Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, is showcasing an array of new guitars, products and livestream events at Music China 2020 Asia’s largest trade show of musical instruments at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, now through Oct. 31. For the past 18 years, Music China has generated tremendous growth for the music industry in China and Asia Pacific.
By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Gibson continues to set the stage for the next era of shaping sound for present and future generations. In 2019, Gibson, Epiphone and Baldwin returned to Music China welcoming thousands of visitors. The four day event saw 177, 845 attendees–playing the new guitar and piano lines, taking photos with the Gibson Guitar Throne, live streaming videos in Baldwin piano rooms, and enjoying the many performances throughout the show from Gibson artists in various genres of music.
For Music China 2020, Gibson’s CEO and President, James “JC” Curleigh is connecting virtually with key dealers, distributors, artists, and partners. In 2019, JC came to Music China–marking the first time in a decade a top executive at Gibson had traveled to China–to forge new relationships and opportunities for growth in retail, branding, management, as well as secure support for authorized dealers and local artists throughout the region.
The Gibson experience at Music China 2020 features exciting, and award-winning new products from the brand including the following listed below.
KRAMER
Kramer the original Made to Rock Hard guitar brand is back, shredding all rules and boundaries with new energy, guitar collections and artist collaborations. The Kramer Original and Modern Collections span entry-level and intermediate guitars to professional offerings across our entire line, including the USA assembled Custom Graphic Collection, which is hand-painted by legendary Kramer graphic artists.
Kramer’s Original Collection includes the Icon, Baretta, Pacer, Focus, The 84, and SM-1 whereas, the Modern Collection will feature the Assault, Striker, Nite-V, Bass and more. Early artist collaborations for Kramer include the Tracii Guns “Gunstar Voyager” the Charlie Parra “Vanguard” and the Dave Sabo “Snake-Baretta” with more to come in 2021 and beyond.
Kramer Original Collection: Jersey Star, Nightswan, Baretta Vintage and SM-1.
Kramer Modern Collection: NiteV, Les Paul, and D-1 Bass.
Note: Sydney based music wholesaler Australis Music Group will be launching the Kramer guitars into the Australian market late November, early December.
EPHIPHONE
Epiphone Originals and Inspired by Gibson Collections
The new 2020 guitar portfolio includes the Epiphone Originals and Epiphone Inspired by Gibson collections. Giving players what they crave, Epiphone Originals have been at the forefront of folk, blues, and rock n’ roll revolutions. The first wave of the Epiphone Original Collection features new and classic acoustic and electric instruments that Epiphone fans worldwide depend on. No matter what stage in the journey the player finds themselves, Epiphone has a model and price point to meet their needs.
For the first time in decades Epiphone has launched Epiphone Made in USA with The Texan, which is handcrafted in the Gibson Acoustic factory in Bozeman, Montana by Gibson’s finest acoustic luthiers. Since 1958, the Epiphone Texan has been the inspiration for generations of world-class songwriters including Paul McCartney of the Beatles and Peter Frampton. Featuring all solid woods, X-bracing, and a 25.5” scale length for a powerful tone, Epiphone Made in USA The Texan is available now in Antique Natural and Vintage Sunburst. Comprising the most iconic acoustic guitars from the 1960s, Epiphone Masterbilt Acoustics look and play beautifully and offer an accessible price point for players. Built overseas with old-world techniques, the Epiphone Masterbilt Original Collection the Texan, Frontier, and Excellente guitars.
Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection offers fans classic Gibson electric models like the Les Paul, the SG, and the ES-335 at an accessible price. Designed from the original Gibson blueprints, Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Collection includes a Kalamazoo headstock, upgraded electronics and finishes across the Les Paul Junior, Les Paul Special, SG Special, Les Paul Standard 50’s, Les Paul Standard 60’s, SG Standard, 61 SG Standard w/Maestro, Designer Collection Flying V, Explorer, Firebird, as well as, a new Les Paul Studio and Les Paul Modern.
Other electric debuts include the Epiphone UpTown KatTM ES Collection, the next generation of Epiphone’s critically acclaimed ES-style archtop. The Muse Collection is available in a Les Paul and the SG, address beginner and advanced players in new finishes with modern features that appeal to women and men.
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Collection: Les Paul Custom in Ebony, Les Paul Special in TV Yellow, Flying V in Ebony, Les Paul Standard 50s Heritage in Cherry Sunburst, SG 61 Maestro in Cherry, Firebird in Vintage Sunburst, Explorer in Ebony and SG Special in Pelham Blue.
Epiphone Made In The USA Texan.
Note: The Inspired By Epiphones are already in the market.
Australis Music Group will soon receive stock of the USA Made, Texan and hopefully the Casino as well
GIBSON USA SLASH COLLECTION
As seen at the NAMM show in January, new for 2020, is the first-ever Gibson USA Slash Collection. Slash and Gibson’s Luthiers worked in close collaboration with attention to the fine details at Gibson’s headquarters in Nashville, TN and the Gibson Slash Collection features four Les Paul Standard electric guitars and two J-45 Standard acoustic guitars. Inspiring multiple generations of players around the world, the Slash Collection is comprised of the most influential Gibson guitars Slash has used throughout his career.
Each Slash Collection Les Paul Standard features a AAA maple top, a solid Mahogany body and Slash’s personal touches including a C-shape neck profile, Gibson Custom BurstBucker™ Alnico 2 pickups, color coordinated hardware appointments, hand-wired electronics with orange drop capacitors and a vintage style brown hardshell case. Exclusive to the Slash Collection are Slash’s “Scully” signature drawing on the back of the headstock, Slash’s signature on the truss rod cover, a blank truss rod cover in the case, Slash’s new Ernie Ball strings , and four Slash Jim Dunlop Tortex® picks. The Slash Collection Les Paul Standard is available in November Burst, Appetite Burst, Vermillion Burst and Anaconda Burst.
Each Slash Collection Gibson J-45 Standard features a blend of traditional appointments and modern features including a custom Slash rounded C-neck profile, a fatter and more modern 16” fingerboard radius and a versatile LR Baggs TM VTC pickup for natural acoustic sound. Slash’s “Scully” signature drawing is on the back of the headstock, and his signature is on the truss rod cover with a blank truss rod cover in the case and four Slash Jim Dunlop Tortex® picks. The Slash Collection J-45 Standard is available in November Burst and Vermillion Burst.
“Developing my Collection with the new team at Gibson has been really exciting,” says Slash. “The quality and attention to detail is next level, and these guitars truly reflect what I play live and in the studio. I think guitarists will be inspired by what we’ve put together.”
Slash Collection Les Paul Standard in Anaconda Burst, November Burst, Appetite Burst and Vermillion Burst.
Slash Collection J-45 Standard November Burst and Vermillion Burst.
Across all of Gibson’s brands and collections, the story continues to be told with iconic and emerging artists that inspire the now and nurture the next generation of Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, and Steinberger fans.
Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer distributed in Australia by Australis Music Group
Check the website for stock availability