Epiphone introduces the new Ltd. Ed. Björn Gelotte Les Paul Custom Outfit, equipped with EMG active pickups.
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This is the first signature model for the In Flames guitarist, and as such is built to his preferred specs and designed to deliver the gritty tones that his metal guitar style requires.
Starting out as a drummer for the Swedish band In Flames, Björn Gelotte switched to fulfilling guitar duties when the original guitarist left. This move started a chain of events that led to Björn’s current reputation as a revered guitarist in the metal genre, with one magazine even including him in their greatest guitarists in metal list.
Now Epiphone has assimilated Gelotte into their fold, and their first collaboration resulted in the new Ltd. Ed. Björn Gelotte Les Paul Custom Outfit. This new guitar gives metal players another active-pickup equipped Les Paul to choose from, expanding the brand’s lineup of shred friendly instruments.
This new signature guitar is an exact replica of Gelotte’s Gibson Les Paul that his been using for years. It sports all the same hardware and specs as the original guitar, with the main difference being the Epiphone logo and that it goes through their mass production process. This achieves Björn’s goal to provide metal heads with quality instruments at a more accessible and affordable price point.
Björn Gelotte said, “When I got asked to do a signature Epiphone, I had only one guitar in mind, the Les Paul Custom. In fact, the first prototype of my Epiphone Les Paul Custom is my new No.1 guitar I play on stage. It’s all I’ve played since I got it! I play it every show. I am very happy to say the least!”
The Epiphone Ltd. Ed. Björn Gelotte Les Paul Custom Outfit starts off with a mahogany body finished in deep ebony gloss, resulting in a black overall theme that adheres to LP custom tradition. The neck is also crafted from mahogany, rounded to a slimmer version of the ’59 profile to make it easier on your fretting hand. Following the specs of the original Gibson it was based on, the scale length is 24.75″, nut width is 1.68″ and the 22-fret ebony fingerboard radius is measured at 12″.
Giving this guitar its low-end heavy voicing are two EMG active humbuckers, an EMG-85 USA “Metalworks” on the neck and an EMG-81 USA “Metalworks” on the bridge both of which come with smooth gold finish cover. They are both wired into a 3-Way pickup selector with Cream Toggle Cap, Neck Pickup Volume, Bridge Pickup Volume, Neck Pickup Tone and Bridge Pickup Tone.
Premium hardware features of this guitar include LockTone “Nashville-Style” Tune-o-matic and Stopbar and Grover Roto-Matics (18:1 Ratio). The Headstock sports the In Flames’ Jester inlay on the front and a Ltd. Ed. logo in gold on the back. The guitar is bundled with a custom hard case with “B.I.G” logo in gold, hand signed certificate of authenticity, binder with certificate and photograph. Finally, Björn Gelotte’s signature is printed in white on the Les Paul bell-shaped truss rod cover.
Company President Jim Rosenberg said, “Epiphone couldn’t be more proud to introduce Björn Gelotte’s debut signature model–the first anywhere in the world. Björn is one of the most exciting guitarists working today and he’s turning on a whole new generation to the power of an Epiphone Les Paul.”
The MSRP for the new Ltd. Ed. Björn Gelotte Les Paul Custom Outfit is $1,332, and it is scheduled for release in September 2015. Visit Epiphone for further details.
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