Been a lot of news about Gibson potentially 'going under'.. well the solid body guitar division that is, I can't help but look back.. back to the early nineties of Gibson..
Product lines were slim, quality control was high, and the result was customer experience focus. Of course many players got excited and encouraged Gibson to produce some of their older models..because the designs looked so enticing from pictures and it was rare to see one in the wild.
What do I think *now*?
Product lines are bloated, quality control is slipping, and the result is a product focused experience.
Bloated? what do you mean Dava?
Welp.. when I look at the most expensive Gibsons, I think to myself.. who on earth is going to buy these?? And then.. there seems to be a thing where 'models' are built around a feature.. for example.. Want a green flame top? thats a sub-model. or a Bigsby? that's another sub-model.
I think something more sensible could be done instead. Please indulge me a little further..
IIRC: Back in the Nineties it was basically; Les Pauls and SGs.. with limited runs of Firebirds and V's.
You got your Special, Standard and Custom.
The structure of today's market is similar imho to the 90s, with the exception of the internet.The internet is a powerful tool, not to be underestimated
For $5000 you can get a tailor made guitar by a small luthier.. to whatever you want. Flip! you can get whatever you want for $2000. Gibson should be doing this instead of making sub-models of these bloated expensive guitars.. inviting people to meet up with one of their luthiers and running through a truly 'Custom' experience. Saying Gibson is 'too big' for such a thing, well.. I find that wholley arrogant. A Custom Shop that isn't just a Gibson Luthier imagination of what someone *might* want..but what a Customer (paid upfront) *actually* wants.
No waste.No muss. No fuss.
And for us Average Joes (in my case 'Jock' haha) we get Gibson back in its purest form.
Business as a capitalist concept is expand and contract.
Clear away dead wood.. then after a bit try something new.
Rinse and Repeat.
Instead of sub-models.. we don't need to cut off the leg to save the arm. Many new models types have come to Gibson, and why shouldn't fully utilize them instead of making new sub-models?
For example.. What is a 'Studio'? Really, think about it. Now I would say a 'Studio' is for the studio that means it does NOT have to be in any way shape or form decorative.
One dot on the 5th,12th and 17th fret. No stain. Gloss finish.
These all should have coil splits, and double row adjustable pole pieces.
Why? because that means not only can the session artist be flexible, if they find a sound is regularly requested, they can modify to suit their needs.
I did a mockup of the headstock:
Or an Alt
The significance being 'playing through the night'.
The blog written Dec 2016, has many more Heraldic Inlays and ideas.
What I'm suggesting is: all models except Junior, Special, Studio, Deluxe, Standard and Custom, would be limited runs. Gibson put out say.. 20 'Les Paul Supremes' a year. then do it again the next year and so on..
On the blog the most I had was..
9. Supreme*
8. Custom
7. Artist*
6. Professional*
5. Standard
4. Deluxe
3. Studio
2. Special
1. Junior
Each has a purpose.
Junior one pickup, wrapped bridge. simple, Black Stain or natural. I suggest varnish, instead of lacquer as it dries faster. cheap to make. lasts a lifetime!
Special.. we all know the Special. 2 pickup. lacquer gloss finish. Black or Red. A Standard for the budget conscious.
The Studio is outlined above.
The Deluxe is the estranged brother to the Standard. The experimental branch if you will.. The deluxe has more decoration than the Special and has some unique wiring (many Deluxes came with a rotary cap switch) but not exclusively.
You see what I'm saying here right?.. Gibson doesn't have to (I assume) waste thousands and thousands on Flame Maple caps to be experimental in their outlook. Every year they could have a new Deluxe that is almost totally different than the previous years.
With the exception of the Deluxe Heraldic symbol of the two arrows.
The Standard is.. the Standard. While Writing I am often imagining a Black SG standard.. my dream guitar hehe. Trust me to get a SG Standard the year it turns out to be a fancy paper weight :/ .. MAN just want a 90s neck SG Standard!
The Professional, all the switching options of the Deluxe and more, with the livery of the Standard.
The Artist.. Think about the RD Artist Headstock, then think about how decorative the fretboard could be also.
The Custom is the Custom we all know.
The Supreme is a supercharged Custom. optional floyd rose when made to order.
Now please note the * above.. like the other body types we could have limited runs of these models.
Erm this is bit hard to explain but..
Regular Production:
Les Paul and SG
6. Custom
5. Standard
4. Deluxe
3. Studio
2. Special
1. Junior
Limited Run:
3. Supreme
2. Artist
1. Professional
And limited run per year for all other solid body types.
Firebird
Flying V
RD
Explorer (which due to its popularity should have longer runs).
Okay been writing this for 2 hours and my missus is waiting patiently to watch old X-Files together.. her first time seeing it.
But you get the idea I am suggesting.. Gibson has expanded without contracting in so long, it makes it look like the bubble will burst. What I am suggesting is a great retraction but keeping their options open.
Please make sure to read the blog for some more mockups of Gibson Heraldic symbols.
And no matter what you do.. have fun be happy in life! Life's a garden.. dig it!
Dava
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