join the mailing list! add | remove

Tuesday October 14th, 2003

Les Paul celebrates Gibson Labs' award-winning technology, new amp at AES show

Gibson Labs, the technology division of Gibson Guitar Corp., showcased its latest innovations at this years Audio Engineering Society (AES) Convention Friday, October 10, 2003 to Monday, October 13, 2003 at New Yorks Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center. But the "star of the show" was 88-year-old wunderkind Les Paul who offered a sneak peek of the new Gibson Les Paul Jr. amplifier.

We are thrilled to have Les Paul put his magical touch on yet another Gibson product line, said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Corp. Les adds a distinction to the Gibson Labs amps like no other performer of our time, and were honored to have him as part of our Gibson family for over 50 years now.

Featuring four of the most talked about products and award winning technology, the Gibson Labs exhibit also showcased the Gibson MaGIC-enabled Digital Guitar, which won the CES Innovations Award for 2003, the Gibson Indestructible amplifiers, which received the prestigious 2003 California Design Awards and the MaGIC connectivity protocol which won a PAR Award at AES in 2001.

Country-blues star and slide guitar hero Lee Roy Parnell joined Les Paul at the Gibson Labs booth Sunday to demonstrate the digital guitar, the Les Paul Jr. amplifier and play for guests on his new Gibson Custom Signature CS-336.

Andy Turner, amp designer, Shri Arora, Gibson Labs general manager , Lee Roy Parnell holding the digital guitar, Les Paul and Michael McWhorter, amp designer

The GA-5 Les Paul Junior amplifier was Gibsons most popular amplifier of the 1950s. The new model features vintage Class A tube technology with point-to-point wiring and produces 6 watts RMS power output. With an 8-inch Gibson Goldtone speaker and no tone controls or effects other than a volume control, the Les Paul Junior amp offers sensitive response and Gibson Pure tone. Les Paul is the worlds most famous guitarist. He joined forces with Gibson to create the Gibson Les Paul model in 1952, and his endorsement agreement with Gibson eventually became the most successful in the history of musical instruments. The distinctive, trademarked Gibson Les Paul body shape is now recognized around the world as an icon for rock and roll music.

Here's an exclusive AES photo gallery:

Les gets his first glimpse of the new Les Paul Jr. amplifier.

Les Paul signed autographs for adoring fans at the booth.

Les autographs the new amplifier.

Shri Arora describes the technology behind the Magic-enabled Digital Les Paul.

Lee Roy Parnell gives the amp its first test with his Gibson CS-336.

The Gibson Indestructible amplifier