Metalocalypse's Dethklok Release Signature Guitar

That's right: a real guitar. Gibson craftsmen collaborated with series co-creator � not to mention Berklee College of Music grad and Billboard chart-topping musician � Brendon Small to come up with the design of the limited-edition product that was unveiled to industry insiders at last week's NAMM 2011 show in Anaheim, Calif.

Available beginning next month at Gibson Guitar dealers throughout the U.S., the Dethklok "Thunderhorse" Explorer is a top-flight metal guitar patterned after the animated band's lead guitarist, Skwisgaar Skwigelf's weapon of choice. It features a gloss Silverburst finish with cream top and fingerboard binding.

It is equipped with Burstbucker 1 and Burstbucker 2 pickups and is decked out with chrome hardware. The limited-edition guitar will be available for a suggested retail price of $2699. For a full list of Gibson dealers, please visit http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Dealers.aspx.

"Though our show is a crazy comedy, we managed to target a very large guitar playing audience. I think that's because despite all the joking I do on the show, I take the guitar playing and the way the guitar is presented on the show quite seriously! It may be the only thing I take seriously! Well, I take chocolate seriously too," dead panned Small. "Anyway, it's great to see the fans responding to the guitar and the music through buying CD and guitar tab books! But I have to say I never knew I'd be lucky enough to design a Gibson Explorer!! This Silverburst is amazing. It sounds beautiful and I've been putting it through the tests on my solo record and it sounds absolutely beautiful! I am officially the luckiest man alive!"