Pro-Music-News Stringed instruments and accessories

Gibson highlights Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker and more beauties at Summer NAMM '08

Joan Jett and her white Signature Melody Maker Gibson Guitar has announced the launch of the Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker guitar, designed and produced in close cooperation with the rock legend herself. The model pays tribute to the iconic Melody Maker Jett played on hits like “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” and “Do You Wanna Touch Me” and, true to her trailblazer status, marks the first Gibson electric signature model designed in conjunction with a female artist. Gibson Guitars will exhibit at Summer NAMM show 2008 in Nashville, booth #526.
“This is my guitar. Gibson was successfully able to replicate my custom velvet hammer pick ups which have not been available for twenty years. It’s perfect for gigs as well as recording,” says Jett. “For those of you performing live, you may understand the value of being able to shave off those split seconds between playing and interacting with the audience, especially if you use your hands to communicate. I can move between the killswitch, which mutes the guitar, and playing,and then back again without a lot of in-between motion. With its no frills basic set up, it’s a perfect guitar for either an experienced player or someone just learning.”
Gibson’s Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker features a lightweight, slab mahogany body with a White Worn finish. Handcrafted to the same specs as Jett’s original guitar, the slim-tapered neck profile is similar to the Les Pauls and SGs of the mid to late 1960s. The fingerboard of the Melody Maker is constructed from the highest grade of ebony, Jett’s personal choice for her signature Melody Maker.
The classic, snarling growl of Jett’s original Melody Maker is accurately captured by a single Gibson Burstbucker 3 zebra humbucker, slightly overwound with asymmetrical coils, unpolished Alnico II magnets, and all the punch and power of an original Gibson PAF pickup. The tuners are mini-Grovers with authentic “witch hat” knobs, exactly as they are on Jett’s guitar. A “kill” switch replaces the normal Gibson toggle switch, and the body is outfitted with a period-correct black vinyl pickguard. The guitar also includes such typical Melody Maker features as 24-inch scale length and the standard Gibson Tune-o-matic and stopbar tailpiece.
Joan Jett has been a force in the world of music since the age of 15 when she co-founded the all-girl punk quintet The Runaways. After being rejected by multiple labels for a record contract after the Runaways, she formed Blackheart Records, making her the first major female artist to own her own record label. With hits such as “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” “Bad Reputation” and “Crimson and Clover,” she has scored nine Top 40 hits and eight Platinum and Gold albums. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts continue to win over fans both new and old with their live shows, including a main stage headliner spot on the 2006 Vans Warped Tour. Jett also currently hosts her own show, “Joan Jett’s Radio Revolution,” on Sirius’ Faction (Channel 28).
Gibson Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker further features include 'California' body shape, nut width 1.695”, 22 frets, neck joining body at 16th fret, dot fingerboard inlays, rounded neck profile, and one Burstbucker 3 Pickup (Zebra Coil) in the bridge position.
Gibson USA will also exhibit its 2008 Les Paul Standard, new Les Paul Traditional, and the Gibson Robot SG Limited Edition guitar. Epiphone will showcase the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra II model, Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top, the Prophecy SG Custom GX and the Prophecy EM-2 Custom EX models. Gibson Acoustic will exhibit some of the most anticipated acoustic guitars at the show including the new Kris Kristofferson acoustic model offering vintage appointments and classic details of his original Southern Jumbo with several modern features. The highly popular Elvis Costello Century of Progress limited to only 300 units and a label personally autographed by the musician and the new Gibson Hummingbird Custom KOA totally redesigned with AAA Figured KOA back and sides and elaborately inlayed with hand engraved Hummingbirds on the headstock will be only some of the offerings.
Focusing on the classic sounds and models that Gibson players have come to know and love, Gibson Custom Shop and Gibson Memphis will showcase the Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in ebony, the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue in Antique Gold, the Les Paul Custom Gibson guitar in Alpine white, the ES-335 Dot Figured Maple in Vintage Sunburst, the ES-335 Dot Figured Maple in Cherry and the ES-335 "Fat Neck" in Antique Vintage Sunburst. The famous ES-335 celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. Guests will get a sneak peak at the Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Inspired By model.
Gibson will also showcase the Valley Arts T-Series, Tobias Killer B Series Bass Guitar, Slingerland Gene Krupa Drum Kits and the Gibson Songmaker collection from Gibson Canada. The historic Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments division will highlight the exhibit with the limited edition and highly desirable F5 Victorian Mandolin, the Earl Scruggs Flint Hill Special Banjo, the Rick Skaggs Distressed Master Model and the Phil Leadbetter Limited Edition Mahogany Dobro.
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