Marcus King, a 29-year-old southern rocker, has teamed up with Gibson to create a replica of his grandfather's 1962 cherry red ES-345 guitar. The new signature model is a testament to his grandfather's influence on his life and music.

A Family Legacy

King's grandfather was a significant figure in his life, and he spent much of his childhood alone with his guitar. He wanted to create an instrument that would preserve his grandfather's memory and legacy.

"Whatever I can do to preserve the legacy of my grandfather, that's something I'm going to do," King told PEOPLE at the Gibson Garage in Nashville.

A Faithful Reproduction

The new signature model is "dead-on original" with "very, very light aging on the binding," an aesthetic detail chosen because he knew his grandfather would have wanted everything to be "tip-top."

The instrument features a three-ply maple/poplar/maple body, a rounded profile mahogany neck, and an Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. It also includes gold hardware, Custombucker pickups, a fixed Vibrola tailpiece, and a hardshell case.

A Family Reunited

King's grandfather played a significant role in keeping the family together, and after his passing, the family drifted apart. King hopes to bring the family back together through his music and this new signature model.

Check out King's new singles, "Carolina Honey" and "Honky Tonk Hell," available on all major streaming platforms now.

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