Epiphone announces 14 new models for 2010
(Press Release | Posted 2009-12-14)
There was a time when Epiphone was the black sheep of the Gibson family, as the company was known for making inexpensive replicas of the more famous - and costly -Gibson models. But those days are gone, as Epiphone has stepped out of the Gibson shadow and is now producing import models that some pros say play as well as their Gibson counterparts. With 2010 right around the corner, Epiphone has announced it will release 14 new models for the new year. There's something here for every player...from Les Pauls that scream classic rock to EMG-loaded Zakk Wylde designs for headbanging mayhem. Here's a quick preview of the new models.
Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Holy Grail! Epiphone's Les Paul Standard has been a favorite guitar for years and years. Epiphone significantly "steps it up" on this Limited Edition "1959" reissue. True to it's heritage, the neck features an authentic, 1950's rounded neck profile. Often referred to as "the baseball bat", this neck feels beefy yet comfortable in your hands while adding warmth and sustain with it's greater mass. Epiphone hand fits this solid Mahogany neck into the body with an historically accurate "deep-set" long neck tenon that extends well into the neck pickup cavity creating even more tone and sustain. As is traditional with Les Paul Standards, the back of the body is solid Mahogany while the top is a carved Hard Maple cap. Making it affordable, a premium AAA grade flame Maple veneer is attached capturing the true "beauty of the burst."
At the heart of the "Tribute" Les Paul is construction. Tribute LP's feature a solid Mahogany back with a solid, carved hard Maple cap to create the ultimate combination of warmth and bite. Everyone knows that set-neck guitars provide the best rock tone and sustain and the "Tributes" take that to the next level featuring the original "deep set" neck joint. The solid Mahogany neck with hand-fitted, glued-in joint extends well into the neck pickup cavity creating maximum neck-to-body contact and acting almost like one continuous piece of wood. Combined with the Mahogany/Maple body, the result is a tribute to Les' timeless guitar design with the sound that you can only get from a Les Paul.
Epiphone brings back the Wilshire with a faithful reproduction of the 1966 model. Like an SG guitar, the Wilshire's double cutaway Mahogany body with a glued-in Mahogany neck that joins the body at the 22nd fret gives you ultimate upper fret access. Lightweight and comfortable, the Wilshire has excellent resonance and natural acoustic tone - even unplugged! Featuring Epiphone's LockTone tune-o-matic/stopbar combination, the transfer of string vibration is improved even more giving this guitar excellent sustain and clarity. Most early Epiphone guitars including the Wilshire were equipped with mini-humbucking pickups and Epiphone carries on this tradition. With its smaller size, narrow magnetic field and unique design combination, the mini-humbucker produces bright and focused output while retaining famous humbucker "hum-free" performance.
Epiphone conjures up some of it's past with the NEW Emperor Swingster. Starting with the same body and neck as used on their Emperor-II guitar and made famous by the jazz master himself, Joe Pass, Epiphone swings into action and turns it into a serious twangin', rock-a-billy slingin', country flingin' machine! With it's hand-scalloped arched Spruce top combined with a laminated arched-back Maple body and glued-in 3-piece Hard Maple neck, the Swingster has what it takes to satisfy any professional's demand for great tone.
The NEW "Inspired by" John Lennon Casinos offer the professional musician the same key features of Epiphone's acclaimed John Lennon signature U.S.A. Casinos but at a more affordable price. Also based upon the "1965" Casino and the "Revolution" Casino, these two "Inspired by" versions combine the cost-effective workmanship of Epiphone's own factory in Asia with original Gibson U.S.A. electronics including classic P-90 pickups with dog-ear, nickel plated covers and a Switchcraft(tm) made toggle and output jack.
Since it's introduction almost 20 years ago, The Special-II has met the needs of countless musicians with it's combination of Les Paul features, great tone and affordability. Now, Epiphone puts a new twist on this classic with the NEW Special-II GT. Like the Special-II, this is a full-on, in your face rockin' machine with all the same features (and more!) that you've come to expect from Epiphone.
Designed by Zakk in cooperation with Epiphone, the new Graveyard Disciple combines killer sound with equally killer looks. Shaped like a coffin, the edges of the body are tapered and "pin-striped" in silver giving it a striking visual appearance and depth while providing for a comfortable feel. Pick one up on stage and you will raise the dead!
Since it's introduction in 1958, the Explorer's angular body shape and aggressive looks has been a of favorite of rockers all over the world. Epiphone puts a new twist on this classic with the NEW Explorer-GT. Featuring a slightly smaller and lighter-weight Mahogany body (about 85%), this new GT is the most comfortable Explorer we've ever played.
Epiphone's new LP-Express captures the look, sound and feel of their famous LP's but in a slightly smaller package that's perfect for younger players or for travel use. The neck has the same basic dimensions as a full-size guitar but the scale length is only 22.0" as compared to 24.75" on a full-size Les Paul. The result is a guitar that's more comfortable to play - especially for smaller players - while still maintaining good string tension when tuned to standard "E".
