We're midway through NAMM's virtual "Believe in Music" week, and new product announcements keep on coming. Gibson is the latest brand to unveil its 2021 lineup, which features a slew of new guitars worth getting excited about. Perhaps the one that we're most excited about is the rad new Non-reverse Thunderbird Bass.
The new Thunderbird will join Gibson's Original Collection, which currently features golden era-style '50s and '60s Les Paul Standards. The bass sports a long-scale, 34-inch set neck and will be available in all of the original finishes: Pelham Blue, Inverness Green, and Sparkling Burgundy.
Gibson's Custom Shop is also bringing back two more classics for their 60th anniversary: the 1961 SG Standard in Cherry Red VOS and the 1961 SG Custom in Classic White VOS. Both of these beautiful custom shop models feature all of the period-correct appointments of the originals, including the signature sideways vibrola. (Learn more about the history of the Gibson SG here.)
Also new from Gibson's Custom Shop are a variety of exciting artist signatures with the likes of Marcus King, Peter Framptom, Jerry Cantrell, and Sergio Vallin. These models join Gibson's new main production line artist signatures, like the Kirk Douglas SG we covered earlier this week, the addition of the Slash Victoria Goldtop to the Slash Collection, and the forthcoming G2 line with Gene Simmons.
As for the acoustics, last year saw Gibson reinvesting in its acoustic lines and 2021 promises to expand that reinvestment. A new J-45 Standard 12-string model is set to join the Acoustic Modern Collection, while existing models will see some updated finish options. The J-45 Standard now comes in Cherry, the Hummingbird Standard in Vintage Sunburst, and the SJ-200 in Wine Red and Autumn Burst.
Gibson's Acoustic Custom Shop—launched last year in Bozeman, Montana—will also be producing some new models for 2021, like the SJ-200 Western Classic, as well as artist signatures like the Orianthi SJ-200, Tom Petty SJ-200 Wildflower, Slash Collection J-45 models, and the Noel Gallagher J-150.
Gibson's announcement also included mention of some new Made In Nashville semi-hollow models joining the Modern Collection—the ES-339, ES-339 Figured, and ES-335 Satin all featuring maple center blocks, maple/poplar/maple ply front and back bodies, and mahogany neck with rosewood fretboards and 22 jumbo frets.
Stay tuned for more new from NAMM's virtual Believe in Music week, and keep an eye out for all of these models to make their way onto Reverb soon.