New guitars, gear for Summer 2021 across Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, KRK and MESA/Boogie
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Catch a sneak peek in person this week at the brand new Gibson Garage in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN during Summer NAMM week (Wednesday July 14-Friday July 16).
The Gibson Experience at Summer NAMM 2021 will feature new product displays, artist and influencer panels, and music performances, all live from the Gibson Garage (209 10th Avenue South-Nashville, TN-Cummins Station-Street Level), and open daily 11:00am-6:00pm.
The night of Wednesday, July 14, an opening party at the Gibson Garage will celebrate the success milestones and two-year anniversary of Gibson Gives with the private event “An Evening Benefitting Gibson Gives and the NAMM Foundation.”
During the event, Gibson CEO and President, James ‘JC’ Curleigh and NAMM CEO, Joe Lamond will sit down for a live panel discussion on a diverse range of topics including the current and future goals of the music industry.
On Thursday, July 15 guitarist Damon Johnson will stop by the Gibson Garage at 4:00pm to demonstrate the new MESA/Boogie amps, as well as guitars and gear across all Gibson Brands, and show fans how he creates his signature tone
Above: a view of the stage inside the new Gibson Garage-the ultimate guitar experience.
Following is a sneak peek of the new collections and artist collaborations highlights for Summer 2021.
The Gibson Original Collection brings classic design and authenticity back into the hands of Gibson fans, with a Collection that is representative of the Gibson Golden Era greatest hits.
These include the legendary Les Paul Standard 50’s and 60’s and new for 2021 the Non-Reverse Thunderbird Bass, which features a long-scale 34-inch set neck, with improved balance, available in original colors including a stunning Inverness Green, Sparkling Burgundy, and Pelham Blue.
Ever since it was first released back in 1965, the Non-Reverse Thunderbird has been the choice for forward-looking bassists who want to make their own path and steadfastly refuse to follow the crowd. The Non-Reverse Thunderbird's distinctive styling and huge, thunderous tone make it a standout on stage and in the studio.
Now you have the opportunity to make one of these relatively rare 'birds your own.
Equipped with a Non-Reverse mahogany body and mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard and 20 medium jumbo frets, each of the two Thunderbird pickups has a volume control, allowing you to use them separately, or to blend them in any amount you prefer. A master tone control rounds out the simple yet highly effective control layout.
The three-ply white pickguard features the iconic Thunderbird graphic. The Non-Reverse Thunderbird is equipped with a Graph Tech® nut. A 3-point adjustable bridge provides a full range of adjustment for action and intonation, while Hipshot Ultralite tuning machines hold down the strings at the other end and deliver accurate and stable tuning while keeping headstock weight low to improve balance.
Due out July 27 from Gibson Custom Shop, are some of the rarest and most desirable guitars ever made, the 1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer Collector’s Edition.
“The Custom Shop Korina Flying V and Explorer project took two years to develop through the magic and artistry of the Gibson Custom Shop teams, including our shop luthiers together with Tom Murphy, Mat Koehler, Mark Agnesi, Cody Higbee and the rest of our Gibson Lab team,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands.
“We utilized 3D scanning technology to scan multiple Flying V and Explorers (made in 1958) to create the most authentic and identical clones humanly possible. The Collector’s Edition is limited to 19 Explorers and 81 Flying V’s and feature Murphy Lab aging, Brazilian rosewood fingerboards and historic recreation of the cases, covers and case candy,” adds Cesar.
The Gibson Flying V and Explorer and its instantly recognizable space-age designs were way ahead of their time when first introduced in 1958 and have cultural icons in the years since.
Every one of the vintage Flying V and Explorer guitars feature have been 100% accurately recreated right down to the historically accurate brown cases with the plush pink inside that compliments the striking golden-brown Korina wood finishes.
In 1958, the first year they were introduced, Gibson shipped only 19 Explorers and 81 Flying V’s, which mark the exact numbers the luthiers have created for these exclusive editions today. The Korina Flying V and Korina Explorer will only be available in the continental USA.
In August, a handful of highly coveted Gibson signature artist guitars are set for release starting with the Gibson USA Tony Iommi SG Special (August 17), the Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul from Gibson Custom Shop (August 24), and the Gibson Acoustic Nathaniel Rateliff LG-2 Western Acoustic in Vintage Sunburst (August 31).
Crossing three decades of collaborative partnership between Gibson, Epiphone luthiers and Slash, the all-new Epiphone Slash Collection comes on the heels of his history-making Gibson Slash Collection released last year.
Now part of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Collection, the new Epiphone Slash Collection celebrates the influential guitars Slash has used throughout his storied career which continues to inspire multiple generations of players around the world.
Perfect for every stage and players of all levels, the collection features multiple acoustic and electric guitars including the Epiphone Slash Les Paul™ Standard finished in Appetite Burst, November Burst, Anaconda Burst and Vermillion Burst, the Slash “Victoria” Les Paul Standard Goldtop, and on the acoustic front, the Epiphone Slash J-45 in Vermillion Burst and November Burst. The Epiphone Slash Collection will officially debut worldwide on July 20.
"We are in a very exciting journey with Slash and today we are announcing th
amplification of our collaboration with the launch of the Epiphone Slash Collection,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands.
“Our new Epiphone Slash Collection brings our collaboration with Slash to the next level, expanding the offering of the iconic Slash models to Epiphone with an accessible price point. Slash was intimately involved in every aspect of the development of his new Epiphone Collection, and we are all excited to see his fans around the world rock out with them!”
Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand has been setting trends with a legacy of premium, performance-focused instruments since it was first launched in 1976. Made for rule-breakers that play fast and loud, Kramer has been embraced by legendary rockers and shredders like Eddie Van Halen, Vivian Campbell, Richie Sambora, Elliot Easton, Mick Mars, Snake Sabo and Tracii Guns and more during the height of the metal era in the 1980s when it was the most popular guitar brand in the world.
New for Summer 2021, is the limited-edition Kramer Custom Graphics Collection which draws inspiration from iconic 80s pop-culture and reflects the fun, energized attitude of Kramer. In collaboration with various visual artists, and Kramer’s own luthiers, the Custom Graphics Collection’s designs range from the glittering flames of Hot Wheels, to retro fashion snakeskin and leopard, and the iconic ECTO-1 car from the film Ghostbusters.
“The 80s are back and so is Kramer,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “Our Kramer team has been hard at work to bring these iconic guitars back to the hands of our hard rock fans around the world and we are excited to showcase the new assortment of The 84 and Barettas!”
The striking new Kramer Custom Graphics Collection features The 84, in "The Illusionist" 3D Black White Swirl, a Baretta in "Hot Rod" Blue Sparkle with Flames, a Baretta “White Lotus” White Lotus Candy Blue, a Baretta, “Feral Cat” Rainbow Leopard, a Baretta in “Viper” Snakeskin Green Blue Fade, and a Baretta in “Danger Zone” Warning Tape on White Red.
The new Kramer Custom Graphics Collection follows the successful release of the current Kramer Artist Collection which features collaborations with Snake Sabo (Baretta), Charlie Parra (Vanguard), and Tracii Guns (Gunstar Voyager). Kramer spans entry-level and intermediate guitars, to professional offerings, across the entire line which continue to make Kramer instruments the choice of today's hard rock and metal legends.
For over 35 years, KRK has been Behind Great Music. From being a part of countless hit music productions and albums, KRK delivers top quality gear to music creators, audio professionals, and home studio enthusiasts of all levels around the world.
Experience every nuance with the new KRK Classic Series of powered studio monitors which incorporate over 30 years of innovation. Borrowing concepts from previous ROKIT lines, the Classic Series defaults to a new flat frequency solution towards more critical listening and more accurate mixes.
Building on KRK's legacy of sonic accuracy and performance, KRK has announced the expansion of its CLASSIC line of studio monitors with the addition of 7-inch and 8-inch models. KRK’s CLASSIC product range was designed from the previous ROKIT lines delivering the high-quality mixes that customers have come to expect from KRK at a lower price-point.
With the option to engage the +2 dB KRK Bass Boost, the Classic Series provides the enhanced bass response and sound that music creators around the world have loved for years. All Classic Series models deliver natural, balanced response with low distortion and superior stereo imaging.
KRK recently announced a new generation of powered subwoofers, the KRK Studio Subwoofers are now available in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch variations: S8.4, S10.4, and S12.4. KRK subwoofers deliver tight, accurate, and defined bass, while the highly efficient Class D power amplifiers dramatically increase transient response, control, and punch. The redesigned cabinets feature a more compact profile for improved placement flexibility, a timeless design and professional aesthetic.
August 2021 will usher in two impressive new editions of KRK’s superior, studio quality headphones, the KRK KNS 8402 and the KRK KNS 6402 headphones. KRK KNS headphones deliver an accurate listening experience in a highly durable package. With a closed-back circumaural ("around the ear") design, both the KNS 8402 and KNS 6402 are comfortable, and since they are well suited for a variety of uses, both in and out of the studio–tracking, editing, mixing, general listening–they will quickly become the go-to pair of headphones in your collection.
KRK headphones’ accurate frequency response, excellent stereo imaging, and consistent KRK voicing means that you can rely on them for the most critical listening applications. Their impact-resistant plastic construction makes them lightweight, yet durable, and with their field-replaceable parts, including the pads and cable, KRK KNS headphones are in it for the long haul.
The KNS 8402 headphones feature memory foam pads offering the most comfortable fit during hours of long listening and recording sessions. The KNS 8402 provides up to 30 dBA of isolation--blocking out more external sounds--and features a slightly higher 124 dB maximum SPL rating with a frequency response of 5 Hz - 23 kHz, and includes a cable with an in-line volume control.
The impressive KNS 6402 model features acoustic cellular foam pads and provides up to 26 dBA of isolation with a 122 dB maximum SPL rating, and a frequency response of 10 Hz - 22 kHz.
Gibson continues to go from strength to strength with the recent addition of MESA/Boogie to the Gibson family of brands.
The original “Boutique” amplifier company founded in 1969 MESA/Boogie continues to define how we experience sound with hand-crafted, high performance amplifiers, cabinets, pedals, and gear.
Recent award-winning releases from MESA/Boogie include the Fillmore™ and California Tweed Series, and the amp design team most recently turned its focus back to the legendary Mark Series with the most compact, light-weight Mark amp ever, the Mark Five: 25 1x10 Combo, an all-new Rectifier®Badlander 100 and 50, and the new two-channel Subway TT-800 bass amplifier featuring the iconic, vintage Bass 400+ preamp or the popular new Subway preamp.
Three new guitar pedals, the boosting, overdrive Cleo™, the Brit-crunching Dynaplex and the singing high-gain Gold Mine, have also most recently been added to the company’s popular Pedal and Signal Management product line. ■