Epiphone revives a 1963 Dove acoustic guitar, along with five other iconic models, with collaborative work from Gibson Custom Shop, ushering in a new era for Epiphone's acoustic line.
Epiphone has expanded its high-end collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop with six new acoustic guitars. These new models, dubbed the Inspired By Gibson Custom acoustics, offer vintage aesthetic without the vintage price tag.
The lineup includes notable reissues such as the SJ-200 (two versions: a Pre-War Rosewood Reissue and a 1957 variant), the 1963 Dove Reissue, and two Hummingbird models (Hummingbird Deluxe EC cutaway and 1960 Hummingbird Reissue).
Key Features
All new acoustic guitars feature all-solid builds, thermally aged tops, LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup and preamp systems, rosewood and ebony fingerboards and bridges, and ship in commemorative hard-shell and Red Line-inspired guitar cases.
The Epiphone Dove guitar, for instance, boasts a square-shouldered silhouette, solid figured maple back and sides, thermally aged spruce top, multi-ply binding, and an acrylic/celluloid traditional pickguard with mother-of-pearl Dove inlays and MOP-inlaid bridge.
The Epiphone Hummingbird guitars, available in both cutaway electro and typical versions, feature LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC electronics, thermally treated solid Sitka spruce on top, solid mahogany on the back and sides, multi-ply binding on the top and back of the body, single-ply binding on the fingerboard, and MOP split parallelogram inlays on the fingerboard.
The Epiphone J-45 guitar showcases a banner-style logo on the headstock, three-on-a-plate tuners with cream buttons, a V profile mahogany neck, and a solid Sitka spruce top with solid mahogany on the back and sides.
The SJ-200, one of the new acoustic guitars, features thermally aged Sitka spruce on top, figured maple on the back and sides, and detailed features like engraved celluloid pickguards, two-bar moustache bridges, and MOP graduated crown inlays.
Pricing and Availability
Interested parties can find more details on these new guitars at Epiphone. The prices for the new Inspired By Gibson Custom acoustics are as follows: the 1942 Banner Reissue J-45 and the Hummingbirds are £1,099/$1,299, the Dove is £1,099/$1,399, while the SJ-200s are £1,399/$1,499. These guitars are available now.
Epiphone brand manager, Lewis McKinney, expressed excitement about the launch of these new acoustic guitars, stating that it marks a fresh chapter for Epiphone acoustics.
Notable Associations
Notable artists who have used the original Gibson models that these Epiphones replicate include Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Tom Petty for the 1963 Dove. These associations highlight the esteemed heritage that Epiphone taps into with this collection.
A Unique Offering
A less common, but cooler, version of the SJ-200 includes an ebony fingerboard and bridge, a set of Grover Imperial tuners, solid rosewood on the back and sides, a two piece maple neck with a rosewood stringer, and a Rounded D profile instead of a C profile.
In summary, the Inspired By Gibson Custom acoustic guitars combine vintage-inspired designs and quality materials—such as thermally aged spruce tops and solid maple or rosewood backs and sides—with premium pickups and hardware, all at a price point that is accessible to many players seeking Gibson-style acoustics without the premium cost.
According to the new lineup, these Epiphone acoustic guitars offer not only a vintage aesthetic but also incorporate technology for improved entertainment, such as the LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup and preamp systems found in each model. Whether you're a fan of music, technology, or gadgets, these new Epiphone guitars provide an unique blend of tradition and modern advancements. Moreover, with their affordable price range, these instruments open up the Gibson acoustic experience to a broader audience, bringing the combined joy of music, technology, and aesthetics to a wider community.
