Posted on 04/03/2015 7:17:24 PM PDT by bk1000
Gibson’s “American Sniper” Les Paul Raises Funds for U.S. Veterans | GALLERY BY GP STAFF April 3, 2015
Gibson has created a one-off custom guitar to help raise funds for U.S. veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The Chris Kyle Commemorative Les Paul Standard Special—a.k.a the American Sniper—features an American flag–and-skull finish and top-hat control knobs crafted from ammo shells.
The guitar is named for former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was depicted in the 2014 film American Sniper. Kyle is the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history and in 2012 wrote a memoir of his experiences, on which the film was based. He was shot and killed by a fellow veteran at a gun range in 2014.
The Sniper went on the auction block on Thursday, April 2, with a starting bid of $3,000. Within the first 24 hours, the bidding had gone above $15,000. The guitar has an estimated value of $50,000. The auction ends May 5.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Guardian for Heroes Foundation, which was founded by Kyle and helps veterans with disabilities.
The guitar was the brainchild of country musician Tim Montana, who came up with the idea after seeing American Sniper. About eight years ago, Montana befriended Hunter Mitchell, a combat veteran with PTSD. Mitchell died in February.
“In the midst of this whole thing, he pass away,’ Montana told USA Today. “He told me about [how PTSD affected him] and helped me see it firsthand.”
The Sniper was handcrafted at Gibson Guitars in Nashville and took nearly two months to build. It has a ’57 classic pickup, satin nickel hardware, a rosewood fingerboard with white binding, a mahogany neck and back, and a maple top.
In addition to its distinctive knobs made from ammo shells, the guitar has a finish that features a skull graphic that mimics the logo used by Kyle’s SEAL Team 3 group. Frank Johns, Gibson's product supervisor, told USA Today that the finish is a “special paint job with many layers of paint and masking, not a sticker that's applied.”
Johns team also created a silk screen for the headstock to commemorate the Chris Kyle Second Annual Memorial Benefit, held this year from May 1 to 3 to benefit the Guardian for Heroes Foundation.
To follow the auction and to bid, visit Charity Buzz.
Only ONE humbucker? They should have done better than that for Chris.
And I LOVE Gibson Guitars.
At least they have the trapezoid inlays, which is better than dots.
And I hope it goes up to 11.
Wrap tail with one Humbucker is a pure rock and roll machine.
I guess. But I play several styles on mine. :-)
Two humbuckers, Four knobs, and a three-way switch gives me a little more flexibility! :-)
I agree. I love the sound of a neck pickup. Also nice to use the middle position and volume knobs to balance the tone. ‘50s wiring allows the volume knobs to clean up the sound a little quicker. I can go from clean to crunch rotating the control from 8 to 10. If you haven’t tried it it is a simple and worthwhile mod.
Bought a Kris Kyle T-shirt .... wear it proudly.
Oooo...sounds like fun!
My bass has double bucks with the same knob and switch configuration, but has an extra knob i haven’t figured out yet.
One humbucker seems appropriate for a sniper-themed guitar, I was going to initially suggest a lone single coil would be even better, but if a shooter feels anything employing the tool of his trade, it’s the recoil, ergo humbucker.
I had to defend myself with my Schechter two octave bass once.
I swung it at four youts, who fled on foot.
If that thing connected it would have left quite a mark.
Oh man, this will drive the guitar forum lefties absolutely insane. They already hate Gibson...and I mean like white-hot hatred. This will make their heads spin 360 degrees with pea soup and the whole bit.
I bet both of you have tube amps.
“I bet both of you have tube amps.”
A few, actually. Nothing but!
Three by Nolatone, and recently a Tone King. Also have an old Hammond A100 organ chassis I have been fooling with. Kind of 18 watt Marshall-ish. Loves me some tube amps!
#FastestGuitarAlive
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Can’t stand humbucking pups! I play a ‘57 Strat through a ‘56 Pro Amp. Sounds way better! And my shoulder doesn’t give out after three sets! Nice thinking on Gibson’s part though.
Just a ping.
WANT!
My junior has a single p90.
But I’m more enamored of the twang from my single coiled tele.
I LOVE Teleeze!
semi-hollow?
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