When ZZ Top kicked off The Elevation Tour, fans expected the usual parade of iconic “Pearly Gates” tones and fuzzy custom creations. What they didn’t expect was a piece of Gibson history fresh from the President’s office.
Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian has officially handed over his latest personal build, the CEO#11 Explorer, to the “Reverend” Billy F. Gibbons for a run of Texas tour dates. But the custom guitar isn’t just a one-off loaner—it’s the latest harbinger of Gibson’s highly anticipated DES Collection.
Inside the Build: The CEO#11 Custom Explorer
The CEO#11 is a masterclass in “off-menu” specifications. While Gibson hasn’t released a full spec sheet, the visual details suggest a guitar built for the highest tier of performance:
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The Top: A three-dimensional, two-piece figured maple top (likely AAAAA grade) finished in a deep Vintage Cherry Sunburst.
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The Appointments: Multi-ply binding on the body and headstock, pearl block inlays, and a sleek ebony fingerboard.
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The Electronics: A simplified control layout featuring a single volume and tone knob, paired with uncovered “double cream” humbuckers.
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The Pedigree: The truss rod cover proudly bears the “CEO#11” designation, marking it as Gueikian’s eleventh hand-built project.
“Always a pleasure to host BFG in my office, and even better when he decides to take one of my CEO builds on tour!” Gueikian shared on Instagram. In keeping with his tradition, the guitar is expected to be auctioned via the Gibson Gives foundation once the tour concludes.
What is the Gibson DES Series? “Do Epic Shit”
Beyond the Explorer, eagle-eyed gear nerds spotted a video on Gueikian’s page featuring a Ghost Burst SG with “DES” engraved on the truss rod cover.
This confirms the official branding for Gueikian’s upcoming production line. The name? DES, which stands for “Do Epic Shit.”
The collection is born from Gueikian’s Friday morning sessions at the Nashville “Craftory,” where he learned the art of lutherie under the tutelage of Master Luthier Jim DeCola.
“The ones that we’re going to be releasing are going to be based on these guitars that I built, with these features, in the Ghost Burst finish,” “It’s not a signature model, but they are built on the basis of the specs of what I did.” – Cesar Gueikian
The DES lineup aims to bridge the gap between high-end Custom Shop specs and the personal, “modder-first” philosophy Gueikian has brought to the brand since taking the helm.
ZZ Top on the Road: The Elevation Tour
Billy Gibbons is currently leading the Texas trio through their home state with a slightly modified lineup. While Frank Beard is temporarily sidelined due to a medical issue, his long-time drum tech John Douglas has stepped in to maintain the shuffle. Elwood Francis continues to hold down the low end on bass.
Between the debut of the CEO#11 and the looming “Ghost Burst” DES SG—which follows in the footsteps of the CEO#4 SG famously played by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett—Gibson is entering a new era where the “Boss’s Builds” are becoming the most sought-after instruments in the catalog.
Want to see the CEO#11 in action? Check out the official ZZ Top website for The Elevation Tour dates, and stay tuned to Gibson’s social channels for the official drop of the DES Collection.
#Billy Gibbons #Cesar Gueikian #CEO#11 Custom Explorer
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