Custom Guitar Spotlight - Gibson® Arlen Ness Guitar

This one-off piece was built earlier this year in Gibson’s Custom Art & Historic Division as part of their Three Kings of Custom Program. This particular guitar was designed by Arlen Ness, who’s known around the world for his innovative motorcycle and motorcycle accessory designs. The guitar is an entirely unique axe that features distinctive headstock and body designs.

Drawing from themes that he uses in his line of motorcycle accessories, Arlen’s guitar resembles a shield with a raised "A" logo that extends into the fingerboard; along with two chrome “A” appliqués on the top, and an “Arlen Ness” signature in pearl on the fingerboard. The paint job is one of the most intricate to ever to grace a guitar.

Other appointments include a lightning bar combo bridge-tailpiece, knurled-chrome slider knobs, and Mini-Schaller® tuners. The pickups? A pair of Seymour Duncan SLDS-1 Lipstick Tubes, which provide a bright and jangly sound. While the guitar may look large, it is surprisingly light and comfortable to play - as long as you're standing. Like a Flying V®, this one is difficult to play while sitting down.

Not content with just the guitar, Arlen went and built, from the ground up, a Gibson-theme bike to match the guitar. The "Gibson" motorcycle features a paint job that matches the guitar, an embroidered saddle, custom-built and tuned engine, and is loaded with Arlen Ness accessories. Gibson unveiled the Arlen Ness bike, along with other motorcycle-themed bikes and guitars designed by Dave Perewitz and Donnie Smith, at a March 2004 VIP reception timed to coincide with Daytona Bike Week. Press from around the world attended the event as members of Lynyrd Skynyrd handled the unveiling before their concert that night.

If you're interested in a matching guitar and bike combo, contact the Gibson Custom Shop for the guitar and Arlen Ness for the bike. But make sure you've got some cash in your pocket. A combo like this is going to set you back some bucks.