Gibson Montana, the guitar giant's acoustic division, has enhanced the performance of its popular "solidbody acoustic" design with the introduction of the Chet Atkins Studio. The new nylon-string classical model incorporates elements of classical guitar construction that give it truer acoustic tonality as well as unamplified acoustic capabilities.

"The Chet Studio's enhanced acoustic performance is something that players have been increasingly asking for ever since Gibson and Chet Atkins got together in 1981," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Gibson chairman and CEO. "We're sure that Chet would be proud of this model."

The late Chet Atkins, legendary guitarist and record producer, came to Gibson in 1981 with an idea for a nylon-string acoustic guitar with a solid body, so that it could played onstage at high volume without feedback. Gibson introduced the first of these revolutionary "solidbody acoustics" in 1981, and they were adopted by a wide range of players, from Willie Nelson to Earl Klugh.

In 2003, Gibson moved production of the nylon-string line to the acoustic specialists at Gibson Montana, and the Bozeman-based division began designing a new model, the Chet Atkins Studio. Among the Studio's new features:

• Fully hollow thin body for increased acoustic volume
• Braces and tone bars underneath the top carefully placed to match the tone of guitars made famous by Ramirez and other
• Spanish builders
• Gibson Songwriter Deluxe style bridge
• Elegant circular rosewood plate inlaid on the upper top bout to house 4-band EQ and volume control
• Oval soundhole in the lower back of the guitar to enhance the player's acoustic experience

For more information about the Chet Atkins Studio, go here.