met the local Gibson rep yesterday

[Help!I'maRock!]

wandered into the GC on 14th st last night, and the local Gibson rep was giving a presentation.

1. there's a pic floating around here of a CS Les Paul sawed in half to show the neck tenon and truss rod. i saw it in person. so yes, that pic is real.

2. checked out the new LP Standard. people seem to be freaking out over the electronics in that guitar because it uses solderless connections on a PCB. he had an extra PCB with him and that's a seriously strong piece. definitely not wafer thin. and if for some reason there is a bad connection, it becomes a warranty repair.

3. he laughed hysterically at the Peavey rumor.

4. the Madagascar Rosewood issue is a big deal, he said that Gibson is complying in every way possible. this is not something they want to be known for and do not want to repeat.


i'm not buying a Gibson this year, even with the $100 off coupon (that has to be used at the 14th st store) they gave me for wandering into the presentation. but it was very informative on how the company perceives their product. one guy asked what makes Gibson better than anybody else, and the rep said that "Gibson is the most iconic".

[Old Tele man]

Originally Posted by Help!I'maRock!

and the rep said that "Gibson is the most iconic".

...was that iconic or ironic?

[GuitarsFromMars]

Nothing like a sales pitch, I always say. Iconic...

[treeofpain]

"Iconic" = We are resting on a reputation built over the last 100 years.

[MHHayes]

The rep's "iconic" response to that question is a little strange. I can see his point, but I would have expected him to comment on the quality of the instruments instead of only on how people might perceive them.

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by MHHayes

The rep's "iconic" response to that question is a little strange. I can see his point, but I would have expected him to comment on the quality of the instruments instead of only on how people might perceive them.

i think it was a leading question. that said, it was asked and that was his response.

another person asked what the best years of Gibson production were. he answered "now", and talked about the accuracy of the VOS series and the Burstbucker pickups.

[FourT6and2]

"...Gibson is the most iconic."

It's all about branding and not about product specs. So, that makes sense to me. The 2% of gear-heads on internet forums such as TGP and HC who only care about tech specs make up so little of the target audience of companies like Gibson, that all they have to do is manage their Brand well and they can make money. The quality of the products suffer in "our" eyes because of this, though.

[NeuroLogic]

"Iconic" is all that Gibson can say. Ther are so many luthiers (Artinger, McInturff, Driskill, Thorn, etc.) building far superior guitars that there is no other reason to use a Gibson. Why pay inflated prices for lesser quality instruments?

[Jon C]

Originally Posted by Help!I'maRock!

wandered into the GC on 14th st last night, and the local Gibson rep was giving a presentation.


3. he laughed hysterically at the Peavey rumor.

.... like someone at his level in the company would even know ...

I'm sure he is totally out of the loop on any such development if it's real and would laugh at it as he walked into the meeting at which the Peavey folks told him his services would no longer be needed after the buyout.

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by Jon C

.... like someone at his level in the company would even know ...

I'm sure he is totally out of the loop on any such development if it's real and would laugh at it as he walked into the meeting at which the Peavey folks told him his services would no longer be needed after the buyout.

the rumors come from people on guitar boards saying that they heard it from their local Gibson rep. so i asked a local Gibson rep.

[carbonti]

rep said that "Gibson is the most iconic".

"Gibson is the most moronic" might be a better reply in light of Corporate's missteps in expanding and milking the brand.

[Jon C]

Originally Posted by Help!I'maRock!

the rumors come from people on guitar boards saying that they heard it from their local Gibson rep. so i asked a local Gibson rep.

interesting, I've heard it but from sources that may be more informed on corp. level things than a local rep, but I guess the reps can read the 'net too, LOL.

[Bobb2]

Even if the rep does know the truth, I am sure he would not say anything about it. Admitting that the company might be in trouble does not help sales.

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by Jon C

interesting, I've heard it but from sources that may be more informed on corp. level things than a local rep, but I guess the reps can read the 'net too, LOL.

as far as i know, its just a rumor. nobody has come forward with their sources, or who these higher-ups are that are spreading this "information".

[jtm622]

"Icon???" The Chevy Corvair is an "icon", too...