News Release:

Century’s Piano “Baldwin” embarks on its China’s Art tour

Gibson to hold piano concerts in over 40 cities in China

(March 23, 2005, Handan, Hebei Province, PRC) Baldwin, the world’s famous upscale piano manufacturer, with more than 140 years of reputation, will have an extraordinary music tour in China. Baldwin, together with the honored guests invited to the piano concert, stayed in Handan Guesthouse today to drive the tour to a climax.

The piano tour started from Nanchang city in Jiangxi Province in 3 months duration. Along the road, there will be concerts in more than 40 cities including Tianjin, Jiangxi, Hebei, Beijing, Liaoning and so. The main attendees of the events are local pianists, piano fans and piano teachers. The events are designed to promote the art of piano and enhance local piano education.

As an important part of the tour, Baldwin piano concert in Handan city has obtained full support of Gibson Guitar and its Chinese subsidiary Gibson-Baldwin China. As Baldwin represents classical standard of piano over a hundred years, the Handan concert will enjoy the endorsement from local piano masters and fans.

Baldwin will display two of its classical vertical pianos to the public during the journey. Baldwin acquired Guangdong Zhongshan Yuehua Music Instruments Corp. last year and has turned it into the first piano manufacturing base of Gibson owned in China. The technicians and crafts of the factory received professional training and strictly supervised by American headquarters which enables the excellence of Baldwin’s workmanship.

“The musical journey of Baldwin piano takes us from the best pianos in America to now the best pianos in China”, said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of parent company Gibson Guitar. “We are very excited about promoting local musical education throughout China and plan on supporting many Baldwin showcases and special events such as this tour.”

Baldwin will demonstrate a unique nine feet piano to Chinese piano fans which stands for multi-technologies of Baldwin’s patents. Chinese pianists include Zhou Guangren and Liu Shikun also being attracted by the legend of Baldwin’s nine feet piano for its perfect timbre and keys. Both teachers and students of Handan Music Institutions amazed to the quality of Baldwin pianos.

Another highlight of this journey, Baldwin will invite American famous pianist Vladimir Viardo to have the performance and promotion in China and Hebei province. Viardo came to China with Baldwin’s piano tour for performances last year which impressed most Chinese music fans,” said Mr. William Zhou, General Manager of Gibson-Baldwin China.

About Gibson Guitar

Gibson Guitar is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument.  Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, MI, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corporation's family of brands includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland and Maestro.  Baldwin, founded in 1862 in Cincinnati, Ohio (U.S), is one of the oldest and most respected American piano makers, and the Baldwin Company, which also includes Wurlitzer, joined the Gibson family in 2001.  Gibson's new digital guitar represents the biggest technological advance for the electric guitar since the instrument was invented 70 years ago.  Visit Gibson's website at www.gibson.com or www.gibson.com/press.

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Contacts:

William Zhou                          Gibson China +8621 51168490                 William@gibson.cn

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

Michael Huang  Weber Shandwick +8621 63224494      mhuang@webershandwick.com