PRNewswire has issued the following press release:

Epiphone Guitar announced today the introduction of the new SLASH signature Les Paul Standard Plus Top electric guitar. Designed and produced in close cooperation with Slash, this new Epiphone combines all the great design features that have made the Les Paul guitar "the" rock guitar while Slash's own personal touches create a unique instrument destined to become an instant classic.

For twenty years, the spirit of rock 'n' roll has been embodied by one man. When he shot to fame with GUNS N' ROSES in 1987, Slash was the cool cat in the top hat, cranking out timeless riffs like 'Welcome To The Jungle' and 'Sweet Child O' Mine'. And, at the same time setting the standard by which all future guitar heroes would be measured. Now fast-forward to 2008 and he's doing exactly the same with VELVET REVOLVER.

The new Epiphone Slash Les Paul starts with all the basic features of an LP including a solid Mahogany body with a highly-figured, flame Maple top and glued-in Mahogany neck. Standard equipment now on most Epiphone models is the new LockTone(TM) stopbar/tune-o-matic system that secures the bridge and tailpiece to the guitar even without strings while adding as much as 20% more sustain. Unique to the Slash LP are features including, the neck joint which uses a long neck tenon typically found on late-1950's Les Pauls. Extending well into the neck pickup cavity, this provides more strength, more wood-to-wood contact and ultimately, more tone and sustain.

Next, the "Slash Custom" neck profile or shape is patterned after Slash's original Les Paul and his choice of pickups are two Seymour Duncan(TM) Alnico Pro-II open-coil humbuckers. Finally, the guitar features a Dark Tobacco Burst finish, nickel hardware and machine heads with vintage "tulip" buttons.

The new Epiphone Slash signature guitar will make its initial public debut at the upcoming Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA in January 2008. Projected U.S. MSRP is $1,165 and includes a certificate of authenticity. An optional hard case is available for $115. The Epiphone "Slash" will be available at authorized Epiphone retailers worldwide in December 2007. Slash will be making special appearances related to the launch. Details will be announced on http://www.epiphone.com/ over the next few weeks.

Epiphone fretted instruments, amplifiers, strings and accessories are known worldwide for offering the best combination of quality, performance and value. One of Gibson's most formidable competitors through the first half of the 20th century, Epiphone was acquired by Gibson in 1957. Headquartered in Nashville, Epiphone is part of the Gibson family of brands that includes Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer.