photo: Gibson Brands, Inc.
Gibson Brands, Inc. declared bankruptcy in May, but the company is soldiering on with a brand-new electric guitar line-up.
Don’t expect to find fancy add-ons or tech-related doodads in this simplified range. And that’s on purpose.
Just recently, Gibson asked a federal bankruptcy judge to absolve the company of a $60 million debt from Tronical GmBH, a German maker of automatic tuning pegs. That idea flopped for Gibson, and the company is dialing back toward its roots.
Earlier this year, we detailed Gibson’s harrowing crash into bankruptcy. But a Chapter 11 filing is designed to protect ongoing operations, and hopefully help the company get back on its feet again.
But those looking for cheaper price tags should look elsewhere. In this rollout, Gibson is hoping to re-establish its reputation for quality, while separating itself from a flood of cut-rate competitors.
Here’s the complete lineup, including price tags and a brief description by Gibson for each 2019 model.
Les Paul Standard 2019. $3,399
from Gibson:
The iconic Les Paul Standard is celebrated by the world’s greatest musicians as the standard for perfection in the world of electric guitars. The new 2019 Les Paul Standard features the popular asymmetrical Slim Taper neck profile with Ultra-Modern weight relief for increased comfort and playability.
Impeccable looks are highlighted by the powerful tonewood combination of mahogany back and carved maple AAA figured top. Calibrated BurstBucker Pro humbuckers provide modern and classic tones, while immense tonal variety comes from 4 push-pull knobs and an internal 5 position DIP switch for a multitude of tonal variations.
Les Paul High Performance 2019. $3,799
from Gibson:
The new 2019 Gibson Les Paul Standard HP retains popular features, including AAA+ figured maple top, comfortable asymmetrical Slim Taper neck profile, fast-access heel, soloist neck width, Ultra-Modern weight relief, belly scarf, and exceptional sonic tonal variety provided by 4 push-pull pots and an internal 5 position DIP switch.
Chrome hardware, Locking Keystone Tuners, Clear Top Hat knobs and BurstBucker Rhythm Pro and BurstBucker Lead Pro + pickups with chrome trim rings.
The new 2019 Gibson Les Paul High Performance is definitely built with the player in mind.
SG Standard 2019. $1,499
from Gibson:
For 2019 the Gibson SG Standard boasts classic looks and that historic playability you associate with the traditional SGs of the 1960s. A slim taper mahogany neck profile is complimented by a bound rosewood fingerboard, 490R and 490T pickups housed in a mahogany body give those luscious SG tones with the power to drive the volume when needed.
A black 5-ply full face pickguard set this SG Standard apart from others… a truly versatile classic.
ES-235 Ebony. $1,799
from Gibson:
The Gibson ES-235 is a brand-new powerhouse design for the 2019 line-up. Inspired by classic Gibson models like the ES-125 and the iconic Les Paul, players will find themselves ready to conquer any musical genre. The ES-235 is built around a maple centerblock paired with spruce bracing. The result is maximum semi-hollowbody versatility.
The single-cutaway body design offers easy fret access across the entire rosewood fingerboard. Burstbucker Pro humbucking pickups and our Memphis Tone Circuit Plus (MTC Plus) ensure that you’re always ready to be heard.
Flying V 2019. $1,699
from Gibson:
The 2019 Gibson Flying V carries heritage to a new generation. Antique Natural finish, mahogany set neck and rosewood fingerboard provide the classic looks and playability is assured through a slim taper neck profile. Burstbucker pickups bring the noise and provide that perfect mix of tone, volume and power.
Explorer 2019. $1,699
from Gibson:
Introduced along-side the Gibson Flying V in 1958, the Gibson Explorer went against every guitar design that came before it.
Over 60 years later the Gibson Explorer is utilized by global artists of all genres making it a true classic of the guitar world. The Antique Natural finish with BurstBucker pickups provide classic 50’s era Explorer aesthetics with a powerful take on a vintage voice. All mahogany set-neck construction, rosewood fingerboard and slim taper neck provide incredible tone and playability.
Les Paul Studio Tribute 2019. $1,199
from Gibson:
The Les Paul Studio Tribute captures the vibe, feel and tonality of a traditional Les Paul in two new finishes for 2019.
A slim taper maple neck profile and ultra-modern weight relief make the 2019 Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute a pleasure to play. A pair of open-coil 490 humbucking pickups with Alnico II magnets provide classic 50’s era tone, power and sustain.
Gibson ES-335 Figured 2019. $3,699
from Gibson:
The Gibson ES-335 Figured is the perfect blend of form and function. Equipped with a thermally engineered chambered maple centerblock, and thermally engineered quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing, players will be impressed by the lightweight feel and expanded range of tonal capabilities.
Dressed in high-end appointments like our hand-wired Memphis Tone Circuit Premiere (MTC Premiere) control assembly, the all new Memphis Historic Spec II (MHS II) humbucking pickups, and an ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles, this just might be the best one yet.
ES-275 Thinline 2019. $4,099
from Gibson:
The newly designed Gibson ES-275 Thinline is a unique take on one of our most iconic silhouettes, the Gibson jazz box.
Featuring a thermally engineered chambered maple centerblock and thermally engineered quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing, this guitar offers lightweight semi-hollowbody characteristics in a timeless archtop package. The Dark Rosewood fingerboard and Rounded “C” neck profile provide a comfortable feel with easy access to all 22 frets.
Les Paul Studio 2019. $1,699
from Gibson:
The Les Paul Studio embodies the essential Les Paul features with enhancements for playability and tonal versatility. The white-bound rosewood fingerboard and slim-taper mahogany neck provide effortless playability and comfort.
The 490R and 498T pickups provide tight, high output humbucking performance and the two push-pull pots offer additional coil-tapping options.
Les Paul Studio Tribute 2019. $1,199
from Gibson:
The Les Paul Studio Tribute captures the vibe, feel and tonality of a traditional Les Paul in two new finishes for 2019.
A slim taper maple neck profile and ultra-modern weight relief make the 2019 Gibson Les Paul Studio Tribute a pleasure to play. A pair of open-coil 490 humbucking pickups with Alnico II magnets provide classic 50’s era tone, power and sustain.
SG Standard Tribute 2019. $1,099
from Gibson:
Available in Vintage Cherry Satin, and Natural Walnut Satin the new 2019 SG Standard Tribute boast a traditional Mahogany body and rounded profile maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
Finished with a black, 5-ply full-face pickguard loaded with double black, open-coil 490R and 490T pickups giving the 2019 Gibson SG Standard Tribute its voice. Nickel hardware and Vintage Keystone tuners finish off the SG Standard Tribute.
Les Paul Junior Tribute DC 2019. $799
from Gibson:
The Gibson Les Paul Junior was first introduced as a Les Paul option for students and beginners.
The new Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut boasts true vintage styling with a mahogany body and maple neck finished in a gorgeous Satin Cherry finish. The pickup and controls are mounted in an all new pickguard design; a new take on a traditional design.
ES-335 Dot 2019. $2,999
from Gibson:
The Gibson ES-335 DOT is the cornerstone of the Gibson ES line-up. From its inaugural appearance in 1958, the Gibson ES-335 immediately set an unmatched standard.
The pearloid dot inlay rosewood fingerboard on a hand-rolled Rounded “C” mahogany neck remind players where it all started. The all-new Memphis Historic Spec II (MHS II) humbucking pickups paired with our Memphis Tone Circuit Plus (MTC Plus) circuitry showcases the versatile Gibson ES tone that players have craved for over 60 years.
Explorer Tribute 2019. $1,399
from Gibson:
Satin Black Finish with black chrome hardware and equipped with Dirty Fingers + pickups delivers aggressive styling, sound and performance.
All mahogany construction, rosewood fingerboard and fast, slim taper neck. One volume, one tone and 3-way pickup selector switch keep controls intuitive and essential. One volume, one tone and 3-way pickup selector switch keep controls intuitive and essential.
Firebird 2019. $1,199
from Gibson:
A reverse body and headstock are the only things backward in this forward thinking guitar.
A true-tone machine introduced originally in 1963, the new 2019 Gibson Firebird has the traditional 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck-through body construction which provides rich, warm tonality and classic sustain you associate with a Gibson.
Firebird Tribute 2019. $1,199
from Gibson:
Retaining the original ‘Reverse’ body and headstock the 2019 Gibson Firebird Tribute radiates vintage styling.
Mahogany, slim taper set-neck with an unbound rosewood fingerboard is coupled with a mahogany body which guarantees classic Gibson sustain while the Firebird mini-humbuckers provide the tone.
Chrome hardware, Grover mini-tuners and satin cherry finish complete the package.
ES-335 Studio 2019. $1,999
from Gibson:
Over the years, the ES-335 Studio distinguishes itself as one of the most versatile guitars ever built. The new Gibson ES-335 Studio is ready for whatever you can throw at it. With Classic 57 humbucking pickups and our dynamic Memphis Tone Circuit (MTC) control assembly players will find endless creative possibilities.
The iconic Gibson semi-hollowbody shape is accentuated by 3-ply (Black-White-Black) binding with a Vintage Sunburst finish.
Flying V Tribute 2019. $1,399
from Gibson:
Satin Black Finish with black chrome hardware and equipped with Dirty Fingers + pickups deliver aggressive styling, sound and performance.
All mahogany construction, rosewood fingerboard and fast, slim taper neck. One volume, one tone and 3-way pickup selector switch keep controls intuitive and essential.
to expensive!!
do sg standards no longer have hum bucker pickups?
do any have bridge pick ups as some used to.
I don’t get shutting down the Memphis facility and losing the people that were producing the instruments that WEREN’T having issues about every third one out…shitty work from the exec office, yes, but the fuckups on builds didn’t cross his desk. In particular I’d shitcan the finish crew in Nashville and hire a QC inspector that wasn’t apparently drunk…just saying…