Guitar Journal: Dave Mustaine Gibson Les Paul Signature
Steel Panther's latest 'Mini Melter' pedal and more
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Guitar Journal: Dave Mustaine Gibson Les Paul Signature · Source: Instagram/Dave Mustaine
This week, we check out the Dave Mustaine Instagram tease, which shows new Gibson Les Paul Signature models. Then we look at Steel Panther’s latest mini pedal, and finally, we wonder how heavy an acoustic guitar made from concrete is.
Guitar Journal
Mustaine Gibson Les Paul Signature
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine sent ripples of excitement through the guitar community this weekend after sharing a tantalizing image of what appear to be his brand new Gibson Dave Mustaine Les Paul signature models.
Gibson Collaboration
Following the successful launch of the Gibson Dave Mustaine Flying V EXP signature guitars, this latest reveal hints at the imminent arrival of Les Paul variants featuring a notable departure from tradition: 24 frets.
Specifications
Details remain scarce. Mustaine’s social media post included only the image and the cryptic caption, “…and on the 8th day, the Les Paul was created.”
Gibson has not officially announced the new models or specifications, leaving fans to speculate.
However, educated guesses can be made based on the shared image and the specifications of Mustaine’s signature Flying V.
The Les Paul models appear to feature an ebony fretboard, consistent with the Flying V EXP. They will likely also share the same compound fretboard radius, 24 medium jumbo frets, and distinctive mother-of-pearl “teeth” inlays that have become a hallmark of Mustaine’s signature instruments.
Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor
Furthermore, it’s widely anticipated that these Les Pauls will be equipped with Mustaine’s signature Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor humbucker pickups, known for their aggressive and articulate tone, which is ideally suited for his signature thrash metal sound.
When will we see it?
While an official announcement and detailed specifications are eagerly awaited, Mustaine’s social media tease has undoubtedly ignited anticipation among guitarists worldwide for these potentially groundbreaking 24-fret Gibson Les Paul signature models.
Steel Panther Unleashes Pocket-Sized Pedal
Glam rock icons Steel Panther, known as much for their raunchy humor as their shredding guitar riffs, have announced the release of a miniature version of their controversial Pussy Melter guitar pedal.
Dubbed the “Platinum Pocket Pussy Melter,” the new stompbox promises the same high-octane 1980s distortion in a more compact format.
Mini Melter
Following the original pedal’s success and subsequent notoriety – including a ban from online marketplace Reverb.com – the new “Mini Melter” boasts a significantly smaller footprint and streamlined controls.
Dinky Pink Stompbox
The original’s four knobs and toggle switch have been replaced with a simplified three-knob layout.
The first 1,000 units of this limited-edition pedal will include a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity, enhancing its appeal to collectors.
Production is already underway at the company’s Kentucky-based factory, with shipping anticipated to commence in early June. The “Platinum Pocket Pussy Melter” is currently available for pre-order directly from the band’s website at a retail price of $139.99.
A Concrete Acoustic Guitar?
In an unconventional endeavor, aspiring guitar builder Jukka Sollasvaara and a friend have constructed a potentially record-breakingly heavy acoustic guitar, substituting traditional tonewoods for concrete in a whimsical experiment.
Inspired by the sheer absurdity of the idea, the duo cast the entire instrument – body, neck, and fretboard – from concrete. Terrazzo, a composite of yellow crushed stone and concrete, forms the body and neck, while ebony crushed stone and concrete comprise the fretboard.
A rebar frame was embedded for structural integrity, and polystyrene filled the soundhole during casting.
Heaviest Tones Ever?
The resulting instrument weighs a shoulder-straining 62.8 lbs. Sollasvaara, despite the unconventional material, expressed pride in the outcome, jokingly noting its “tonne of sustain.” The tuners are functional nuts and bolts, complementing the guitar’s robust aesthetic.
Sollasvaara views the project as a valuable learning experience: “Concrete is not the best material for acoustic guitar, but I have learned something from every build.”
It may not be the most practical acoustic guitar ever made. However, now I know how much an acoustic guitar made of concrete will weigh!
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