Gibson has unveiled an exclusive Dark Purple Burst finish for three of its electric guitar templates, and its available only via Gibson.com and the Gibson Garage.
The striking, semi-transparent finish has been given to new-look versions of the firm's ES-335, SG Modern and Les Paul Modern Studio guitars, each of which seek to balance vintage, heritage-honoring features with modern appointments.
The instruments are all handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee, with the release coming after Gibson gave its '50s and '60s Les Paul Standards the same elegant finish in September last year.
First up, the Dark Purple Burst ES-335 references the model's near-70-year heritage with specs such as an acrylic dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard and a rounded C-profile mahogany neck.
There are T-Type humbuckers, paired with a hand-wired control assembly, that look to deliver the “timeless versatility” the guitar has become famous for. A lightweight ABR-1 bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece combo is paired with Vintage Deluxe tuners with Keystone buttons.
As one would expect from such a name, Gibson has merged history with modernity with the SG Modern. This model's mahogany body has been treated to an AA figured maple top, with a mahogany neck and ebony, 24-fret compound radius fingerboard also making the cut.
Meanwhile, an asymmetrical SlimTaper neck has been chosen for “fast and silky access to the highest frets”.
The SG Modern draws its “powerful tones” from Burstbucker Pro Alnico 5 humbuckers, with split-coil tones harnessed from its push-pull Top Hat knobs. Other premium features include genuine mother-of-pearl inlays and Grover Rotomatic tuners.
Last but certainly not least is the Dark Purple Burst Les Paul Modern Studio – perhaps the most contemporary-minded guitar of the trio.
The headline here is its weight-relieved mahogany body and maple cap, which aim to counter the Les Paul’s traditionally back-aching ancestry.
Its bound, compound-radius ebony fretboard seeks to continue that theme with “improved action and playability,” while a modern contoured heel looks to deliver improved upper-fret access.
Other modern features include coil tapping, phase control, and pure bypass switching, which works alongside 490R and 498T humbucker pickups.
While its purple peers offer gloss finishes, the Les Paul Modern Studio comes with satin finish.
The ES-335 ($3,499), SG Modern ($2,499), and Les Paul Modern Studio ($1,999) are available to order exclusively via Gibson.com and the Gibson Garage.
Head to Gibson for more information.
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