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Friday August 1st, 2003

Legendary Les Paul signs first-ever Gibson piano; One of 100 Gibson Studios from Baldwin Piano

Legendary guitarist Les Paul, whose signature launched Gibson's first solidbody electric guitar in 1952, has "signed off" on another major Gibson product line - the first Gibson piano. The visionary inventor and musician visited Gibson in Nashville during the recent Summer NAMM show and assigned his autograph to the first limited edition Gibson Studio piano made by Baldwin. The upright model sports the same "cherry sunburst" finish as Gibson's most famous Les Paul guitars.

Making his first trip to Nashville since recording the 1976 Grammy winning Chester and Lester with the late Chet Atkins, the 88-year-old Paul also visited Gibson's Baldwin Piano Showcase, where he signed the upper frames (upper cabinet front) of the entire limited edition of 100 Gibson Les Paul pianos. Each limited edition piano will sport an original autograph by the legendary artist himself.

"We are thrilled to have Les Paul put his magical touch on our pianos. Les adds a distinction to Gibson Studio model like no other performer of our time, and we're honored to have him as part of our Gibson family for over 50 years now," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Corp.

Les signs first Gibson Studio as Baldwin's David Davis (r) looks on

"Baldwin is taking one of the most popular guitar finishes of all time and giving the piano a hip, new styling," Juszkiewicz said. "The Gibson Studio model brings the excitement of the early days of electric solidbody guitar design to the more traditional world of acoustic pianos."

In addition to the guitar-like finish, the piano features a rich cherry Lyptus body with arms shaped like a guitar, legs shaped like two guitar necks joined at the fretboard, feet in the shape of the top of a headstock, the Gibson logo inlaid in the center of the upper frame, guitar-style tuner buttons for the piano pulls, and brass hardware. Lyptus, obtained from hybrid noble eucalyptus trees, is a high-quality hardwood grown on environmentally responsible plantations in Brazil.

Baldwin Model 243 is the best-selling studio piano of all time, with nearly half a million instruments sold since its introduction in 1939. The 243 features Baldwin's responsive Full-Blow action and grand piano-like tone, due in part to a No. 1 bass string length that equals Baldwin's 5-foot, 8-inch R grand.

Les Paul is the world's most famous guitarist and the leading proponent of the solidbody electric guitar. He joined forces with Gibson to create the Gibson Les Paul model. Paul's endorsement agreement with Gibson eventually became the most successful in the history of musical instruments, and the distinctive, trademarked Gibson Les Paul body shape is now recognized around the world as an icon for rock and roll music.

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, introduced in 2002, 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, Tobias, Slingerland, Trace Elliot, Maestro.

Baldwin has been "America's Favorite Piano" since 1862, when former music teacher D.H. Baldwin opened his music store in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the turn of the twentieth century, Baldwin pianos won international awards, and by the end of the century Baldwin was the largest American piano maker. Baldwin joined Gibson Guitar Corp. in 2001, and is now headquartered in Nashville. The Baldwin family of brands includes Wurlitzer, Chickering, Ellington and D.H. Baldwin.

For more information about the Gibson Studio and full line of American-made Baldwin pianos, visit your nearest Baldwin dealer.

Baldwin Piano welcomes communication with our customers. Call 1.800.876.2976 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak personally with one of our piano experts, or email your questions and comments about Baldwin and Baldwin instruments.