• Save 10% on a single item at Guitar Center. This coupon is good thru 7/31/10, so you have to use it by the end of Saturday. It’s good for a discount of up to $500 on one item. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on a big ticket item, this might be your time!
• Score a FREE Paiste 10′ 2002 Splash Cymbal. Thru 8/31/10, buy a pair of Paiste Hi Hats or a 16′ or larger cymbal from the Twenty, 2002, RUDE, or Giant Beat series from Musicians Friend or Guitar Center and score a free splash cymbal. Download the rebate form here (PDF).
• Fender Original ’57/’62 Stratocaster Pickup Set for just $83.99! This could be a mistake, but The Perfect Guitar has placed this fantastic sounding set of pickups into their clearance center. The regular selling price is $159.99.
• Buy two Audix OM2 Dynamic Vocal Microphones and get a third microphone for FREE from All Pro Sound. MSRP: $447.00. Your Price: $199.00. Save $248!
• Save 64% on an ESP LTD SURVEYOR-414 4-String Electric Bass Guitar. Musicians Friend has a factory restock that’s on sale for $359.00, a savings of $640.00 off the $999.00 retail price.

Bill Mendello, CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, had announced his retirement about a week ago. Certainly big news, but we’d all been waiting for his replacement to be announced to the public. Today, Fender revealed that Larry Thomas, a long-time Guitar Center employee and Chairman & CEO from 1996-2004, will take over the reigns of one of the most-respected guitar companies in the world.

In a released statement, this is what Mendello had to say about the changing of the guard: “I am delighted to be able to pass the leadership of FMIC into the very capable hands of Larry Thomas,” said Mendello. “Larry is a widely-respected person with an incredible amount of experience and valuable insight about music companies and music retailers, large and small. He is one of the true legends in the industry and brings the credentials that will help lead FMIC to even greater future success.”

As a former Fender employee, and someone who is not the biggest fan of Guitar Center, I certainly have my opinions about this move (although they may not be what you think). What are yours? Please leave a comment and let me know if you think this is a good or bad move for Fender.

In case you’re not up on the DeLonge Epiphone, here’s the skinny:

The signature Epiphone axe of blink-182′s Tom DeLonge, it’s the perfect weapon to carry into the battlefields of pop punk.

This semi-acoustic monster features a maple/birch body, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, and a Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker. This Gibson pickup is an extreme-output unit designed for more of everything with much more clarity and volume than a traditional humbucker and an aggressive, wide response. The Gibson Dirty Fingers pickup comes with a 4-conductor lead and is wax-potted to eliminate unwanted microphonic feedback.

Entry Deadline: March 31, 2010
Get It: Click Here to Enter

Not feeling lucky? Buy the Epiphone Tom DeLonge ES-335 at Guitar Center

For daily links to musical instruments giveaways, make sure you follow me on Twitter or become a fan of my Facebook Page.

Let’s get right to it:

• Enter to win a Fender Classic ‘50s Telecaster electric guitar from Glasvegas & Filter Magazine. Enter Here
• Premier Guitar magazine is giving away an amazing sounding Henriksen JazzAmp 110 worth $899. Enter Here
• Create a wish list at Guitar Center and win a $100 GC gift card, courtesy of The Tripwire. Enter Here
• Win a Fender/Squier Strat Pack from Sigler Music. All you have to do is write a “Letter to Santa” telling him why you deserve to win this giveaway. Enter Here
• Here’s on for drummers OR anyone into recording or just making sweet sounds. Win a Black KORG nanoPAD USB Drum Controller from Audiotuts+. Enter Here
• Win a Gretsch Brian Setzer Hot Rod G6120SHLTV electric guitar, signed by Setzer! This guitar is worth $3,341. Enter Here
• Metalheads unite! Win a Bernie Rico Jr Hybrid Vixen electric guitar. This guy is the son of BC Rich founder Bernie Rico Sr. This is a killer V-Style guitar worth $975.00. Enter Here
• Win a Benedetto Bravo archtop guitar worth $5,500! Just fill out a short survey to enter. This prize is courtesty of Premier Guitar Magazine. Enter Here
• To celebrate the release of “Crash Love,” AFI are giving away a special “Crash Love” branded guitar. The Epiphone Les Paul Special II features a custom Crash Love logo and is autographed by Davey, Jade, Adam and Hunter. Enter Here
• Bass Guitar and Amp Giveaway! Win a Daisy Rock Stardust Elite bass guitar, an SWR WorkingPro 12 bass amp, Curt Mangan bass strings, a Levy’s strap, and Equation Audio headphones, courtesy of Bass Frontiers Magazine. Enter Here
• Enter to win a Sonor Phil Rudd AC/DC Signature Snare Drum worth $659. Enter Here
• Enter to win a Gibson SG Zoot Suit Guitar (retails for $1,999), two photo books (Trust: Photographs by Jim Marshall and Sound Kapital), a pair of Converse AC/DC Sneakers and a Karmaloop x MTV Staying Alive Foundation Tee designed by Shepard Fairey. Enter Here
• Courtesy of Taylor Guitars, enter to win a Taylor Swift Baby Taylor acoustic guitar (MSRP: $398), a Band Hero Wii Band Kit, a Band Hero DS Bundle, and a Band Hero tee shirt. Enter Here
• Win an Epiphone DR-100 Ebony Dreadnought acoustic guitar autographed by Brendan Benson and Cory Chisel…and a selection of ten vinyl LPs picked out by Brendan and Cory. PLUS, just for signing up you get to download two free mp3s. Enter Here
• Win a Marshall MG2FX guitar amp. Marshall is giving away a MG2FX guitar amp everyday thru Dec 24. Enter everyday for a better chance of winning. Enter Here

As always, you can get these updates everyday on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GearGiveaway365 or follow us our feed on Twitter, at www.twitter.com/GearGiveaway365. You can also subscribe to our giveaway email alerts to get a weekly email with this summary of links by subscribing here.

You can still enter many of the past weeks’ giveaways, so make sure to check out the GearGiveawy365 Archives.

This coupon code is good for just over a week, expiring on November 1, 2009

Coupon Code: ROCKTOBER
Expires: November 1, 2009
Get It: Click Here To Redeem This Coupon Code

Follow the link below and you can also print off a coupon to get this 15% discount in one of their stores. The fine print says this is good on items priced $3,333 or less. I’m not really sure what the significance of that number is…but who care, right?

Coupon Code: BTB15
Expires: September 27, 2009
Get It: Click Here To Redeem This Coupon Code

With this coupon code, you’ll save $10 off qualifying purchases of $99-$198, $25 off qualifying purchases of $199-$348, $50 off qualifying purchases of $349-$498, or $100 off qualifying purchases of $499 or more.

Hundreds of brands qualify, so get on it!

Coupon Code: SUMMER
Expires: July 14, 2009
Get It: Click Here To Redeem This Coupon Code

GC does say this promo is for Dads and Grads, but I doubt you’ll have to prove you have a certain piece of male anatomy to score this discount.

From today thru June 21, 2009, you can take 20% a single item, as long as it costs $199 or more. As always, there is some fine print. A few big brands, Fender and Gibson included, do not qualify. But there are still hundreds of brands that do, including Ernie Ball, BC Rich, TASCAM, and Cakewalk.

If there’s been a somewhat costly piece of gear you’ve had your eye on, take advantage of this one!

Coupon Code: GRAD20
Expires: June 21, 2009
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

According to Crate:

The Crate CA15 Cimarron compact amplifier delivers 12W of musical power and features dual indpendent-gain inputs, 3-band EQ, and reverb. RCA input jacks let you plug in a CD player, mixer, or MP3 player to play along with your favorite music. It also has a headphone jack and an external speaker out. The Crate Custom Design 8″ woofer delivers smooth clear sound with excellent projection and fidelity. A flip-out locking bar underneath the cabinet lets you tilt the amplifier back for better monitoring as well as increased coverage and projection.

After the $25 cash back rebate, you should be able to buy the Crate CA15 for about $125.

Expires: March 31, 2009
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

If you see something that catches your fancy, but you don’t quite have the cash right now, Guitar Center is also offering one year of no payments and no interest if you use your Guitar Center Preferred Player Card.

Expires: March 30, 2009
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

1. MXL MXL 990 USB Powered Condenser Microphone
2. Nady USB-24M USB Microphone
3. Blue Snowflake USB Microphone
4. Nady USB-1CMS USB Condenser Microphone with Sony Acid Music Studio
5. MXL USB.008 Large Gold Diaphragm USB Condenser
6. Nady USB-1C USB Condenser Microphone
7. Blue Eyeball USB Microphone with Webcam
8. MXL USB.009 24/96 Digital USB Condenser
9. MXL 990 USB Stereo Condenser Microphone
10. Rode Microphones Podcaster USB Microphone

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.
Search for USB Microphones on eBay.

Their website doesn’t say, but I think this sale runs through the entire month of March 2009. Throughout the month I’ll try to point out some of the deals that look especially good.

First up is this Martin DSR Acoustic Guitar. The Martin DSR features a a solid spruce top and a solid rosewood body with A-Frame bracing. It also comes with a hardshell case, all for $100 less than the regular Guitar Center sale price.

MSRP: $1,699.99
Regular Price: $999.99
Current Price: $899.99
Savings: $800.00 (47%)

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

As an added bonus, if you add non-Fender products to the same order, you’ll get a year to pay those items off, as well.

Expires: February 28, 2009
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

This deal is good online, over the phone, or in a Guitar Center store. Follow the link below to print out a coupon if you’re heading into a retail location

Coupon Code: Friday only: SAVE15 / Sat & Sun: SAVE10
Expires: November 30, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

This Guitar Center coupon code is good on over 20,000 different items, so it might be time to stock up!

Coupon Code: TENOFF
Expires: December 24, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

With the Guitar Center coupon code below, you can take 10% off over 20,000 items in stock. There are a few brand restrictions, so read the fine print.

Coupon Code: TENOFF
Expires: October 26, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

Make sure you read the fine print, as this free shipping offer excludes some large packages, in-store and Used.GuitarCenter.com purchases.

Coupon Code: SHIP49
Expires: Until Further Notice
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

1. Jasmine by Takamine S35 Acoustic Guitar
2. Jasmine by Takamine S34C NEX Cutaway Acoustic Guitar
3. Yamaha JR1 Mini Folk Guitar
4. Epiphone Dove Acoustic Guitar
5. Yamaha FG730S Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
6. Seagull S6 Entourage Acoustic Guitar
7. Squier by Fender MA-1 3/4-Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar
8. Epiphone DR-200S Acoustic Guitar
9. Dean Playmate JT 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
10. Epiphone AJ-1 Acoustic Guitar

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.
Search for Acoustic Guitars on eBay.

In addition, you can add a bunch of other products to your order and get the same no payments, no interest deal on those, as well.

Expires: October 26, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

Once you purchase a new FireStudio Tube, box up your old unit and send it back into PreSonus. Once they receive it, they’ll cut you a check for $200. Easy as that!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

Savings include:

• Guitars up to $150 off their already low prices.
• Drum kits, hardware and cymbals up to 50% off list price.
• Keyboards, recording, and DJ gear tagged with Massive Clearance Savings.
• Squier acoustic guitar packs by Fender, Only $99 Bucks while supplies last.
• Keyboards starting at Just $69 Bucks!
• Take 20% off all Numark mixers.
• Get a PA system for just $199. That’s 50% off Their Guaranteed Lowest Price!

This sale appears to be in-store only.

Expires: September 28, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

Through October 13, you can now get $30 off any purchase over $299 when you use this new Guitar Center coupon code. There are over 20,000+ qualifying products to choose from, so follow the link below to check it out! This Guitar Center coupon code is good online only, so it will not work in Guitar Center retail stores or on phone orders.

Coupon Code: 30BACK
Expires: October 13, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

1. Gibson Custom Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
2. Gibson Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1958 Les Paul Standard Flame Top Electric Guitar
3. Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 Electric Guitar With Flame Top
4. Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
5. Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom Chambered Electric Guitar
6. Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard VOS Electric Guitar
7. Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Reissue “Aged” Electric Guitar
8. Gibson Custom Shop Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul Electric Guitar
9. Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom 5A Quilt Top Electric Guitar
10. Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Left-Handed Electric Guitar

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.
Search for Electric Guitars on eBay.

This is a great deal for a amateur home recording enthusiast or someone who’d like to get into podcasting.

Expires: September 30, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

Guitar Center has made a deal with AES to get their customers into the show for free through a special VIP Exhibits Only Badge. If you’re planning on making a trip to AES, you may want to shell out the extra cash to gain access to other events, such as the Surround Live Symposium. If you live in the area, though, this free pass will get you in to check out all of the new audio gear that’s being introduced.

Expires: September 29, 2008

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

EastWest, a leading producer and distributor of virtual (software) instruments, will send you free software when you purchase a software package of equal or greater value (via mail-in rebate).

The following EastWest product qualify for this promotion:

• Symphonic Orchestra Play Edition Platinum Plus
• Symphonic Orchestra Play Edition Edition Platinum
• Symphonic Orchestra Play Edition Play Edition Gold
• Symphonic Orchestra Play Edition Play Edition Silver
• EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos
• Gypsy Stormdrum 2
• Goliath
• Fab Four
• Ministry Of Rock
• Voices Of Passion

Expires: October 31, 2008

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

Expires: October 15, 2008

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

1. Hohner HW03 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
2. Squier by Fender MC-1 Mini Classical Guitar
3. Taylor Baby Taylor Mahogany Top Dreadnought
4. Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic-Electric Guitar
5. Yamaha JR1 Mini Folk Guitar
6. Martin LX1 Little Martin Acoustic Guitar
7. Martin LXM Little Martin Acoustic Guitar
8. Squier by Fender MA-1 3/4-Size Steel String Acoustic Guitar
9. Dean Playmate JT 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
10. Taylor Baby Taylor Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.
Search for Travel Acoustic Guitars on eBay.

Time for a wireless system! If you’ve been thinking about relegating your cables to the closet, here’s a good deal on a Line 6 X2 XDS95 24-Bit Digital Instrument Wireless System. If you purchase one of these systems before the end of September, Line 6 will send you a $25 Chase Visa Rebate Card.

MSRP: $499.00
Regular Price: $349.99
Current Price: $299.99 (includes $25 Rebate)
Savings: $199.01 (39%)
Expires: September 30, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form (PDF)

If you’ve never seen the list, it’s actually pretty cool. When you walk in your local Guitar Center, they’ll hand you a list of all items that are on sale. There is also an online list, so if there’s not a GC in your area, you can still take advantage of this sale.

Expires: September 1, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

1. Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal
2. Ibanez TS808 Vintage Tube Screamer Reissue Overdrive Pedal
3. Boss SUPER OverDrive SD-1 Overdrive Pedal
4. Dunlop JH-F1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Distortion Pedal
5. Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion Pedal
6. Boss ML-2 Metal Core Distortion Pedal
7. Electro-Harmonix USA Big Muff Pi Distortion/Sustainer Pedal
8. Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal
9. Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff with Top Boost Distortion Pedal
10. Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal

Compare these with the Top 10 Best-Selling Distortion Pedals at Musicians Friend.
Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.
Search for Distortion and Overdrive Pedals on eBay.
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The year was 1987. I was ten years old. Even though my older sister typically listened to bands like Depeche Mode and They Might Be Giants, she had just come home with a new cassette tape – Guns n’ Roses’ Appetite For Destruction.

Looking back, I was listening to some pretty crappy music. Poison and Whitesnake totally ruled my jambox, but this new band struck a chord with me. This music was aggressive. This music was honest. This music was rock and roll.

Although I didn’t yet play an instrument, I was very familiar with the electric guitar. I could tell that this band’s guitarist, Slash, was playing with a different goal in mind than many of the guitarists of the 1980s, who seemed more concerned with how many notes they could pack into a solo.

Now, more that 20 years later, Slash has become perhaps the definitive lead guitarist of the past two decades. Of course, with that stature comes great influence. These days, a guitarist with great influence has the opportunity to attach their name to the guitar and gear of their choice.

This page is meant to be the Internet’s definitive guide to Slash guitar gear. Enjoy!

Slash Guitar Gear on DunlopTV.

Check out these two videos from DunlopTV. The video on the left features the man himself, discussing the guitar gear he uses on stage and in the studio.

The second video features Adam Day, who has been Slash’s guitar tech since the beginning of Guns N Roses. Adam takes us backstage at a Velvet Revolver show to run through the finer points of Slash’s live gear.

Slash Signature Guitar Gear

Slash and his signature tone have always been associated with the classic Gibson guitar through a Marshall amp combination. It’s natural that both companies, plus others, would want to promote that fact by releasing Slash signature products.

Epiphone Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top

The Epiphone Slash Signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top was designed and produced in close cooperation with Slash himself.

With the goal of making a powerful and professional Slash signature model available to all players, Slash and Epiphone recreated all of the personal specifications of Slash’s favorite Les Pauls. “I was really happy to get involved with Epiphone because there are a lot more people that would be interested in getting a good guitar for a little less money,” Slash says. “Something that actually sounds really good, and will last a long time, and be able to provide you with everything you need out of a really good quality guitar.”

The Epiphone Slash Les Paul features a solid mahogany body, a highly-figured maple top, and a vintage-correct long neck tenon that extends well into the body pickup cavity, for more wood-to-wood contact and sustain. With Slash’s personal choice of pickups, Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers, for the rich crunch and singing leads he’s famous for. Also included is Epiphone’s new LockTone stopbar/Tune-o-matic system, which secures the bridge and tailpiece to the guitar even without strings, while adding as much as 20 percent more sustain. Slash’s favorite Dark Tobacco Burst finish, nickel hardware, and machine heads with vintage tulip buttons round out this powerful tribute to an iconic guitarist.

More Specs | How To Buy

Product Video:

Gibson Slash USA Signature Les Paul

Gibson USA’s Slash Signature Les Paul Standard is a heartfelt tribute to Slash and the guitar he’s used for more than 20 years to create some of the most powerful and popular hard rock of all time.

Working closely with Slash, Gibson USA recreated his favorite Les Paul Standard. “I’ve got one of these on the road right now,” Slash says. “It’s probably one of the best live guitars that I’ve had in a really long time. It’s all the best qualities of Les Pauls rolled into one. All in all, it’s a pretty badass guitar.”

The magic of this guitar is in the details. An Antique Vintage Sunburst finish is applied to a solid mahogany body with a AA maple figured top and dark black. The body featuers Gibson’s period-correct weight-relief structure, along with a pair of Seymore Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers–the same pickups Slash uses in all his Les Pauls — for sweet, vintage tone. The Slash-designed solid mahogany neck is given a thin, comfortable profile to Slash’s personal specifications, and Slash’s skull and crossbones, top hat logo, and signature adorn the headstock. A custom-made, smooth black case featuring Slash’s logo accompanies every guitar. The Gibson USA Slash Signature Les Paul is a limited-edition run of only 1,600 guitars worldwide.

More Specs | How to Buy

Product Video:

Gibson Slash Custom Signature Les Paul

Gibson Custom Shop’s Inspired By Slash Les Paul Standard restores Slash’s No. 1 guitar — one of two Les Pauls he received from Gibson in 1988 — to the way it was just before he used it to make musical history.

“This is the replica of the original 1988 Les Paul I had before I beat the hell out of it,” Slash says. “It’s sort of a trip for me to see it because it looks actually like the guitar after I had it refinished in 1988. This is what it looked like when it was brand new.” Slash’s beloved Les Paul made its debut on the lengthy tour to support Guns N’ Roses’ seminal first album Appetite for Destruction. The two-year tour began in clubs and small theaters and ended in stadiums, and at every stop Slash used his Les Paul to redefine the role of guitar hero and reintroduce hard rock to its raw and rebellious roots.

With a pair of Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups and the gentle aging of Gibson Custom’s Vintage Original Spec series, one of the most legendary guitars of all time has been restored to its original glory, complete with a Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, faded to perfection. Crafted of the finest woods, the guitar is made of a carved maple top, one-piece mahogany back, and rosewood fingerboard. Each Inspired By Slash comes with a Gibson Custom Shop case and Certificate of Authenticity.

More Specs | How to Buy

Product Video:

Gibson Custom Inspired by Slash Les Paul Standard (Aged and Signed)

Only the renowned Gibson Custom Shop, working with master luthier Tom Murphy, could reproduce Slash’s favorite Les Paul so accurately that Slash himself couldn’t tell his original from one of these Murphy-aged masterpieces. “It’s a replica of my 1988 Les Paul Standard, and this one is basically identical,” Slash says. “I actually got this confused with the real guitar at one point when they first made it. It comes with all the scratches and belt buckle nicks and cracks in the neck that the original had. It’s pretty amazing to see this. It looks exactly like it.” Virtually the same guitar Slash has cherished as his main guitar for more than 20 years, the new Gibson Custom Inspired By Slash Les Paul Standard is a painstaking tribute to the instrument Slash made history with. Down to the finish wear and authentic cigarette burn, every feature and detail has been faithfully recreated by hand, using the delicate, time-intensive aging process that Murphy pioneered and perfected. Along with the carved maple top, one-piece mahogany back, and rosewood fingerboard that form the tonal backbone for every Les Paul, Slash’s Tom Murphy model is suited specially for crunching hard rock tone with a pair of Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups. And with a thin, comfortable neck profile, the guitar not only looks like Slash’s Les Paul, but feels and sounds like it too. Each guitar comes with a Gibson Custom Shop case and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Slash.

More Specs | How to Buy

Find a Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Dealer
Dealer Map

Dunlop SW-95 Crybaby Slash Wah Pedal

Two pedals in one! Like the guitarist himself, the Dunlop SW-95 Slash Wah is revolutionary and a classic, all at the same time.

It sports a hot rod, metallic-red finish and a cutting edge, high-gain circuit for a different and distinct sound. It also has a modified Fasel inductor for sweet, singing top end and upper midrange bite and sparkle on the wah. 18V operation yields tons of extra headroom. LED indicators for distortion on/off and wah on/off modes keep you clued in at all times. Top hat not included.

Dunlop SW-95 Crybaby Slash Wah Pedal Features:

• High gain distortion circuit
• Fasel inductor circuitry tuned to Slash’s specs
• 18V operation
• LEDs for distortion on/off and wah-wah on/off

Buy It

Marshall JCM Slash Limited Edition Amp

No longer in production, the Marshall JCM Slash Limited Edition Amp was the first Marshall Amp in history to bear the signature of an artist. Released in 1996, The JCM Slash Signature model was an authentic reissue of the Marshall amp Slash has sworn-by since day one, the Jubilee 2555 100 Watt head.

Here’s some info that Marshall released at the time:

“This hand-wired, all-tube amp (3x12AX7s, 4xEL34s) successfully marries the power of the 800 Series with a highly versatile pre-amp that includes a footswitchable “Lead Master” control, effectively making it a two channel head. This enables the user to switch instantly between rhythm and lead tones with a mere tap of the foot,” explained Marshall’s US product manager, Nick Bowcott.

The Jubilee’s Series Effects loop also enhances the amp’s versatility. In addition, a push/pull function on the Input Gain control (when “pulled out”) injects a subtle but effective distorted edge to the unit’s rhythm tone. A High Output (100 Watt )/Low Input (50 Watts) switch and a DI jack adds flexibility.

The JCM Slash Signature Limited Edition comes complete with a manual with forewords written by both Jim Marshall and Slash, a certificate of authenticity, complimentary footswitch and a custom snakeskin style cover featuring Jim’s and Slash’s signatures. Specially made angled (1960ASL) and straight front (1960BSL) 4×12 cabinets loaded with Celestion “Vintage 30″ speakers are also available in these snakeskin style signature covers.

Again, the Marshall JCM Slash Limited Edition Amp has been out of production for quite a while, but if you’re trying to find one, search on eBay.

Guild Crossroads Acoustic/Electric Guitar

Although not officially a Slash signature model, Slash did have a hand in the design of the acoustic/electric double neck Guild Crossroads guitar.

Guild no longer manufactures this guitar, but here was the product information released by Guild when the Crossroads was introduced in 1998.

Designed by guitarist Slash, who first sketched the guitar at a roadside diner in Hollywood, the Crossroads model is both an acoustic and an electric. The carved mahogany body is solid under the six string and has an acoustic sound hole and chamber under the twelve string. The guitar features a custom double neck 6 and 12, a high gloss lacquer finish, a maple top, a mahogany neck, Seymour Duncan pickups, and a Fishman transducer and preamp. Comes factory equipped with long-lasting Guild L3 50 phosphor bronze strings.

The Crossroads is truly a no-holds-barred guitar which players can use for any style to change quickly from acoustic to electric, without having to switch from one guitar to another midway through a live performance. Slash specified that he wanted to create the same Guild tone that he uses in the studio, but live on stage. This guitar can do both.

Just like the Marshall JCM Slash Amp, your best bet to find a Guild Crossroads guitar is on eBay.

Other Gear in Slash’s Set-Up

Of course, Slash can’t slap his name on every piece of gear in his set up. This section is taken from an interview Slash’s guitar tech Adam Day gave in Total Guitar Magazine in 2004.

Slash’s main rhythm sound was achieved with a combination of three Marshall heads: his Slash Signature Series model, a regular JCM800, and a 1973 model 1987 four-input non-master volume head. This mix was then run into a Marshall 100Watt cabinet loaded with 25Watt Celestion Greenback speakers. A classic Vox AC-30 valve combo was added for some sonic variation.

Adam: “In the past we’ve used three or four Marshalls and blended them together to create one voice. However, this time we tried the AC-30 in the mix.”

Clean rhythm sounds on the album were created with a 1956 Gibson Les Paul plugged into the Vox, which is also fitted with Celestion Greenbacks.

In the past, Slash’s amps used to be screaming in the studio. But during the recording of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion’ albums, he switched to an old JCM 800 with 65/50 output, setting the preamp on 2, the master volume on 8, and ran it through a Marshall 100Watt 4×12 cab. The result was essentially all output distortion and output gain – a very different sound for the guitarist. This setup led to the development of a Marshall Slash Signature head, based on the JCM800 model. He first used this amp with his Slash’s Snakepit project.

Live, all the rigs are bigger and louder than ever. Slash’s sound is a mix of an incredible six Marshall heads: two Slash Signature 25/55 tops provide his distortion sound feeding two Marshall 4×12 cabs on the back line. An additional pair of signature Marshalls modified with KT 88 output valves handle his clean tones. A further head is used to power his Heil HT-1 talkbox. The cautious rocker also carries yet another Marshall Slash head as a spare.

All his cabinets are straight Marshall 1960-styled units fitted with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers. While the guitarist has experimented with different cabs and speakers, he ultimately returns to this familiar setup.

While Slash always takes to the stage with a variety of guitars, his main instrument for Revolver will be his new Gibson Signature Series Les Paul – a replica of a classic 1959 model (still considered the very best) with an aged tobacco sunburst finish.

The guitar is fitted with a Fishman Power Bridge piezo for an acoustic guitar tone – it has an onboard switch to select the piezo pickup, humbuckers or both. He will also travel with a pair of custom-made BC Rich guitars – a 10-string Bich, set up for six-strings, and his famous Guns N’ Roses-era Mockingbird. He will play his Guild Crossroads double neck guitar on stage too – a unique combination of an acoustic and an electric guitar that he helped design. Slash will perform all of his acoustic parts live on this amazing guitar.

Slash’s pedals are run through the effects loop of his dirty amp and include an MXR 10-band graphic EQ and a Boss DD-5 digital delay. The latter is kicked in for soloing – the EQ provides a midrange boost to enhance feedback and to boost leads.

The only effect that Slash will operate himself onstage is a custom-made rack-mounted Dunlop Crybaby wah system. This also enables him to run up to four pedals at various locations on the stage. Adam typically handles all effect and amp switching offstage, including a Heil HT-1 voice box.

Slash Books, Music, and Swag

The Book: Slash
The Author: Slash with Anthony Bozza
The Run-Down: From one of the greatest rock guitarists of our era comes a memoir that redefines sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll

He was born in England but reared in L.A., surrounded by the leading artists of the day amidst the vibrant hotbed of music and culture that was the early seventies. Slash spent his adolescence on the streets of Hollywood, discovering drugs, drinking, rock music, and girls, all while achieving notable status as a BMX rider. But everything changed in his world the day he first held the beat-up one-string guitar his grandmother had discarded in a closet.

The instrument became his voice and it triggered a lifelong passion that made everything else irrelevant. As soon as he could string chords and a solo together, Slash wanted to be in a band and sought out friends with similar interests. His closest friend, Steven Adler, proved to be a conspirator for the long haul. As hairmetal bands exploded onto the L.A. scene and topped the charts, Slash sought his niche and a band that suited his raw and gritty sensibility.

He found salvation in the form of four young men of equal mind: Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler, and Duff McKagan. Together they became Guns N’ Roses, one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time. Dirty, volatile, and as authentic as the streets that weaned them, they fought their way to the top with groundbreaking albums such as the iconic Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion I and II.

Here, for the first time ever, Slash tells the tale that has yet to be told from the inside: how the band came together, how they wrote the music that defined an era, how they survivedinsane, never-ending tours, how they survived themselves, and, ultimately, how it all fell apart. This is a window onto the world of the notoriously private guitarist and a seat on the roller-coaster ride that was one of history’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll machines, always on the edge of self-destruction, even at the pinnacle of its success. This is a candid recollection and reflection of Slash’s friendships past and present, from easygoing Izzy to ever-steady Duff to wild-child Steven and complicated Axl.

It is also an intensely personal account of struggle and triumph: as Guns N’ Roses journeyed to the top, Slash battled his demons, escaping the overwhelming reality with women, heroin, coke, crack, vodka, and whatever else came along.

He survived it all: lawsuits, rehab, riots, notoriety, debauchery, and destruction, and ultimately found his creative evolution. From Slash’s Snakepit to his current band, the massively successful Velvet Revolver, Slash found an even keel by sticking to his guns.

Slash is everything the man, the myth, the legend, inspires: it’s funny, honest, inspiring, jaw-dropping . . . and, in a word, excessive.

The Book: Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction
The Author: Marc Canter
The Run-Down: When teenager and amateur photographer Marc Canter set out to document his best friend Saul Hudson’s rise as a rock guitarist in 1982, he never imagined he was documenting the genesis of of the next great rock ‘n’ roll band. His friend became the legendary guitarist Slash, and Canter found himself witnessing the creation of Guns N’ Roses front and center.

The candid shots contained in Reckless Road, taken as the band toured in 1985-1987 and made the legendary album Appetite for Destruction, capture their raw, blood-sweat-and-tears performances as well as their intimate moments. Containing original gig memorabilia including show flyers, ticket stubs, set lists, press clippings, and handwritten lyrics as well as in-depth interviews with band members and the people closest to them, Reckless Road offers an explicit, first-person perspective readers won’t find anywhere else.

Podcast Interview with Slash and Marc Canter
I had the pleasure of meeting Slash and Marc Canter at the 2008 BookExpo America. They were there to promote Reckless Road and they were kind enough to stop by the booth I was working at to record an interview. We spent about 10 minutes talking to us about the early days of GnR. It’s a pretty cool interview. The interviewer (not me…that is me setting up Slash’s mic in the photo) even tried to bait Slash a bit with an Axl Rose question, but Slash was very PC in his answer.

In case you’re wondering, Slash was super-cool. The show was closing for the day and he totally did not need to stay and talk to his. He was very nice and gracious, and was even cool to a lady who ambushed him with a free squirt gun she thought he had to have.

Listen to the podcast:
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Just in case you need to expand your music collection…

Slash Tee Shirts and Collectibles

Mcfarlane Slash Action Figure – 6-inch action figure – One of rock ‘n’ roll’s most famous and accomplished guitarists in a signature pose complete with leather jacket and tophat. Includes support base, guitar, amp and speaker.
Shop for Slash Action Figures

Slash Tee Shirts – Check out these officially licensed Slash tee shirts.
Shop for Slash Tee Shirts

Guitar Hero III
Of course, Slash is also on the cover of the Guitar Hero III series of video games.

Even if you can’t play a chord, let alone the opening riff to Sweet Child O’ Mine, Guitar Hero gives you the chance to rock out like Slash, even if if is only in your living room.
Shop for Guitar Hero III Products

Watch Slash Rock Out!

After absorbing all of this information your mouth is probably watering just a bit for some good old Rock. Here’s a great video of Slash from the G n’ R days, playing the theme to The Godfather.

In addition to sale pricing in all departments, Guitar Center is also offering special no payments, no interest financing for 12 months.

Find deals in these departments:

• Guitar Deals
• Drum Deals
• Keyboard Deals
• Recording, Live Sound & DJ Deals

Expires: August 31, 2008

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

Enter your song online or go to a Journeys store to enter by mail. Ten finalists will be selected, then the grand prize winner will receive a trip to New York City and studio time with a NYC music producer to record their single.

Entry Deadline: September 15, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

This contest has expired, but check out our other musical instrument giveaways
or Subscribe to our Contests & Giveaways category.

Expires: August 31, 2008

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Forn (PDF)

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

Perhaps you said to yourself, “Self…I had budgeted the full amount for my new copy of Cakewalk SONAR 7 Producer Edition or Pro Suite and I want to spend the full amount. I am not interested in spending that extra $50 on food for my family or gas for my automobile.”

You, my friend, are in luck. AskVideo has released their Sonar 7 Tutorial DVD Level 1, which will walk you through the basics of Sonar 7 and make you a better and more efficient audio editor. Plus, it cost $50…so you’re basically getting this DVD for free!

Hold that phone!!!! Although this promo is only good for a few more days, AskVideo is slashing 20% off the $50 price, so you’ll get this DVD for $40!

Stay tuned tomorrow…as I’ll find a way for you to spend that extra $10 on SONAR-related products.

Expires: July 18, 2008
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Buy Cakewalk SONAR 7 Producer Edition

I currently run SONAR Producer 5 for my audio editing, which I love. Looks like it’s time to upgrade!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download the Rebate Form (PDF)

This package brings you out on the road with Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp for 5 days taking part in the scheduled camps on event days, and hanging out like a rock star on your day off. You will travel on the tour bus, stay at the hotels, and even receive a per diem for meals. Plus, they’re throwing in a Slash Signature Epiphone Les Paul and a $500 Guitar Center Gift Card!

Entry Deadline: July 29, 2008
Get It: Click Here to Enter

This contest has expired, but check out our other musical instrument giveaways
or Subscribe to our Contests & Giveaways category.

Sponsored by Fender, GHS Strings, and Hal Leonard, these clinics will be absolutely FREE. He’ll be performing songs from his instrumental albums, as well as two songs from his upcoming release Requiem. John will be answering questions, signing autographs and posing for photos. John 5 merchandise will be available at each location.

He’ll be at the following Guitar Center locations:

• Guitar Center Phoenix, AZ – June 2 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center La Mesa, CA – June 3 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center Las Vegas – June 4 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center Hollywood – June 5 @ 6:00 PM
• Guitar Center San Francisco – June 9 @ 6:00 PM

Get It: Click Here For More Information

This sale happens tomorrow only – Monday, May 26th. You can either shop online, by phone (866-498-7882), or at any Guitar Center location.

According to the Guitar Center website, here’s what’s happening:

On Monday, May 26th, you’re invited to Guitar Center’s biggest one-day savings event of the year. Starting at 8am, you’ll find incredible price cuts on guitars, basses, amps, drums, keyboards, recording, live sound, lighting and DJ gear. Save on floor models, closeouts, used gear, returns, scratch n’ dents and more at prices marked down to the absolute minimum.

We’ve reduced prices on thousands of brand new factory-sealed items. And just for this one-day sale, we worked closely with several of our top manufacturers to buy their overstocked warehouse merchandise at drastically reduced prices, and we’re passing the savings directly on to you. You’ll find deals below our everyday low prices, with many items below our cost!

Plus, with special 15-month financing you can take home the gear and pay later.

This month, get no interest and no payments for 15 months on participating manufacturers when you use your Preferred Player Card.* Get all the gear you need without having to pay a single penny up front!

Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal

1. Zildjian Z Custom Crash Pack with FREE 12″ Z Custom Splash Cymbal
2. Zildjian A Custom Crash Cymbal
3. Zildjian A Custom 16″/18″ Fast Crash Pack Cymbals
4. Zildjian A Custom Mastersound Hi-Hat Cymbals – Pair
5. Zildjian Z Custom Rock Crash Cymbal
6. Zildjian Zil-Bel Cymbal
7. Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Crash Cymbal
8. Zildjian A Custom Projection Crash Cymbal
9. Zildjian A Custom Splash Cymbal
10. Zildjian A Series Sweet Ride Cymbal Brilliant Finish

Check out the Best Selling Musical Instruments Archive.

The trusty digital recorder that I use for all of these events is an Edirol R-09 24-Bit Wave/MP3 Recorder. The sound quality is great, it’s very compact, and I can record tons of audio. For instance, I record most events as a 128kbps MP3, and with a 2GB flash card, I can record about 25 hours of audio before it’s full.

So, if you’re in the market for a good quality digital field recorder, this might be the time to pick one up. Edirol is offering a $50 Rebate and a free leather case with tripod through the end of June.
Expires: June 30, 2008
MSRP: $450.00
Regular Price: $399.99
Current Price: $349.99 after mail-in rebate
Savings: $100
Get It: Click Here For More About This Deal | Download Rebate Form

The Deal:If you’re like me, you get pretty excited each month when the Gibson Guitar of the Month is announced.

I have to admit, though, that I had a vision of how each model is chosen. Perhaps this is because I’ve spent many years working in business. Here it is:

There is a monthly Gibson Guitar of the Month meeting at Gibson headquarters. This takes place about a week before the next month’s guitar model is to be announced. With all of the other meetings that Gibson marketing personnel have been forced to attend and with all of the spreadsheets they’ve had their heads buried in for the past month, not one thought had been given to the next Guitar of the Month. Then the marketing crew walks into the Gibson Custom Shop, checks out the guitars that are leaning against the builders’ benches, votes on the coolest one, takes some photos, then announces it to the world.

I was pleasantly surprised the other day when I realized that Gibson has actually listed the complete 2008 Guitar of the Month product line on their website. Way to be proactive, Gibson!

As you would imagine, all upcoming Gibson Guitar of the Month models are also available for preorder at Guitar Center and other retailers. Each is limited to 1,000 units worldwide, so if one of these catches your eye, make sure you reserve your place in line.

Here are details on the entire 2008 Gibson Guitar of the Month product line:

February 2008: Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Red

A limited-edition rethinking of a rock classic with a fiery finish, cool 3-D top, and tweaked fretboard that gives you even more tonal range for searing leads.

The Gibson SG Diablo is an exciting electric guitar update that adds depth to the SG-a guitar that was ahead of its time when it was introduced in 1961. A carved top with a 3-D effect plus other tweaks add brilliance and punch to its sound.

The Diablo guitar’s controls have been streamlined to one volume and one tone, in addition to the standard three-way switch. The volume control has also been moved closer to the bridge pickup for easy access and volume swells. Gibson’s Burstbucker pickups a No. 1 in the neck, and a No. 2 in the bridge give the SG Diablo the subtle variations of true, vintage humbucker tone with historically unmatched bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets, just like the original PAFs in the Gibsons of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The new SG Diablo also takes the SG s 24-3/4-inch scale length mahogany neck and adds two additional frets for a total of 24 allowing an even higher register of notes from a guitar already known for its searing lead-playing capacity.

Gibson’s traditional round neck profile and rosewood fingerboard enhances the guitar s resonance and sustain, and secures its reputation as the fastest guitar neck in the world. It is available only in a Red Metallic finish, with matching headstock. Grover tuners and gold hardware seal the deal. Like all Guitars of the Month, production is limited.

Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Red Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Neck Shape: rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1.6875
• Fretboard Radius: 12
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-o-matic
• Pickup Bridge: Burstbucker Pro 2
• Pickup Neck: Burstbucker Pro 1
• Controls: 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 3 way PU selector
• Tuners: Grover
• Hardware color: Gold
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Red Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,249.00
Current Price: $2,119.00
Savings: $1,130.00 (34%)
Get It: Buy It Now

March 2008: Gibson 50 Year Commemorative Flying V Electric Guitar

Limited-edition axe celebrates fifty years of the V!

The very first Flying V electric guitar blasted out of the Gibson factory in 1958. And although it took time for its legend to grow, the Flying V has become a true vintage guitar rarity as well as a benchmark for what a powerful, performance-driven guitar should be today. Now 50 years later, Gibson USA honors that legacy with the introduction of the 50-Year Commemorative Flying V—a fitting tribute to one of the world’s most recognizable guitars, and Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month for March 2008.

The 50-Year Commemorative Flying V guitar combines several timeless elements of the 1958 model, with a few modern appointments for today s demanding players. The solid mahogany, V-shaped body has been topped with AA flamed maple and has beveled edges exclusive to this limited edition. Also created especially for the Limited Edition Commemorative Flying V is an exclusive Brimstone Burst finish, and the headstock’s rare, art deco Gibson logo, which was recently found among old drawings belonging to legendary Gibson President Ted McCarty. The neck sports the traditional Flying V profile a hybrid between Gibson’s standard ’50s rounded contour and the ’60s slim-taper profile. It is topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl split-block inlays.

This special Flying V is powered by a Gibson ’57 Classic pickup in the neck and a Gibson ’57 Classic Plus in the bridge. Other select features include gold fret wire, Steinberger Gearless Tuners, and a custom Guitar of the Month case from Gibson USA. Like all of Gibson USA’s Guitars of the Month, production is limited.

Gibson 50 Year Commemorative Flying V Electric Guitar Features:

• Body Wood: Beveled Mahogany
• Top Wood: AA Maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Neck Shape: v rounded
• Frets: 22, gold
• Inlay: Split block
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
• Pickup Bridge: ’57 Classic Plus
• Pickup Neck: ’57 Classic
• Controls: 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Steinberger Gearless
• Hardware color: Gold
• Finish: Brimstone, Lacquer
• McCarty-designed headstock logo

Gibson 50 Year Commemorative Flying V Electric Guitar Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,499.00
Current Price: $1,911.65
Savings: $1,587.35 (45%)
Get It: Buy It Now

April 2008: Gibson LP-295 Goldtop Electric Guitar

Combines the Les Paul’s legendary characteristics with avant-garde features that keep it one step ahead of everything else.

Gibson USA’s LP-295 Goldtop is Gibson’s Guitar of the Month for April 2008 and sets the classic appointments of Gibson’s renowned ES-295 onto the body and neck of the celebrated Les Paul. The standard Les Paul cutaway gives way to the wider Florentine cutaway normally found on such legendary Gibson models as the Byrdland, the ES-175, and the ES-295.

The LP-295′s hand-pointed, cream-colored pickguard with gold flowers is also styled after the ES-295, as are the split parallelogram inlays, and the chrome Bigsby tailpiece. Graphite nut and bridge saddles offer better string control when using the Bigsby. The guitar’s body is solid mahogany with a maple top and single-ply cream binding, smoothed with Gibson’s classic Goldtop finish. The headstock is also bound in single-ply cream binding and sports Gibson’s traditional holly symbol.

The neck is the standard Les Paul Mahogany neck with a ’50s rounded profile and rosewood fingerboard. In the neck position, Gibson’s ’57 Classic pickup delivers warm, full tone with a balanced response, packing that classic Gibson PAF humbucker crunch. The ’57 Classic Plus is the perfect bridge-position companion to the ’57 Classic, inspired by the design of the original PAFs of the late 1950s and the early 1950s. The Gibson LP-295 is versatile enough for all styles of music and playing, and an admirable addition to Gibson’s current lineup of special edition guitars. Like all of Gibson USA’s Guitars of the Month, production is limited to just 1,000 guitars. Comes in a custom Guitar of the Month case.

Gibson LP-295 Goldtop Electric Guitar Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany with Florentine cutaway
• Top wood: Maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Headstock: Bound with pearl inlay
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Neck Shape: 50′s rounded
• Frets: 22
• Inlays: Split paralellogram
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Chrome Bigsby
• Pickguard: Hand-painted ES-295 style
• Pickup Bridge: ’57 Classic Plus
• Pickup Neck: ’57 Classic
• Controls: 2 Vol, 2 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Vintage style
• Hardware color: Chrome
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson LP-295 Goldtop Electric Guitar Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $4,449.00
Current Price: $2,899.00
Savings: $1,550.00 (34%)
Get It: Buy It Now

May 2008: Gibson Les Paul Push Tone Antique Natural Electric Guitar

Two sets of easily swappable pickups and beautiful, natural looks.

This Gibson Les Paul looker has all the right stuff. Maple topped mahogany with a sweet, understated finish, an ebony fretboard with maple trapezoid inlay, and a rounded ’50s profile mahogany neck. The pickup arrangement really sets this Les Paul guitar apart. Comes with 2 zebra coil Burstbucker Pro and 2 P-94 humbucker-sized pickups that attach wirelessly to the body using strong magnets. This gives you 4 mix-and-match pickup combos for near-endless tonal flexibility. From Gibson’s Guitar of the Month collection, this axe is limited to a production run of just 1000, so if you want yours, you’d better not wait.

Gibson Les Paul Push Tone Antique Natural Electric Guitar Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Top: Maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony with maple inlay
• Neck Shape: ’50s rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1.6875
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
• Pickup Bridge: Interchangeable BurstBucker Pro/Zebra Humbucker (1 extra set of pickups come in the case)
• Pickup Neck: Interchangeable BurstBucker Pro/Zebra Humbucker
• Controls: 2 Vol, 2 Tone, 3 Way PU selector
• Tuners: Locking Grover
• Hardware color: Chrome
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Les Paul Push Tone Antique Natural Electric Guitar Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $4,399.00
Current Price: $2,899.00
Savings: $1,500.00 (34%)
Get It: Buy It Now

June 2008: Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony

Takes a classic and gives it a shot of adrenaline.

The Shred-X Explorer is Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month for June 2008. The Gibson Explorer has long been a coveted workhorse guitar among the ranks of the world’s finest hard rock and heavy metal players. Now, this Explorer guitar takes it up a notch, with a one-piece mahogany body outfitted with black chrome hardware, and an Ebony finish.

A pair of EMG 85 pickups deliver the output needed for hard rock and metal, and a Kahler 2215K tremolo system ensures there will be no intonation or tuning issues when dive bombing chords and notes. The neck is also one-piece mahogany with Gibson’s traditional ’50s rounded profile, and ebony fingerboard with black acrylic dot fretboard inlays unique only to the Shred-X guitar, and locking Grover tuners.

The toggle switch has been relocated to the position it occupies on the Explorers from the 1980s, allowing easier access to quick, pickup selection. The Shred-X Explorer comes with a custom Gibson Guitar of the Month case. Production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony with black dot inlay
• Neck Shape: Explorer rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Kahler tremolo system
• Pickup Bridge: EMG 85
• Pickup Neck: EMG 85
• Controls: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Locking Grover
• Hardware color: Black chrome
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,449.00
Current Price: $2,269.00
Savings: $1,180.00 (34%)
Get It: Buy It Now

July 2008: Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Trans Blue

Limited edition sports a unique body style, special finish, and separate pickup outputs.

Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month for November 2008, the Longhorn Double-cutaway in Trans Blue, has a body design that consists of slightly extended, asymmetrical cutaways on a solid piece of mahogany topped with an AA figured maple top.

White three-ply binding around the body and a traditional headstock add both beauty and protection to this electric guitar. And the improvements don’t end there. A pair of EMG 85 active humbuckers deliver tone, power, and performance for any style of music, while a two-jack input from L.R. Baggs offers separate outputs for both the piezo and the humbuckers. This gives players the option of either blending the two sounds or playing them individually, thus allowing guitarists all types of sonic possibilities.

The neck is one-piece mahogany with Gibson’s traditional ’50s rounded profile, topped by an ebony fingerboard with white acrylic small-block fretboard inlays created especially for the Longhorn. Also in keeping with tradition is the headstock’s flowerpot inlay, which dates back to the early 1900s and several of Gibson’s historic mandolins and archtops. The Gibson USA Longhorn guitar is available only in Trans Blue finish. Production is limited to just 1,000 instruments.

Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Trans Blue Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Top wood: Maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Neck Shape: ’50s rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: L.R. Baggs Piezo
• Pickup Bridge: EMG 85
• Pickup Neck: EMG 85
• Controls: One volume , one tone control, One Piezo volume control
• Separate outputs for piezo and humbuckers
• Tuners: Grover tulip
• Hardware color: Gold
• Pickup selector: 3-way
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Trans Blue Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,439.00
Current Price: $2,249.00
Savings: $1,190.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

August 2008: Gibson Shred V Electric Guitar Ebony

One-piece, solid mahogany V-shaped body and distinctly sharp headstock confirms a true classic.

Gibson USA’s Shred-V Flying V the Guitar of the Month for August 2008 builds on the rich heritage of a legendary musical instrument. The Shred-V sets a powerful standard for Flying V performance. Plug it in, and immediately hear why the Gibson Shred-V lives up to its name. Two EMG 85 pickups give the guitar a powerful, commanding voice, perfect for aggressive hard rock and metal, and a Kahler 2214K tremolo system allows stable tuning and dive bombs.

The Shred-V is outfitted with black chrome hardware, and an Ebony finish that captures every detail and sharp style of the classic Flying V guitar. The neck is also one-piece mahogany with Gibson’s traditional Flying V profile a hybrid between the standard ’50s rounded contour and the ’60s slim-taper profile and an ebony fingerboard with black acrylic dot inlays unique only to the Shred-V. Locking Grover tuners keep the guitar in tune when pushing the Kahler tremolo system to its limits. Gibson’s Shred-V Flying V offered with a custom Guitar of the Month case combines the Flying V’s famous qualities with a unique sonic intensity and sleek look. Production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson Shred V Electric Guitar Ebony Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony with black dot inlay
• Neck Shape: Explorer rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Kahler tremolo system
• Pickup Bridge: EMG 85
• Pickup Neck: EMG 85
• Controls: 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Locking Grover
• Hardware color: Black chrome
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Shred V Electric Guitar Ebony Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,499.00
Current Price: $2,299.00
Savings: $1,200.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

September 2008: Gibson Reverse Explorer Electric Guitar Antique Walnut

Gibson USA turns the guitar world upside down again by introducing the limited edition Reverse Explorer.

The limited edition Reverse Explorer Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month for September 2008 is a guitar ready for the 21st century. Last year’s Reverse Flying V triggered an unprecedented response from both players and collectors. Once again, the engineers at Gibson USA have flipped the body of one of their most iconic guitars, and the result is stunning.

The Reverse Explorer’s one-piece mahogany body is now inverted so that the small horn is on the upper bass-side bout extending upward, while the larger horn is now positioned on the lower treble-side bout, pointing downward. Highlighting the unique body outline is a carbon fiber pickguard shaped like a lightning bolt, extending the entire length of the body. The neck is a hybrid between Gibson’s standard ’50s rounded contour and its ’60s slim-taper profile, topped by a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with carbon fiber inlays at the fifth and 12th fret.

The Reverse Explorer also sports the rare, art deco-style Gibson logo found among old drawings belonging to Gibson President Ted McCarty. The headstock is a McCarty era-inspired shape, equipped with Steinberger Gearless Tuners for unparalleled tuning accuracy. In the neck position is Gibson’s ’57 Classic with a ’57 Classic Plus in the bridge. The pole pieces for both pickups are concealed by pickup covers that are copper-plated and powder-coated, designed just for the Reverse Explorer. The rest of the guitar’s hardware is gold-plated. The Reverse Explorer from Gibson USA comes only in an Antique Walnut finish, and comes housed in a custom Guitar of the Month case. Like all Guitars of the Month, production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson Reverse Explorer Electric Guitar Antique Walnut Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Neck Shape: explorer rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1.6875
• Fretboard Radius: 12
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-o-matic
• Pickup Bridge: ’57 Classic +
• Pickup Neck: ’57 Classic
• Controls: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3 way pickup selector
• Tuners: Steinberger Gearless
• Hardware color: Gold
• Pickup selector: 3 way
• Finish: Antique Walnut, Lacquer
• Ted McCarty designed headstock and logo

Gibson Reverse Explorer Electric Guitar Antique Walnut Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,049.00
Current Price: $1,999.00
Savings: $1,050.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

October 2008: Gibson Commemorative 50th Anniversary Explorer Electric Guitar Brimstone

Combines the time-tested elements of the original with several modern appointments worthy of today’s demanding players.

The world wasn’t quite ready for the Gibson Explorer in 1958, as evidenced by production numbers that strained to meet 100 units. Now 50 years later those same models are some of the most prized collectible guitars in the world, and Gibson USA honors the legacy of this legendary electric guitar by introducing the 50-Year Commemorative Gibson Explorer.

The retro-style, solid mahogany body of this Guitar of the Month for October 2008 is as angular and asymmetrical today as it was the first day it left Gibson’s Kalamazoo plant in 1958. Added, however, is a AA figured maple top with beveled edges, and a hotter-than-hell Brimstone Burst finish all exclusive features of this limited edition Explorer guitar. The headstock’s unique Gibson logo was recently found in a warehouse, among some old drawings belonging to Gibson President Ted McCarty.

The neck is also one-piece mahogany with Gibson’s traditional ’50s rounded profile, topped by a 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl split-block inlays and single-ply binding. The guitar is powered by two Gibson ’57 Classic pickups, made to the same exact specs as the original PAFs of the late 1950s and early 1960s, and packing that unmistakable Gibson PAF humbucker crunch. Other select features on the Gibson Explorer include gold fret wire and hardware, Steinberger Gearless tuners, and a custom Guitar of the Month case from Gibson USA. Like all of Gibson USA’s Guitars of the Month, production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson Commemorative 50th Anniversary Explorer Electric Guitar Brimstone Features:

• Body Wood: Beveled Mahogany
• Top wood: AA figured maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony with split block inlay
• Neck Shape: Explorer rounded
• Frets: 22, gold
• Nut Width: 1-11/6″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
• Pickup Bridge: ’57 Classic Plus
• Pickup Neck: ’57 Classic
• Controls: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Steinberger Gearless
• Hardware color: Gold
• Finish: Brimstone, Lacquer
• Ted McCarty-designed headstock logo

Gibson Commemorative 50th Anniversary Explorer Electric Guitar Brimstone Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,499.00
Current Price: $2,249.00
Savings: $1,250.00 (35%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

November 2008: Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Limited edition sports unique body style, special finish, and separate pickup outputs.

The Longhorn double-cutaway guitar in Heritage Cherry Sunburst is a soon-to-be-classic and is one of Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month for 2008. The Gibson guitar features a unique body design, consisting of slightly extended, asymmetrical cutaways on a solid piece of mahogany, topped by an AA figured maple top. White three-ply binding around the body and traditional headstock adds both beauty and protection to this model.

And the innovation doesn’t stop there. A special-design L.R. Baggs piezo pickup has been added underneath the Tune-O-Matic bridge to deliver outstanding acoustic simulation capabilities. A pair of EMG’s legendary 85 active humbuckers deliver extraordinary tone, power, and performance at all levels, while a new two-jack input, also from L.R. Baggs, offers separate outputs for both the piezo and humbuckers. This gives players the option of blending the two distinct sounds, or playing them individually, thus enabling guitarists to dial in all types of sonic possibilities.

The neck is one-piece mahogany with Gibson’s traditional ’50s rounded profile, topped by an ebony fingerboard with white acrylic small-block fretboard inlays created especially for the Longhorn. Also in keeping with tradition is the headstock’s flowerpot inlay, which dates back to the early 1900s and several of Gibson’s historic mandolins and archtops. The Gibson USA Longhorn Double-cutaway is yet another notable addition to Gibson’s current collection of special edition guitars and production is limited to just 1,000 instruments.

Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Heritage Cherry Sunburst Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Top wood: Maple
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Neck Shape: ’50s rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: L.R. Baggs Piezo
• Pickup Bridge: EMG 85
• Pickup Neck: EMG 85
• Controls: One volume , one tone control, One piezo volume control
• Separate outputs for piezo and humbuckers
• Tuners: Grover tulip
• Hardware color: Gold
• Pickup selector: 3-way
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Longhorn Double Cutaway Electric Guitar Heritage Cherry Sunburst Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,449.00
Current Price: $2,249.00
Savings: $1,200.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

December 2008: Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Silver

A limited-edition rethinking of a rock classic with a lustrous finish, cool 3-D top, and tweaked fretboard that gives you even more tonal range for searing leads.

The Gibson SG Diablo adds a unique depth and, if possible, higher class to the SG, which was a futuristic electric guitar design when it was introduced in 1961. The carved top on this mahogany guitar lends a 3D effect to the look and a slightly different brilliance and punch to the sound as well.

The Diablo guitar s controls have been streamlined to one volume and one tone, in addition to the standard three-way switch. The volume control has also been moved closer to the bridge pickup for easy access and volume swells. Gibson’s Burstbucker pickups a No. 1 in the neck, and a No. 2 in the bridge give the SG Diablo the subtle variations of true, vintage humbucker tone with historically unmatched bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets, just like the original PAFs in the Gibsons of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The new SG Diablo also takes the SG’s 24-3/4-inch scale length mahogany neck and adds two additional frets for a total of 24 allowing an even higher register of notes from a guitar already known for its searing lead-playing capacity.

Gibson’s traditional round neck profile and rosewood fingerboard enhances the Diablo SG guitar’s resonance and sustain, and secures its reputation as the fastest guitar neck in the world. It is available only in a Silver Metallic finish, with matching headstock. Grover tuners and gold hardware seal the deal. Like all Guitars of the Month, production is limited.

Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Silver Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Neck Shape: rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1.6875
• Fretboard Radius: 12
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-o-matic
• Pickup Bridge: Burstbucker Pro 2
• Pickup Neck: Burstbucker Pro 1
• Controls: 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 3 way pickup selector
• Tuners: Grover
• Hardware color: Gold
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson SG Diablo Electric Guitar Metallic Silver Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $3,249.00
Current Price: $2,119.00
Savings: $1,130.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

January 2009: Gibson The Holy V Electric Guitar Worn Cherry

Vented openings in body and headstock.

Creativity has always been the backbone of ingenuity at Gibson USA, and the Holy V Flying V Guitar of the Month, January 2009 is the latest example of Gibson’s imaginative spirit. The traditional features of the Flying V are apparent in the Holy V guitar – the mahogany V-shaped body, pointed headstock, and hybrid neck profile are all true to the original’s design. Both the neck and headstock have carefully carved vented openings giving the Holy V a more intense look and character, while ending up as one of Gibson’s lightest production guitars to date.

The Gibson Holy V’s neck topped by an ebony fingerboard with split diamond inlays and single-ply binding carries two additional frets, preserving the Flying V’s traditional 24-inch scale length wile delivering an even higher register of notes to a guitar already famous for its exceptional lead-playing ability. The Holy-V sports a single ’57 Classic pickup in the bridge position, supplying that classic Gibson PAF crunch and power. Other Holy-V guitar features include Steinberger gearless tuners for smooth tuning action and accuracy, and a custom Guitar of the Month case from Gibson USA. Like all Gibson USA’s Guitar of the Month models, production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson The Holy V Electric Guitar Worn Cherry Features:

• Body Wood: Vented Mahogany
• Headstock: Vented
• Scale Length: 24-3/4″
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Neck Shape: V rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16″
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
• Pickup Bridge: ’57 Classic, open coil
• Controls: 1 Volume
• Tuners: Steinberger Gearless
• Hardware color: Chrome
• Finish: Satin Cherry, Lacquer

Gibson The Holy V Electric Guitar Worn Cherry Includes:

• hardshell case

MSRP: $2,799.00
Current Price: $1,839.00
Savings: $960.00 (34%)
Get It: Preorder It Now

On most retail websites, you really have to hunt for these. A few sites, however, have set up landing pages that list all of the products that currently have cash back rebates.

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