Gibson Guitar Announces Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Model Guitar

Aug 31, 2006

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Gibson Guitar has partnered with Green Day guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong to create the Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong (BJA) Signature model guitar, it was announced today. The guitar was created through a partnership with Armstrong and the Gibson USA design team in Nashville, Tenn. and is based on the specifications of Armstrong's vintage 1950's model Gibson Les Paul Jr.

The guitar took a little over a year of design and modification with hands-on analysis from Armstrong throughout Green Day's worldwide tour. The Gibson BJA Signature guitar boasts a custom modified pickup, unique to any other guitar produced. It will be available in three colors: vintage sunburst, classic white and ebony. It also comes with a custom hard shell case with leopard-print interior and the Green Day signature "Shock Guy" logo on the exterior.

"For years I have been looking for a guitar sound that could live up to the guitar tone I hear in my head. The first time I played my 1956 Les Paul Jr. guitar, it matched that tone perfectly. Les Paul Jr. guitars can reproduce the punch of power chords and the power of big open chords with perfect string definition," said Armstrong. "I have worked hard over the last two years to make sure my artist series guitar would live up to the legacy of the classic Les Paul guitars of the fifties."

The Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Model specs are listed below. The MSRP is $2,169.00 USD.

Pickups: Stacked Double-Coil Special Design P-90
Hardware: Nickel
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale: 24-3/4"
Nut Width: 1.687"
Nut: Molded plastic
Bridge: Non-compensated wraparound
Neck Material: Mahogany
Body Material: Mahogany
Controls: Volume and Tone
Colors: Vintage Sunburst, Ebony and Classic White

For more information, visit their web site at www.gibson.com.