Gibson unveils swanky limited edition B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355

Gibson unveils swanky limited edition B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355

Gibson has released the B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, a limited edition guitar paying tribute to the bluesman’s performance at the Zaire 74 music festival.
For the uninitiated, the festival was part of a three night-long event promoting the heavyweight championship fight between boxing legends Muhammed Ali and George Foreman.

READ MORE: 12-year-old Eddie Vedder thought he was getting a guitar for Christmas – but it turned out to be a vacuum cleaner

Lovingly crafted by Gibson Custom and Murphy Lab, the guitar is said to accurately replicate King’s Walnut 1974 ES-355 he used for the concert.
With just 100 units available and priced at a cool $9,999, the B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 is packed with all the premium appointments one would expect from a top-of-the-line Gibson ES model.
To start, the guitar sports a laminated maple back, top, and sides, complete with a 3-piece Mahogany neck with 22 frets and a 24.75” scale length. Key features include mother-of-pearl inlays, T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5 humbuckers, a mono Varitone switch, Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, and Murphy Lab finishing for that authentic, road-worn look.
All hardware, including the Tune-O-Matic bridge, Maestro Vibrola, Kluson Waffleback tuners and True Historic pickup covers, have been given an aged gold finish as well.
Image: Gibson
The guitar also comes bundled with a host of case candy that ties back to that historic festival performance and the Rumble in the Jungle fight itself. A B.B. King “Zaire” hardshell case will be included with each purchase.
“B.B. King’s performance at the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ was not just a concert–it was a defining cultural moment,” says Vassal Benford, CEO and Chairman of the B.B. King Music Company. “This instrument is more than a tribute – it’s a continuation of his enduring legacy, ensuring that future generations of musicians can connect with the heart and soul of the blues.”
Learn more at Gibson.
The post Gibson unveils swanky limited edition B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

read more

Source: www.guitar-bass.net