Gibson has appointed Monster, guitarist and founding member of the Taiwanese rock band Mayday, as an official Gibson Ambassador and has also unveiled two new Epiphone signature guitars designed with him. The announcement highlights his influence on modern Asian rock and comes alongside the launch of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Mayday Monster ’59 Les Paul Standard and the Inspired by Gibson Custom Mayday Monster 1960 J-45.

Monster has been a central figure in Mayday since the band’s debut in 1999. The group is widely known across Mandarin-speaking regions and beyond, often referred to as “the Beatles of the Chinese-speaking world.” Over the years, they have received multiple major awards and built a global following through large-scale tours. Their recent 5525 Back to That Day Tour included a historic run of 12 sold-out shows at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium and has drawn more than 6.5 million attendees in total.

Gibson describes the partnership as recognition of Monster’s role as both a guitarist and creative leader. The company also notes that he has previously worked on signature instruments with Epiphone and Gibson, and that additional Gibson releases are planned for late 2026.

The new Epiphone ’59 Les Paul Standard model is designed as a high-performance electric guitar reflecting Monster’s arena style. It features a Mayday Blue finish with a red heart graphic designed by his daughter, a weight-relieved mahogany body with a maple top, a 1959-style neck profile, and Epiphone Alnico Classic PRO pickups. It also includes coil-splitting and phase switching to expand tonal options for stage and studio use.

The Epiphone 1960 J-45 model focuses on acoustic performance and draws from one of Gibson’s most iconic acoustic designs. It uses a solid spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides, a Rounded C neck profile, and traditional-style appointments including bone nut and saddle components. It also includes an L.R. Baggs VTC pickup system for amplified use.

Both guitars will be released on May 31, 2026, and will be available through selected Epiphone and Gibson dealers in parts of Asia. The collaboration is being positioned as a celebration of Monster’s long-standing impact on rock music in the region and his role in shaping Mayday’s sound across more than two decades.

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Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.