NEW MODELS, SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES AND TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT GIBSON GUITAR OFFERINGS AT WINTER NAMM 2005
The Traveling Songwriter, Gibson Custom Jimmy Page Signature Model, Paul McCartney Epiphone Texan, Custom Alvin Lee Model and Custom Baldwin Pianos Only a Sampling of Gibson’s Innovative NAMM Exhibit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE… Nashville, Tennessee…January 15, 2005
Gibson Guitar, the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer, will exhibit an array of exciting new products at this year’s Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California, January 20-23, 2005. The Gibson booth is always a hangout for entertainment celebrities, and Gibson/Epiphone artists scheduled to appear at the booth this year include Twisted Sister’s Jay Jay French, techno-guitarist Wayne Static, former Doobie Brother Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Camp Freddy’s Billy Morrison and Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame.
Gibson’s continued focus on new and innovative products can be seen in the vast selection of outstanding new models and technology. Every division of the guitar giant will be exhibiting in Gibson booths:
Gibson guitar family and Gibson Audio (Gibson, Epiphone, Valley Arts, Tobias, Steinberger, Kramer, Wurlitzer): Room #204A (On 2nd Floor)
Baldwin piano family (Baldwin, Hamilton): Room #203A (On 2nd Floor)
Slingerland Drums: Booth #2965 Hall D
Gibson Original (mandolins, banjos and Dobros): Booth #1421 Hall E
Gibson Custom will give visitors a first-look at the new Alvin Lee ES-335 complete with the same “Peace” signs as the guitar Lee wielded in Woodstock. The Neal Schon signature model, designed by the guitar-slinging leader will make its debut. Custom will also shows its Jimmy Page Signature and Duane Eddy Signature guitars. More information available at www.gibsoncustom.com.
One of the most exciting new Gibson guitars comes from the Gibson Acoustic division, based in Bozeman, Montana. The Traveling Songwriter features a unique body style that is thin but hollow. The Sitka spruce top is designed with dome construction and the same scalloped bracing pattern as Gibsons from the 1930s, for true acoustic tone. The body shape, from Gibson’s historic square-shoulder family, along with the famous Moustache™ bridge, give the Traveling Songwriter an unmistakably Gibson look. The Traveling Songwriter is the only professional-quality guitar designed for easy travel. Gibson Acoustic will also unveil the J-45N, a modernized version of its legendary “workhorse” model, with natural finish and acoustic-electric capabilities. More information available on www.gibson.com.
Epiphone, part of the Gibson family of brands, will offer new acoustic, electric and bluegrass models. The Paul McCartney Texan, replicated from the guitar McCartney used on “Yesterday” leads an impressive group of new models that includes the Les Paul Ultra, Nick Valensi Riviera and the Epiphone “Guitars of the Month” series. A Bluegrass Epiphone MB-500 banjo will also debut. More information available on www.epiphone.com.
Gibson’s focus on technology continues with the launch of the Gibson Digital Guitar and an entire line of new Gibson Amplifiers. The highly acclaimed digital guitar utilizes Gibson’s patented MaGIC digital transport protocol and offers six separate digital signals – one for each string – providing the player with myriad tonal and panning possibilities. The first limited-production run will feature a blue finish and special tuner and control knobs. Gibson Audio combines technology and nostalgia in the new Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox, the most comprehensive home music system offered anywhere. The new “digital jukeboxes” are designed specifically for the home and will be sold under the world’s most famous jukebox name – Wurlitzer. While the name Wurlitzer can conjure up images of bubbles, colored light tubes and ’50s diners, the new Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox is in a different category altogether, featuring a sleek, contemporary design and cutting-edge functionality that makes it the most comprehensive digital music solution to date. More information on the digital guitar and the digital jukebox can be found at www.gibson.com/press.
The new Gibson Amplification line from Gibson Labs is uncompromised in tone and quality. With distinctive looks and simple robust design concepts, these hand-crafted amplifiers pay tribute to the golden era of amplification design. The hand-wired series is simply the finest amplification available to guitar players today. Models include the GA5, GA20RVT, GA40RVT, GA50H, GA412 and the Power Stealth attenuator. Information on the line can be seen on www.gibsonamps.com or www.gibson.com.
The Gibson Original Acoustic Instrument division (OAI) is offering some of the world’s most legendary bluegrass models available today. From the Earl Scruggs Flint Hill Special banjo to the Phil Leadbetter Dobro and the Doyle Lawson mandolin, exhibitors will be able to hear the street balladry of the traditional American music from the Gibson Original booth located in Hall E at Booth #1421 More information on models can be found at www.gibson.com
America’s favorite piano company, Baldwin, will showcase three levels of of pianos including Custom models and the ConcertMaster Player Piano. The new shiny black grand piano with nickel-plated hardware exhibited at the Baldwin room #203B on the 2nd floor will be one of the first off the line. Baldwin joined Gibson Guitar Corp in 2001. The Baldwin family of brands includes Hamilton, Wurlitzer, Chickering and D.H. Baldwin. Baldwin Piano is the largest U.S. manufacturer of keyboard instruments and is literally changing the face of the classic piano. With colors and unique custom models which will be exhibited, Baldwin is moving far beyond the traditional black and brown. The effort has already resulted in some of today’s hottest rock and pop acts performing with Baldwin including Evanescence, Linkin’ Park, Train and Ben Jelen. For more information on the Baldwin pianos to be exhibited go to www.baldwinpiano.com.
Exhibitors will have the chance to take a sneak peak at many of the products being displayed by Gibson USA. The Gibson Americana series with its upgraded features including a preamp system 3-band EQ and L.R. Baggs pickup is Gibson USA’s newest acoustic/electric model. The division is also exhibiting new basses series, including a 5-string Thunderbird Studio, Les Paul Double-Cutaway, Continental Smartwood 5-string and the SG Bass. For more information on all the models to be displayed by Gibson USA go to www.gibson.com/press.
The Gibson Gear division will exhibit the strings, accessories, pickups and parts that are critical to the performance of every Gibson guitar, featuring signature string sets from Les Paul, B.B. King and Slash, signature pickups from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and a wide array of products ranging from picks to straps, from tuners to Tourwear.
Representatives from every division of Gibson Guitar will be present during NAMM to answer any questions or provide detailed information on each model.
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson’s digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, MI, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com
CONTACT:
Caroline Galloway GIBSON caroline.galloway@gibson.com (440) 338-3469
Walter Carter GIBSON walter.carter@gibson.com (615) 871-4500
Jason Padgitt ROGERS & COWAN jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com 310-854-8140