Gibson bankruptcy??

AcornHouse

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That's a fire sale. Let us know how it goes, Chris!
It looks like it has the same specs as the 2018 models. The only difference that I can see is the gig bag vs. the higher end gig bag. (And about $500.)
 

ClydeTower

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I’ve just...boy, this is hard to admit...ordered a...gulp...Gibson SG Special from Sam Ash, on sale. It’s a 2017 with mini-humbuckers. For $600 with 36 months to pay at peanuts per month, I thought I’d give it a stab. At least I’ll have one.

No need to be shy about it... Doesn't take anything away from your Guilds.
I have absolutely no shame in admitting I'm in the middle of a torrid love affair with my recently acquired SJ200. Its the sound I've had in my head for the past 40+ years, the sound of my youth. I'd say this Gibson and my F512 are at the top of the list right now.
(We'll see in 6 months...)
 

richardp69

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Yup, Gibson may have its business issues and problems but I can say without shame I am quite happy with the sound, playability and quality of my Gibson line up. Congrats Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Price!!
 

bobouz

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Depending upon what kind of dealer you are, Gibson's requirements may be more onerous than those of other manufacturers but that cannot be blamed entirely on Henry J.

It's a valid point, and understood that Gibson did not invent stocking requirements. And yes, I'm sure examples can be found of dealers who cannot work out arrangements with other manufacturers. But imho, Gibson's requirements are cut of a different cloth. When highly successful independent dealers give up on the brand but continue to operate with many other major players, it indicates an extreme and unworkable level of expenditure that these major independent players cannot justify.

The unfortunate fact remains that Gibson's requirements decimated an existing and extensive dealer network - leaving them primarily with a big box/online footprint. That decision was, and continues to be, completely from the mind of Henry's vision for the company he has driven to the end of the pier.
 

bobouz

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I’ve just...boy, this is hard to admit...ordered a...gulp...Gibson SG Special from Sam Ash, on sale. It’s a 2017 with mini-humbuckers. For $600 with 36 months to pay at peanuts per month, I thought I’d give it a stab. At least I’ll have one.

Love the sound of mini-humbuckers - Enjoy!
 

adorshki

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When highly successful independent dealers give up on the brand but continue to operate with many other major players, it indicates an extreme and unworkable level of expenditure that these major independent players cannot justify.
OR that they refuse to make such an investment and then be forced to compete with pricing offered by online sellers.
Both reasons can even apply at the same time.
If your inventory investment doesn't earn as much return as another brand, why bother?
It was one of the reasons for franchising and franchise area protection, to assure a dealer they wouldn't be subject to flooding of their market by the maker.
The online-selling model throws that out the window.
 

walrus

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Chris, thanks for that link. That article was great! I love "guitar history" stuff like that.

McCarty is really the man behind so many of the features we know today on electric guitars. I don't think he ever really got his due. Paul Reed Smith, who asked McCarty to mentor him (Smith kept seeing his name (and Leo Fender's) as he searched through guitar patents), ended up producing a McCarty model PRS - one of the most popular models in PRS' history.

But that interview really shows McCarty's love of design and building, and it was really telling how he talked about doing things that "the guitar players wanted."

Lastly, I loved his description of Mary Ford - "pulchritudinous". LMAO! FYI, "a person of breathtaking, heartbreaking...beauty."

walrus
 

bobouz

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Another good article on Reverb; part of an interview with Ted McCarty about his years at Gibson. Some interesting parallels with his first year(s) there, and how to fix the problem.
https://reverb.com/news/former-gibs...oods-and-the-problems-of-top-heavy-management

McCarty also gave the world my personal electric favorites: Thin hollow & semi-hollow double cuts in the form of the ES-335, ES-330, Epi Sheraton, & Epi Casino.

Great historical info from the man who made so many good things happen at Gibson - Thanks!
 
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