“One pickup. One knob. One mission: Pure rock”: Epiphone revives Joan Jett’s signature Olympic Special
Epiphone has partnered with rock legend Joan Jett on a new version of her signature Olympic Special.
Landing in time for the 45th anniversary celebrations of her first two albums with the Blackhearts, Bad Reputation (1980) and I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (1981), the guitar features a no-frills design based on Jett’s original Gibson Melody Maker.
In terms of specs, the no-nonsense guitar features a lightweight, asymmetrical double-cut mahogany body with a glued-in mahogany neck with an Olympic Special profile, and rosewood fingerboard with a 12” radius, 22 medium jumbo frets and pearloid dot inlays.
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This is completed by a headstock retaining the “unmistakable” silhouette of the Olympic Special, fitted with die-cast tuners and a Graph tech nut for rock-solid tuning stability. The headstock also features a gold recreation of Jett’s signature on the back for a finishing visual touch on an otherwise “performance-focused instrument”.
Credit: Epiphone
The guitar continues its streamlined approach in its electronics, with a single PowerHammer ProBucker pickup and single volume knob with a rubber grip and an on/off toggle switch. It’s an “intentionally streamlined control layout for a simple philosophy: remove the distractions and let the player take control. One pickup. One knob. One mission. Pure rock”.
“Joan Jett has never followed the crowd, and her choice of guitar is no exception,” says Epiphone. “Through her music, activism, and uncompromising presence, Joan continues to electrify and influence new generations, and the Epiphone Joan Jett Olympic Special channels that same bold spirit into a lean, stage-ready rock ’n’ roll instrument.
Credit: Epiphone
“Finished with a sharp, understated look and built around a straightforward layout, its lone humbucker pickup delivers unapologetically powerful tone. This is a guitar defined by attitude and focus – nothing more, nothing less. It’s made for players who want to plug in, crank it up, and be heard, just like Joan.”
The Joan Jett Olympic Special is finished in a classic Vintage Sunburst, and ships with a custom premium gig bag and artist sticker set.
Price-wise, the guitar clocks in at £599. Learn more at Epiphone.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
