Les Paul 1915 – 2009
By now you’ll have heard the very sad news that Les Paul has died, aged 94. There’s little I can add here to the glowing tributes that have already come from some of the biggest names in the business. Except [...]
How To Make A Gibson Les Paul
It’s not an Epi, but it’s the next best thing From Guitarist: How To Make A Gibson Les Paul. Gibson has posted an exhaustive factory visit-style piece that details the processes involved in putting together a US-made Gibson Les Paul. [...]
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Flame Top Review
About.com has a review of a second-hand Epiphone Les Paul Standard Flame Top right here. There’s nothing new in it for those of us who love our Epi Les Pauls already, but if you’re trying to decide whether or not [...]
Epiphone 1962 Wilshire Custom Historic USA
In the build up to Namm, Epiphone has announced a few new models, including this 1962 Wilshire Custom Historic USA. Part of what Epiphone calls its Historic Custom USA collection, the 1962 Wilshire re-issue commemorates the solid body guitars the company made in the late-fifties and sixties in Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory.
Free MP3 Downloads from Gibson and HD Tracks
Free MP3 downloads from Gibson and HD Tracks: Gibson and HD Tracks have joined forces to produce “Gibson Presents: Hot Tones in High-Definition.” It’s a collection of great guitar music from some of the world’s best guitar players. You’ll need to register for an account with HD Tracks. They’ll then send you an email confirming your registration and including a link to the download page.
Epiphone John Lennon Revolution Casino
The Epiphone John Lennon Revolution Casino is an exact replica of the Casino Lennon famously sanded and modified and used for the latter part of his Beatles career. It was also, famously, the guitar Lennon played at the Beatles final concert on the roof of the Apple Corp. building in London.
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II
The Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II is a semi-hollow body electric guitar based on Epiphone’s Emperor guitar and named after late jazz legend, Joe Pass.
The Joe Pass Emperor features a distinctive trapeze tailpiece, twin humbuckers, and a laminated maple body with spruce top. All the hardware, including tailpiece and pick-up covers is gold. The 3-piece set maple neck has a rosewood fretboard with block inlays, and the tortoiseshell pickguard has a reproduction of Joe Pass’ signature. The guitar is available in antique natural or vintage sunburst.
Slash Interview
Excellent interview with Slash in Modern Guitar magazine in which he talks about working with Gibson on the Gibson and Epiphone signature Les Pauls. ‘Basically the Goldtop is a reissue of the 1991 Goldtop I got from them back then. [...]
Epiphone ES-175
The Epiphone ES-175 is a semi-hollow body electric guitar based on Gibson’s hugely popular ES-175. The Gibson ES-175 was originally launched in 1949 and became one of the most famous jazz guitars in history. It was the first Gibson to feature a Florentine cutaway, and was so named because it originally cost $175. Sixty years later is still in production. It has been played by notable players such as Elvis’ guitarist Scotty Moore, and Steve Howe of Yes.
Happy Birthday, BB King
Danny has an excellent post to mark BB King’s 83rd birthday. AS I said in this post about the Epiphone BB King Lucille, BB is one of my favourite all-time guitar players. I saw him live a couple of times, once in 1989 and once in 1993 and both nights were amazing. Sadly, he’s retired from touring outside the US, but there are plenty of live recordings available from over the years. In particular, Live at the Regal, and Live at San Quentin are very worthwhile checking out.