Gibson Announces New Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop

Gibson Guitar and Epiphone announce the new Slash Les Paul Goldtop guitar models. The new Slash Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop is limited to just 2,000 guitars worldwide and are built using many of the same traditional guitar building processes and techniques that have made Gibson’s family of stringed instruments the absolute finest in the world. Each Epiphone Les Paul Slash Goldtop is built to the meticulous standards by skilled craftsman who create and assemble the various parts of each individual guitar. The Epiphone model starts with the traditional Les Paul body consisting of a hand-selected premium solid mahogany back based on historically correct specifications and topped with A-grade maple. Using a traditional roller-type carving machine, Epiphone has tediously carved each body creating the sexy curves and subtle “dish” along the outer edge of the top that transforms it into an authentic Les Paul.

The neck is crafted from premium mahogany then glued into the body using a TiteBond wood glue, utilizing a long-neck tenon typically found on the Les Paul models from the late 1950s and early 1960s. This provides additional strength which ultimately results in sweeter tone and longer sustain. The neck also features a “Slash Custom” neck profile patterned exclusively from the neck on Slash’s original Les Paul and a Rosewood fingerboard fitted with 22 nickel/silver alloy medium-jumbo frets. The pickups are the same ones used by Slash in many of his Les Pauls – Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro-II – providing the same crunch, power and performance as Slash when he cranks it up on stage.

The finish on the new Epiphone Les Paul Slash Goldtop is the same finish introduced on the original Les Paul of 1952. The labor intensive process of applying the finish is unprecedented and supports Gibson and Epiphone’s commitment to Go for the Gold throughout every step of production of this special guitar model. Other specs include Epiphone’s patent-applied-for LockTone Tune-o-matic and stopbar tailpiece, vintage nickel hardware and tulip-button tuners, fully shielded electronic cavities, 12 inch radius fingerboard, custom “Slash” truss rod cover and the stamped “Limited Edition” logo on the back of the headstock. Each guitar comes with a special hardshell case featuring a custom Slash logo, a certificate of authenticity personally signed by Slash with a limited edition HD laser-cell print of Slash housed in a beautiful leatherette presentation booklet with the Slash logo embossed in gold on the cover. Also included is a custom Slash-inspired leather, metal-studded guitar strap and 24 custom Slash guitar picks.

The Gibson USA Les Paul Slash Signature Goldtop is also being made available for this limited edition opportunity which gives guitar enthusiasts around the world the chance to own a guitar created and designed by Slash, the legend who single-handedly revitalized the electric guitar with some of the world’s most colossal riffs known to the mortal man. The Gibson USA Les Paul Slash Signature Goldtop is limited to only 1,000 guitars worldwide and includes individual features and unique characteristics that only Slash can instinctively call his own. Other features include a standard, un-chambered mahogany body with Gibson’s traditional weight relief system consisting of a series of holes that give it a comfortable yet heavy feel exactly like Slash likes it. The body is topped by one of the Les Paul trademark features, a hand-carved maple top. The body is then painted, as is the Epiphone model, with the same Goldtop finish from 1952, Buillon Gold with an aged Cherry back.

At Slash’s urging, the electronics of the new Gibson USA model were enhanced to include proprietary wiring, caps, resistors and tone pots that give the model its own unique tone. It is also set up with the revolutionary Plek system – a computer controlled set-up that carefully measures and dresses each fret while accurately measuring the height between the fingerboard and the string virtually eliminating string buzz and providing unbeatable playability. The neck, designed by Slash himself, is a solid piece of mahogany with a hybrid profile that takes the roundness of the Les Paul necks of the late 1950s and combines it with the slimness of the necks from the early 1960s. Slash’s personal skull and crossbones and top hat logo with his signature adorn the headstock.

Other features include a TonePro Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, all chrome hardware, Kluson-style Gibson tuners, and a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity in a metal fold-over frame. The model comes in a hardshell case with Slash’s logo screened on the smooth black exterior and includes a plush white interior. These limited edition special models will be available at select dealers worldwide on October 7, 2008. No others will be produced once the limited edition quantity is sold out. It is a fitting tribute to the rock n’roll legend who has inspired guitarists around the world to “Go for the Gold” in every performance.

For more information on the Epiphone Les Paul Slash Goldtop and the Gibson USA Les Paul Slash Goldtop including a list of authorized dealers go to epiphone.com and gibson.com.