I've always been slightly amused by the name Wilshire (as in "the Epiphone Custom Historic 1962 Wilshire Reissue In White"). It just never struck me as a name one would associate with a slammin' axe. To me, Wilshire sounds like the estate of some doddering old MP (as in "after his humiliation during the Parliamentary Expenses Scandal, Cedric Lord Wilshire returned in shame to his ancestral hamlet"). Nevertheless, the original Epiphone Wilshires -- like most of the Gibson-produced solidbodys from the early Kalamazoo era -- totally shred. Yes, even Hendrix played a Wilshire (I think I remember him playing one in a picture with the Isley Bros.).

This isn't the first Epihone 1962 Wilshire Reissue to come out of Gibson's Custom Historic line. At the beginning of the year, the Cherry-stain version introduced the whole concept of an Epiphone USA Custom Historic. But cherry is lame, right? White is where it's at. Cherry just looks like a watered-down SG. White looks like. . . French dessert.

I kid the Wilshire, but seriously, these guys scream. A pair of P90s provide some serious snarl from this high-class Epi, and also made it distinct from the Les Paul Jr.s when it was released in 1960. Mid-1962 saw the switch from P90s to mini-humbuckers, but I'm glad Gibson is doing the early '62 (only 180 of this style were made in that year). Plus, this is the last year before they moved the Wilshires, Coronets, and Crestwoods to that big mistake, six-to-a-side, "batwing" headstock. Barf.

Designed to compete with the Stratocaster, the Wilshire boasts unfettered access to its entire 22-fret neck. Otherwise, the Epihone Wilshire sports Gibsonesque appointments like individual tone and volume controls, a Tune-O-Matic, stopbar bridge configuration, mahogany body, and one-piece set neck.

The USA Custom Historic Reissue has an MSRP of $4832 US, and comes with everything you see in the above picture, namely:

• Original Style Hard Case
• Numbered Certificate of Authenticity in leatherette binder
• Vintage-style Coiled Guitar Cord
• Commemorative Picks
• Commemorative T-Shirt
• 1962-style Thin Leather Strap