Members sylvesterlowery Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Ok, I've finally read through most of the Firebird Eccch related posts and threads and figured that maybe instead of another thread simply bashing Gibson and Henry Suckiewicz, we could post things that we would like to see. 1. More focus on QC- We've seen countless threads about "my new LP has serious issues", and judging by the number of them, maybe Gibson should start checking things a little more closely. I have seen some problems posted that should have been caught before they left the door (finish runs, wiring problems, etc), and would have been had someone been really paying attention. Especially on their higher end stuff, there is no excuse for bad workmanship. 2. Listen to your customers- Full disclosure: I am not a Gibson owner. I'm not a hater at all, just have not found one that I bonded with and felt like I couldn't live without. There, now that we have that done for, I will say that I've played a fair number of Gibsons throughout my life. And like every other person that has played a Gibson, I have my opinions about which models I like more, and what I would change about their guitars. I feel with some of the models that they have put out in the last 10-15 years, they haven't really listened to what the customer wants. I'd like to meet the people who said that a multi-colored, plywood SG would be a wonderful thing to have, or a guitar that tunes itself. Most Gibson owners I've met simply want well built guitars with decent neck shape, pickup and finish options. I mean all the gee-whiz technology is nice, and I'm not saying that they should try to stop trying to look toward the future a bit, but they really need to listen to what their consumers want NOW. Which leads to: 3. Give their player a choice- This is an easy one. Let their consumers decide what gets released and what they will buy. Maybe they should rig up some designs with different options and set up a poll on their site and let the public decide on what is being released. Make it a monthly thing! Lie the GOTM program, but without the hideous surprises. I'd love a Standard with a Burstbucker in the bridge and a p-90 in the neck with a black top/mahogany back please! Most people just want simple tweaks to existing models to make them better. 4.Don't forget the little guy- Gibson needs to realize that, especially in this economy, most people cannot afford to spend from 2000-5000 on a guitar. And really, they don't have to considering all of the choices. I know they've made strides toward this with the LPVM and the Melody Maker, but they need to work on getting some better sub 2000 and 1000 dollar models to eventually lure players up to the higher end stuff when they can afford it. So, what are your requests?Specific models? Options?Anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JohnnyRaincheck Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 I think you summed it up pretty well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhamnett Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 How about reissuing the ES-330. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarman3001 Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 LP 50s tribute. Make enough to fill all existing orders like they first said they would do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members artiem Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 You pretty much nailed it. Gibson could achieve the same brand loyalty as companies like Nordstrom if they wanted to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members prolog Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 How about reissuing the ES-330. This is, hands down, my favourite Gibson model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jimmy Chitown Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Sell out to Fender. Or even Apple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wulver Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 How about reissuing the ES-330.That was done several months ago, actually.http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Custom-Custom-ES330L-Electric-Guitar?sku=527894Though if you mean an AFFORDABLE one....well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members faberbz Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 nothing like taking a turn at keyboard-CEO...... Gibson makes a good product. They really do. QC is a moving target--it can always be better. But if they stand by their product in post-sale support, and they seem to, then that's the professional way to make up for the occasional QC failure. Gibson could benefit with some better market research, if they want to keep taking a turn at "revolutionary." IMO, they had a real winner with the Robot, but it was a marketing failure. They could save a ton of money by hiring the right consultants. How the market receives the Firebird X remains to be seen. Surely, there will also be some version of an LP X, soon. Gibson clearly has an interest in incorporating electronic functionality into their guitars. With the right product management and marketing, this could develop into something interesting. But now.....they all seem like odd one-offs, competing against their own core products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tiltsta Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Nah, people would still complain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lp_junkie Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Make more like this and I'd stay happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 I really liked some of the GOTW models. They should do more of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members scuzzo Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 stick with building guitars, leave guitar models to line 6, guitar rig 4, ampitube, Axe Fx, or any of those other guys.. spread your self too thin and you end up offering just weak not very impressive products and gimmicks .. and gain an eye for beauty once again.. you had it once.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JoJo68 Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 No offence to Sly cuz he's my bro, but I'm happy with my gibsons, screw everyone else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 How about reissuing the ES-330. They have. Beale Street blue is beautiful. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tiltsta Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'd like to see Gibson adding some of the new technology to their normal line up of guitars. I wouldn't mind the robot tuners, piezo bridge, and hex output on a guitar that looked like a normal LP standard. I don't want it in metallic purple, blue silver burst, or the like. Just make this stuff optional on the normal range of guitars. I think they would sell a lot of them. Kind of like the new limited edition 2010 standard, but in the usual range of LP finishes. I though Gibson was doing really great with the GOTW models, the new 2008.5 standards, the melody maker, and the faded low cost models...but then they kind of went nuts with some other stuff like the zoot, darkfire, and so on. I love my 2008 standard, but it would be cooler if it had that piezo bridge and some coil taps and that robot stuff in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bro Blue Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Build guitars that are put together well, don't cost an arm and a leg, and that people want to buy. It would be easy to do. Just by offering different color options, Floyds, pickup options, etc. I know they already do this to a point, but very few (if any) are affordable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hozze Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 I've given Gibson a lot of {censored} over the last few days, so I'll balance things out by trying to be a little optimistic. I'll start by gladly admitting to this: I like the look of the dark fire. Red and black? Works for me! The carbon fibre look I could do without, but it still looks cool to me overall. I also like the automatic tuning. In fact in general, compared to the Firewood I think it's a marvel. I didn't get all in a fuzz about it at all when it was released. I also liked the limited GOTW and GOTM runs, those I felt were a cool idea. Sure, some were a little wacky, but there were some really cool ones as well. Although good luck getting one of them here in Sweden. I'd like more of that. Classic designs with a few tweaks. Make the silverburst a standard finish while you're at it. Not just for the LP, throw the SG, Explorer and V some love as well. Explorers and V's are actually decently priced btw, although I'd love if they did some more variations on them. Binding, maple tops, different inlays, some more finishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaXu Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 They should hire actual designers who know about things like function and aesthetics. All their "revolutionary" guitars so far have been total abortions. They really need to work on their quality control. Based on the videos I've seen of their factory, it isn't exactly a modern setup. Having some guy hammer in each fret is not a good idea when you make several hundred guitars each month. Same thing for having someone fit the necks by chiseling a poorly fitting neck block, causing the hugely varying neck angles Gibbys tend to have. Just CNC it so it fits right every time. Stop hollowing your Les Pauls Standards. The design is one of the quintessential solid body guitars and should stay that way. Invest in lighter mahogany and leave the hollowbodies for special models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MONGOOZ Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 they need to get their pricing back down here on earth....i know "made in USA" costs money.....ok.....but the neck and back (before chambering) of a Vintage Mahogany is EXACTLY THE SAME as a Standard while they are being built...they both have the EXACT SAME electronics and hardware.....why the hell is there $2000 difference??? and don't tell me that a maple top and nitro finish makes the difference....those do not cost thousands.....the pricing they have today is all about exclusivity.....not because that's what it costs to build and make a profit.there are plenty of Gibsons i would love to have.....but until i win the lottery.....it ain't gonna happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RaVenCAD Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 I think the biggest problem facing Gibson today is arrogance. For decades, Gibson and Fender fought to be the top dog, and Gibson came out on top of that war by making far more elegant and beautiful guitars. However, those laurels have been pressed flat for many, many years now. The rest of the world caught up, and now Gibson is trying to gimmick their way back to the top. Well, it's not working. The gimmicks aren't without some merit, the auto-tuning robot concept is really neat, as is a built in tuner that's not obnoxious, but the all-in-one Swiss Army knife approach is comical. But, even if the Firebird X was an amazing guitar, the "revolution" was a huge disappointment. The arrogance behind that announcement, and Henry's attitude towards his customers should be a shining beacon to other companies about how NOT to handle a product launch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrockbridge Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Gibson can NEVER make everyone happy! They could change all the prices to Agile levels and people would continue to complain. HCEG NEEDS it's favorite punching bag. A day without Gibson bashing is a day without HCEG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MONGOOZ Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 They could change all the prices to Agile levels and people would continue to complain. A day without Gibson bashing is... i'm not bashing Gibson.....i would seriously love to own a half dozen or so.....but their prices are unbelievably over inflated. bring that down to sensible and i'll start buying. i'm not buying now....NOT because of principle....but because i simply can't afford them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted October 31, 2010 Members Share Posted October 31, 2010 It's funny, though Chevy and Ford are made in USA. They aren't exactly the most expensive car around. Go figure. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MONGOOZ Posted October 31, 2010 Members Share Posted October 31, 2010 It's funny, though Chevy and Ford are made in USA. They aren't exactly the most expensive car around. Go figure. EG at least not their STANDARD models.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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