GIBSON GUITAR TAKES AMPS SERIOUSLY WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW AMPLIFICATION LINE

Musical Giant Produces New Line of Epiphone and Gibson Amps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE….Nashville, Tennessee… February 14, 2005…New Gibson and Epiphone amplifiers offer guitarists “golden era” all-tube tone as well as modern solid-state value. Designed by Gibson Labs, the technology division of Gibson Guitar, the new amp lines offer the perfect amp for every style of music and every performance situation, range from hand-crafted, 5-watt, all-tube practice/studio amps to a 100-watt powerhouse head with 4 x 12" cabinet, from the ultimate affordability of the Epi line to the ultimate in amplifier design, represented by Gibson’s collaboration with noted amp builder Michael Soldano on the “Gold Top” model.

The new line of amplifiers offer great tone, flawless engineering and an uncompromised approach to quality, while the distinctive look and design concepts pay tribute to the golden era of amplification craft.

Epiphone has broken new ground in value amplification for guitars with the Epiphone Valve Series all-tube Class A amps, plus the Epiphone E-Series line of solid-state amps.

The Valve Series features Epi’s first all-tube, Class A, single-ended amplifier, a DSP-loaded version and a DSP 15-watt amplifier. No other amp line offers so much boutique tone and value in a single package:

-Valve Series Junior (MSRP $199.99): a single-ended, Class A amplifier in a slick retro cabinet with a special design 8" speaker and 5 watts of power.

-Valve Series Special (MSRP $369.99): the same great amp as the Junior with 16 DSP Selections and separate DSP Reverb, a 10" speaker and XXX watts.

-Valve Series Standard (MSRP $659.99) is a 15-watt Class A, push-pull monster, with 16 DSP Selections, separate DSP Reverb, a 12" speaker and a gutsy musical preamp section. 

The E-Series models offer great tone, modern features and unique style in a solid-state amp. Each model is cleverly designed and appointed with enough technology to enhance great tone:

Firefly 30 DSP

-30 watts, featuring E-Valve Tube Tone Circuitry

-2 Channels

-16 DSP Selections

-Separate DSP Reverb

-Special design 10" speaker

-MSRP $249.99

Triggerman 60 DSP

-60W, Featuring E-Valve Tube Tone Circuitry

-2 Channels

-16 DSP Selections

-Separate DSP Reverb

-Special Design 12" speaker

-MSRP $389.99

Triggerman 100H DSP

-100-watt head version of Triggerman 60

-MSRP: $499.99

Trigger Cab

-4 X 12" special design speakers

-Mono/Stereo

-280-watt handling

-MSRP: $389.99

Regent 230 DSP Acoustic Amp

-Two channels, 1 instrument, 1 vocal/instrument

-2 Individual channels of 16 DSP selections

-XLR Input on vocal channel

-2 X 6.5" special design speakers

-Notch filler

-HF horn for highs

-MSRP: $389.99

The Gibson Guitar Amplification Line is a hand-built, premium line offered by the world’s premiere musical instrument manufacturer:

GA-5

-5-watt, Class A, single-ended, hand built, point-to-point

-8" special design ceramic magnet speaker

-Available in vintage Tolex, plexiglass and hardwood cabinets

-Starting MSRP: $719.99

GA-20RVT

-15-watt Class A, hand built, point-to-point with 2 channels plus mix

-Tube Reverb

-Tube Tremolo

-Pentode/Triode switch

-12" Eminence Legend speaker

-In two-tone Vintage Brown and Tan Tolex

-MSRP $1199.99

GA-40RVT

-30-watt Class A, hand built, point-to-point with 2 channels plus mix

-Tube Reverb

-Tube Tremolo

-Pentode/Triode switch

-12" Eminence Legend speaker

-Constructed of 13-layer Baltic birch plywood

-In two-tone Vintage Brown and Tan Tolex

-MSRP $1439.99

GA-50H

-50-watt Class AB head, hand built, point-to-point with 2 channels

-Tube-driven FX loop

-Pentode/Triode switch

-Constructed of 13-layer Baltic birch plywood

-In two-tone Vintage Brown and Tan Tolex

-MSRP $1559.99

GA-412

-Stereo and Mono switch

-Constructed of 13-layer Baltic bBirch plywood

-4 X 12" Eminence Legend speakers

-In two-tone Vintage Brown and Tan Tolex

-MSRP$959.99

Power Stealth (Best of Breed power attenuation)

-Available in 4.8 and 16 ohm models

-XLR balanced and ¼" Line Outs for recording and live

-Bright and Deep switches

-Auto On/Off fan helps to minimize fan noise an reduce heat

-Gibson Goldtop finish

-Allows high powered amp tone at small studio volumes

-MSRP:$399.99

A total of five additional models of amplifiers are being produced as a joint partnership between Gibson Labs and Soldano Custom Amplification. The partnership’s first offering, the “Gold Top” will be followed by four other amplifiers to be announced in mid-2005. The Gibson “Gold Top” is a distinguished take on Michael Soldano’s flagship amplifier the SLO100. Each amplifier will be hand-signed and numbered by Michael Soldano. Along with the signature, each amplifier will come with a hardcover photo album documenting its specific crafting from start to finish.

Hi-res images for downloading of all amps currently available are at www.gibsonamps.com or www.gibson.com/press.

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, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Valley Arts, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson’s website at www.gibson.com.

QUALITY . PRESTIGE . INNOVATION

Contacts:

Caroline Galloway         Gibson                          (440) 338-3469 caroline.galloway@gibson.com

Walter Carter                Gibson                          (615) 871-4500 walter.carter@gibson.com

Jason Padgitt                 Rogers & Cowan          (310) 854-8840 jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com