Joan Jett and Gibson Guitar announced the launch of the Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker guitar line today, making Jett the first female artist to have her own Gibson signature model.
“This is my guitar -- Gibson was successfully able to replicate my custom velvet hammer pick ups which have not been available for 20 years," Jett said in a statement. "For those of you performing live, you may understand the value of being able to shave off those split seconds between playing and interacting with the audience, especially if you use your hands to communicate. I can move between the killswitch, which mutes the guitar, and playing, and then back again without a lot of in-between motion."
The model, based on the Melody Maker version the Long Beach rocker used on "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Do You Wanna Touch Me," is also similar to the Les Pauls of the late '60s.
“Joan Jett is a true icon of rock and roll," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, in a statement. "Since the beginning she has been a groundbreaking artist and a trailblazer for women in the genre. Gibson is proud to be working with such an influential guitar player."
PHOTO: Joan Jett for Gibson