Previously available as a limited-edition guitar, this model was developed from original 1957 drawings discovered in the Gibson archives.
The original Gibson Theodore sketch from March 18, 1957.
Photo credit: Gibson
Inspired by original drawings from 1957-during the same era when the legendary ES-335, Flying V, and Explorer models were designed to modernize the Gibson product lineup-the Gibson Theodore Standard features a mahogany body, scimitar headstock with Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, and striking double Florentine cutaways that provide unimpeded access to all 22 frets on the rosewood-capped, SlimTaper mahogany neck. The balanced construction is exceptionally comfortable, and the powerful ‘57 Classic and ‘57 Classic Plus humbucker pickups produce effortless sustain and a rich diversity of tones. While it was sketched in the 1950s, the Gibson Theodore Standard is fresh and modern today, and the instrument’s light weight, balance, and comfort make it a joy to play. The Gibson Theodore Standard is available worldwide in Antique Natural, Vintage Cherry, and Ebony. A hardshell case is also included.
Gibson Theodore Standard in Antique Natural.
Photo credit: Gibson
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. More info at gibson.com.
Based on a completely original circuit, the Overdrive+ is designed to cover both classic overdrive and refreshingly different tones.
Its straightforward control set allows you to quickly dial in your preferred sound – everything from low-gain, always-on tonal enhancement to ripping high-gain lead fury.
In addition to standard VOL, TONE, and GAIN controls you'll find a pair of two-position toggle switches that provide extra tone-shaping power: a bass cut switch for perfectly tightening up the low end; and a clipping mode switch that allows you to select between symmetric or asymmetric clipping styles (symmetric is smoother, asymmetric is more natural and textured).
The Overdrive+ also features a unique twist: the Strangle/Raw dual-mode boost is where things get really cool. Think of this as the “+” part of Overdrive+. It’s a very colorfully voiced dirty boost that adds gain and a ton of 2nd harmonic distortion to your signal. A two-position switch allows you to select your preferred mode: STRANGLE uses a resonant filter for a subtle cocked wahsound; and RAW removes this filter, turning it into a full range boost.
The pedal’s diversity is due to a combination of JFETs, op-amps, and diodes. The op-amp is used for gain and buffering and is raised to around 30 volts so it never clips, even when another pedal is stacked in front. All clipping is crafted from the JFETs or the diodes.
Each Overdrive+ pedal offers the following features:
- Unique Strangle/Raw dual-mode boost for turbocharging your sound
- Two-position toggle switches for engaging bass cut and selecting symmetric/asymmetric clipping modes.
- True bypass on/off switch
- 9-volt operation and standard DC input, no battery compartment
- Made in USA
The Silktone Overdrive+ carries a street price of $269 and can be purchased at silktone.org.
For more information, please visit silktone.org.
If you can’t figure out how to play Joe Bonamassa’s solo from “Blues Deluxe,” don’t worry. Neither can Chris Shiflett. But it all changes when Shifty sits down with Bonamassa for this special episode of Shred With Shifty. No surprise that both of them reach for their Les Pauls, and Bonamassa even reveals why he switched from Strats to Gibsons in the early 2000s.
Bonamassa is known for his dazzling collection of vintage guitars—which he says has become a target for haters—but he explains that you don’t need a ’58 Les Paul to get the goods. “It’s also the mystique,” he says. “If Jimmy Page played a Tokai, everyone would want a Tokai.” A guitar made two weeks ago, he says, is just as good as a classic.
Bonamassa’s lightning-quick soloing style, which conjures a hurricane of major and minor pentatonic notes with some phrygian flair, is the stuff of legend, and his tricks on “Blues Deluxe” are plenty. Even though he tries to adhere to a “divide by two” rule to simplify his phrasings, he still stumps Shiflett with a volume swell trick he learned from Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton.
This solo is no walk in the park. Any brave takers up for giving it a shot? Share it and tag us so Shifty can have a look! Most importantly, remember to have fun. “Do whatever you want with the damn thing,” says Bonamassa. “It’s just a guitar.”
Credits
Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering Support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editors: Dan Destefano and Addison Sauvan
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.