Gibson Recreates Two Of Noel Gallagher’s Prized Guitars From The '90s

Gibson and Epiphone have teamed up with singer, songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher to re-create his 1960 Gibson ES-355 guitar and the Epiphone Riviera. Gibson has launched a limited run of 200 pieces of Gallagher's main ES-355 electric guitar.

“Fuck me, what a guitar!” said Noel Gallagher of the 1960 Gibson ES-355. “I’ve actually sent my main one back to storage, something I haven’t done since the day I bought it. That’s how good it is!”

“That guitar played a part on so many songs in the nineties, it’s ridiculous,” he added of the Epiphone Riviera. “The Epiphone is excellent, really very good… sounds exactly like my original one; it’s a belter!”

Since the late ‘90s the 1960 Gibson ES-355 has been Gallagher’s main live guitar and continues to grace stages around the world.

The recreated model incorporates a multi-ply bound maple body, a mahogany neck and ebony fretboard, a Varitone switch and a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece.

A reproduced handwritten lyric sheet, a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity, and a custom Bear Strap (exactly like Gallagher's) are also included.

“This is the guitar associated with Noel Gallagher since the late 1990s,” said Lee Bartram, EU head of marketing and cultural influence EMEA at Gibson Brands of the 1960 Gibson ES-355.

“We have taken our time over the details, worked closely with the artist and we have produced not only a truly remarkable recreation of the original, but also a beautiful instrument which can be appreciated by all.

“This project has been a labour of love for over 10 years and I’m extremely proud of what has been produced by amazing artisans in Nashville."

During the early Oasis tours, Gallagher played various Gibson and Epiphone guitars, but the early '80s Epiphone Rivieras stood out. 

With the original still in the artist's collection, Epiphone was granted access and as a result, has included many historical elements on this new model, named the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera. 

This includes a volute that completes a SlimTaper neck, a Dark Wine Red finish and Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO pickups.

Extra touches such as historically accurate 'E' decals and a brown sound hole label give this guitar a vintage feel, while the guitar is finished off with an Epiphone hardshell case and a silkscreened artist signature on the back of the headstock.

“From being discovered in Glasgow to performing in front of 250,000 attendees at Knebworth, Noel’s constant guitars were his Epiphones,” added Bartram.

“The Epiphone Riviera is one of the most memorable and has been the inspiration for many guitarists coming out of that era. Noel Gallagher created a huge sound from that guitar while also using it to write and record some of the world’s most iconic anthems.”

Both recreations are available worldwide at www.gibson.com and www.epiphone.com.