Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Guitars
  2. Bass Guitars

Summer NAMM 2017: Epiphone announces 8 new guitar and bass models, including $99 Les Paul

News
By Michael Astley-Brown
Published 14 July 2017

Fresh electrics and acoustics on the way

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

SUMMER NAMM 2017: Hold up: a Les Paul with single coils? You better believe it: the Les Paul SL is the most affordable two-pickup LP ever, and heads up Epiphone’s formidable SNAMM line-up.

Besides the previously announced James Bay ‘1966’ Century, the company has launched a number of tasty basses (Thunderbird Vintage Pro, anyone?), quality acoustics and new, low-price tag LP and SG models.

Head on through the gallery for the lowdown on each model, and pay a visit to Epiphone for more info.

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Epiphone Les Paul SL

Epiphone Les Paul SL

PRESS RELEASE: Epiphone presents the 2017 Les Paul SL, the most affordable 2-pickup Les Paul ever made with a slim lightweight Poplar body with powerful Epiphone Ceramic pickups.

Available in six exclusive colors—Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Pacific Blue, Sunset Yellow, Turquoise, and Vintage Sunburst.

Available from September.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Epiphone AJ-210CE Outfit

Epiphone AJ-210CE Outfit

PRESS RELEASE: Epiphone presents the new AJ-210CE Acoustic/Electric Outfit, a superb professional dreadnought guitar featuring a Select Spruce top with classic cutaway, state of the art Shadow Performer Tuner Preamp and NanoFlex under saddle pickup system, plus a hard case.

Dreadnought acoustic guitars like the AJ-210CE are renowned for their commanding volume and full tone that’s perfect for singer songwriters or for leading a band. And like every Epiphone, the AJ-210CE comes with Epiphone’s Limited Lifetime Guarantee.

Available from July.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Epiphone SG-Special VE

Epiphone SG-Special VE

PRESS RELEASE: The new Epiphone SG-Special VE is a great way for new players to discover a rock classic at a price anyone can afford.

Featuring Epiphone open-coil humbuckers with Ceramic Magnets and available in five beautiful Vintage Worn finishes including Cherry, Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst, and Walnut.

Available from July.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT

Epiphone Les Paul Studio LT

PRESS RELEASE: Epiphone presents the new Les Paul Studio LT, an incredible introduction to the world’s greatest electric guitar that is affordable for everyone.

The Les Paul Studio LT has all the classic “Les Paul” features including a carved Mahogany top, powerful Zebra-Coil Ceramic humbuckers, and a Mahogany neck with an easy-to-play tapered neck joint.

Available in Ebony, Heritage Cherry Sunburst, Vintage Sunburst, and Walnut color finishes.

Available from August.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Epiphone Masterbilt DR-400MCE

Epiphone Masterbilt DR-400MCE

PRESS RELEASE: The Masterbilt DR-400MCE Acoustic/Electric Guitar is Epiphone’s most affordable solid body acoustic guitar ever made with the legendary build quality that Masterbilts are world famous for.

Featuring a Solid Sitka Spruce Top, cutaway for easy access, Mahogany body and neck, bone nut, and the superb eSonic HD preamp system and NanoFlex-HD pickup for true acoustic sound when plugged in.

Available in Natural, Faded Cherry Sunburst, Violinburst and Vintage Sunburst.

Available from September.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Epiphone Masterbilt Century De Luxe 4-String Bass

Epiphone Masterbilt Century De Luxe 4-String Bass

PRESS RELEASE: Epiphone presents the newest member of the Masterbilt Century family, the Masterbilt De Luxe Classic 4-String Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar, featuring all of the Masterbilt Century’s critically acclaimed features including a Solid Spruce top with traditional longitudinal bracing, Ebony fretboard, and the eSonic and Shadow NanoFlex HD pickup system for true acoustic tone when plugged in.

Available from October.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Epiphone Embassy Pro Bass

Epiphone Embassy Pro Bass

PRESS RELEASE: Epiphone presents the new Embassy PRO Bass, inspired by the rare 60s classic and commemorating the 60th anniversary of Epiphone joining the Gibson Family of Instruments.

Featuring new ProBucker #760 Bass Humbuckers and improved hardware including a Tune-o-matic bridge, a 1960s-inspired “claw” tailpiece, and 2-on-a-side Premium 17:1 ratio tuners for better balance. Available in Antique Ivory, Dark Cherry, and Ebony finishes.

Available from October.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro Bass

Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro Bass

PRESS RELEASE: The Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage PRO Bass is an incredibly accurate reproduction of the classic electric bass first introduced in 1963 that has since powered dozens of hits by artists like The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Cheap Trick.

Featuring new ProBucker Bass Humbuckers and a vintage styled 60s Tune-o-matic bridge and Claw tailpiece. The new Thunderbird Vintage PRO is available in Alpine White, Ebony, and Tobacco Sunburst.

Available from October.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Read more
Epiphone Futura Series
Guitars Epiphone’s Futura Series reimagines Gibson classics with Chromashift finishes, ProBucker Ignite 'buckers and stainless steel frets
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Epiphone Hummingbird Tribute
Guitars Epiphone unveils beginner-friendly $229 ‘Tribute’ to Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird acoustic
 
 
Gibson Les Paul Studio Double Trouble presents the "double-white" humbuckers for a more affordable take on the limited run Les Paul Standard of 2025.
Guitars One of our favourite Les Pauls just got more affordable as Gibson gives the Double Trouble the Studio treatment
 
 
The Gibson 1950s and '60s ES-335 pictured on the factory floor in Nashville.
Guitars Gibson’s unveils ‘50s and ‘60s ES-335s, promising “decade-correct feel, look and tone”
 
 
The Gibson Custom Historic Reissue 1959 and 1962 ES-330
Guitars Gibson unveils exquisite Custom Shop Historic Reissues of the 1959 and ’62 ES-330s
 
 
Latest in Bass Guitars
Paul McCartney (L) and Mick Jagger attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art\'s 2011 Costume Institute Gala featuring the opening of the exhibit Alexander McQueen : Savage Beauty.
Artists Mick Jagger had to check that Paul McCartney's bass playing was "punk" enough for new Rolling Stones song
 
 
Jaco Pastorius
Artists "When he died, I cried and I actually jumped into the ocean": Carlos Santana and more on bass legend Jaco Pastorius
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01:  Photo of COMMODORES; L-R Walter Orange and Ronald La Pread performing on stage  (Photo by Mike Prior/Redferns)
Artists Commodores co-founder and bassist Ronald LaPread has died, aged 75
 
 
 Thom Yorke and Flea of Atoms For Peace perform live on stage at The Roundhouse on July 24, 2013
Gigs & Festivals Thom Yorke joins Flea for 10-minute Marvin Gaye jam at Chili Pepper’s only solo UK date
 
 
Sean Hurley plays the Fender 75th Anniversary Precision Bass Collection
Bass Guitars Geezer Butler, Tal Wilkenfeld and Nate Mendel hail the legacy of the P Bass, as Fender celebrates its 75th anniversary
 
 
Rush in 1976, the year the Canadian prog trio's fortunes changed as 2112 was released
Artists “It was the record that changed our lives”: Rush frontman Geddy Lee on the band's classic 2112
 
 
Latest in News
reloop
Tech DAWs for DJs, rotary mixers and the world's first standalone motorized controller: 5 of the coolest pieces of gear we saw at Thomann's DJ Days
 
 
Kirk Hammett plays his Mummy ESP signature guitar [left]; Neal Schon plays a Les Paul on a stage lit up in purple.
Artists Kirk Hammett felt so guilty after buying Neal Schon's Les Paul on the cheap he offered to return it
 
 
AlphaTheta CDJ-1500X
Dj Gear AlphaTheta’s CDJ-1500X is a WiFi equipped DJ player that lets your audience vote on track requests
 
 
Harry Styles performs on stage during his Together, Together Tour at Johan Cruijff Arena on May 17, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Artists “He's very… Harry Stylish. But that's all that he is": Producer Mike Stock on today's pop landscape
 
 
logic pro
Tech Logic Pro 12.3 is here – and my favourite stock plugin just got even better
 
 
Paul McCartney (L) and Mick Jagger attend the Metropolitan Museum of Art\'s 2011 Costume Institute Gala featuring the opening of the exhibit Alexander McQueen : Savage Beauty.
Artists Mick Jagger had to check that Paul McCartney's bass playing was "punk" enough for new Rolling Stones song
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...