Epiphone Unveils Joan Jett’s Stripped-Down Rock Machine
Epiphone just proved that less really can be more on a rock ‘n’ roll stage. The brand has partnered with Joan Jett to launch the Joan Jett Olympic Special, a reissue built around a single pickup, one knob, and nothing else to get in the way.
The new model channels Jett’s original Epiphone Olympic and arrives finished in Vintage Sunburst. That color choice takes its cue from her original Gibson Melody Maker.
The guitar is available worldwide through authorized Epiphone dealers and Gibson Garage locations in Nashville, London, and Miami. It is also available directly through Epiphone’s website.
Joan Jett’s Rock Legacy Shapes the Olympic Special’s Design
Jett has built a career on refusing to follow trends, and her gear choices have always reflected that. Through her music and decades of activism, she continues to influence new generations of rock fans and musicians.
The Olympic Special is designed to carry that same bold, no-frills attitude onto the stage. Its sharp, understated look and lone humbucker pickup are built to deliver unapologetically powerful tone.
Nothing about the guitar is meant to distract from the performance. It is built for players who want to plug in, crank the volume, and be heard, the same way Jett has for decades.
Inside the Stripped-Down Build of Epiphone’s Newest Signature Model
The Olympic Special features a lightweight, asymmetrical double-cutaway mahogany body designed for comfort and freedom of movement. It pairs with a glued-in mahogany neck shaped to the Olympic Special profile.
Its rosewood fretboard carries a 12-inch radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, and pearloid dot inlays. The headstock keeps the Olympic Special’s classic silhouette, fitted with die-cast tuners and a Graph Tech nut for tuning stability.
A gold reproduction of Jett’s signature appears on the back of the headstock. That detail adds a personal touch to an otherwise stripped-back, performance-focused instrument.
At the heart of the build is a single PowerHammer ProBucker pickup, delivering a powerful and unfiltered tone. The control layout is limited to one CTS volume potentiometer, topped with a black Speed knob designed for confident, precise adjustments mid-performance.
An on/off toggle switch rounds out the setup, adding kill-switch functionality for players who want that extra layer of stage control. The guitar ships in a custom premium gig bag with an artist sticker set included.
Every detail, from the minimalist control layout to Jett’s reproduced signature, is meant to reflect her independent spirit. Epiphone frames the Olympic Special as more than a signature model, calling it an invitation to trust your instincts.
