Gibson launches limited-run DES Series across six electric-guitar shapes
The Ghost Burst collection spans Les Paul, SG, ES, Explorer, Flying V and Victory models with compound-radius ebony boards and ELEV8 humbuckers.
Sep 18, 2026
Credit: Gibson
Gibson has launched the DES Series, a limited-run family of electric guitars developed by Master Luthier Jim DeCola and Cesar Gueikian. Announced September 17, the collection applies a shared modern specification and Ghost Burst visual language across six familiar Gibson shapes: Les Paul, SG, ES, Explorer, Flying V and Victory.
The common features include Super Split Block inlays, compound-radius ebony fingerboards, black nickel hardware and Gibson's new ELEV8 humbuckers. Rather than presenting one isolated custom build, DES turns the workshop experiments into a purchasable series that reaches several very different Gibson platforms.
The same announcement also introduced the Gibson Band single Sanctuary, featuring Gueikian, Jordan Rudess and Mateus Asato, with proceeds supporting Save The Music Foundation through Gibson Gives. A portion of DES purchases through Gibson's own channels also supports Gibson Gives.
Why it matters
DES is a broad design program rather than a single cosmetic special edition: Gibson is carrying the same modern fretboard, pickup and hardware ideas across six core body styles in one limited-run family.
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