Les Paul Studio Deluxe dresses up one of the favorite Les Paul models with gold-plated hardware and covered humbucking pickups. See large image »

The Thunderbird IV bass, one of the most recognizable body shapes in the guitar world, features a gleaming, eye-catching Alpine White finish. See large image »

The Twisted Sister Elitist Les Paul Standard pays tribute to infamous glam rock band with a unique Twisted Pinkburst finish, Bone logo on the headstock and guitarist Jay Jay French's name on the truss rod cover. See large image »

The "1965" G-400 with Maestro Tremolo harkens back to the first wave of SG-style guitars with an original-style Maestro tremolo, complete with pearloid tip. See large image »

The "Midnight" Les Paul Custom takes the "Black Beauty" to a new level with a translucent black finish over a flame maple top, black hardware and a pair of black, EMG-81 pickups. See large image »

The Les Paul Custom 3-Plus sports three Alnico Classic pickups and chrome hardware. See larger image »

The Special-II "Zebra" is a truly special version of Epi's best-selling model, featuring Wine Red finish and Zebra-coil pickups. See larger image »

The "Black &White" '67 Flying-V makes a striking visual statement, and its set-neck construction will make it a player's favorite. See larger image »

The Wildkat Deluxe brings the series full-circle with another beautiful Wildkat treatment, this time featuring the flame maple top through a TransWhite finish, enhanced by gold-plated hardware. See larger image »