Gibson partnered with the producer, and musician Mike Ness, who for the last 44 years has served as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the legendary punk band and rock ‘n’ roll icons Social Distortion.
Mike’s main guitar of choice is a modified 1976 Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop which was used to create the limited edition Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe from Gibson Custom Shop. The Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe is now available worldwide from authorized Gibson dealers, and on the Gibson's website.
The Mike Ness 1976 Les Paul Deluxe comes equipped with a three-piece maple neck, a two piece plain maple top and a mahogany/maple/mahogany back. Mike replaced the humbuckers with his favorite P-90’s and the guitar features a lighter weight adding to its overall versatility.
The stunning Goldtop finish has been expertly aged by the artisans of the Murphy Lab to match Mike’s original guitar. In addition, the “Orange County,†“Clay Smith Cams Mr. Horsepower,†and “I Voted†stickers featured on Mike’s guitar are included.
At the early age of four-years-old, Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness began listening to the radio and discovered The Beatles, CCR, The Supremes and The Rolling Stones.
Growing up in the working class suburb of Fullerton, California, he was raised on blues, classic rock, and country, and his earliest influences were pioneers of rock and roll; musicians that were controversial and rebellious.
Social Distortion survived their tumultuous youth to pioneer an undeniably honest and fiery brand of rock ‘n’ roll that would incorporate outlaw country, classic seventies punk and primal blues.
Seven studio albums and countless electrifying live shows have earned the band a dedicated worldwide fanbase and catalog of timeless anthems including “Story Of My Life,†“Ball And Chain,†“Bad Luck,†“Machine Gun Blues,†and more.
As he matured as a songwriter and musician, Ness’s solo recordings Cheating At Solitaire (1999), and Under The Influences (1999), incorporated the raw power and social relevance that has always marked his music, while embracing many of the defining styles in American rock and roll music.
The Los Angeles Times described Ness as "one of the most underrated pure songwriters in rock."
Mike continues to perform worldwide with Social Distortion. The band's latest release, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes - produced for the first time, by Ness himself - debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and was the highest debut yet for the band. Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes was also #1 on the Independent Album chart, and #2 on the Modern Rock/Alternative Albums chart. ■