Gibson has announced a string of new signature guitars for 2021, including fresh models for Marcus King and Peter Frampton, Jerry Cantrell, Sergio Vallin and Slim Harpo.
Details on the new models are scarce – there are no full specs listed yet – so treat this as a teaser of sorts, before the full announcements later in the year.
We’ll start with the Marcus King ES-345, which has long been in the works. Based on his original ’62, the model features a sideway Vibrola tailpiece, split parallelogram inlays and “Custom Made” plaque behind the bridge – the below image is the final signature model.
(Image credit: Gibson)
The Peter Frampton “Phenix” Les Paul Custom VOS, meanwhile, will most likely be a reissue of the limited-edition model first released in 2015, of which just 35 were produced – albeit minus the wear and tear.
So, we’d expect the same triple-pickup configuration that appears on the cover of Frampton Comes Alive!, a mahogany body and neck, ebony fingerboard, custom pearl inlay and ’54 Les Paul Custom holly veneer headstock.
As has become customary with Gibson’s NAMM launches, the guitar giant has also announced the names of several future signature models, but has yet to provide any further information.
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His first collaboration with Gibson is listed as the “Wino” Custom, which will most likely be a recreation of his ’90s Wine Red Custom Shop Les Paul.
We’re hoping this is the first in a new lineup of Cantrell models, because we’d love to see a replica of his hand-burned “D-Trip” LP at some point down the line.
(Image credit: Marc Broussely/Redferns via Getty Images)
Other teased models include an ES-330 for swamp-blues icon Slim Harpo, as well as a 1955 Les Paul Bigsby for Sergio Vallin, guitarist for Mexican rock heavyweights Maná.
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
