Gibson Rant Pt. 1

[Chad]

Outside of the 50s & 60s, I'd say right now Gibson is the best it's ever been. Henry J is eccentric and does some strange things...and isn't the most likable person. But he has done a TON of good for Gibson.

[leftykingv2]

^^^^^^^I Couldn't disagree more. I think he is ruining that company and apparently so do all of his employees. http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Gib...iews-E6869.htm

[wilkinsi]

I've never liked Gibson. All their models, be they original or copies of Jackson, are fugly.

[leftykingv2]

I've never liked Gibson. All their models, be they original or copies of Jackson, are fugly.

After reading the reviews at glassdoor and seeing "Fuck this Job" under your name I assume you work for Gibson. J.K.

[Chad]

^^^^^^^I Couldn't disagree more. I think he is ruining that company and apparently so do all of his employees. http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Gib...iews-E6869.htm

No problem. It's certainly more popular to dislike Gibson & Henry J.

Here's a thread where the owner of V-picks took a tour of the Gibson factory:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1313561

I like this question and answer:

scott944: So, did you get a sense that the workers were miserable, like we see references to all the time? Thanks for posting, BTW - I, too, love the factory tours.

V-Picks: Actually, we got just the opposite.
We talked to a number of the employees.
They seemed very busy and very into their jobs.
We are talking about guys and gals that really know their stuff.
The place was spotless clean.
They kept it nice and cool in the whole building for the employees.
Most everyone had a smile on their faces.
They would look up when we walked by and nodded their heads.
I am sure there are some disgruntled employees there.
You cannot have a number together like that and not have some.
However, we did not encounter any of them.
But, IMO, the overall feel and vibe was very good.
We just saw a lot of hard working folks making some very cool guitars.
The whole trip made me love my Gibsons even more.
Honestly.

[Predator1]

I recently acquired a NOS Les Paul Studio deluxe LTD. I will post some pics soon but for now I will say that it is one of finest playing and sounding guitars I've had the privilege of owning. It has traditional weight relief instead of the chambering weighing in at just a tad over 8lbs. It is very resonant and features a very dark ebony fingerboard. It has zero finish flaws as far as I could tell and plays like a dream. I bought it to replace an 83 LPC that I sold a couple of years ago. It plays way nicer then the LPC which had fretless wonder frets and weighed over 10 lbs.

[leftykingv2]

I believe nothing anyone says if they're selling said product that's up for discussion. I have never met any salesman who didn't tell me "The stuff I am selling is the best." Or "It's super high quality." Do you honestly believe that the people who were all "so happy" would have a job very long if a tour came through and they looked like someone just took a shit in their cereal? Sounds more like a smile or die kind of thing to me.

[Chad]

I believe nothing anyone says if they're selling said product that's up for discussion. I have never met any salesman who didn't tell me "The stuff I am selling is the best." Or "It's super high quality." Do you honestly believe that the people who were all "so happy" would have a job very long if a tour came through and they looked like someone just took a shit in their cereal? Sounds more like a smile or die kind of thing to me.

I don't believe the V-Picks guy sells guitars....just picks.

And it may be hard to believe, but just perhaps those people actually were happy and enjoying their job.

[leftykingv2]

It could be true who knows.

[wilkinsi]

After reading the reviews at glassdoor and seeing "Fuck this Job" under your name I assume you work for Gibson. J.K.

I don't believe they have any offices in the UK. If I can sell worthless insurance, I'm sure I could sell some elephant shaped shit too. As a kid, I had a Squier strat. I'd always take the piss out of my brother, by calling his Marathon LP Copy the Dungatungaelephantdunga guitar. About 10 years ago, I tried a USA LP, and it was ridiculously heavy. They look like elephants, and weigh as much as a shit from an elephant constipated by being made to wait several hours by the zoo keeper.

[Rupe]

No problem. It's certainly more popular to dislike Gibson & Henry J.

Here's a thread where the owner of V-picks took a tour of the Gibson factory:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1313561

I like this question and answer:

scott944: So, did you get a sense that the workers were miserable, like we see references to all the time? Thanks for posting, BTW - I, too, love the factory tours.

V-Picks: Actually, we got just the opposite.
We talked to a number of the employees.
They seemed very busy and very into their jobs.
We are talking about guys and gals that really know their stuff.
The place was spotless clean.
They kept it nice and cool in the whole building for the employees.
Most everyone had a smile on their faces.
They would look up when we walked by and nodded their heads.
I am sure there are some disgruntled employees there.
You cannot have a number together like that and not have some.
However, we did not encounter any of them.
But, IMO, the overall feel and vibe was very good.
We just saw a lot of hard working folks making some very cool guitars.
The whole trip made me love my Gibsons even more.
Honestly.

This is obviously addressing the people working on the shop floor. The employees who have issues with Henry are more executive types...the people in marketing/sales/finance/etc. Henry is well known for his boorish behavior at meetings. Most executive level positions there have an extremely high turnover rate.

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

you cannot be serious either that or seriously misinformed. If you can't tell and LP knock off from China for from a USA Gibson or Custom Shop Gibson you probably see a resemblance between a Ferrari and a Toyota Prius . I always crack up at these types of comments....never owned a Gibson that didnt suck...why did you buy it then? Look Gibson has some QC and consistency issues, everyone knows this but don't be naive thinking no other guitar company doesn't have the same issues

Agreed Shawn....blind brand loyalty is silly IMO!!


Have owned several historic & standard series Gibsons....you can find a great guitar from Gibson & don't have to spend "huge $$"....had a recent Explorer that played/sounded great....no QC issues....& a Standard series....gotta dig but they can be found!!

[leftykingv2]

Agreed Shawn....blind brand loyalty is silly IMO!!


Have owned several historic & standard series Gibsons....you can find a great guitar from Gibson & don't have to spend "huge $$"....had a recent Explorer that played/sounded great....no QC issues....& a Standard series....gotta dig but they can be found!!

So you're saying you've never had a friend or met a person who even when they buy a guitar if it's a dog won't admit it because they like the Company name so much. I have at least three friends who have a myriad of guitars from different companies that are pure garbage and they still won't admit they bought a piece of shit because they like the players who use them and the name on the head stock. One friend in particular has a 2009 Gibson Les Paul Custom that he payed almost $4000.00 dollars for after taxes. Every time we jam the thing drops out of tune in less than ten minutes of playing and the the finish is checking as well. It also sounds like shit and he has a Mesa Triple rectifier so it's not the amp. He has taken it to countless repair guys and they've all told hiom the same thing; "You got a lemon!" But he still refuses to sell it or recognize that it's a piece of pure shit because Zakk Wylde plays a Les Paul. I don't know what you call that maybe stupidity, but I see it as Blind Brand Loyalty. Also in the spirit of being objective I have to say My 1976 Les Paul standard is awesome and not all of the friends I have who have bought dogs have Gibsons. I just see a lot more really expensive Gibby's that are crap than say Fender or Jackson.

[surfreak]

Mind sharing where you get your statistics from?

Here: http://www.musictrades.com/census.html

[leftykingv2]

I do agree with Lutz though! Saying you can't tell the difference between a USA and a Chinese copy. That's just stupidity or someone who knows nothing about guitars. The shittiest USA Gibson is better than ANY Chinese copy by far and I hate Gibson for the most part. I should also mention that most of my hatred for the company stems from Upper Management, Retardation in R&D, price gouging, Poor quality control and a serious lack of customer support.