FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joe Perry and Gibson Custom launch new signature model at House of Blues in Boston

Aerosmiths Joe Perry launched his new signature guitar Saturday (5/17) at the House of Blues in Cambridge, MA, with an exclusive VIP party highlighted by a jam session and the donation of guitars to area schools.

Every element of the Gibson Joe Perry Signature reflects the personal taste of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, from the Green Tiger top finish to the Boneyard logo to the custom pickup wiring. The guitar was conceived by Perrys wife Billie while they were visiting Gibsons Custom Shop in Nashville. Billie conspired with Gibson to secretly build a guitar with a highly flamed tiger stripe maple top and a unique finish she called green tiger. She presented it to Joe for Christmas 2002.

Perry liked the guitar so much he immediately added it to his working collection The prototype is always two feet away from me down in the studio, he says. With a few additional modifications to make it a truly personal instrument, the guitar that started out as a gift became a Gibson Custom Shop model.

Joe Perrys guitar work has been a defining element of rock and roll music for the last three decades, and Joes personal taste is reflected in every element of the Gibson Joe Perry guitar, said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Corp. Holding this instrument is like shaking hands with a rock legend.

In addition to the distinctive top finish, the guitar sports Perrys Boneyard logo on the headstock, which is the name of his home recording studio and the brand of his new hot sauce. Perrys specifications also include a neck with a thicker profile than the standard Gibson neck and a pickup that is wired in reverse to add a distinctive edge to the tone of the guitar.

Also during the signature guitar launch event, Perry donated guitars to various Boston local schools including Hopedale Jr-Sr High School, Cambridge Rindge Latin School, Somerville High School and Sunapee Elementary. The schools will be the recipients of new Gibson Custom Non Reverse Firebird guitars.

Watch for a full-length interview with Perry in the next issue of the Gibson/Baldwin Player e-zine.


Gibson Custom, 1-800-4GIBSON; www.gibsoncustom.com

Contacts:
Caroline Galloway, Gibson Guitar Corp., 440 338 3469, caroline.galloway@gibson.com
Jason Padgitt, Rogers & Cowan, 310 201 8840, jpadgitt@rogersandcowan.com
Walter Carter, Gibson Guitar Corp., 615 871 4500, ext. 2268, walter.carter@gibson.com