Hindsight - Gibson stopping retailers putiing up pics

[Philcguitars]

it seems gibson is going for that 'lifestyle' market...who knows, maybe in a few years there will be Gibson stores, just like there are Harley stores now.

It's definately a possibility. Just think, you'll have to schlepp to you nearest national or state Capital wherever in the World you are in order to buy at one of these 'Flagship' stores.

Flagship stores, are almost always 'Loss leaders'. Warner Bros, closed all their stores after a number of years of paying out in operational costs more than they were trading. There are other examples. A high profile store in London's Regent, Oxford St or Knightsbridge for instance probably has a minimum rateable tax value of £50,000 a month before you even think of rent and staffing costs. That's a lot of guitars sales.

Then you'll have to deal with some snotty stuck up sales guy, who actually knows nothing about the product except its perceived iconic status in the marketplace. Hey you may even have to show a Gibson Members Club card to gain entry without appointment. I can see it all!

[BloodRose]

That's interesting, they've failed in the UK then! It appears most local stores outside of London, at least round my way don't carry Gibson. They make their money from selling starter guitars, that are affordable to parents with 3 mortgages!

Same round here. I like to support my local mom and pops, but sadly, due to franchising costs, they are left carrying starter model guitars. And, I have developed a taste for more upscale guitars.

There was one local new shop that carried Michael Kellys and those are very nice players!! But sadly, he has closed.

I think gibson is doing horrible things to the dealers and consumers. And as others have posted, many of us are upset about it. Sadly tho, they are Gibson and people still buy them and many are paying the price for the historics and otherwise. My biggest beef there is when they decided that the LP Customs were now being considered as Custom Shop models, (custom shop prices) but they are still made on normal production line. Having wanted a black LP custom all my life, that really chapped my @$$. I tried several at Guitar center (I think they get subpar specimens or have guitars made just for them that have alot of corners cut), all of them I played at GC were cheap feeling and werent inspiring. Because of the crappy feeling of the studios I experienced, I was sooo nervous about bidding on a 2006 studio on ebay. It was nearly new. I threw down a bid and figured if I won and it turned out to be like the GC ones, Id turn right around and relist it. Turns out it is amazing.. Worlds diff than the GC ones. Awhile back I was in GC, I compared a Black LP Custom $3300 to a Black Epi Custom and I kid you not, I liked the EPI better. They EPI's pickups werent as good, but thats an easy fix. But I honestly didnt see or feel $2500 difference..

But nothing will change overthere unless we stop buying to show them we are tired of it.. I dont see that happening.

[Philcguitars]

couldn't agree more with what you said. The consistency coming out of Korea at the moment is way above that coming out of the US. I just don't see why it should be like that though!

Then just to make you think harder these turn up!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Guitar-...QQcmdZViewItem

[kherman]

OK, I thought online retailers could post pics of generic Gibson provided pics.
But, couldn't post pics of the actual guitars they have in stock.
Like Wilcutt or Dave's used to do.

[The Golden Boy]

OK, I thought online retailers could post pics of generic Gibson provided pics.
But, couldn't post pics of the actual guitars they have in stock.
Like Wilcutt or Dave's used to do.

It goes to the whole "impersonal" nature of buying things. People accept buying "A Les Paul" online without knowing which one they're getting. And people accept that.

[Markk]

couldn't agree more with what you said. The consistency coming out of Korea at the moment is way above that coming out of the US. I just don't see why it should be like that though!

Then just to make you think harder these turn up!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Guitar-...QQcmdZViewItem

That is a very nice looking guitar.

[Philcguitars]

That is a very nice looking guitar.

Yup! What adds insult to injury, is one of their models comes with real Abalone inlays. I've researched them a bit and reviews are positive.

[Markk]

That's crazy. Forget Gibson, go Asian!

[GuitarSandwich]

I think that most of this speculation as to what Gibson is doing and what their motives are is quite laughable. There doesn't even seem to be a concensus on what the policy actually is, and yet people are spouting off about ethics like they are the Pope.

The fact is that Gibson was a lost cause before the current management rescued it, turned it into a profitable venture for the first time in decades and have managed to finally get the right models made to the correct specs.

I would imagine (because I'm not invited to their planning meetings ) that they are looking at a bigger picture than we are. I'm just happy that they haven't gone down the tubes like so many other companies who now have ONLY Chinese production.

[Philcguitars]

I would imagine (because I'm not invited to their planning meetings ) that they are looking at a bigger picture than we are. I'm just happy that they haven't gone down the tubes like so many other companies who now have ONLY Chinese production.

I won't disagree, that it's nice that the name lives on and is viable. I also like to see talented craftsmen being employed over machines.

I will say!

Having done extensive research about Asian guitar factories, and also about the standard of guitars coming out of Gibson USA Vs even Epiphone. I'm not so sure that ALL Asian factories are as bad as some make out. In fact I 'know' they aren't, if you don't mind the odd CNC machined process.

Yes there is the hand-built argument, and I like hand-built guitars, but there are some quite famous critics in the guitar community, on the subject of the standard being achieved, vs. what should be expected from Gibson.

I've personally been on the receiving end of Gibson's lack of interest, when a not small amount of money was potentially coming their way.

As for the boardroom... No, we don't know exactly what's going on in there, but having been in senior management of a publicly listed company, I'd hazzard some educated guesses. You'd be surprised at how narrow minded, with pre-conceived notions, based on 'other' businesses, board appointees can be.

[Dangerine49]

I'm so glad that I'm a Fender guy.


But seriously, as a sales professional I don't get it. Taylor used to have very restrictive policies even more stringent. Online retailers weren't even allowed to display that they were Taylor dealers. Since Taylor relaxed those policies, guess what? Their prices have gone up!!

[Skarekrough]

That's crazy. Forget Gibson, go Asian!

I did....I have....and very likely I will again.

[CoolRails420]

I think Gibson's business practices are pretty ridiculous, and I think that is one of the many reasons I haven't been drawn to them. When they had that big lawsuit with PRS I pretty much ignored them for 5 years.

I was just at G.C. today and decided I'd try out an ES-137. It was a nice feeling guitar and the sound was all right, but it just didn't feel as solid an American Deluxe strat or Tele. It just didn't have that "Solid" feel

What I am puzzled about is why the Gibson is the de facto "Blues Guitar". I can rock the blues better on a strat than a Gibson any day. Or how about Clapton, Beck, and even Hendrix? Started on Gibsons, ended up on Fenders...

[Dr.Mavashi]

I am in full support of such a well thought out strategy, we - the Fender nation, deeply appriciate Gibson's efforts in further promoting the Stratocaster as the most ultimate guitar of all times. Thank you Gibson USA.

[Aceman]

I am in full support of such a well thought out strategy, we - the Fender nation, deeply appriciate Gibson's efforts in further promoting the Stratocaster as the most ultimate guitar of all times. Thank you Gibson USA.

LMAOROTF

[Philcguitars]

Well having been a Fender guy [at least on electrics - I'm very happy with my Gibson 12 string acoustic] I recently decided that I should have at least a token LP in the house. A Black Beauty, is about the only one I liked the looks of. Really wanted something in flame or quilt top aswell, but the choice is appalling. Warmoth and Asia look more attractive, not to mention more bang for your buck. With them you can put in SD's and not even wince!

[The Golden Boy]

I think that most of this speculation as to what Gibson is doing and what their motives are is quite laughable. There doesn't even seem to be a concensus on what the policy actually is, and yet people are spouting off about ethics like they are the Pope.

The fact is that Gibson was a lost cause before the current management rescued it, turned it into a profitable venture for the first time in decades and have managed to finally get the right models made to the correct specs.

I would imagine (because I'm not invited to their planning meetings ) that they are looking at a bigger picture than we are. I'm just happy that they haven't gone down the tubes like so many other companies who now have ONLY Chinese production.

Here's some really "laughable" speculation. Gibson has looked at the trend of internet buying and seen what moves and what sits and what people will accept. When a dealer gets guitars in, posts pictures and details of the guitars that are in- the pretty and light ones become the desirable, and most salable items. The ugly/heavy ones sit.

What Gibson figured out is that people will overwhelmingly accept what's given to them, even if it's not something they would have selected if given the choice. That means more inventory moves, even the ones that would normally be left behind.

Henry's said that he wants to move Gibson into the territory of a "lifestyle brand." What that means to me is that he's banking that people are more interested in getting, and will accept "A Les Paul" rather than "the Les Paul they really want."

[Philcguitars]

Well, I want THE Les Paul I want.

I'm prepared to pay for it, but I expect for those $Thousands over list I'm paying their Custom shop, that I'll get some customer service, and a quality product. I don't expect to be shown complete disinterest when I turn up with my bank balance or credit card knocking on their door, or to be delivered a sub-standard product with 'issues'.