Gibson Custom is honoring the late Argentine legend Gustavo Cerati with a meticulously crafted recreation of the iconic guitar that became inseparable from the Latin rock star’s artistic identity.
Announced exclusively by Billboard Español on Friday (Sept. 18), the Gibson Custom Gustavo Cerati ES-335 is limited to just 60 guitars worldwide. The ultra-limited instrument is available only through Gibson Garage Miami, both in store and by phone, beginning Friday.
Inspired by Cerati’s original 1965 ES-335, the instrument accompanied him through some of the defining moments of his career, including Soda Stereo’s landmark 1996 MTV Unplugged performance, the band’s 1997 El Último Concierto farewell tour and its 2007 Me Verás Volver reunion tour. It later became Cerati’s primary guitar during the Bocanada (1999) era and reappeared during his Live Earth performance alongside Shakira in 2007
The Murphy Lab-aged instrument features a “60s Cherry finish, factory double pickguards, Grover kidney button tuning keys, and a B7 Bigsby,” according to the press release. It also comes with a custom hardshell case, leather back pad and Certificate of Authenticity. “This rare offering presents collectors, musicians, and fans with a unique opportunity to acquire one of the most culturally significant Gibson Custom instruments ever produced,” states the press release.
According to the statement, Cerati purchased the original Gibson ES-335 TD in the mid-1990s at Rudy’s Music in New York. The guitar had already been customized with a second pickguard, leather back pad and Bigsby vibrato.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1959, Cerati rose to international prominence as the frontman, guitarist and creative force behind Soda Stereo, the pioneering band that helped define rock en español across the 1980s and ’90s. As a solo artist, he pushed further into electronic, experimental and alternative rock with albums including Bocanada and Ahí Vamos (2007).
More than a decade after his death in 2014, Cerati’s influence continues to reverberate across Latin music and beyond. Earlier this year, Billboard named Soda Stereo the No. 1 Latin Rock Band of All Time. Soda is currently on their ECOS tour, where surviving members Charly Alberti and Zeta Bosio are performing live alongside a lifelike digital avatar of their late frontman.
Gibson’s tribute marks the first time the guitar maker has formally celebrated the musician’s legacy with an artist instrument.
Collectors and fans can purchase the guitar by calling Gibson Garage Miami at (305) 709-2686 or visiting the store at 2660 NW 3rd Avenue in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. See photos below:
Gibson celebrates Latin American legend Gustavo Cerati with an ultra-limited ES-335. Credit: Gibson
Gibson celebrates Latin American legend Gustavo Cerati with an ultra-limited ES-335. Credit: Gibson
Gibson celebrates Latin American legend Gustavo Cerati with an ultra-limited ES-335. Credit: Gibson
Gibson celebrates Latin American legend Gustavo Cerati with an ultra-limited ES-335. Credit: Gibson
