
New Epiphone inspired by Gibson Custom Collection features eight new guitar models with Gibson USA pickups, high quality electronics, rosewood fretboards, world-renowned Gibson open-book headstocks, one-piece necks, new vintage gloss finishes, and premium design builds.
For over 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design. By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Epiphone has set the stage for the next era of sound for present and future generations. Epiphoneās game-changing Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection, developed in close collaboration with the skilled luthiers at Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, continues to expand, establishing a new tier of premium Epiphones for every stage. Featuring Gibson USA pickups and premium electronics, world-renowned Gibson āopen bookā headstocks, solid wood construction, and one-piece necks, Epiphoneās Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection brings Gibson Custom designs to the masses, adding to Epiphoneās full array of instruments for all player levels. Epiphone's Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection is now available worldwide at Authorized Epiphone dealers, the Gibson Garage in Nashville and London, and on www.epiphone.com.
The game-changing Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection collaboration with the artisans at Gibson Custom is expanding with eight new models that feature Vintage Gloss finishes that give them a more vintage-correct appearance without looking overly aged. These guitars look as if they had been purchased new and then spent years sitting in a case that was safely stored away, just waiting for you to discover them. All of the models in the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection now feature rosewood fretboards for even greater authenticity and historical accuracy and USA-built pickups from the Gibson Pickup Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. These are the same high-quality, great-sounding pickups in the USA-built Gibson and Gibson Custom models. All of the models feature vintage-appropriate headstock shapes, from the authentic Reverse Firebird⢠headstock on the 1963 Firebird V Reissue With Maestro⢠Vibrola⢠and the 1963 Firebird I Reissue to the āopen bookā Gibson-style headstocks on the other models, they give these guitars an undeniably authentic appearance.
āAs Epiphone celebrates over 150 years of guitar craftsmanship, each iconic guitar is a tribute to Epiphone's rich history and dedication to quality,ā says Aljon Go, Epiphone Product Manager, Nashville, Tennessee. āOur āInspired by Gibsonā collection is all about bringing high-quality guitars based on classic Gibson designs, but at a price that won't break the bank. For those looking for something truly special, our newest āInspired by Gibson Customā range offers premium models crafted in collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop. These guitars are part of our ongoing mission to make the exceptional craftsmanship and elevated appointments of the Custom Shop more accessible to players and fans everywhere.ā
Explore the full Inspired by Gibson Custom lineup of premium Epiphone models for players of every level HERE.
1962 ES-335 Reissue:
A 1962 vintage-style ES-335 Reissue Inspired by Gibson Custom
The Gibson ES-335⢠is one of the greatest guitar designs of all time. It is renowned for its exceptional versatility and has been used by countless players in a wide range of genres. Combining the best elements of solidbody and thinline hollowbody designs, itās a highly resonant guitar that resists feedback much better than a full hollowbody due to its interior solid maple center block. Now, Epiphone, in cooperation with Gibson Custom, is proud to introduce the 1962 ES-335 Reissue, a guitar that was very much inspired by Gibson Customās ES-335 offerings but purposefully based on a model year that Gibson Custom does not currently reissue ā 1962, a year when popular features like rounded cutaways, small block inlays, and a fast-playing, slim neck profile were all present on the Gibson ES-335.
The Epiphone1962 ES-335 Reissue has a semi-hollow 5-ply layered maple/poplar body with rounded cutaways and a solid maple center block for outstanding sustain and feedback resistance. The genuine one-piece mahogany neck has a thin 1960s SlimTaper⢠C profile and is capped with a rosewood fretboard that is outfitted with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl small block inlays. The fretboard features rounded edges to give it a comfortable, played-in feel that invites you to explore it for hours at a time. Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage 1962 ES-335 models and are placed in historically accurate locations. The Gibson-style āopen bookā headstock features the Epiphone logo and Gibson Crown inlaid in aged mother-of-pearl and is fitted with smooth-turning Epiphone Deluxe tuning machines with Double Ring Keystone-style buttons and a Graph TechĀ® nut. An ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic⢠bridge and Gibson historic reissue aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece anchor the strings at the other end directly into the solid maple center block and further contribute to the 1962 ES-335ās excellent sustain. For electronics, a pair of USA-made Gibson Custom bucker humbucker⢠pickups are hand-wired to CTSĀ® potentiometers and Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors and deliver authentic ES-335 tonal versatility, making the 1962 ES-335 Reissue a great choice for rock, blues, jazz, country, and more. The Sixties Cherry and Vintage Burst finishes have a vintage gloss that gives them a cool vintage vibe. A vintage-style Black hardshell case with a plush Goldenrod interior and Inspired by Gibson Custom exterior graphics is also included to help keep this beautiful 1962 ES-335 Reissue safe during storage and travel.
Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue Semi-hollow Electric Guitar - Vintage Burst
62 ES- 335 Reissue, Vin Burst1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue:
Special in every way
The Gibson Les Paul⢠Special was first introduced as a single cutaway model in 1955, and with the exception of the sunburst Standards that were produced from 1958-1960, it was the last of the original50s-era Les Paul model variants to be introduced. An enhanced version of the Les Paul Junior with increased sonic flexibility, it featured two P-90 pickups instead of the single P-90 found on the Junior and also added a bit of extra bling in the form of a bound fretboard and a mother-of-pearl headstock logo. In 1958, the body shape was revised from a single cutaway to a double cutaway, which delivered improved fretboard access, and the Special hit its stride in 1960 when a thinner SlimTaper⢠neck profile and a lower neck pickup placement made it more robust and easier to play than ever.
Now, Epiphone, in partnership with Gibson Custom, is proud to introduce the 1960 Les Paul SpecialDouble Cut Reissue, an Inspired by Gibson Custom recreation of the sought-after 1960 Les Paul Specia Double Cut. Like the originals, it features a slab mahogany body with double cutaways that provide excellent access to the entire length of the fretboard. The one-piece mahogany neck has a fast-playing60s SlimTaper profile and is capped with a rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl dot position marker inlays. The fretboard has a 12ā radius that makes playing first-position chords and solos with string bends further up the neck equally effortless. The Gibson āopen bookā style headstock is equipped with Epiphone Deluxe three-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons and a GraphTechĀ® nut to help keep the tuning nice and stable, while a historic style Wraparound bridge with intonation screws solidly anchors the strings at the other end and contributes to the excellent sustain that the Les Paul Special is famous for. A pair of USA-made P-90 Soap bar pickups from Gibson Custom that can go from sweet and clean to outright nasty and dirty-sounding are hand-wired to individual volume and tone controls with high-quality CTSĀ® potentiometers and Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors for authentic vintage tones that are sure to please even the most tone-conscious players.
The 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue comes packaged in a vintage-style case with a brown exterior and pink plush interior that features Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics on the exterior. It all comes together to deliver a vintage playing and ownership experience at an accessible price that is special in every way.
Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue Electric Guitar - TV Yellow
60 LP Special Double Cut Reissue , TV Ylw1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola:
An Inspired by Gibson Custom reissue of one of the most beloved vintage SG models
The 1964 SG⢠Standard Reissue With Maestro⢠Vibrola⢠recreates one of the most beloved SG model years of all timeāthe 1964 SG Standard. While the 1964 SG Standard was famously used by such notable players as George Harrison and Eric Clapton, the model year was a standout for the SG in general. By 1964, the less intuitive Sideways Vibrato had been replaced with the dependable Maestro Vibrola, while the neck profile increased in size somewhat from the ultra-thin neck profiles found on some of the earlier SG models, and the SGās balance, playability, and look seemed to come into its own. 1964 was also the first full year that the SG dispensed with the Les Paul moniker it previously used. Now, Epiphone is proud to release the 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola, a stunning recreation of that legendary model. Made in collaboration with Gibson⢠Custom, the Epiphone 1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola is the most authentic recreation of the 1964 SG Standard ever released by Epiphone.
All of the classic appointments the 1964 SG Standard model is known and loved for are present here, including a one-piece mahogany neck with a long neck tenon for increased stability and sustain, a comfortable, fast-playing SlimTaper⢠profile, and a bound rosewood fretboard. It also features mother-of-pearl trapezoid fretboard inlays, an aged mother-of-pearl Epiphone headstock logo, and an aged mother-of-pearl Gibson crown headstock inlay on the Gibson-style āopen bookā headstock. The center-seamed, two-piece mahogany body features the comfortable and distinctive bevels that help define a vintage-style SG and make it so comfortable to hold and play. The electronics are equally impressive, with two USA Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups with Alnico 3 magnets that are hand-wired to CTSĀ® potentiometers, Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® pickup selector toggle switch and output jack. The Vintage Gloss finish is nicely complimented by the nickel hardware, including Epiphone Vintage Deluxe āDouble Ringā tuners. A black hardshell case with Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics, gold hardware, and a goldenrod interior is also included.Epiphone 1964 SG Standard Reissue Electric Guitar - Cherry Red
64 SG Std w/Maestro Vibrola Reissue, Chrry Red1963 Firebird V Reissue With Maestro Vibrola:
Made in collaboration with Gibson Custom, now with a rosewood fretboard and a new Vintage Gloss finish
Epiphone and Gibson⢠Custom have once again teamed up to create the updated Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V Reissue With Maestro Vibrola ā an authentic replica of the guitar designed by legendary automotive designer Ray Dietrich. When it was launched in 1963, the Firebird⢠was Gibsonās first neck-through-body guitar, and it went on to be used by players in a wide range of genres, including blues legend Johnny Winter, Keith Richards and Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, to name a few.
The updated Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola delivers vintage Firebird specifications at an accessible price. The vintage-inspired features include a 9-ply neck-through- body made of mahogany and walnut with mahogany body wings to either side of the neck. This construction method results in the tuners, pickup, and bridge all being anchored into the same pieces of wood for exceptional resonance, sustain, and tonal transfer between them. The neck features a SlimTaper⢠Rounded C profile with soft fretboard edges for a comfortable, played-in feel. The rosewood fretboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays and equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage Firebirds and placed in historically accurate locations. KlusonĀ® planetary geared ābanjoā tuners anchor the strings at the headstock and further add to the historic Firebird look, while an Epiphone ABR-1 bridge and Maestro⢠Vibrola⢠with an engraved Epiphone logo hold things down at the other end. The electronics are also premium and include Gibson USA Firebird mini humbucker⢠pickups with Alnico 5 magnets, CTSĀ® potentiometers, Mallory⢠capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and 1/4ā output jack, giving this remarkable recreation not only the look but also the sound of a classic Firebird V. An Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case is also included.Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar - Polaris White
63 Firebird V Maestro Vibrola Reissue, Polaris Wht1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue:
A 1959 vintage-style Les Paul Standard Reissue Inspired by Gibson Custom, now with a rosewood Fretboard
The 1959 Gibson Les Paul⢠Standard is one of the worldās most covetedāand valuableāvintage guitars. It has been embraced by numerous famous players, including Peter Green, Kirk Hammett, and Joe Bonamassa. The 1959 Les Paul Standard is very similar to the 1960 model year that followed it, but with a few differences, most notably, a somewhat beefier 1959 Rounded Medium C neck profile that many players prefer over the thinner SlimTaper⢠profile found on the 1960 Les Paul Standard models. Now, Epiphone is proud to introduce the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue, a beautiful recreation of those rare 1959 Les Paul Standard models. Made in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue delivers vintage Les Paul looks and performance at an accessible price. All of the classic appointments the 1959 Les Paul Standard model is known and loved for are present here, including a one-piece mahogany neck with a long neck tenon for increased stability and sustain, an authentic 1959 Rounded Medium C neck profile, and a bound rosewood fretboard. It also features mother-of-pearl trapezoid fretboard inlays, an aged mother-of-pearl Epiphone headstock logo, and the words āLes Paul Modelā silkscreened in gold on the Gibson-style āopen bookā headstock.
Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage 1959 Les Paul Standard models and are placed in historically accurate locations. The genuine mahogany body features a carved maple cap that is topped with a beautiful AAA flamed maple veneer. The electronics are first class, with two USA Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups with Alnico 3 magnets that are hand-wired to CTSĀ® potentiometers, Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® pickup selector toggle switch and 1/4ā output jack. The Vintage Gloss finish gives the guitar a vintage appearance without looking overly aged and is nicely complimented by the nickel hardware, including the Epiphone Deluxe āSingle Ringā Keystone button tuners. A Brown hardshell case with Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics and a pink plush-lined interior is also included. This is the perfect Les Paul for players who love the vintage appeal of the classic 1959 Les Paul Standard, but donāt want to sell the house to afford one.
Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue Electric Guitar - Deep Cherry Sunburst
59 LP Std Reissue, Deep Chrry Sunburst1963 Firebird I Reissue:
Made in collaboration with Gibson Custom, now with a rosewood fretboard and a new Vintage Gloss finish
Epiphone and Gibson⢠Custom have once again teamed up to create the updated Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird⢠V Reissue With Maestro Vibrola ā an authentic replica of the guitar designed by legendary automotive designer Ray Dietrich. When it was launched in 1963, the Firebird⢠was Gibsonās first neck-through-body guitar, and it went on to be used by players in a wide range of genres, including blues legend Johnny Winter, Keith Richards and Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, to name a few.
The updated Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola delivers vintage Firebird specifications at an accessible price. The vintage-inspired features include a 9-ply neck-through-body made of mahogany and walnut with mahogany body wings to either side of the neck. This construction method results in the tuners, pickup, and bridge all being anchored into the same pieces of wood for exceptional resonance, sustain, and tonal transfer between them. The neck features a SlimTaper⢠Rounded C profile with soft fretboard edges for a comfortable, played-in feel. The rosewood fretboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays and equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage Firebirds and placed in historically accurate locations. KlusonĀ® planetary geared ābanjoā tuners anchor the strings at the headstock and further add to the historic Firebird look, while an Epiphone ABR-1 bridge and Maestro⢠Vibrola⢠with an engraved Epiphone logo hold things down at the other end. The electronics are also premium and include Gibson USA Firebird mini humbucker⢠pickups with Alnico 5 magnets, CTSĀ® potentiometers, Mallory⢠capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® 3-way pickup selector toggle switch and 1/4ā output jack, giving this remarkable recreation not only the look but also the sound of a classic Firebird V. An Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case is also included.1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue:
An Inspired by Gibson Custom reissue of the classic humbucker-equipped ā57 Goldtop
1957 was the year that the Les Paulā¢, as most players think of it today, truly came into its own. It was the first full year that it had Patent Applied For humbucker⢠pickups installed. The humbuckers, along with the ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic⢠bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece that first appeared on a Les Paul with the introduction of the Les Paul Custom in late 1953 and on the Goldtop in late 1955, were defining features
that many players still prefer over the earlier models that had a wraparound bridge/tailpiece and P-90pickups and made the Les Paul into a true fire-breathing rock icon. Now, Epiphone, in collaboration with Gibson Custom, is very proud to introduce the 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, a stunningly authentic Inspired by Gibson Custom reissue of those early humbucker-equipped Les Paul Goldtops that delivers vintage Les Paul looks and performance at an accessible price. It has a genuine mahogany body with a carved, plain maple cap. It is finished in a new Vintage Gloss version of the classic Gold color that gives it a vintage appearance without looking overly aged. The one-piece genuine mahogany neck has a 50s Rounded Medium C profile and a long neck tenon for excellent stability and sustain. The bound rosewood fretboard is adorned with mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays and equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets, just like the original models from 1957. It has an aged mother-of-pearl Epiphone logo and the words āLes Paul Modelā silkscreened in gold on the Gibson-style āopen bookā headstock. Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage 1957 Les Paul Standard models and are placed in historically accurate locations. The hardware is nickel-plated, including the ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, historical aluminum Stop Bar Tailpiece, and the Epiphone Deluxe āSingle Ringā Keystone button tuners. The electronics are also first-class, with two USA Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups with Alnico 3 magnets that are hand-wired to CTSĀ® potentiometers, Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® pickup selector toggle switch and 1/4ā output jack. A historic-inspired hardshell case with a Brown exterior and pink plush interior and Inspired by Gibson Custom Graphics is also included. The 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue isnāt just a guitar; itās a bridge to a symphony of possibilities, willing and ready to help you make your own mark on music history.
Epiphone 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue Electric Guitar - Goldtop
57 LP Goldtop Reissue, Goldtop1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue:
A 1960 vintage-style Les Paul Reissue Inspired by Gibson Custom, now with a rosewood fretboard and new Vintage Gloss finish
The 1960 Gibson Les Paul⢠Standard is one of the worldās most coveted vintage guitars. It has been embraced by such luminaries as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Joe Walsh. The 1960 Les Paul Standard is very similar to the famous 1959 model year that preceded it, but with a few changes, most notably, a thinner and faster-playing SlimTaper⢠neck profile that many players prefer over the somewhat beefier 1959 Les Paul Standard neck profile. Now, Epiphone is proud to introduce the Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue, a beautiful recreation of those vintage 1960 Les Paul
Standard models. Made in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone Les Paul Standard 1960 Reissue delivers vintage Les Paul looks and performance at an accessible price. All of the classic appointments the 1960 Les Paul Standard model is known and loved for are present here, including a one-piece mahogany neck with a long neck tenon for increased stability and sustain, a comfortable, fast-playing SlimTaper⢠profile, and a bound rosewood fretboard. It also features mother-of-pearl trapezoid fretboard inlays, an aged mother-of-pearl Epiphone headstock logo, and the words āLes Paul Modelā silkscreened in gold on the Gibson-style āopen bookā headstock. Even the side dot position markers are the same size as on vintage 1960 Les Paul Standard models and are placed in historically accurate locations. The genuine mahogany body features a carved maple cap that is topped with a beautiful AAA flamed maple veneer. The electronics are equally impressive, with two USA Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups with Alnico 3 magnets that are hand-wired to CTSĀ® potentiometers, Bumblebee paper-in-oil capacitors, and a SwitchcraftĀ® pickup selector toggle switch and output jack. The Vintage Gloss finish gives the guitar a vintage appearance without looking overly aged and is nicely complimented by the nickel hardware, including the Epiphone Deluxe āDouble Ringā Keystone button tuners. A brown hardshell case with Inspired by Gibson Custom graphics and a pink plush-lined interior is also included. This is the perfect Les Paul for players who love the vintage appeal of the classic 1959 Les Paul Standard but who want a more comfortable neck profile.Epiphone 1960 Les Paul Standard Reissue Electric Guitar - Washed Cherry Sunburst
59 LP Std Reissue, Washed Chrry SunburstStringjoy has introduced the Ariel Posen Signature String Set, a heavy-gauge Nickel Wound set designed in close collaboration with acclaimed slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Ariel Posen.
The Ariel Posen Signature String Set from Stringjoy
Ideal for B Standard, Open C, and other lower tunings, this set offers exceptional tone and feel for players who want to explore new sonic territory while maintaining their guitar's unique voice.
Each string in this set is built with Stringjoyās trademark quality: wound at tension with high compression winds for maximum output, durability, and smooth playability. The result? Strings that hold up under pressure while delivering a natural, expressive voiceāperfect for hybrid playing and expressive slide work.
Ariel Posen Signature Set Specs:
⢠.014 ā .018p ā .026w ā .038 ā .050 ā .062
⢠Wound 3rd string
āIf you didnāt know these were 14-62 gauges, youād swear they were just 11s tuned down,ā said Ariel Posen. āThey feel like home and preserve the sound of the guitar, even in lower tunings. Thatās the biggest thingāit still sounds like guitar.ā
āWeāve spent ten years experimenting and testing together to find the right combination,ā said Scott Marquart, Stringjoy Founder & President. āThis release is more than just a new productāitās the culmination of a shared journey between friends and musicians. Arielās set is uniquely him, and I think players will love how it feels and responds.ā
Stringjoyās Ariel Posen signature string set carry a street price of $13.99. Learn more at at stringjoy.com.
Kemper updated the entire product range introducing the all-new Kemper Profiler MK 2 Series. More Power. More Flexibility.
KEMPER PROFILER - The all-new PROFILER MK 2 Series
Kemper today announces the immediate availability of the all-new KEMPER PROFILER MK 2 Series. Kemper continues to raise the bar with the upcoming Profiler MK 2 Series ā a bold evolution of the Profiler lineup (All PROFILERs: Head, Rack, Stage, the Player, and the powered versions), delivering more power, more flexibility, and more creative potential than ever before.
At the heart of the PROFILER MK 2 Series works an upgraded processing engine, unlocking faster performance, with boot times clocking in around 20 seconds, and a host of new features that expand the boundaries of what a modern guitar or bass rig can do.
A New Era of Effects:
20 Blocks in Series, the most powerful effects architecture ever found in a Kemper unit - The PROFILER MK 2 Series now offers seven additional effect blocks, raising the total number of simultaneous audio effect blocks to an incredible 20 ā all running with zero added signal latency. Itās like having an entire, fully integrated pedalboard with pedal essentials at your feet ā but one that boots in seconds, never needs rewiring, and always remembers your settings.
A new Era of Profiling:
Kemper announces a new profiling technology for the MK 2 series. Availabilty is expected during Summer. Currently in extended testing with some selected third-party profile vendors the new profiling offers:
- More than 100,000 individual frequency points meticulously analyzed for the most precise amp recreation ever achieved.
- Next-Level Speaker & Dynamically adjustable Cabinet Resonance ā Capturing the true dynamics of your setup with the longest and most complex impulse responses in the industry.
- Liquid Profiling Technology ā Seamlessly integrate the original ampās gain and tone controls, transforming a single profile into a fully dynamic, living amplifier.
- Unparalleled Precision & Feel ā A cutting-edge hybrid approach combining precise, deterministic analog measurement with Kemperās industry-leading profiling intelligence.
Overview - All thatās new in the PROFILER MK 2 in more Detail:
All-New FX Section ā 7 Additional FX Slots - ThePROFILER MK 2-Series introduces an expanded FX section with seven dedicated āpedalboard essentialā FX slots, featuring: A new second Noise Gate (Palm Ninja), Compressor, Pure Booster, WahWah, Vintage Chorus, Air Chorus, and Double Tracker.
Adding these to the pre-existing 10 audio blocks, Spectral Noise Gate, Transpose Effect, and Volume Pedal - in total this provides users with 20 simultaneous audio effect blocks, setup gig-ready right out of the box while maintaining full flexibility for customization.
This new layout makes it convenient to cover all the bases and offers 8 flexible FX blocks available for the acclaimed tone shapers and studio-grade unique FX the KEMPER PROFILER is famous for.
Performance Meets Portability - With a smarter internal design and new lightweight aluminum components, the Profiler Stage Mk 2 has shed excess weight ā making it even more gig-friendly without sacrificing the tank-like build quality musicians rely on. Whether for touring the world or heading to a local session, this is the most travel-ready full-featured Profiler yet.
Mk 2-ready Player! - For all guitarists and bassists already rocking the compact PROFILER Player, there is good news: itās been āMK 2ā-ready from day one, meaning itās fully aligned with the power and potential of the new series, and now, on LVL 1 already, it features 16 simultaneous FX in total. This new extended signal flow becomes available for all Player owners as a free update, and yes, it will get Profiling, too. Making the PROFILER Player out of the box the features richest and most professional performance and recording solution - with its travel-friendly footprint and convenient price point!
8-Channel USB Audio Support for the new Mk 2-Series - Native 8-channel USB audio support to all KEMPER PROFILER MK 2 Series units, enabling seamless multitrack recording and reamping directly into your DAW ā no external interface required.
Loop Longer, Play Harder - The integrated Looper also gets a serious upgrade. With up to two full minutes of recording time, the MK 2 Series lets you capture extended phrases, build layered soundscapes, or craft entire performances ā all on the fly. (Looper available from LVL 3 for the Player)
Speed and Responsiveness Upgrades - Major improvements under the hood. Boot times, preset switching, and UI responsiveness are noticeably faster and smoother, especially in Performance Mode.
Christoph Kemper, Founder & CEO:
āThe new PROFILER MK 2-Series makes the PROFILERs feel more like a complete rig than ever before. With instant access to essential FX, full USB audio integration, and improved playability, weāre giving our users a platform that adapts and grows with them.ā
Pricing & Availability:
The new KEMPER PROFILER MK 2 Series models are available now from dealers worldwide and directly from the Kemper Online Store. All the new features require a KEMPER PROFILER MK 2 Series device. Visit www.kemper-amps.com for downloads and release notes.
PROFILER Head $1,348.00
PROFILER Rack $1,398.00
PROFILER Stage $1,498.00
PROFILER Player $ 699.00
PROFILER PowerHead $1,798.00
PROFILER PowerRack $1,798.00
PROFILER Remote $ 469.00
At a glance!
The Kemper Profiler MK 2 Series isnāt just about doing more. Itās about doing it better, faster, and without compromise. With unmatched tonal power, surgical precision, and effortless usability, this is the most complete and forward-thinking Profiler platform yet.
The Billy Idol guitarist rides his Knaggs into Nashville.
Thereās nothing subtle about Billy Idol, so it tracks that thereād be nothing subtle about the guitars used onstage by his longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens. Famous for his guitar work with Idol and the Grammy-winning symphony of sustain āTop Gun Anthem,ā Stevens brought a brigade of eye-popping signature electrics and some choice other jewels out on the road with Idol this spring.
The tour touched down at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville in May, and while Stevens was jetting into town, PGās John Bohlinger met up with tech and guitar builder Frank Falbo to learn the ins and outs of Stevensā rig.
Brought to you by DāAddario
Cherry Pie
This cherryburst is one of a score of single-cut Knaggs Steve Stevens signature models in Stevensā arsenal. He plays with heavier Tortex picks and uses Ernie Ball strings, usually .010ā.048s.
More, More, More (Sustain)
This Knaggs Steve Stevens Severn XF, complete with a Sustainiac pickup system, was designed to mimic the look of one of his old guitars, and the stage lights make this finish go insane. It comes out for three to four songs in any given set, including āRebel Yell.ā
Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
This Knaggs Steve Stevens, finished in silver sparkle, is outfitted with a killswitch, push-pull control knobs, and Fishman Fluence pickups. Falbo was on the R&D team that helped design the Fluences.
Other guitars backstage include a red sparkle Knaggs with PAFs, a Godin LGXT with piezo saddles and Seymour Duncan pickups that sends three signals (synth, electric, and piezo), a pair of piezo- and MIDI-equipped Godin nylon-string guitars, a dazzling GibsonĀ Les Paul with stock Gibson pickups, a Suhr T-style electric, and a Ciari Ascender for travel and dressing-room rehearsal.
Tube Heart, Digital Brains
Stevens runs through a pair of Friedman headsāa B100 and Steve Stevens SS100, plus a third backupāwith each panned hard to either the left or right. Both signals run through a Neve 8803 rack EQ into two RedSeven Amplification Amp Central Evo loadboxes, and through their impulse response programs to front of house. A Neural Quad Cortex is on hand as a backup and for fly dates.
Steve Stevensā Pedalboard
Stevensā pedal playground is masterminded by an RJM Mastermind GT, which lives on its own board alongside a Fractal FM3 MK II. He orchestrates most of the changes himself, but Falbo is ready to flip switches backstage in case Stevens is away from his board for a key moment.
The centre hub, built on a Tone Merchants board, carries a TC Electronic PolyTune2 Noir, Xotic Effects Super Sweet Booster, Vox wah, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Mission Engineering expression pedal, DigiTech Whammy Ricochet, Suhr Discovery, JHS Muffuletta, DigiTech Drop, ISP DECI-MATE, Walrus Voyager, Suhr Koji Comp, Zvex Super Ringtone, DryBell Vibe Machine, and Ammoon EX EQ7. An Ebtech Hum Eliminator, two Strymon Ojais, and a Strymon Zuma keep the wheels greased.
The board to the right carries a Boss RV-500, Fender Smolder Acoustic OD, Lehle Dual Expression, Boss GM-800, Empress Bass Compressor, Grace Design ALiX preamp, Fishman Aura, and a Peterson tuner. Utility boxes include an Ernie Ball Volt and a Radial J48.
Rick Derringer plays the Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1973āthe year of āRock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.ā
The guitarist and high-profile producer, whose career began with the ā60s garage-rock band the McCoys and included a historic run with Johnny and Edgar Winter, and, more recently, Ringo Starr, leaves behind a deep catalog.
Prolific American guitarist and producer Rick Derringer passed away on Monday, May 26, in Ormond Beach, Florida, at the age of 77. In the 1970s, with Edgar and Johnny Winter, and as a hit-making solo artist, he was a flamboyant stage presence whose biting tone and fluent classic-rock soloing made him a guitar-culture icon. An official cause of death has not been announced, but he suffered from heart ailments and had recently undergone a triple bypass.
Derringer, born Richard Dean Zehringer on August 5, 1947, was raised in Ohio and, before he was 10 years old, received his first electric guitar. He and his brother Randy began playing music together. By high school, he had his own band: Rick Z Combo, then Rick and the Raiders, before finally settling on the McCoys.
It was in his late teens, as singer and guitarist of the McCoys, that Derringer cut his first and perhaps most enduring hit, a cover of Wes Farrell and Bert Bernsā āHang on Sloopy.ā In fact, the band you hear on the McCoysā iconic release is the Strangeloves; Derringerās vocals and guitar were recorded and added, and the song was released by the McCoys. This became the definitive rendition of the song, which today remains an unofficial anthem for the state of Ohio, finding airtime at Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Cavaliers games.
āItās heavy rock ānā roll boogie and hyper, bluesy riffing also gained it a spot in the popular video game Guitar Hero II, where Derringerās music was introduced to a new, young generation of aspiring guitarists.ā
In the 1970s, Derringer and the McCoys began a fruitful and long-lasting relationship with brothers Edgar and Johnny Winter, first as part of Johnny Winterās Johnny Winter And group, and then Edgar Winterās White Trash and Edgar Winter Group. Off the back of those collaborations, Derringer launched his debut solo LP, All American Boy, in 1973. It carried another of his signature songs, the rollicking, groovy-as-hell āRock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,ā which had by then already been released twice on records by both Johnny and Edgar Winter. Derringerās take reached No. 23 on Billboardās Hot 100 chart and saturated FM radio. Its heavy rock ānā roll boogie and hyper, bluesy riffing also gained it a spot in the popular video game Guitar Hero II, where Derringerās music was introduced to a new, young generation of aspiring guitarists.
Through the 1970s and ā80s, Derringer continued his streak of collaborations with artists like Steely Dan, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and more. Most notable, perhaps, was his work with āWeird Alā Yankovic. He produced six albums for the song satirist, which included Yankovicās Grammy-winning hits āEat Itā (1984) and āFatā (1988). By then, Derringer had already racked up a string of formidable production credits: his own All American Boy, Edgar Winterās Shock Treatment and They Only Come Out at Night, Live Johnny Winter And, plus Johnny Winterās Saints & Sinners, among others.
Derringer also played guitar on Bonnie Tylerās perennial karaoke-night staple āTotal Eclipse of the Heart,ā and in 1985, Derringer struck gold again with āReal American,ā Hulk Hoganās theme song from the WWE soundtrack record, The Wrestling Album. With its striking title and pumped-up lyrics (āI am a real American/Fight for the rights of every man!ā), the song went on to find popularity with politicians of all stripes, from Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump.
The latter found favor with Rick Derringer, who appeared multiple times on Alex Jonesā far-right, conspiracy-theory-based website Infowars in conversation with Roger Stone to express support for Trump, beginning in 2016. Derringer revamped the lyrics of āReal Americanā for a rerelease in 2017, which he promoted with an appearance on Infowars.
Derringer continued playing with high-profile musicians through the 2000s, including Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Yesā Jon Anderson, Joe Bonamassa, and the Winter brothers. Throughout his life, Derringer mostly used humbucking-outfitted guitars for his big tone, including Gibson Explorers, SGs, ES-335s, and Les Pauls, as well as B.C. Rich Mockingbirds and a signature model Warrior guitar.