Gibson has released two new iterations of the Les Paul and SG guitars equipped with Floyd Rose tremolos. The first, the Shred Les Paul Studio, is a jet black Les Paul Studio equipped with a Floyd Rose vibrato and locking nut, Richlite fingerboard, 50’s neck profile and 490R/498T pickups. The SG Diablo Tremolo mounts the Floyd Rose on the arched top SG body. It also features a Mahogany neck, master volume and tone and locking nut. The Shred Les Paul Studio retails for $2,369 and the SG Diablo Tremolo retails for $2,799.

This is the kind of progress that many of Gibson’s younger fans clamor for. While their traditionalism is certainly admirable, it’s always nice to see a company throw a bone to the younger music fans (or semi-older, 80’s fans, depending on perspective). Personally speaking, I think the higher output 490/498 combo go well with the Floyd Rose attachment, so I think you all who are more metal inclined will enjoy these.

Gibson Custom is back at the artist signature game with the Paul Kossoff Signature 1959 Les Paul. Modeled after Kossoff’s favored Les Paul, the guitar features a hand-aged Green Lemon Burst finish and a one-piece Mahogany neck shaped to that of Kossoff’s original. Internally, it is outfitted with Custom Bucker pickups, gold barrel knobs and a pickguard hole. Like all of Gibson Custom’s artist signatures, the guitar is extremely limited (100 models worldwide).

While the price of this beast is sure to be astronomical, I am happy to see artists like Paul Kossoff get the Custom Shop treatment. It’s like a little ribbon of validation, especially when you have favored the company for most of your career. As a bonus, here is Joe Bonamassa discussing the Custom Shop model compared to the original Paul Kossoff Les Paul.

It looks like the earlier post was on the money, as Gibson has a Kirk Hammett Flying V on display at NAMM 2012. I expect a typical 50 signed/aged, 150 total distribution plan. Looks pretty good, based on the photos.

Gibson has introduced the second half of the latest releases based around former KISS guitarist Ace “Space Ace” Frehley. This model, from Gibson Custom’s department, features similar appointments to those of the Epiphone model: a four piece Maple top, three DiMarzio humbuckers (DiMarzio PAF’s in the neck and middle, and a Super Distortion in the bridge), gold speed knobs and pearloid “banjo” tuners. The model is limited to 100 signed and aged guitars and 150 VOS models. The signed and aged model retails for $12,235 while the VOS model retails for $7,592.

Gibson also unveiled a new SG model. The SG Standard P-90 features all of the regular SG Standard appointments, but with two Gibson P-90 pickups mounted into the pickguard. The guitar is available in Heritage Cherry and Ebony finishes, and retails for $1,499. 

You can refer to the Epiphone Ace Frehley Custom post for how I generally feel about the Gibson Custom model, so I’ll focus on the SG. I’m somewhat torn on whether or not I can understand these. On the one hand, they are meant (I would assume) to replace the space left by Gibson’s acclaimed SG Classics. However, these SG Classics are easily available second-hand. I guess these would be good for someone who just has to have a new guitar, and the price isn’t too bad on these. I will say, though, I like the expansion Gibson has been giving to the SG line.

Not sure whether this is legit or not, but I wouldn’t doubt it. Supposedly, Gibson is planning a limited run of aged Flying V guitars based on Kirk Hammett’s. The guitar will feature authentic aging and EMG pickups. These guitars will be limited to 150 total and 50 will be signed by Hammett.

I wouldn’t put too much stock in this rumor. It seems like a cool idea (somewhat) and there seems to be some sort of pre-order plan, but there’s no website to pre-order from. (Image taken from MyLesPaul.com)

Gibson USA has released the Les Paul Classic Custom. The Classic Custom melds the best playing and style elements of the Les Paul Classic and the Les Paul Custom. The guitar features a Baked Maple fingerboard, 57 Classic/57 Classic+ pickups and a chambered Mahogany body with a Maple top. The guitar is available now and retails for $2,999.99 guitars.

Now THIS is a Gibson guitar. I think that this guitar is absolutely gorgeous in all of the finishes, and sounds absolutely stunning. I often bemoan expensive guitars, but I find instruments like these to be worth every penny. I encourage Gibson purists to ignore any complaints regarding the Baked Maple controversy and let their fingers and ears do the guiding.

Gibson has released the Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Derek Trucks SG electric guitar. The guitar features 57 Classic pickups, 22 frets, no pickguard and a long Lyre tailpiece. Like Trucks’ own, the guitar features no Maestro vibrola. The guitar is available now and retails (according to Guitar Center) for $1,699.99. 

Gibson did this with the SG Junior, and again have done it with the Derek Trucks signature. Their website makes no mention of the guitar, but what can you do? In the end, the guitar looks to be yet another pointless signature that offers nothing over regular SG models except for the lack of a pickguard and a long Lyre tailpiece. Oh, and the name. Can’t forget the name.

Gibson recently released a new version of the SG. Titled the Gibson SG Junior 60s guitar, the instrument is (as are all Juniors) a single P-90 equipped SG. Featuring singular volume and tone controls and a wraparound bridge, the guitar also features Gibson’s new Baked Maple fingerboards. The instrument is available now in both Heritage Cherry and Ebony, and retails (according to Guitar Center) for $849.

So, I try to wait to see these guitars on the official websites before I post on here, but it seems that Gibson absolutely refuses to add this to the site. Whether this is a limited run or not I can’t say, but I have tried this model. It absolutely kills. The fingerboard feels tight and fast, and the P-90 roars through smaller Champ-style amps. For less than a grand in price, this is an excellent guitar for novices and experts alike.

Update: Gibson has finally added the SG Junior 60’s to their main page.

Gibson has reissued one of their former oddities, the L6S. Originally issued in 1970, the L6S features a natural Maple body and fingerboard, 490R and 498T pickups with coil splitting and a 6-level tone switch for various coil-taps. The guitar features Master volume control as well as Treble roll-off and Bass roll-off. The L6S retails for $2,599 and is available now.

I don’t have any experience with this model, but it looks to be standard Gibson fare. Though it’s meant to be a solidbody version of Gibson’s archtop, the L6, I’m sure this would be a great axe for rock and punk guitarists, and I’m actually curious to try it out.

In accordance with the 20th anniversary of the Nirvana record, Nevermind, Gibson has released an RD bass modeled after that of Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. The instrument features a nitro finish, an Obeche fingerboard with dot inlays, and a pair of Seymour Duncan Hot Stack STK-J2 pickups. The Krist Novoselic RD Signature Bass is available now and retails for $2,199.

I’m not a bassist, and most people generally accept that Fender beat Gibson in the bass competition. However, Krist’s tone is one that many bassist seek to emulate, and it is even more timeless given his feature on the Foo Fighters’ latest release. I wish I could tell you more about it, I just don’t have the bassist experience. I’d love to see what my friend Xquadra has to say about this bass.