UPDATE: At the "Icons of Music" charity auction in New York City on April 21, a Limited Edition Signed Music Rising Epiphone Les Paul went for $30,000 to the Hard Rock Cafe in Biloxi, Mississippi. Another sold for $35,000 to an individual.This Les Paul Standard was created by Epiphone to aid Music Rising, the charity helping to replace instruments and gear lost by New Orleans musicians in the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Musician's Friend is honored to partner with Gibson to help reverse the devastation suffered by the Crescent City's music community. This limited edition, signed by The Edge, is unquestionably one of the most desirable collector's items you may ever encounter. It's a perfect choice for charitable organizations or other donors who want a very unique and special reminder of their contribution to rebuilding New Orleans' musical heritage.Adorned with a Music Rising graphic designed by U2's The Edge who co-founded the charity, all proceeds from the sale of this guitar will go to Music Rising. A special inscription on the headstock reads: "Rebuilding Note by Note." The inscription on the belly reads: "MUSIC RISING - INSTRUMENTS FOR THE GULF COAST."Each instrument includes a Custom Music Rising gig bag, a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by The Edge, and wall hanging display hardware.NOTE: This guitar is eligible for international shipping. For International orders, please contact us and let our agent know that you wish to purchase the Epiphone Music Rising Les Paul.The Gulf Coast has contributed more to modern music than perhaps any other U.S. region, and it has had a lasting impact on the entire world. Along with the great loss of life and property during the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, thousands of musicians lost their instruments and their livelihood along with those instruments. By purchasing the Music Rising Les Paul Standard, you will not only help repay the musical debt we all owe to the Crescent City, but will also become the proud owner of a guitar that commemorates America's commitment to its artists.More about Music Rising Music Rising is a national campaign created by U2's The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz along with support from Guitar Center Music Foundation and MusiCares. Inaugural partners MusiCares, Gibson Guitar, Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, VH-1 Networks, MTV Networks, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation constitute the most dynamic and comprehensive organized group to launch a relief program since the Hurricanes hit the United States. The campaign's goal is to help rebuild the musical heart and culture of the Gulf Region by replacing the musical instruments and gear that were lost in the hurricane season of 2005. Music Rising will continue to be administered by The Gibson Foundation."These guitars provide funding to buy instruments

UPDATE: At the "Icons of Music" charity auction in New York City on April 21, a Limited Edition Signed Music Rising Epiphone Les Paul went for $30,000 to the Hard Rock Cafe in Biloxi, Mississippi. Another sold for $35,000 to an individual.This Les Paul Standard was created by Epiphone to aid Music Rising, the charity helping to replace instruments and gear lost by New Orleans musicians in the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Musician's Friend is honored to partner with Gibson to help reverse the devastation suffered by the Crescent City's music community. This limited edition, signed by The Edge, is unquestionably one of the most desirable collector's items you may ever encounter. It's a perfect choice for charitable organizations or other donors who want a very unique and special reminder of their contribution to rebuilding New Orleans' musical heritage.Adorned with a Music Rising graphic designed by U2's The Edge who co-founded the charity, all proceeds from the sale of this guitar will go to Music Rising. A special inscription on the headstock reads: "Rebuilding Note by Note." The inscription on the belly reads: "MUSIC RISING - INSTRUMENTS FOR THE GULF COAST."Each instrument includes a Custom Music Rising gig bag, a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by The Edge, and wall hanging display hardware.NOTE: This guitar is eligible for international shipping. For International orders, please contact us and let our agent know that you wish to purchase the Epiphone Music Rising Les Paul.The Gulf Coast has contributed more to modern music than perhaps any other U.S. region, and it has had a lasting impact on the entire world. Along with the great loss of life and property during the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, thousands of musicians lost their instruments and their livelihood along with those instruments. By purchasing the Music Rising Les Paul Standard, you will not only help repay the musical debt we all owe to the Crescent City, but will also become the proud owner of a guitar that commemorates America's commitment to its artists.More about Music Rising Music Rising is a national campaign created by U2's The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz along with support from Guitar Center Music Foundation and MusiCares. Inaugural partners MusiCares, Gibson Guitar, Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, VH-1 Networks, MTV Networks, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, Ticketmaster, and Live Nation constitute the most dynamic and comprehensive organized group to launch a relief program since the Hurricanes hit the United States. The campaign's goal is to help rebuild the musical heart and culture of the Gulf Region by replacing the musical instruments and gear that were lost in the hurricane season of 2005. Music Rising will continue to be administered by The Gibson Foundation."These guitars provide funding to buy instruments

John Lennon was always a fan of Charlie Christian, and he also enjoyed tinkering with his guitars. So when he met New York luthier and guitar repairman Ron DeMarino in the early '70s, he asked him to take his 1950s Tobacco Sunburst Les Paul Junior and add the pickup made famous by the jazz legend. Later, at Lennon's request, DeMarino sanded off the 'burst finish and added the Tuno-O-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece. On August 30, 1972, Lennon used his customized Les Paul in its new, raw wood state during his famous benefit concert at New York's Madison Square Garden. Today, the guitar is on permanent display at the John Lennon Museum in Japan. Histroy of The John Lennon Les Paul JuniorBy Andy Babiuk, author of the bookJohn Lennon a name known worldwide as an icon, musician, and poet, the voice of a generation, and without a doubt, one of the most important and influential figures in rock 'n' roll history. It was John Lennon and the Beatles that forever changed the world of music and pop culture.As with all great musicians, the tools of the Beatles' trade at times became as important as their music. The instruments they chose helped to reflect their thoughts, ideas, and even lifestyles. The everlasting images of Lennon with his Gibson J 160E guitar during the height of Beatlemania, or his Epiphone Casino on the rooftop of the Beatles' Apple headquarters, or his modified Gibson Les Paul Jr. at his famous 1972 Madison Square Garden concert have all left a lasting impression on our minds. John Lennon is so closely associated with these instruments that the instruments themselves have become extensions of Lennon's personality.Lennon solo After the break up of the Beatles, the prolific John Lennon immediately embarked on his successful solo career, recording and collaborating with wife Yoko Ono. It was during this time, in the early '70s, that John Lennon expressed his passion for New York City. "It's the greatest place on earth," he said. "I love the place 'cause this is where the music came from; this is what influenced my whole life."Soon after, on September 3, 1971, the Lennons left the U. K. for New York, never to return. Lennon enjoyed New York's artistic environment. "There are these fantastic 20 or 30 artists who all understand what I'm doing and have the same kind of mind as me," he said. "It's like heaven."Enter Ron DeMarino Ron DeMarino, a New York luthier known for his guitar repair and restoration work, met the Lennons in late 1971. "I was at one of the guitar shops on 48th Street and overheard a guy who was looking for an old vintage amp for a friend," DeMarino recalls. "The store didn't have that style of amp, but I did, so when the guy left the shop I told him that I had one to sell. He told me that it was for John Lennon, and I of course didn't believe him. The guy introduced himself as Claude and said he worked fo

The Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar has a heritage as fascinating as the man whose name it bears. In 1966, during the recording of "Revolver," John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Epiphone Casino guitars. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduces 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casino guitars. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in "The White Album" sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic guitars have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Epiphone includes a hardshell case wiht the '65 John Lennon Casino Electric Guitar.

The Epiphone John Lennon 1965 Casino Electric Guitar has a heritage as fascinating as the man whose name it bears. In 1966, during the recording of "Revolver," John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Epiphone Casino guitars. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduces 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casino guitars. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in "The White Album" sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic guitars have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Epiphone includes a hardshell case wiht the '65 John Lennon Casino Electric Guitar.

The Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar without doubt showcases Epiphone at their highest level of quality. In 1966, during the recording of Revolver, John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Casinos. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduced 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casinos. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic instruments have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund, which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Includes hardshell case.

The Epiphone Revolution Casino Electric Guitar without doubt showcases Epiphone at their highest level of quality. In 1966, during the recording of Revolver, John Lennon and George Harrison acquired sunburst Casinos. John was taken by his new guitar and made it his main axe from that point on, using several different versions over the ensuing years. In cooperation with Yoko Ono, Epiphone introduced 2 Limited Edition Lennon Casinos. The '65 Casino is a reproduction of the original guitar John purchased with its sunburst finish and stock hardware. In 1968, John had his Casino sanded down to bare wood and finished with a thin, dull coat of lacquer. He first used this "natural" Casino in The White Album sessions of '68. The John Lennon Revolution Casino is a reproduction of this stripped guitar as it remains today, featuring one coat of lacquer, gold Grover tuners, and the pickguard removed. A combined total of 1,965 of these individually hand-numbered, historic instruments have been produced, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each goes to the BMI Foundation for the John Lennon Scholarship Fund, which supports music education. Limited lifetime warranty. Includes hardshell case.

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of features—dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody construction—as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designed—the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90 pickups in both the bridge and neck positions with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. A 3-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose either pickup independently or both pickups combined. Musical feedback More acoustic in nature than most electric guitars, the ES-330L provides a balanced voice with more power than other hollowbody guitars. The sum and difference of the top and back (not to mention rims) create a vibratory explosion of acoustical energy with an awesome midrange that exhibits a sweet spot at every fret. This results in its ability to produce musical feedback. The ES-330L starts feeding back at a lower volume threshold and delivers a wider dynamic range of musical feedback. Controlled feedback is musical and adds to the player's creative arsenal. With the ES-330L guitar, players need only pivot their stance a bit to get in the zone. Infinite sustain is yours at just the turn of your torso with overtones, undertones, howls, and shrieks at your b

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of features—dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody construction—as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designed—the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90 pickups in both the bridge and neck positions with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. A 3-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose either pickup independently or both pickups combined. Musical feedback More acoustic in nature than most electric guitars, the ES-330L provides a balanced voice with more power than other hollowbody guitars. The sum and difference of the top and back (not to mention rims) create a vibratory explosion of acoustical energy with an awesome midrange that exhibits a sweet spot at every fret. This results in its ability to produce musical feedback. The ES-330L starts feeding back at a lower volume threshold and delivers a wider dynamic range of musical feedback. Controlled feedback is musical and adds to the player's creative arsenal. With the ES-330L guitar, players need only pivot their stance a bit to get in the zone. Infinite sustain is yours at just the turn of your torso with overtones, undertones, howls, and shrieks at your b

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of features—dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody construction—as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designed—the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90 pickups in both the bridge and neck positions with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. A 3-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose either pickup independently or both pickups combined. Musical feedback More acoustic in nature than most electric guitars, the ES-330L provides a balanced voice with more power than other hollowbody guitars. The sum and difference of the top and back (not to mention rims) create a vibratory explosion of acoustical energy with an awesome midrange that exhibits a sweet spot at every fret. This results in its ability to produce musical feedback. The ES-330L starts feeding back at a lower volume threshold and delivers a wider dynamic range of musical feedback. Controlled feedback is musical and adds to the player's creative arsenal. With the ES-330L guitar, players need only pivot their stance a bit to get in the zone. Infinite sustain is yours at just the turn of your torso with overtones, undertones, howls, and shrieks at your b

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of features—dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody construction—as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designed—the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90 pickups in both the bridge and neck positions with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. A 3-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose either pickup independently or both pickups combined. Musical feedback More acoustic in nature than most electric guitars, the ES-330L provides a balanced voice with more power than other hollowbody guitars. The sum and difference of the top and back (not to mention rims) create a vibratory explosion of acoustical energy with an awesome midrange that exhibits a sweet spot at every fret. This results in its ability to produce musical feedback. The ES-330L starts feeding back at a lower volume threshold and delivers a wider dynamic range of musical feedback. Controlled feedback is musical and adds to the player's creative arsenal. With the ES-330L guitar, players need only pivot their stance a bit to get in the zone. Infinite sustain is yours at just the turn of your torso with overtones, undertones, howls, and shrieks at your b

The Gibson Custom ES-330L is a hollowbody electric guitar with stunning acoustic character that provides performers and songwriters with a very inspiring musical tool. The artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop have created an ES-330 guitar that is not a reissue, yet it has all the highly-desirable attributes of the original 1959 ES-330, such as period-correct 17° angled headstock, and black plastic pickup covers. Added to those are superior enhancements including premium tulip button tuners and a vintage period-correct 1-11/16" nut made from Corian that provides superior strength, durability, and musical sustain.Introduced in 1959, the Gibson ES-330 was a revolution in the field of hollowbody electric guitars with its unique laminate top and back, top bracing, neck block, and tenon. The ES-330L has the same great pairing of features—dog-ear P90 pickups and hollowbody construction—as the Epiphone Casino guitars used by The Beatles to provide punch on recordings such as "Taxman" and "Paperback Writer," and most of the electric guitar tracks on Sgt. Pepper. Full hollowbody The Gibson ES-330L incorporates the finest features including single-ply binding on the neck, small pearloid block inlays, long tenon neck joint, and nickel hardware. The ES-330L body is truly hollow and has no center block, making it a lightweight, comfortable, and uniquely resonant guitar. Without a maple center block the ES-330L is free to vibrate acoustically and the weight reduction is substantial. The Gibson ES-330L guitar features the preferred one-piece mahogany neck for supreme resonance that has inspired both players and songwriters.P-90 tone ES hollowbody signature tone is maintained, regardless of volume control setting, through the special control wiring scheme known today as the Memphis Tone Circuit. It allows a wide array of tonal variations from what many consider to be the best pickup ever designed—the P-90. The ES-330L guitar features P-90 pickups in both the bridge and neck positions with independent volume and tone controls for each pickup. A 3-way pickup selector switch allows you to choose either pickup independently or both pickups combined. Musical feedback More acoustic in nature than most electric guitars, the ES-330L provides a balanced voice with more power than other hollowbody guitars. The sum and difference of the top and back (not to mention rims) create a vibratory explosion of acoustical energy with an awesome midrange that exhibits a sweet spot at every fret. This results in its ability to produce musical feedback. The ES-330L starts feeding back at a lower volume threshold and delivers a wider dynamic range of musical feedback. Controlled feedback is musical and adds to the player's creative arsenal. With the ES-330L guitar, players need only pivot their stance a bit to get in the zone. Infinite sustain is yours at just the turn of your torso with overtones, undertones, howls, and shrieks at your b