Gibson v Dean trial to start

[ErikH]

I had to think about it but I never bought a Gibson brand new. And never paid more than $800 for one.

 

[dystrust]

I had to think about it but I never bought a Gibson brand new. And never paid more than $800 for one.

I bought my Les Paul Standard new on Dec 26, 2001, but nothing else before or since. If you get Gibsons used, there's a decent chance someone's already fixed the poorly cut nut.

 

[Mincer]

I bout my Gibson used, which is about the only way I would now. This one wasn't cheap, but the current Gibson doesn't really make anything like it.

 

[beaubrummels]

I bought all my Gibsons new or B-stock/demo, but I bought most before 2006 or so, mainly 90’s and early 2000’s.

I bought one Custom Shop/historic demo in 2018, but that was just a lucky fluke I couldn’t pass up. The vendor sold it for the discount amount, rather than the actual marked down price. Their clerical error was my gain.

 

[Securb]

Are there really enough ****** bags to support a company like Gibson though?

Gibson and Fender are in an arms race to get the Lifestyle market. I was in a Lucky Jeans store that had Fender branded apparel you will also see the Fender gear popping up in Kohl's stores. It is trendy to wear rock and vintage tees these days most people don't know anything about the brand or band on the tee.

 

[Aceman]

Gibson and Fender are in an arms race to get the Lifestyle market. I was in a Lucky Jeans store that had Fender branded apparel you will also see the Fender gear popping up in Kohl's stores. It is trendy to wear rock and vintage tees these days most people don't know anything about the brand or band on the tee.

Yep - selling to old rock & rollers who aren't Lawyers that like the blues.

Problem is....to be a lifestyle brand and win, you really need to live that lifestyle.

So I see Gibson financially losing long term - I mean - becoming more "selective" about their customers. As in we can't have you as a customer if your net worth isn't more than $x.

 

[Mincer]

I am guessing no one wins here, no matter what. Gibson/Dean/guitar buying public all lose when this sort of thing happens.

 

[Securb]

So I see Gibson financially losing long term - I mean - becoming more "selective" about their customers. As in we can't have you as a customer if your net worth isn't more than $x.

Not sure about that "selective" is a marketing ploy that works great. Look at Facebook for example. They made the platform exclusive to college students and alumni at first. The rest of the world wanted a peek behind the curtian. Once they opened it up to everyone there was a land rush. Using exclusivity was the plan from the start. Gibson knows they can not sell everyone a $2,000 guitar. But selling 40, $50 tee-shirts to people that can not afford the guitar is just as good. Think about how many people you see out there with Harley-Davidson shirts that have never been on a motorcycle. People that can't afford the bike can afford the shirt. Gibson and Fender want this kind of branding.

 

[Mincer]

Well, this took a turn....

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Your dad's guitar...lol:

 

[Mincer]

Please stay on topic.

 

[ICTGoober]

How much money did Gibson invest in this fool's errand to get only $4000 and a chance to pretend to be the victor? To my reckoning, Armadillo comes out looking pretty damn good. They'll sketch up some new shapes to replace the V and Z, and drive on. What will Gibson do any different from now on? Not much. The monolith simply gets more monolithic - heavier, more bulk, less able to change in response to the market. Hope that works for them in the future.

 

[NegativeEase]

How much money did Gibson invest in this fool's errand to get only $4000 and a chance to pretend to be the victor? To my reckoning, Armadillo comes out looking pretty damn good. They'll sketch up some new shapes to replace the V and Z, and drive on. What will Gibson do any different from now on? Not much. The monolith simply gets more monolithic - heavier, more bulk, less able to change in response to the market. Hope that works for them in the future.

i think I agree, but Im sure Dean spent millions in legal fees which sucks.

I'd imagine Gibson will now go after the next soft targets to suffocate them legally in an attempt to get them to register into their builders program.

 

[NegativeEase]

Never mind the headstock.... that Dean truss rod cover is something only a mother could love.

 

[ErikH]

What Dean model looks like a SG?

Since “Dean was not found to have infringed on Gibson’s standalone trademark for the Flying V.” Sounds like they can continue to make the V as-is?

 

[ICTGoober]

Never mind the headstock.... that Dean truss rod cover is something only a mother could love.

That is a generic Asian truss rod cover. I first saw it on Chandler necks in the 80's, some Jacksons, Aria Pro, Cort, etc. It's easy to make, so why not?

 

[Mincer]

No way to spin this, Dean lost. They might not have to pay millions, but it will impact their line of guitars moving forward.

 

[ICTGoober]

I disagree, Dave. In the court of public opinion, Gibson just keeps digging their hole deeper.

 

[beaubrummels]

In my mind, just me personally, Gibson has tainted their reputation for me. Yes, I own Gibsons, but seeing them blatantly publicly act like this, I'm less likely to buy another Gibson ever seeing this case play out. Any non-Gibson shaped guitar just got way more appealing to me. I need to see what I've been missing and explore unique guitars from no-name/bouteek builders and luthiers from now on. If Gibson can survive on just collectors/investors, more power to them. Their history was great, now it's over and time to move on, for me.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I also see this whole thing as a lose-lose.
Gibson looks bad, Dean has to spend money to defend themselves, all of it has to drive costs up eventually.....which makes guitars even more expensive.

At the end of the day, while I love my Deans, and my Gibsons, I'll buy what I like and not really care too much about who is running the companies, or what name is on the headstock.
​​​​