"Gibson debuts Epiphone's Inspired by Custom series with acclaimed vintage classics"
Introducing the New Vintage-Inspired Epiphone Acoustic Guitars
Epiphone has unveiled a new line of acoustic guitars, the Inspired by Gibson Custom range. These guitars, developed in collaboration with Gibson Custom at their Bozeman facility, aim to bring Gibson Custom Shop quality to a more accessible price range.
The new collection features six vintage-inspired models, each with solid wood construction, thermally aged tops, and premium appointments that closely replicate classic Gibson models.
Solid Wood Construction and Premium Appointments
At the heart of each model is a solid top, mostly thermally aged Sitka spruce, combined with backs and sides made of solid mahogany, rosewood, or figured maple. The models in the range include the 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, classic 1960 Hummingbird, 1963 Dove, Hummingbird Deluxe EC, and the Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue.
Necks are typically mahogany or maple with rosewood or ebony fingerboards, featuring vintage-correct features like a V-shaped mahogany neck or two-piece maple neck with a rosewood center strip. Bracing uses scalloped X-bracing for enhanced resonance and tone.
Hardware includes historically accurate Gibson open-book headstocks, open-back or gold-plated tuners, mother-of-pearl inlays, and tune-o-matic bridges. Many models come equipped with an onboard L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup system for modern amplification.
Models Highlights
- The 1960 Hummingbird, favored by Keith Richards and Thom Yorke, has a thermally aged solid spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides, mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, and a rosewood bridge. It also features a one-piece mahogany neck with a rounded profile.
- The Hummingbird Deluxe EC, with its thermally aged solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, offers enhanced resonance, deeper bass, and sparkling highs.
- The 1963 Dove, priced at $1,399, boasts figured maple back and sides and a mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlay design.
- The 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue, priced at $1,299, has a thermally aged solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a V-shaped mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard.
- The 1957 SJ-200 Reissue, with its Sitka spruce top, figured maple back and sides, flame maple neck, and bound Indian rosewood fingerboard, features a Moustache bridge and mother-of-pearl graduated Crown inlays on the fingerboard and headstock.
- The Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, also priced at $1,299, offers a thermally aged solid Sitka spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, and a rosewood bridge.
Finishes and Cases
The guitars feature 'open book' headstocks, rosewood fingerboards, and vintage gloss finishes. Historic-inspired hard cases are included with the guitars.
Catering to Players Seeking Authentic Vintage-Style Acoustics
These guitars blend vintage vibe and modern playability with high-end tonewoods and appointments, catering to players seeking authentic vintage-style acoustics without vintage prices. With prices starting at around $1,299 MSRP, the Inspired by Gibson Custom range offers a premium line of guitars within Epiphone's price range.
- The new Epiphone collection, known as the Inspired by Gibson Custom range, includes six revered models, such as the 1960 Hummingbird, favored by Keith Richards and Thom Yorke, and the 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue.
- Each model in the Inspired by Gibson Custom range boasts a solid top, skillfully combined with backs and sides made of solid mahogany, rosewood, or figured maple, while hardware includes historically accurate Gibson open-book headstocks and tune-o-matic bridges.
- The 1963 Dove, priced at $1,399, and the Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood Reissue, also priced at $1,299, are part of this vintage-inspired line, providing guitar players with a blend of vintage style, modern playability, and high-end tonewoods.
- These guitars, developed with Gibson Custom at their Bozeman facility, are designed to offer Gibson Custom Shop quality at a more accessible price range, making them attractive gadgets for technology-driven musicians seeking authentic acoustic guitars.
