Epiphone breaks out two 5-string basses, 2 new Super Jumbo acoustics</B>

For over 100 years, Epiphone is widely known as a producer of top quality musical instruments at affordable prices. From its beginnings in Greece in the 1800s, Epiphone became a major competitor to Gibson in the decades that followed, producing the highest quality archtops, electric guitars and basses. Always the innovator, Epiphone is also credited with introducing the first pickup with individual pole pieces.

Tomorrow at the opening of the industry tradeshow, NAMM, Epiphone continues this amazing legacy by offering four ground-breaking instruments--the only 5-string Les Paul bass, the first ever 5-string SG bass available, as well as two versions of the famed Super Jumbo acoustic guitar.

For summer NAMM, Epiphone introduces the following new instruments:

Les Paul Standard 5-String Bass

The great guitarist and inventor, Les Paul turned 85 years-old in June. Les is credited for inventing a host of things are the foundation of the modern recording industry, such as multi-track recording, reverb and delay. But no invention of Les can compare to the solid body musical instrument that bears his name. The Les Paul guitar changed the face of rock and roll forever, and the distinctive shape of the instrument has evolved with the master.

Epiphone, which was known as the finest American producer of basses in the 1930s, is now proud to offer the only 5-string Les Paul bass available.

In the current (July, 2000) issue of Guitar World Magazine, the editors rave about this prized instrument, saying, "This bass really pounds out the low end. Upper end melodies enjoy slabs of warm sustain and sweet tones...the rotary switch includes some great hollow and snappy flavors...it is undeniably one handsome bass."

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard 5-String Bass features a violin-quality flame maple top, mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlays, set maple neck, two OBL dual rail pickups, chrome hardware, 34 scale, 5-position rotary selector, and chrome hardware.

Go here to see the 5-string Les Paul bass and get the details.

EB-3 5 String Bass

Like the legendary Les Paul, the distinctive SG shape also played a defining role in the history of rock and roll. From its early guitar brethren, made famous by artists like Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, the SG shape has evolved into the new millennium and remains one of the most sought after musical instruments -- bass and guitar alike.

Epiphone now offers the very first SG bass in a 5-string version, the EB-3 5-string Bass.

Like its brother, the EB-3 4-string, this bass features an ultra thin body, lightning fast neck and the distinctive SG cutaway shape. With a set maple neck, mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard with trapezoid inlay, OBL dual rail pickups, 5-position rotary selector, chrome hardware, and 34 scale, this bass certainly lives up to the legendary sound and reputation of an SG.

Go here to check out the Epiphone EB-3 4-string bass guitar.

SJ-18S Acoustic

The Gibson Super Jumbo acoustic guitar was born in 1934 as the result of a need for bigger, louder instruments. The oversized guitar delivered a superior tone that became the benchmark for acoustic guitars that still exists today.

Epiphone, who earlier this year took home a Players Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar magazine for "Best Steel String Guitar Up To $500," offers the legendary tone of a Super Jumbo in a new, affordable solid spruce top model, the SJ-18S.

The SJ-18S features mahogany back and sides, a solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard with split diamond inlays, and gold hardware.

This guitar truly embodies the famed tone and quality build of the original, but is offered at a highly affordable price.

Jump here to see the Epiphone SJ-18 acoustic guitar.

SJ-18SCE Acoustic

Epiphone presents the SJ-18SCE, the first affordable Super Jumbo with a revolutionary new built-in preamp system.

The SJ-18SCE features all the amenities of the SJ-18S Acoustic, including mahogany back and sides, a solid spruce top, cutaway body, gold hardware, and a rosewood fingerboard with split diamond inlays.

However, this new guitar also features the Epiphonic Six Chorus Preamp system. Developed in conjunction with Electar Labs and Shadow Electronics, this system is extremely innovative, combining the worlds first all-surface mount, VISI technology, components that have been laser-trimmed to tolerances within under 5% for capacitors and under 1% for resistors, an extremely low (0.08%) maximum distortion in the flat EQ position, an anti-feedback switch, sub-bass control, ceramic piezo, and a built-in chorus.

All told, this exceptional guitar is packed with performance, value and tone.

Go here to see the Epiphone SJ-18SCE acoustic guitar.

For the big picture of all musical products from Epiphone just go right here.