NAMM 2011: Epiphone new products

Epiphone have announced the following new products:

Wilshire 1966 with Tremotone

Like an SG guitar, the Wilshire’s double cutaway Mahogany body with a glued-in Mahogany neck that joins the body at the 22nd fret gives you ultimate upper fret access. Lightweight and comfortable, the Wilshire has excellent resonance and natural acoustic tone – even unplugged! Featuring Epiphone’s LockTone (TM) tune-o-matic/stopbar combination, the transfer of string vibration is improved even more giving this guitar excellent sustain and clarity. But here’s what separates the Wilshire from the SG. Most early Epiphone guitars including the Wilshire were equipped with mini-humbucking pickups and Epiphone carries on this tradition. With its smaller size, narrow magnetic field and unique design combination, the mini-humbucker produces bright and focused output while retaining famous humbucker “hum-free” performance. A replica of the originals, they feature adjustable pole pieces, enamel wire, bar ceramic magnets and rounded nickel plated covers set in an original style black mounting ring with height adjustment screws.

Nighthawk Custom

When a new guitar design is introduced, history says that guitarists don’t immediately accept it. Such was the case with many, now iconic guitars including the Flying-V, Explorer and even the Les Paul. But ultimately, if the design is a great one it will stand the test of time and eventually, find it’s place into the guitarist’s arsenal of “go to” axes. When the Nighthawk was first introduced in 1993, it represented a departure from Gibson “tradition” with it’s 25.5″ scale length and it’s versatile combination of coil-tappable humbucking and single pickups. Now, 18 years later, guitarists who originally dismissed the Nighthawk as too “different” now recognize what a great guitar it really was and is!

Zakk Wylde Les Paul Custom Plus

Epiphone’s Zakk Wylde “Camo” and “Bullseye” Les Paul Customs have been the choice of shredders for years. And now, Epiphone and Zakk step it up a notch with the addition of active Zakk Wylde EMG-81/85 active humbucking pickups. Powered by a 9-volt battery, these active pickups set the standard for high-output, hard rock/metal tone. But that’s not all. Another upgrade on the Bullseye includes a premium Ebony fingerboard. Ultra-hard and ultra-smooth, you’ll feel the hear the difference. So plug one in and crank it up!

Flying-v signature Robb Flynn