ARSIS' JAMES MALONE Gets Signature WASHBURN Guitar

Washburn Guitars has announced the James Malone Signature Heavy Metal V guitar. This signature V is based off the original Heavy Metal series with a James Malone twist, featuring his signature graphic bats image. Malone personally beta-tested the early prototypes before they were released into line production.

The Malone Signature V features a solid mahogany body and neck, with a Phenolic fretboard, Grover exclusive tuners, a 25.5" scale, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and it is Buzz Feiten-equipped. Malone had specifically insisted on including the searing sound of the newly developed Randall pickups. He uses the Randall Ultra XL in the neck and a Randall Ultra Lead in the bridge.

States Malone: "I either have the best or worst luck ever; I have yet to decide. When I first formed ARSIS in January of 2003, I was working full-time and going to college full-time. I had no idea that the band would be signed after only playing a total of five shows. I had no idea that within months of our debut album being released, we would be approached by every metal label under the sun. I certainly did not expect that in a few years I would be touring the world playing my music. Things just kind of happened. I prefer life this way. A few years ago, Washburn reached out to me and asked me to check out a few guitars. Like with everything in life, I had no expectations, but I was blown away by how much I loved their guitars. I actually found some inspiration by playing the Washburn instruments; an inspiration I hadn't known in years. The guitar that impressed me the most was a prototype for a new Flying V design. I fell in love with the guitar instantly; the look, the way it played, everything about the guitar was perfect in my eyes. This guitar became part of Washburn's HM series and Washburn gave me the opportunity to truly make the guitar my own. I feel that everything about the James Malone signature edition of this guitar is truly mine (my girlfriend and I even helped design the graphic). It is a part of me and a part of ARSIS."

Jody Dankberg, Artist Relations for Washburn/Randall adds: "I am so proud of this guitar and even more proud jim. Since the day Jim came to the Washburn roster, I knew he was a special player. I felt so lucky to be working with somebody who truly was a master at his craft. Jim was there when the first prototype HM series rolled off the line. He took that very guitar with him to write his current CD and gave us feedback on what he liked and what didn't work. We took Jim's feedback and incorporated it into what is now an award-winning line of guitars. Who better to represent them than Jim Malone? The new WV40JM is wicked. Jim came up with the bat theme — which I think turned out amazing… and Jim opted to keep the new groundbreaking Randall pickups instead of better known EMGs and Seymour Duncans — which goes to show ya that those Randall pickups sound sick! Check out the guitar. Check out ARSIS. You won't be disappointed."

View the WV40JM guitar here.