NAMM 2016: Gibson Memphis unveils 2016 electric guitar range

Introduction

NAMM 2016: While Gibson's core USA range announcements can sometimes prove controversial, the Memphis division's new lines of hollowbodies and semi-hollows rarely provoke anything other than pure desire, and 2016 is no different.

Most notable among this year's 16-strong line-up are enhanced period-correct features on Historic models (hide glue, quarter sawn Adirondack bracing), plus improvements to Core models (titanium saddles, redesigned ES-335 neck profiles).

What's more, the guitar in the centre of the image above looks to be what Gibson has called "an entirely new jazz guitar"… but the company has yet to release a name or specs, so more on that as we have it.

Click through the gallery for a closer look at Gibson Memphis's new guitars.

Gibson 2016 ES-339 Studio

Body: Classic semi-hollow construction more compact dimensions
Fingerboard: With black binding and simple dot inlays
Neck: One-piece maple neck
Nut: Black Corian nut
Pickups: 57 Classic and Super 57 humbuckers
Controls: Traditional control section
Finish: High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer

Gibson 2016 ES-335 Studio

Body: Classic semi-hollow construction with solid center block
Fingerboard: Black binding with simple dot inlays
Neck: One-piece maple neck
Nut: Black Corian nut
Pickups: 57 Classic and Super 57 humbuckers
Controls: Traditional control section
Finish: High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer

Gibson 2016 ES-339 Satin

Body: Classic ES-335 shape to smaller dimensions
Fingerboard: Rosewood with small block inlays
Neck: Redesigned dimensions for improved strength and comfortable feel
Truss rod: Historic truss rod
Pickups: Burstbucker 1 & 2
Bridge: ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles
Tailpiece: Locking stopbar
Finish: Satin lacquer finish

Gibson 2016 ES-Les Paul Studio

Body: Les Paul styling meets semi-acoustic ES-335 construction
Fingerboard: Rosewood with trapezoidal Les Paul inlays
Fingerboard binding: Rolled black binding for superb playing comfort
Truss rod: Historic truss rod
Pickups: 57 Classic & Super 57 humbuckers
Nut: Black Corian
Finish: High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer in two new colours (Wine Red and Ginger Burst)

Gibson 2016 ES-335 Satin

Body: Classic semi-hollow construction with solid center block
Fingerboard: Rosewood with small block inlays
Neck: Redesigned dimensions for improved strength
Truss rod: Historic truss rod
Pickups: Burstbucker 1 & 2
Bridge: TOM-1 with titanium saddles
Tailpiece: Locking stopbar
Finish: Soft satin finish

Gibson 2016 ES-339

Body: Classic ES-335 shape redrawn to smaller dimensions
Fingerboard: Rosewood with small block inlays
Neck: Redesigned dimensions for improved strength and playabilty
Truss rod: Historic truss rod
Pickups: Burstbucker 1 & 2
Bridge: ABR-1 with titanium saddles
Tailpiece: Locking stopbar
Finish: High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer

Gibson 2016 ES-Les Paul

Body: New Adirondack spruce top bracing
Fingerboard: Rosewood with trapezoidal Les Paul inlays
Fingerboard binding: Rolled for superb playing comfort
Truss rod: Historic truss rod
Pickups: MHS humbuckers
Bridge: ABR-1 with titanium saddles
Finish: High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer in two new colours (Ebony and Faded Lightburst)