The Gibson Custom Shop wowed crowds at CES 2006 with the launch of the new "Inspired By" guitar series and its debut guitar, the stunning Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V (see photo at this location). A meticulous recreation of the mysterious Flying V that Hendrix used on tour in Europe in 1967 and 1968, the guitar features exacting reproductions of Jimi's own hand-painted designs that graced the original. Originally done in what appears to be nail polish, the swirling, psychedelic designs have been painstakingly rendered by artist Bruce Kunkel in close conjunction with the Custom Shop.

"I would never have come up with the images that Jimi painted," Kunkel said. "They were totally personal and came directly from his spirit."

In addition to the care taken with the artwork, the genius luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop have built the guitar with the exacting standards and attention to detail that have earned them the reputation of building the finest guitars in the world. The result, an instrument of unsurpassed playability and tone, is an original work of art that can be beautifully displayed or proudly played. The Custom Shop will soon debut other guitars in the "Inspired By" series, including the Peter Frampton Les Paul Special.

For more information, check out www.gibsoncustom.com/inspiredby.