NAMM 2011: The Gibson stand in pictures

Gibson Dethklok Explorer
From the weird to the just plain wonderful, Gibson had plenty of models to shout about on its stand at NAMM 2011.
Gibson Dethklok Explorer
A signature guitar for a cartoon band? Nope, Damon Albarn hasn’t gone all horns-in-the-air. Gibson has made this Explorer for the ‘Metalocalypse’ show’s band, Dethklok. Fans of the ’Klok will be sad to hear that it’s currently only available in the US.

Gibson Beano Artwork Les Paul
Gibson Beano Artwork Les Paul
To celebrate Clapton’s use of a Les Paul on the seminal ‘Blues Breakers’ album, Gibson unleashed the Beano Artwork Les Paul featuring a paintjob from the 7 May 1966 edition of ‘The Beano’. Guitars and Biffo The Bear: together at last. Ask your parents, kids.

Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong J-180 Acoustic
Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong J-180 Acoustic
Billie Joe’s new Gibson J-180 is based on the model used by The Everly Brothers. Tweaks include star inlays on the fretboard and Billie Joe’s name on the trussrod cover. The only thing is, it’s limited edition and costs over $4,000. Despite being afraid to scratch it, we played it, and ‘Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)’ has never sounded so good.

Gibson Buckethead Les Paul Studio
Gibson Buckethead Les Paul Studio
Still deciding which grandparent to sell to get your hands on Buckethead’s signature model? Leave the old folk alone and go for this instead. Two kill switches, Gibson USA pickups and a massive saving on the original.

Stuart has been working for guitar publications since 2008, beginning his career as Reviews Editor for Total Guitar before becoming Editor for six years. During this time, he and the team brought the magazine into the modern age with digital editions, a Youtube channel and the Apple chart-bothering Total Guitar Podcast. Stuart has also served as a freelance writer for Guitar World, Guitarist and MusicRadar reviewing hundreds of products spanning everything from acoustic guitars to valve amps, modelers and plugins. When not spouting his opinions on the best new gear, Stuart has been reminded on many occasions that the 'never meet your heroes' rule is entirely wrong, clocking-up interviews with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Green Day and many, many more.




