The Gibson 2013 Designer N-225 begins with a solid maple top and back, which has been chambered to reduce weight and improve resonance and sustain, with minimalist segmented f-holes to enhance its stylish modern look. The glued-in neck is also made from solid maple, and carved in a fast, slim '60s profile.

A solid rosewood fingerboard carries 22 medium-jumbo frets and striking block inlays, while the headstock displays the classic split-diamond inlay, long the sign of a Custom guitar from Gibson. The maple in the N-225 yields a tone that is sharp and bold, even through this hot pair of pickups. The hardware set retains the customized feel, which a set of Grover tuners, a tune-o-matic bridge, and a handy Vibrola tailpiece, all decked out in a black anodized plating.

While its looks sets it out as something entirely new, the N-225 powerful and versatile pickup complement truly stands it apart in the tone department. A fat Gibson P-90 pickup in the neck position offers that blend of warmth and slightly gritty, detailed grind that has made this single-coil a favorite of so many players since its arrival in the 1940s. In the bridge position, a Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker redesigned by pickup guru Jim DeCola gives you scorching lead tones in full humbucking mode, with the power to push your amp into crunchy rhythm or singing sustain. A traditional three-way toggle switch and a master tone control complete the package.