Epiphone Highlights Several New Guitar Models at Musikmesse 2008

Press release
Source: Gibson Guitar

Tradition meets innovation and the future is foretold when Epiphone unveils its new Prophecy Collection at this year’s Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, March 12-15, 2008 in Hall 4.2-Booth F19. Musikmesse is the world’s leading international trade fair for musical instruments now celebrating 25 years. With over 1, 600 exhibitors from 48 countries, Musikmesse 2008 will break new attendance records.

The New Epiphone Prophecy Collection features four distinct shapes that all share common features. In addition to the guitar style, the model is either an EX (EMG active or the new EpiActive pickups), GX (Gibson USA Pickups) or FX (Original Floyd Rose Tremolo. Common features include highly figured Quilt Maple tops, 24-fret SpeedTaper satin necks, jumbo frets, unique “blade” inlays, Epiphone’s new patent applied for Straplocks, hand-stained colors and eye-catching Pearl knobs. Because they are all “Customs,” they all have bound bodies and necks. The new Epiphone Prophecy Collection takes advantage of all of the design work and testing Epiphone has been doing over the past three years.

The all new Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II is taking the industry by storm and was recently awarded the Guitar World Platinum Award. Based upon the Les Paul Ultra, the Ultra II adds a NanoMag low impedance pick up embedded into the fingerboard and custom electronics to create a Les Paul that is not only capable of blistering, electric guitar riffs but also shimmering acoustic-like tones. Finishes include Midnight Ebony and Faded Cherry Burst.

The Epiphone Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top was designed in close cooperation with Slash. The guitar features glued-in mahogany neck with vintage correct long neck tenon, typically found on the Les Pauls of the late 1950s. Other features include a neck profile patterned after the neck on Slash’s original Les Paul, two Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro – II, open coil humbuckers, solid mahogany body with a highly figured flame maple top and Slash’s favorite Dark Tobacco Burst finish. The guitar also features Epiphone’s new LockTone stopbar/Tune-o-matic system that secures the bridge and tailpiece to the guitar even without strings while adding as much as 20 percent more sustain. The exclusive guitar will also come with Slash accessories and a certificate of authenticity.

Epiphone fretted instruments, amplifiers, strings and accessories are known worldwide for offering the best combination of quality, performance and value. One of Gibson’s most formidable competitors through the first half of the 20th century, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson in 1957. Headquartered in Nashville, Epiphone is a part of the Gibson family of brands.

For more information on Epiphone go to www.epiphone.com.