Gibson Guitar Custom Shop Inspired By Series

The Inspired By series of guitars from the Gibson Custom Shop represents a limited-edition collection of instruments inspired by, and in most cases built to the exact specifications of, a wide variety of celebrity Gibson guitar players.

Click title or photo for larger images and instrument specifications.

Gibson Inspired By Zakk Wylde Flying V Custom
Gibson Custom is proud to pay tribute to one of the most influential and distinctive guitarists of the past 20 years with the Zakk Wylde Flying V Custom, part of the Inspired By series. Gibson Custom and Zakk worked closely to build a guitar like no other—"just like the guitarist it honors" its says in the product brochure. According to the Gibson Custom forum, no more than 300 guitars are expected to be produced. Expect to pay around $4,500 USD. (Zakk Wylde interview on Modern Guitars)


Gibson Inspired By Warren Haynes Model
From his start with country hell raiser David Allen Coe, to 16 years with the Allman Brothers, to the heavy and melodic improvisation of Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes has blazed a trail that draws on the best of American music. With the voice of an old-school soul shouter and the guitar prowess of a legend, Haynes is both a formidable band leader and a blistering sideman. And with his carefully crafted Les Paul Standard, including active pre-amp, TonePros locking bridge and tailpiece, bone nut and unique Haynes Burst finish, the Gibson Custom Shop welcomes Warren into the Inspired By series of great artists and great guitars. (Warren Haynes interview on Modern Guitars)


Gibson Inspired By Johnny A. Standard
A true “guitarist’s guitarist,” Johnny A. is a unique musical talent whose diverse taste allows him to explore everything from progressive rock and jazz fusion, to jump blues and straight-up rock-n-roll. When he collaborated with the famed luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop on the Johnny A. Signature Model in 2003, the result was an instant classic. With the Inspired By Johnny A. Standard, the Custom Shop takes that bold design and adds a carved mahogany top and other appointments that remain true to the original while delivering a stunning tonal and visual statement all its own. (Johnny A. interview on Modern Guitars)


Gibson Inspired By Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V
Inspired by Jimi Hendrix's hand-painted 1967 Gibson Flying V that Hendrix used in 1967 and 1968 European tours. The Inspired By Gibson is its Custom Shop's faithful reproduction of the famous instrument. The artwork was re-created by artist Bruce Kunkel.




Gibson Inspired By Roy Orbison ES-335
Based on the early '80s ES-335 Roy Orbison used in the studio and on-stage with the Travelling Wilburys and seen on the 1987 television concert Black and White Nights. The Gibson Custom Shop derived its specifications from the examination of two same-period ES-335s that Orbison used and consultations with his wife, Barbara.



Gibson Inspired By Peter Frampton Les Paul Special
Peter Frampton's 1958 Les Paul Junior served as the base inspiration for this truly customized Inspired By instrument that combines features from both the '58 Junior and the Gibson Custom Shop Peter Frampton Signature Les Paul Custom. Instead of the humbuckers used on the Les Paul Signature model, the Inspired By guitar has three independently wired single coil P-90s.




Gibson Inspired By Kiefer Sutherland ES-336
The Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present the Kiefer Sutherland Inspired By KS-336. Designed in close cooperation with the legendary film actor and star of the hit series 24, the KS-336 is based on a Custom Shop CS-336 model that Sutherland fell in love with. The Kiefer 336 features a tonally chambered back and sides made from a single piece of mahogany. The top is carved, two-piece maple. The top finish is based on the unique look of an aged Goldtop—Custom has affectionately named the color Kiefer Gold. The fretboard is ebony, with a classic Super 400-style inlay. The hardware is aged nickel and the guitar has a bone nut. The pickups are Gibson ’57 Classic Plus humbuckers. The result is the beautiful and distinctive KS-336, a unique and exciting addition to Custom’s critically acclaimed Inspired By series.


Gibson Inspired By Elliot Easton SG
Gibson Custom continues the exciting Inspired By series with a beautiful two-pickup SG Custom designed to the exacting specifications of guitarist Elliot Easton. A founding member of groundbreaking hit makers the Cars, Easton’s amazing career has spanned nearly three decades. For his Inspired By model, Elliot started with a classic three-pickup Gibson SG Custom design, and added his own unique modifications. The Inspired By Elliot Easton Custom SG is offered in two eye-catching colors—Pelham Blue and Classic White. With a historically accurate Maestro vibrato that sports Easton’s own Tiki-man engraving, the Custom SG represents another exciting collaboration between the greatest guitar builders and the most popular guitarists of all time. Available in both right and left-handed models.


Gibson Inspired By John Sykes Les Paul Custom
Based on John Sykes' 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom that Sykes has used throughout his almost 30 year career. "The guitar has seen a lot of blood, sweat, and teaers," John marvels, "I've played it for 26 years, and I wouldn't sell it for a million bucks." The Gibson Custom Shop has re-created the guitar Sykes used during his whirlwind years with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy.