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Gibson and Guitar Center have worked together to create a revered Gibson Classic, reimagined exclusively for Guitar Center
This striking revival of one of Gibson’s most beloved square-shouldered dreadnoughts blends mid-century heritage with modern playability, delivering an instrument steeped in tradition yet ready for today’s stage. The Gibson Country Western Studio EC Guitar Center-Exclusive Acoustic-Electric Guitar in Antique Natural is currently available for $2,999.00.
More affordable than previous Country Western models, this new Studio EC version also features a cutaway for a more modern update, appealing to today’s players who seek both comfort and contemporary design.
First introduced in 1955 as the sibling to Gibson’s Southern Jumbo, the original Country Western quickly earned a reputation for its warm voice, refined aesthetics, and versatility among singer-songwriters and performers. The Country Western is essentially the same as Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird model in construction but offers an alternative for players seeking a less ornate design. This new Studio EC reissue honors that legacy with a natural satin-finished solid Sitka spruce top, a cherry-stained mahogany body and neck, and an updated cutaway design for enhanced upper-fret access. Vintage-inspired touches, including a yellow tortoiseshell pickguard, gold block Gibson logo and nickel hardware with white-button tuners, strike a balance between understated elegance and cowboy cool.
At the heart of the guitar’s tone is a time-tested wood pairing: the Sitka spruce top provides clarity, projection, and dynamic response, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and depth. Together, they deliver the bold, resonant voice that Gibson square-shoulders are famous for, equally at home with fingerpicking or driving rhythm strums. The satin finish not only enhances resonance but also gives the guitar a naturally worn-in aesthetic, while the cherry-stained body reinforces its unmistakable Gibson heritage.
Playability is enhanced with a short 24.75″ scale length that offers a relaxed string feel, making chord changes and melodic runs comfortable and expressive. The utile mahogany neck features a rounded profile and a rosewood fingerboard, providing warmth, articulation and a natural tactile surface. Mother-of-pearl parallelogram inlays and a belly-up rosewood bridge further elevate the guitar’s vintage character and tonal sustain.
For today’s performers, the Gibson Country Western Studio EC comes equipped with the LR Baggs Element Bronze pickup system, a discreetly installed electronic solution designed to capture the guitar’s natural resonance with clarity and balance. This stage-ready system ensures faithful amplification in any live or studio setting, with plug-and-play convenience and minimal EQ required. Every detail underscores Gibson’s commitment to heritage design paired with modern reliability. Nickel hardware offers smooth, long-lasting performance, while the included hardshell case protects the instrument wherever the music takes you.
“The Gibson Country Western Studio EC brings everything musicians love about classic Gibson acoustics to a new generation of players,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “It combines timeless tone and craftsmanship with the modern playability artists expect today, and we’re proud to offer it exclusively at Guitar Center.”
The Gibson Country Western Studio EC Acoustic-Electric Guitar is available now for $2,999.00, exclusively at Guitar Center locations nationwide and at www.guitarcenter.com.
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