Gibson USA is proud to introduce the first offering of its new 2009 Limited Run Series guitars, the Holy Explorer. The new model follows the exact body lines of its iconic predecessor and features mahagony neck, solid mahogany body which is shot full of holes, and two Gibson’s own uncovered ceramic-magnet humbucking pickups — a 496R in the neck and a 500T in the bridge.

After years of clamoring by Andy Timmons fans, especially those in the U.S.A (and especially those in Texas where the guitarist calls home), Ibanez is reissuing the original Andy Timmon’s signature model electric guitar.

Possibly the most famous collector of classic Ibanez guitars has added one more to the lot, this time with another of his own designs.  The PGMFRM1 Paul Gilbert “Fireman” is the doppelganger answer to the famous Ibanez Iceman. The Fireman has the signature Iceman horn on the top instead of the bottom, korina instead of mahogany body wood, and single coils instead of humbuckers.

After careful study of existing records and photographs of Bloomfield’s original guitar, and extensive consultation with the Bloomfield estate, Gibson Custom has produced an intricately crafted recreation of this hallowed ’59 Les Paul. Constructional details of note include its carved figured maple top, solid non-weight relieved mahogany back, thin toggle-switch washer and jack plate, one-piece mahogany neck with long neck tenon, rounded period-correct ’59 neck profile and Grover kidney-button tuners – a modification that was made to the Les Paul by Dan Erlewine before Bloomfield acquired it.

Carvin is pleased to add another new finish to our extensive lineup of Custom Shop options.  Deep Triple Step Orange is a beautiful new finish that is a deep, burnt-orange shade which looks great on our AAAA flamed maple and AAAA quilted maple top woods.  It's available on any Custom Shop guitar or bass with a flamed maple or quilted maple top.  It can also be combined with blackburst edges.
 

From the time of its introduction, the solid-body Epiphone Wilshire has been a favorite “undiscovered classic” among those in the know, but the fact that so few Epiphone Wilshire Model SB-432 guitars were ever produced — only 180 in 1962 — combined with its unerring quality, playability and tonal versatility, has sent its value soaring from its humble introductory price of $210 to upwards of $5,000 to $12,000 on today’s vintage market, depending upon year and condition.

Sparrow Guitars is proud to have introduced the Von Drat surf guitar at the 2009 NAMM Show. The Von Drat is the newest addition to Sparrow’s family of retro guitars which includes the Big Daddy, Primitive, Rat Rod and Twangmaster models. The Von Drat debuted at the 2009 NAMM Show Hall D Booth #3394 in Anaheim, California from January 15-18th 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

2009 will see a new, darker version of one Ibanez’s best known metal monsters, the Destroyer. The new DTT700MGS features the original classic mahogany body and shape, but adds more hard-edged updates such as Gibraltar Custom bridge with thru-body stringing and powerful DiMarzio D Activator X pickups. An especially important change from the old Destroyers to the new model is the change in the neck scale from the old version’s 24 ¾” scale to a longer 25 ½” scale for clearer articulation.

In 2009, all Ibanez Prestige guitars will once more be made exclusively in Japan. Commented Mac Muranaka of Ibanez, “The consistent precision and artistry of our Ibanez luthiers is unmatched, and artists and dealers with a pro clientele have clamored for more Japanese models. In response, all 2009 Prestige models will be made in Japan.”