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New signature Gibson guitar partnership with Jimmy Page


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“We walked into your house, you had the case on the floor and you handed it to me – and then said, ‘No Stairway to Heaven!’”: Gibson announces new multi–guitar series with Jimmy Page, kicking off with the signature 1971 EDS-1275 double neck

By Matt Parker


The firm broke the news at a star-studded opening ceremony for its new Gibson Garage London space – and the partnership is launching with the ultimate symbol of stadium-rocking excess

Gibson Custom Shop Jimmy Page EDS-1275 launch

Gibson has announced a new signature guitar partnership with Jimmy Page, which will reportedly encompass multiple models, beginning with a Custom Shop recreation of his 1971 Gibson EDS-1275 double neck.

The electric guitar is synonymous with Page and is sometimes incorrectly assumed to have been conceived especially for him. However, it was actually launched in 1963 and had in fact been discontinued by the time the Led Zeppelin icon started to play them.

As such, Page’s instrument was a custom-made recreation of the earlier build, featuring six and 12-sting necks and finished in cherry red.

Page’s use of the guitar in the recording and performance of some of Led Zeppelin’s most thumping successes, not least Stairway to Heaven, pretty much single-handedly revived the double-neck’s fortunes, making it the ultimate symbol of stadium rocking success and, indeed, excess, in the process.

GW’s Editor-in-Chief Michael Astley-Brown was on the ground across the pond, as the announcement was made at the star-studded launch of the firm’s new flagship retail space, the Gibson Garage London.

Gibson Custom Shop Jimmy Page EDS-1275 launch
The forthcoming Gibson Custom Shop Jimmy Page EDS-1275 signature (Image credit: Future)

The event was hosted by Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian and featured a holy trinity of British rock royalty, with Page himself onstage for the launch and his peers Tony Iommi and Brian May sat in the front row.

“Jimmy deserves a very important part in the history books of Gibson,” said Gueikian, at the launch event.

“Because without what he did. I don't think that Gibson – well, it may have been around right now today – but it would be a different Gibson. And so it’s very important for us… We are going to do everything we can to pay tribute to Jimmy and everything that he's done.”

GW had heard whisperings new Page offerings might be on the way and as ever the CEO had dropped a tiny hint on social media – with the 12-string side of a natural finish EDS-1275 hanging out at the side of a recent Instagram post.

As you would expect, the model has exhaustively recreated Page’s custom double neck – measuring the original’s profile with 3D scanning technology and a process described as “almost taking MRI of the guitar” in order to determine its tonal properties and capture its feel under the hand.

The Gibson team reportedly visited Page at home in London to study the instrument and, as Gueikian recalled in the press conference, they got to play it, too...

“I remember vividly,” he recalled. “As we walked into your house, you had the case on the floor and you handed it to me – and then later you said, ‘No Stairway to Heaven!’”

“I really wanted to have something that was exactly the same as my one,” Page told the crowd at the new Gibson Garage.

“Because I’ve changed the controls but also the color of it. From my point of view, it had to be absolutely as close to the bones as possible. They took a lot of trouble and time to get everything absolutely right.

“It wasn’t a case of OK, ‘I’m Jimmy Page, make my double neck. That looks shit, now go and make it!’ It wasn’t like that… The Murphy Lab, the distressing – that looks like mine.”

Gueikian also explains the firm has the ability to study the weight, type and density of the original pickups’ magnets in order to accurately recreate the material, as well as tonal, properties.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure,” said Page of the experience – and he took the chance to share an anecdote regarding one of his flights to Nashville and being asked to meet someone from the flight deck.

“I was travelling with somebody and I said to them, ‘I bet it’s a guitarist…’” laughed Page.

“So he comes up and introduces himself. I said, ‘Are you a guitarist?’ He said, ‘Oh yeah! So is the Captain! And the Captain’s son plays guitar and also his brother…’ who was 19.’

“[Then he said] ‘My daughter’s just picked up the guitar, she’s 17 – and she’s picked it up to keep up with her friends. I thought, ‘I can’t wait to tell this story to Cesar, because I do believe there’s been a renaissance of guitar players… and from our point of view, that’s what we want. We want the guitar around forever.”

Judging by the warm words exchanged at the event, Page certainly seemed impressed by Gibson’s current mindset and output – and we’re told the stage is set for a whole series of Page builds.

We cannot confirm the other models in the new signature series yet, but it seems like a very safe bet to assume that Page’s #1 and #2 Gibson Les Paul Standards will be in line to receive comprehensive reissues.

The original #1 – famously purchased by Page from Joe Walsh in the late ’60s – is unarguably one of the most iconic ’Bursts in existence, thanks to its prior ownership and heavy Led Zeppelin usage.

Meanwhile, the early Gibson Custom Shop Collector’s Edition reissue of Page’s heavily-modded #2 Les Paul fetches near-vintage values in its own right, so we suspect there is appetite out there for a further run.

Indeed, Gibson’s VP of Product Mat Koehler discusses that very reissue in the new Guitarist, describing it as “one of the most complex recreations in Gibson history.”

In a statement on social media, Gibson said, “As part of the celebrations of the new Gibson Garage London, we are excited to announce that Gibson has entered a collaborative partnership with one of the most influential musicians in history, Jimmy Page.

“An icon across all genres of music, art, and culture, and as co-founder of one of the biggest bands of all time, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy leveraged his blues and folk inspirations, and artistry to develop the pioneering rock sound that became the signature of the band. Being the main music writer in Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page has forever impacted the sound of music, and pioneered the sound of rock across all its variations.”

The Gibson Custom Shop Jimmy Page EDS-1275 is due for release in March 2024. Keep an eye on Gibson for more updates.

Finally, the other huge news from the opening, is that Brian May now appears to be working with Gibson, with Gueikian telling the assembled, “We are so proud to have him in the Gibson family.”

Meanwhile, for more on the firm’s shiny new London retail hub, check out our preview of the Gibson Garage London to find out why it’s unlike any other guitar store.

 

 

 

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/gibson-custom-shop-jimmy-page-eds-1275-signature-double-neck-guitar

 

 

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On 2/23/2024 at 12:38 PM, SteveAJones said:

Having remastered the back catalog multiple times he's resumed remastering all of his guitars.

Since the last week or so, when I access the official website, I go to a different place instead of the top page "ON THIS DAY".
https://www.jimmypage.com

"Jimmy Page is working with Gibson on a new line of replica guitars, starting with his 1971 Gibson EDS-1275 double neck. The "multi-year partnership" was announced at Gibson's new London shop on February 22, with Page making an The "multi-year partnership" was announced at Gibson's new London shop on February 22, with Page making an appearance at the shop's opening alongside Tony Iommi and Brian May. Page will work with Gibson to produce multiple "signature" replicas of his guitars, presumably expanding to include his "Number One" 1959 Gibson Les Paul and his "Number Two" 1959 Gibson Les Paul following the double neck's launch. Gibson has taken 3D scans of the "double neck's" launch. Gibson has taken 3D scans of Page's original guitar to produce its new signature models, Guitar World reports."

Those who paid big bucks for JP's signature guitar series "Number 1 & 2, W-neck, Black Beauty" released in the first half of 2000 must be shocked at the news of the "Gibson x J.Page" collaborative partnership. Jimmy has remastered ZEP's back catalog many times and now he is going to remaster all the guitars... What will Jimmy do with more money?When will the movie "Becoming LED ZEPPELIN" be officially released? Don't you have more important things to do? Please tell him someone.

Edited by zoso_ledzep4_yy
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5 hours ago, zoso_ledzep4_yy said:

Those who paid big bucks for JP's signature guitar series "Number 1 & 2, W-neck, Black Beauty" released in the first half of 2000 must be shocked at the news of the "Gibson x J.Page" collaborative partnership. 

Those are the first people I thought of. Those guitars will always have value, but this development calls into question if the current demand and value of those will decrease.

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As Jimmy lives within a whisker of Saville Row, one would think he would change his attire occasionally? Black suit, Black Tie and Black Trousers and more than likely Black shoes. From someone who was a colourful, snappy dresser, he now looks like a Funeral Director.

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On 2/22/2024 at 10:38 PM, SteveAJones said:

Having remastered the back catalog multiple times he's resumed remastering all of his guitars.

He’s joined by Tony and Brian to remaster their guitars, too. More details soon on the remastered Red Special (previously done by Guild, Burns, BM Guitars and now Gibson) as well as the SG. 

R😎

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2 hours ago, reids said:

He’s joined by Tony and Brian to remaster their guitars, too. More details soon on the remastered Red Special (previously done by Guild, Burns, BM Guitars and now Gibson) as well as the SG. 

R😎

Brian May's handmade guitar signature models also have a fan-crying process of shifting manufacturers, don't they? I don't understand why Gibson would manufacture the Red Special, which is not their own design model.

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On 2/24/2024 at 1:11 AM, chillumpuffer said:

As Jimmy lives within a whisker of Saville Row, one would think he would change his attire occasionally? Black suit, Black Tie and Black Trousers and more than likely Black shoes. From someone who was a colourful, snappy dresser, he now looks like a Funeral Director.

A significant number of items from Elton John's wardrobe went on the auction block at Christies this week. Jimmy in a jumpsuit? You asked for it! 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 2/24/2024 at 11:11 AM, chillumpuffer said:

As Jimmy lives within a whisker of Saville Row, one would think he would change his attire occasionally? Black suit, Black Tie and Black Trousers and more than likely Black shoes. From someone who was a colourful, snappy dresser, he now looks like a Funeral Director.

Yep..he’s resorted some time ago to default mode old rock star who always black ..

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  • sam_webmaster changed the title to New signature Gibson guitar partnership with Jimmy Page

I think it's pretty obvious that Page using the EDS at the Link Wray tribute was done as an advertisement. No other need for such a guitar for a three chord song. Wouldn't surprise me if Gibson asked him to use it as an early promotion. But, such is the business side of rock stardom.

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16 hours ago, gibsonfan159 said:

I think it's pretty obvious that Page using the EDS at the Link Wray tribute was done as an advertisement. No other need for such a guitar for a three chord song. Wouldn't surprise me if Gibson asked him to use it as an early promotion. But, such is the business side of rock stardom.

Yep. Very cynical, given he was there to pay tribute to one of his heroes 

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At £50000 I can’t see that many, or even any of these guitars will ever be played, which is a shame. There’ll be kept well out of harm or even in some millionaire collector’s vault. Fair play to any very wealthy fans who can afford to indulge themselves, if they can why not?  And the same for Jimmy too. I wonder if Dan Electro will be his next contact now that he’s done his most famous guitars, to complete the set?

there was a phrase that someone on the old forum wrote about Jimmy that still tickles me “he’s wanking over his own past”.

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Such a shame that Jimmy is spending his later years on merchandise for millionaires, obsessively polishing up his already perfect back catalogue and producing music for second rate poems. 

Edited by Paganini
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On 3/15/2024 at 8:57 PM, gibsonfan159 said:

I think it's pretty obvious that Page using the EDS at the Link Wray tribute was done as an advertisement. No other need for such a guitar for a three chord song. Wouldn't surprise me if Gibson asked him to use it as an early promotion. But, such is the business side of rock stardom.

It's also worth mentioning that Jimmy Page used that performance to debut his new Super Dragon amps which were then publicly revealed weeks later and are being sold online using photos of Page at that performance to promote them.

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18 hours ago, jsj said:

At £50000 I can’t see that many, or even any of these guitars will ever be played,

Oh, I guarantee they'll be purchased by people who don't even know how to play guitar and stored in a warehouse for their grandkids. But what else would be expected? Any musician who actually has a need for a double neck can easily find a cheaper one.

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21 hours ago, Cookie0024 said:

It's also worth mentioning that Jimmy Page used that performance to debut his new Super Dragon amps which were then publicly revealed weeks later and are being sold online using photos of Page at that performance to promote them.

He’s not called Led Wallet for nothing …

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