Epiphone's Les Paul Ultra guitar brings a new generation of refinement, including lighter weight, a contoured back and a faster neck, to the classic rock and roll guitar. Nancy Wilson of the rock band Heart has already tried one out and given it a glowing stamp of approval.

"I am so excited about this guitar," Nancy exclaimed. "It is a dream to play and sounds amazing. I used it yesterday for some score cues and the weight is perfect. I also love the tone of the body due to the hollow section inside. It makes for a new, sweeter tone."

The Ultra looks at first glance just like a Les Paul Standard, the world-famous icon for rock and roll music, but its mahogany body has strategically placed hollow cavities to make it not only lighter (about 5.5 lbs) but also more "acoustic" sounding. Additionally, a belly-contour on the back of the guitar allows it to comfortably hug the player's body. With a slightly narrower nut (42mm as opposed to 43mm) on a very fast, satin-finish neck, this is truly an Ultra-friendly guitar. It comes in a classic, faded cherry finish with gold-plated hardware.

Epiphone fretted instruments, amplifiers, strings and accessories are known worldwide for offering the best combination of quality and value. One of Gibson's most formidable competitors through the first half of the 20th century, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson in 1957. Headquartered in Nashville, Epiphone is part of the Gibson family of brands that includes Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer.

Website: www.epiphone.com