EPIPHONE LAUNCH PR SERIES

While Gibson themselves re-vitalise their acoustics, their Epiphone brand is about to unleash a completely new range of models, including five dreadnoughts, one folk, two beautiful-looking cutaway acoustics (the PR 800 and PR850) plus two new mandolins. All these are in Epiphone's 'PR' range, but watch-out too for new solid-bodied electrics called the 'Wilshire' II and III (no, we didn't omit the 't'!).

The Wilshire II and III will both have maple bodies, necks and fingerboards, single volume and tone controls and 22 frets on the standard 25 1/2" scale. The Wilshire II features twin humbuckers with a coil tap whereas the Wilshire III features three single coil types plus a 'blade' selector switch.

Eyes open too for the re-introduction of a great Epiphone name, the Crestwood, a solid bodied guitar with a maple neck and fingerboard, twin humbuckers, coil tap, tremolo etc.

Finally, bass players are about to see the Epiphone Embassy bass unveiled. With either one single or one split double coil pickup, the Embassy features a maple neck and fingerboard with a 22 fret neck on a 34" scale.

Unfortunately, we don't have the space to run pics of all these new models this month - but review samples are on the way and we'll update you as fast as we can. Meanwhile, more details from Rosetti & Co., (Contact Details).

GIBSON ACOUSTICS REVIVE THE LEGEND

Love the legendary Gibson acoustic sound from vintage models? Well, the good news is that the first shipment of completely redesigned Gibson acoustics - the 90th. Anniversary Acoustic Series - will be arriving in Britain shortly, complete with some notable internal design changes which should get right back to that 'vintage model' sound.

The most important change lies in the internal bracing of the new versions, a return to the classic 'single-X' bracing pattern which was one of the reasons for vintage Gibson acoustics having such a superlative sound.

Models available will range from the laminated top, synthetic asymmetrical backed J-25, through the Hummingbird, now with single X bracing, bookmatched mahogany back and sides, rosewood bridge, bound top and back and 1-piece mahogany neck.

The Dove will feature a close grain radiused solid spruce top with single X bracing, bookmatched solid maple back and sides, the back being inlaid with wooden marquetry. Mother of Pearl 'dove wing' inlays complete the picture (sounds good enough to eat, doesn't it!).

Finally come two more revived 'old faithfuls', the J-45 (close grained spruce radiused top, bookmatched solid mahogany back and sides, 1-piece solid mahogany neck, pearloid dot inlays etc.) and the J-200, with its fine grain solid spruce radiused top, bookmatched maple back and sides, mother of pearl inlays, gold plated hardware, 3-piece maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and so on. Both the J-45 and the J-200 feature the re-adopted single X bracing pattern too.

Prices and exact dates when the new single X braced Gibson acoustics will be in the shops were uncertain at the time 'IT' went to Press, so interested readers should contact Gibson's importers, Rosetti & Co. Ltd., at (Contact Details).