Gibson is releasing Chuck Berry’s favorite ES-355 guitar in wine red
Gibson Custom Shop has announced the release of the limited edition Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355 in wine red. A founding father of Rock and Roll, Berry’s stagecraft and musicianship laid the foundation for nearly every genre of rock and popular music. His playing, showmanship, and catalog of music helped inspire and launch many musicians’ careers, and countless players shared the stage with him for unforgettable performances. Ever present alongside Berry onstage were his Gibson guitars. His favorite go-to guitar, a 1978 Gibson ES-355 has now been meticulously crafted for fans to experience in the Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355, now available worldwide at www.gibson.com.
“Of all the guitars my dad played, the 1978 ES-355 by far was his go-to. The guitar traveled the world with my Dad for over 36 years,” says Chuck’s son, Charles Berry Jr. “His last album Chuck and the new live album Chuck Berry: Live From Blueberry Hill were recorded with the Gibson Wine Red ES-355. It’s a real road warrior and Gibson has done a brilliant job making this run of excellent big bodies. Like his original, these new ones resonate to the point you can actually feel them singing. It’s a True Tone MONSTER! Tom Murphy’s mad scientists in the Murphy Lab have aged them wonderfully. Put on the Captain’s hat, attach the conduit connector (if you dare), turn it up to 11 and rip!”
To honor Berry’s legacy, Gibson Custom Shop has made sure every aspect of construction and appointments is historically correct, including aged gold hardware, a Maestro Vibrola, Grover tuners, a Varitone switch, and a classic split diamond headstock inlay. The striking Wine Red finish features Murphy Lab custom aging, giving it the look and feel of the 1978 original.
Only 100 Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355 guitars will be hand-made by the expert luthiers and craftspeople of the Gibson Custom Shop as part of this very special limited run. Gibson went to great lengths to source Chuck’s favorite Captain’s hat which he wore on and off the stage. Chuck’s Captain’s hat is included in the custom case, along with his innovative finger holder — an electrical conduit strap — which allowed him to play his ES-355 over and behind his head.
Berry played over 200 shows during a special residency at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis and the new live album Chuck Berry: Live From Blueberry Hill will showcase those concerts for the first time. The songs include some of Berry’s fan favorites including “Roll Over Beethoven” Rock And Roll Music,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and more. The band for the live recordings featured Chuck Berry (vocals, guitar), Charles Berry, Jr. – (guitar), Ingrid Berry (harmonica), Robert Lohr (piano), Jimmy Marsala (bass) and Keith Robinson (drums). The new live album will be released December 17th on CD and digital outlets and April 15th on vinyl via Dualtone Records.
