Is this the high-end Gibson USA Hendrix guitar?

See pictures here!

Chris Vinnicombe, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 11:40 am UTC

Amidst one of the most controversial product launches of all time, Gibson has posted a blog entitled Live From The Production Line At Gibson USA that seems to indicate that a high-end Jimi Hendrix model is set to join the Authentic Hendrix electric guitar packages announced earlier this week.

The pictures show unfinished instruments awaiting hardware and electronics but it is apparent that they are set neck in construction and appear to be routed for a large locking vibrato system and three single-coil sized pickups.

In addition, the headstock - sporting an Authentic Hendrix logo around the back - sees Gibson's famous 'open book' outline integrated into a reverse Stratocaster-style six-a-side peghead.

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View the original blog post on the Gibson site here. Comments on the Gibson site indicate that the hostile response to the cheaper packages is set to be mirrored, with one user called 'Ryyyan' posting the following:

"Wow. Somebody get out the tugboat, because a large shipment of FAIL just came up the Mississippi. What an insult and obvious money grab. About as bad as the Hendrix Electric Vodka."

However, these guitars at least appear to be marginally less Strat-derivative than their lower-priced siblings. We look forward to seeing the finished product.

Interestingly, despite being a tribute to popular music's second most famous southpaw - behind Paul McCartney - at the time of writing, leftie models have yet to be confirmed at any pricepoint.

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User comments (10)

DemonTurk

19 weeks ago.

I've just thrown up!! Hate these corporate people still having control over this guy's life, they haunted him and destroyed him when he was alive and now they're even worst! I hope Gibson see their error and stop it, if nothing else, out of respect for Jimi. How can they possibly think this is going to be accepted if he had nothing to do with it! Go and make a special on an SG which he was seen playing a few times and they have the V, too much greed.

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Archdukecorvus

19 weeks ago.

Ha ha ha!
Wasn't tempted to buy a Gibson instrument, DEFINITELY won't now.

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jsboon

19 weeks ago.

This has to be some late/early April fool's joke surely or a dirty tricks campaign from Fender. This is kinda horrid, no self respecting musician is going to be seen with this mockery of history.

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RobWats67

19 weeks ago.

This commercialization thing on Jimi's name is sickening. Period.

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fretmeister

19 weeks ago.

I may vomit.

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Shrexter

19 weeks ago.

Gibson is making a fool of themselves and Jimi is getting yet another posthumous endorsement when he made no endorsements when he was alive, it's really quite sad what this has all come to.

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AI_Joe

19 weeks ago.

I just gotta know, is it flammable? Because I might have to do an "Authentic Hendrix" performance in the store...

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MrGawain

19 weeks ago.

"Interestingly, despite being a tribute to popular music's second most famous southpaw - behind Paul McCartney - at the time of writing, leftie models have yet to be confirmed at any pricepoint."
I don't care about this piece of crap. Gimme a Lefty version of the EVH Wolfgang and I'll be happy.

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rockmunky

19 weeks ago.

A funny thing happened. I have been trying to post a comment on Gibsons blog ... either their server is maxed out or they have removed the form handler for posting comments. I think they have had so much negative response to their blog posting that they may be stopping further comments being posted!

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stonevibe

19 weeks ago.

Someone is going to burn in hell for this lot...

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