"Gibson introduces cherished vintage classics from its collection to Epiphone's Inspired by Custom series for the very first time"

Epiphone has announced the launch of six new acoustic guitars in their Inspired by Gibson Custom range. This lineup, developed in close collaboration with Gibson Custom's Bozeman facility, offers players premium vintage-style guitars with modern finishing touches and electronics.

Key Features and Specifications

The new guitars feature vintage gloss or full gloss finishes, historic ‘open book’ Gibson-style headstocks, and rosewood fingerboards. Thermally aged tops enhance vintage tone and response, while each model is equipped with the L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup system for natural amplified acoustic sound.

| Model | Top Wood | Back & Sides | Neck Wood & Shape | Fingerboard Wood | Bracing | Other Key Features | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue | Thermally aged solid Sitka spruce | Solid mahogany | V-shaped mahogany neck | Rosewood | Scalloped X-bracing | Vintage teardrop pickguard, open-back tuners, onboard L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup | | 1957 SJ-200 Reissue | Thermally aged solid Sitka spruce | Solid figured maple | Two-piece flame maple neck | Rosewood or ebony | Traditional scalloped X-bracing | Historic “open book” headstock, vintage gloss finish, L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup | | Pre-War SJ-200 Rosewood | (Not fully detailed in search results but implied rosewood top or back/sides) | Rosewood back and sides | (Likely mahogany or maple neck based on vintage specs) | Rosewood or ebony | (Likely scalloped X-bracing) | Vintage-inspired case, L.R. Baggs system, on-board electronics (inferred from lineup standard) | | 1960 Hummingbird Reissue| Not specified but likely thermally aged spruce | Traditionally mahogany or rosewood | Traditional neck shape | Rosewood | Likely scalloped X-bracing | Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish, classic Hummingbird look, L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup | | Hummingbird Deluxe EC | Not specified | Solid rosewood | Not detailed | Not detailed | Not specified | Updated with solid rosewood back/sides for richer tone, deeper bass, sparkling highs, cutaway version, electric/acoustic | | 1963 Dove Reissue | Thermally aged solid spruce | Solid figured maple | One-piece thermally aged mahogany, rounded neck profile | Indian rosewood | Scalloped X-bracing | Mother-of-pearl split parallelogram inlays, rosewood bridge with mother-of-pearl dove inlays, bone nut and saddle, Kluson tuners, L.R. Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup, soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls, inspired by Gibson Custom hardcase |

Pricing and Availability

Prices (from source for some models) start around $1,299 (e.g., 1942 Banner J-45 Reissue). The new guitars are available at Epiphone.

Notable Models and History

The 1957 SJ-200 Reissue was originally built in 1937 and has been used by rock royalty such as Brian May and Jimmy Page. The Hummingbird, another iconic model, features a thermally aged solid spruce top with scalloped X-bracing, solid mahogany back and sides, and a one-piece mahogany neck with a rounded profile.

Quote from Brand Manager

Lewis McKinney, Brand Manager at Epiphone, states that these guitars are era-accurate and are designed to provide players with an authentic experience. He adds that this lineup marks a fresh chapter for Epiphone acoustics.

This lineup gives players premium vintage-style guitars with modern finishing touches and electronics, all developed with input from Gibson Custom artisans but offered at Epiphone’s more accessible price point.

"Gibson introduces cherished vintage classics from its collection to Epiphone's Inspired by Custom series for the very first time"