Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

JohnnyGuitar

JohnnyGuitar

New member
...and shared your ideas with them?

I know the question sounds a little weird but seriously, a lot of guys here (including myself) say stuff like "wouldn't it be nice if copmany A made a version of model B that has features XYZ..."


Did any of you actually wrote an email or called any companies? how did they respond?
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

i work guitar retail and get to talk to my favorite guitar companies all the time

if you have an original idea, most of them are more than happy to punch you through to the Custom Shop and get your AmX number.

for mass-produced guitar models, you're gonna be sold what their R&D department came up with if it hasn't been turned down by their marketing department.

They're not gona go "OH WOW REALLY RANDOM GUY WHO BOUGHT ONE OF OUR GUITARS ONE TIME? THAT IS A GREAT IDEA!! WE'RE GONA STOP ALL PRODUCTION RIGHT NOW AND GET IT BUILT!!"

because they already thought of it, because they get paid to think of it for like 8 hours a day 5 days a week.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

I once wrote to Gibson asking why with all the automation and cost saving measures they have put into effect couldn't musicians get a more affordable Les Paul with a bound body and neck and a real nitro finish for a street price closer to $1500.

I received a reply from Henry Juszkiewicz that told me to shut up and either save my money and buy what they produce or start playing Fenders.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Yes. They need to hear from the public. Sometimes enough input may spur introduction of something new, or something they've been sitting on. They may or may not be in the mood to make a move or even be overly receptive, but I don't let that stop me. There are definitely some models out now that are duds, usually for obvious reasons, and there are others the public would be excited about if they were available. I think in these economic times, they're a litlle more inclined to listen to customers. When people aren't buying their guitars, they tend to pay more attention to what players actually want and the price they want it at. If they don't provide it, a competitor eventually will. The alternatives for them can be layoffs or closing down.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

that's the thing tho

the customer writing in has no proof of experience or expertize, and is basing his idea of "what would sell" according to what he would buy in his fantasy land where he has unlimited funds and resources.

like that Left Hand guy that's been posting here lately, he's always like "FENDER WOULD SELL A MILLION OF THESE IF THEY WERE AVAILABLE IN LEFTY!" which we all know is crap. There probably aren't even a million left-handed guitarists on the planet, much less ones that can afford new guitars all the time.

There are complicated mathematic models involved, based on sales statistics and availability and how fast things are moving. A little customer feedback doesn't hurt but, at the same time, the customer is NOT the professional here, he does NOT have access to the kind of data that the guitar companies obsess over to pay their bills.

It's not like you just build a bunch of guitar models, put them in stores, and make money. Somebody has to go work somewhere else doing something they probably hate to make that money and go buy the guitar. Because of that, you have to cater to the masses and sell stuff that Average Joe Blow Fridge Repairman can not only afford but can use to make his music.

Most guitar companies have something to offer for every "type" of player...rock, blues, punk, country, metal, etc...flipping through this year's Fender catalog, it's hard to find anything missing! The other things we say we want -- different left-handed models, nice Les Pauls for under $1500, or more Epiphones with P90s -- are all available either on the used market or via the types of simple mods we talk about and execute on this forum all the time.

Sorry, it's like when I hear a guy that drives a truck for a living talk about things the president should do differently. I ask, which commercial truck driver's licensing facility gave you your political science degree?
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Jeff_H said:
I once wrote to Gibson asking why with all the automation and cost saving measures they have put into effect couldn't musicians get a more affordable Les Paul with a bound body and neck and a real nitro finish for a street price closer to $1500.

I received a reply from Henry Juszkiewicz that told me to shut up and either save my money and buy what they produce or start playing Fenders.
Click to expand...

Gibson are on the last lap business wise if they are not sold soon they might contract or go under. There was a point last year when they had to suspend their website for a week as they couldn't pay the bills. Fender were able to contract and keep prices down while PRS has shrunk the inventory and closed a plant. Gibson have introduced more models which can be made cheaply and upped the prices (Zoot Suit anyone?)
I think Gibson are trying to follow the Ford model to get back on their feet but it isn't working as they have made losses for six quarters.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

John_L said:
Gibson are on the last lap business wise if they are not sold soon they might contract or go under. There was a point last year when they had to suspend their website for a week as they couldn't pay the bills. Fender were able to contract and keep prices down while PRS has shrunk the inventory and closed a plant. Gibson have introduced more models which can be made cheaply and upped the prices (Zoot Suit anyone?)
I think Gibson are trying to follow the Ford model to get back on their feet but it isn't working as they have made losses for six quarters.
Click to expand...

Does this mean that soon, eventually, Gibson will have to drop prices? (and maybe, as a consecuence, quality?)
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

When you register a pedal that the guys at Empress audio make they ask you what kind of stuff you want to see from them in the future. I thought it was kind of cool and filled out some ideas, but have never done anything similar before that.
 
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Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

I don't know where some people get their information... Gibson is doing great.

Anyhow, you can write to these companies all you want, but I wouldn't expect anything. They may right back saying "Thank you", but they have teams that handle these things.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Empty Pockets said:
There are complicated mathematic models involved, based on sales statistics and availability and how fast things are moving. A little customer feedback doesn't hurt but, at the same time, the customer is NOT the professional here, he does NOT have access to the kind of data that the guitar companies obsess over to pay their bills.
Click to expand...

As an accounting manager for 30 years, I'm well aware of that, and let me tell all of you, without sales nothing else matters. Forget the math & statistics, either you meet customer needs or they buy from someone else. The customer is not a nuisance, he is not 'in the way', nor are his needs and concerns a waste of your time. There is an arrogance present in many companies, as displayed in your post, that consumers, and voters know nothing. That somehow the upper echelon are the sole keepers of intelligence and good judgement. Well, guess what, we are the only reason corporations or the government exists. And they exist to serve us, we don't serve them.

If a company is out of touch with consumer demand, or can't get it's costs to a competitive level, it's going to have to change the way it does things or shut its doors. We have seen the results of our wise and experienced corporate and political leaders. They've done a wonderful job.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

blueman335 said:
Yes. They need to hear from the public. Sometimes enough input may spur introduction of something new, or something they've been sitting on. They may or may not be in the mood to make a move or even be overly receptive, but I don't let that stop me. There are definitely some models out now that are duds, usually for obvious reasons, and there are others the public would be excited about if they were available. I think in these economic times, they're a litlle more inclined to listen to customers. When people aren't buying their guitars, they tend to pay more attention to what players actually want and the price they want it at. If they don't provide it, a competitor eventually will. The alternatives for them can be layoffs or closing down.
Click to expand...

Me too, A few different companies......Some times they respond...lol
 
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Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

My post about Gibson was a joke. I actually really like Gibson guitars, but I don't think they are making a product commiserate with their price point. Hence, I won't spend the money to buy a new one. I wouldn't even when I could afford to buy any guitar I wanted. I value them as used instruments at half or less of their retail price.

I do agree with blueman. Companies can and do have their statistical models, price point comparisons, marketing surveys and all of the other "mathematical models" to justify spending $20 million to revamp the manufacturing facility, put new distribution practices in place....whatever. I've been a part of that world in one way or another for the past 20 years, both on the management side, the accounting side and the sales side.

However, it doesn't matter if you produce widgets or guitars with all your statistics or models, if your product isn't up to snuff or if your sales guys on the street are unable to sell the product for any reason....all of your mathematics mean diddly squat. Actual sales figures drive the whole show...period. I learned that the hard way. With that said, I seriously doubt Gibson is going out of business anytime soon. There is still enough demand for the product they put out. People want Les Pauls, and they want new ones....at least enough people do to keep Gibson operating in the black.

We can whine about what we don't like....and there are things I don't like about Gibson, but until mass sales figures change nothing will at Gibson. Even if this entire forum suddenly boycotted Gibson products, there would be zero impact to Gibson. So my choice is simple. I like Gibson products overall....not the cheaper stuff but the good stuff. I will save my money and buy the best I can afford on the used market. Plenty of guys with a lot more money than me will keep buying new Gibbys and Gibson will be fine for the foreseeable future.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Xander i see what your saying but....

So what there isn't a million left handed guitarists.. BUT there is still a demand for varying designs and models to be available Left handed. Most recently Fret King released two of it's models into a production left hand Due to demand Perhaps if enough people bug the F*** out of fender and Gibson then perhaps they might start making guitars the people actually want. as it was, i didn't have too much choice but even so Vintage provided me with a good choice LP copy.

What really does annoy me is that guitar companies either go from one extreme to the other with left hands, So for example fender:

Squier range left handed guitars (minus basses):
Affinity series Strat
Standard series strat

and according to the site the other night they don't do left handed tele's. These squiers will set you back 135-299GBP

Fender:

Mexi Strat £350 (if you are lucky) to 490GBP
Tele likewise.

Highway one strat: £550GBP (on average)
I think Tele's are similar price not sure on HW1 tele's....

Am standard £650-850GBP

Am Deluxe £1000-1200GBP

thats all in strats and tele's. I aint being funny but isn't that F*****g ****? it is to me.. i mean atm i can't even tough Gibsons, the cheapest lefty they do (to my knowledge) is 0ver 1000GBP!!!

If i write to them expressing my views and concerns on the matter, i will get a cruddy responce. now If more people would join me and would email these companies and stand up and shout a bit more then perhaps we may get noticed.

Remember the email about the fender blacktop series i sent? well I can tell you they weren't the slightest interested from the responce i got. I tell you now, had they released at least two models left handed (pref not a strat and tele but say strat and jazzmaster) then lefty's would buy them, they are something different y'know.

Tell you what i want, A fender Mustang or Jazzmaster left handed, Oh Wait! they don't make em' oh F*** never mind, then it goes round in that circle all over again.

if any lefty's read this then by all means fell free to PM me with your views as i want to semi co-ordinate a thing where we email the companies collectively and say 'we are left handers, we like your branded guitars, they are good for x,y and z reasons and we wished we could access more of your designs but in a LH format, etc etc.

Food for thought.

P.S. i still love you Xander. :p
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Left_Hand_Strat said:
Xander i see what your saying but....

So what there isn't a million left handed guitarists.. BUT there is still a demand for varying designs and models to be available Left handed. Most recently Fret King released two of it's models into a production left hand Due to demand Perhaps if enough people bug the F*** out of fender and Gibson then perhaps they might start making guitars the people actually want. as it was, i didn't have too much choice but even so Vintage provided me with a good choice LP copy.

What really does annoy me is that guitar companies either go from one extreme to the other with left hands, So for example fender:

Squier range left handed guitars (minus basses):
Affinity series Strat
Standard series strat

and according to the site the other night they don't do left handed tele's. These squiers will set you back 135-299GBP

Fender:

Mexi Strat £350 (if you are lucky) to 490GBP
Tele likewise.

Highway one strat: £550GBP (on average)
I think Tele's are similar price not sure on HW1 tele's....

Am standard £650-850GBP

Am Deluxe £1000-1200GBP

thats all in strats and tele's. I aint being funny but isn't that F*****g ****? it is to me.. i mean atm i can't even tough Gibsons, the cheapest lefty they do (to my knowledge) is 0ver 1000GBP!!!

If i write to them expressing my views and concerns on the matter, i will get a cruddy responce. now If more people would join me and would email these companies and stand up and shout a bit more then perhaps we may get noticed.

Remember the email about the fender blacktop series i sent? well I can tell you they weren't the slightest interested from the responce i got. I tell you now, had they released at least two models left handed (pref not a strat and tele but say strat and jazzmaster) then lefty's would buy them, they are something different y'know.

Tell you what i want, A fender Mustang or Jazzmaster left handed, Oh Wait! they don't make em' oh F*** never mind, then it goes round in that circle all over again.

if any lefty's read this then by all means fell free to PM me with your views as i want to semi co-ordinate a thing where we email the companies collectively and say 'we are left handers, we like your branded guitars, they are good for x,y and z reasons and we wished we could access more of your designs but in a LH format, etc etc.

Food for thought.

P.S. i still love you Xander. :p
Click to expand...

Guitar Manufacturers don't give a **** about you, they want to make money. It's called business.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

whatshisname said:
I don't know where some people get their information... Gibson is doing great.

Anyhow, you can write to these companies all you want, but I wouldn't expect anything. They may right back saying "Thank you", but they have teams that handle these things.
Click to expand...

Yahoo Finance, Bloomburg, AP etc. Gibson is struggling. Lay Offs have helped as have price hikes but the current management are looking for a buyer.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Not quite the same thing but Warwick created the Thumb SC after a post on their website forum.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Bones said:
Guitar Manufacturers don't give a **** about you, they want to make money. It's called business.
Click to expand...

sounds like you dont care either!

oh well never ******g Mind then perhaps there are things on this planet i don't give a **** about, it's called business.
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

not withstanding posts on this forum, i have never written directly to a manufacturer of music equipment to offer suggestions, opinions, or otherwise
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

Left_Hand_Strat said:
sounds like you dont care either!

oh well never ******g Mind then perhaps there are things on this planet i don't give a **** about, it's called business.
Click to expand...

lol... They are so cute when they are this age. Me me me me me...
 
Re: Have you ever wrote to your favorite guitar companies...

that's verging on a personal attack!

continue and i will contact the mods right, cos i wasn't having a go at anyone i was having a go at the companies now your turning it on me.

can we get our backsides back to this topic or not?

good, now we have, Has this gibson struggling stuff to do with the rare wood usage i heard about?
 
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