STEINBERGER ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF NEW SYNAPSE INSTRUMENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…Nashville, Tennessee…February 19, 2005.

Steinberger, part of the Gibson family of brands, has announced three exclusive collections of exciting new Steinberger Synapse Models. The complete product line, incorporating more than a dozen new innovations from legendary guitar and bass designer Ned Steinberger, made its private debut at this year’s Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California, and won rave reviews from select music retailers and musicians from around the world.

The Synapses are offered in three model families. The Synapse Collection features 2 EMG humbuckers and a 25.5” scale length. The Synapse TransScale Collection features a 27.85” scale length with integrated rolling capo, along with 2 EMG humbucking pickups, piezo bridge pickup and active EQ. The Synapse Bass Collection features active EQ, a proprietary piezo bridge pickup system and is currently available in a 5 string with 4 and 6 string models to follow.

Ned Steinberger earned his place among the all-time great musical instrument designers with his headless bass design, featuring carbon-graphite materials, introduced in 1979. In 1987 Steinberger Sound joined the Gibson family. Gibson and Epiphone continued to offer Steinberger basses and guitars, although Ned was not affiliated with the company through the 1990s. In 2003, Ned reunited with Steinberger, bringing with him a decade’s worth of innovative ideas for guitars and basses. Those ideas are embodied in the new Synapse line.

“The new Synapse line has the greatest number of improvements and innovative features of any guitars or basses since Ned’s original headless models,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson Chairman and CEO. “We are excited to be working closely with Ned again and to showcase his inventive genius with the Synapse models.”

In addition to the product launch, Steinberger has created a new website exclusively for the Synapse line as well as the revived Steinberger USA and Spirit lines.  This marks the first time the guitar maker has a dedicated Steinberger website in over 5 years. Photos, retail prices and other features of all three model collections can be found at www.steinberger.com.

Plans for distribution of the product in the USA include an exclusive arrangement in the USA with Musician’s Friend.  Distribution outside the USA will follow.

Synapse features include:

-         Cybrosonic technology Combines our patented Steinberger Graphite U-channel with a truss rod to create an ultra-stable yet adjustable "hybrid" neck with the same definition, clarity and focus you've come to expect from Steinberger but with the added "warmth" of a 1-piece hard maple neck.

-         Phenolic fingerboard made of an ultra-stable composite material that works in conjunction with our CybroSonic technology to give the Synapse guitar consistent feel and sustain as well as brilliant harmonics with no dead spots.  Each note seems to jump off the fingerboard for that dynamic "live" quality that identifies the Steinberger sound.

-         Integrated TranScale Capo and another first from Steinberger.  With the patented TranScale Capo in the "resting" position, the Synapse is a 28.5" scale guitar with thundering bass and complex baritone voicings.  Roll the Capo up and you can change scale length "on the fly" creating completely new and unique voicings and tonal qualities.  Experiment with different string gauges for even more possibilities.

-         Combo headpieces allowing the use of both double-ball and single-ball strings.

-         Other features including USA EMG pickups with custom active electronics, a strap hook for perfect instrument balance and position, patented 40:1 direct drive tuners, zero-fret intonation, proprietary under-saddle piezo system, recessed tool holder, adjustable pickup stabilizers, recessed output jack and fold-down leg rest.

And because of the headless design, the Synapse is only 30” long making it the ultimate, full-size travel guitar.  All Synapse instruments carry a Limited Lifetime warranty.

Headquartered in Nashville, Steinberger is part of the Gibson family of brands that includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer.

STEINBERGER – STATE OF THE INSTRUMENT

CONTACTS:

Caroline Galloway   GIBSON 440-338-3469 caroline.galloway@gibson.com

Jim Rosenberg         EPIPHONE 831-469-4955 jim.rosenberg@gibson.com

Walter Carter          GIBSON  615-871-4500  walter.carter@gibson.com