GMP is done for good...

[hammer84]

Re: GMP is done for good...

Dave told me they have been around for 16 years. From what I have heard is they took a while (few years) to get any traction. They had some minor quality issues but the big selling point was pretty much everything was a custom shop so pick up configs, knob placement, etc where not a "bend over" upgrade charge.

I found GMP while I was looking at buying a PRS. Once I laid my hands on a GMP my PRS GAS went away [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

IMHO, they needed to land a few more endorsers till they got one that stuck and was a hit.

[Subvamp]

Re: GMP is done for good...

Just got the word from Dave that my custom order SG won't be delivered, as there's literally no one in the building anymore to work on guitars. I've been waiting for months too. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I could go buy one from a dealer somewhere, but I won't find one that was exactly like the one I had ordered.

He did tell me that there is "someone" who may be buying the GMP name, and it's up to them whether they start things up again. Still, it won't get me my damn SG! (o.k., I'm done whining... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img])

[Posepatrol]

Re: GMP is done for good...

Let's see.....Ed Roman?

[noodlesatf]

Re: GMP is done for good...

[ QUOTE ]
Let's see.....Ed Roman?

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't he already make copies? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: GMP is done for good...

[ QUOTE ]
IMHO, they needed to land a few more endorsers till they got one that stuck and was a hit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe it's just me but it seems that endorsers, unless you're talking folks of EVH's caliber, sell guitars to the under 20 crowd but probably don't sell many to folks much older than that. They'd have sold more guitars by giving me an endorsement and inducing me to pimp them all over the internet than they'd ever sell by giving guitars away to endorsees and hoping someone notices.

What GMP needed was a dealer network, dealers sell guitars. I mean 16 years and there are a grand total of 11 dealers listed on their web page? That's a problem. For what they blew giving guitars away or selling them at cost to endorsees they could have hired someone to pack up a dozen or so and drive around the country for a couple of years hitting up high-profile independent music shops. Sign up 2 new dealers per state with 2-piece opening orders and production doubles, or more. That's significant. Give a half-dozen guitars to Ryan Roxie and the other 20 or so endorsees listed on their site and you die an unfortunate but probably well-deserved death.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: GMP is done for good...

GMP needed to sell directly to customers instead.

Now, someone very rich should invest money in GMP business and make them to come back.
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[StukaJU87]

Re: GMP is done for good...

I'll do it Toru. Oh...you said someone very rich? I guess I am out then. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[hammer84]

Re: GMP is done for good...

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
IMHO, they needed to land a few more endorsers till they got one that stuck and was a hit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe it's just me but it seems that endorsers, unless you're talking folks of EVH's caliber, sell guitars to the under 20 crowd but probably don't sell many to folks much older than that. They'd have sold more guitars by giving me an endorsement and inducing me to pimp them all over the internet than they'd ever sell by giving guitars away to endorsees and hoping someone notices.

What GMP needed was a dealer network, dealers sell guitars. I mean 16 years and there are a grand total of 11 dealers listed on their web page? That's a problem. For what they blew giving guitars away or selling them at cost to endorsees they could have hired someone to pack up a dozen or so and drive around the country for a couple of years hitting up high-profile independent music shops. Sign up 2 new dealers per state with 2-piece opening orders and production doubles, or more. That's significant. Give a half-dozen guitars to Ryan Roxie and the other 20 or so endorsees listed on their site and you die an unfortunate but probably well-deserved death.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was being very simplistic with my comment. I agree with you. They needed dealers but having been in the retail biz a while one thing that stores look at is "who is playing them". One problem was their price point. Too much money for a Slipnot fan but not enuff margin to be a totally boutique company and go for the cult following. They would have needed to hit on an up and comer and then when he bailed for ibenhad or fender, surf to the next one. The world of one finger music didn't help either, most those players were not in GMP's niche.

PRS might have been a good business model, at least on the surface. They have so many people playing their guitars they all can't be endorsed. PRS also jumped on the "vintage" bump in the 90's. Going to a CNC process was a windfall for them. Everybody went crazy over "vintage" [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] PRS guitars, their cost went down on their new ones, and a whole new generation of players became aware of the brand.

It takes a little luck, along with skill to make it sometimes..............

[The Eristic]

Re: GMP is done for good...

[ QUOTE ]
Just got the word from Dave that my custom order SG won't be delivered, as there's literally no one in the building anymore to work on guitars. I've been waiting for months too. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Will he send you the unfinished guitar? You could always finish it yourself or find a luthier to do it.

[Firebird V]

Re: GMP is done for good...

this sucks. the stuff at namm was fantastic.

[Chuckracer]

Re: GMP is done for good...

I'm very sad... [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[YetAnotherOne]

Re: GMP is done for good...

It was extremely inconsiderate of them to die before I had a chance to order any customs. Particularly after Jackson stopped offering Explorers & Firebirds. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[El_Kabong]

Re: GMP is done for good...

I was getting set to order a custom coloured Roxie. Current dealer prices are from 40% off, to list price. I would love to pick one up, but am hedging my bets for now. I have my eyes set on another brand at the moment. Oh, yeah, another hello from a newb [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Subvamp]

Re: GMP is done for good...

[ QUOTE ]

Will he send you the unfinished guitar? You could always finish it yourself or find a luthier to do it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I asked them that, because I could finish it myself (and I was told it was finished and just needed a buff-out and final setup)and in a nutshell I was told not to expect it. [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[hippietim]

Re: GMP is done for good...

So all you suckers that bought GMP guitars better dump them now before word gets out. Just to show you what a nice guy I am I'll take a couple of them for $300 each.