New Gibson CEO

[Aceman]

Most people think of marketing as advertising, but advertising is simply the last step. The first step is knowing your customers and your organizations' capabilities. Combining the best capabilities that customers want, and can afford, wins the prize.

In theory, this should be "We build the best guitars in the world"

Unfortunately, competency-wise, they don't. So right there you have a problem. Company needs a radical transformation, and to "Lifestyle" brand ain't gonna be it with the death of rock & roll.

 

[Mincer]

I bet they can coast on their legacy for the next 20 years and be just fine, though- no actual new products, just reissues and 'boomer bursts'.

 

[Securb]

I do not think Gibson is resting on their laurels with this hire. She comes from Red Bull a cutting-edge brand that despite being a beverage brand is transforming the sports world. The downside is she also comes from Verizon, and AT&T. Users might have to pay a monthly subscription to play their guitars, if you do not the PCB board will shut down and lock you out.

Prior to Gibson, Beth worked in brand strategy, production and experiential marketing with House of Blues, Red Bull and Fortune 500 brands including Samsung, Hyundai, Live Nation, Verizon, and AT&T.

 

[Securb]

the death of rock & roll.

I think a lot of you confuse the death of classic rock or the death of rock "you like" with the death of guitar music and rock. There is plenty of new rock and guitar music out there. Some of you choose not to seek it out or do not like it in comparison to what you have become accustomed to when you find it. For you, yes hair bands are dead and they are not coming back anytime soon.

 

[JMP/HBE]

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OLD GIBSON TARGETED MARKET.

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NEW GIBSON TARGETED MARKET.

 

[Aceman]

I think a lot of you confuse the death of classic rock or the death of rock "you like" with the death of guitar music and rock. There is plenty of new rock and guitar music out there. Some of you choose not to seek it out or do not like it in comparison to what you have become accustomed to when you find it. For you, yes hair bands are dead and they are not coming back anytime soon.

Good point. But it ain't making Les Paul standard money unless it is in Nashville.

 

[GuitarStv]

I bet they can coast on their legacy for the next 20 years and be just fine, though- no actual new products, just reissues and 'boomer bursts'.

So a continuation of the only winning strategy they've taken for the past 40 years?

 

[GuitarStv]

The downside is she also comes from Verizon, and AT&T. Users might have to pay a monthly subscription to play their guitars, if you do not the PCB board will shut down and lock you out.

Hell, I'd take that challenge. It wouldn't be too hard to cut out the electronics and replace them with something better. That's what I usually do with a new guitar anyway.

 

[Mincer]

So a continuation of the only winning strategy they've taken for the past 40 years?

When every other decision was a bad one, that's all that's left.

 

[NegativeEase]

Well some good news -I played some brand new ES 345 and ES 335 in NYC store this week -Damn Spectacular guitars.

Bad News -every guitar was 3k to 5k.

The ES 339 was kinda of gross though

 

[zionstrat]

I bet they can coast on their legacy for the next 20 years and be just fine, though- no actual new products, just reissues and 'boomer bursts'.

Mincer, I'm afraid you're right but I hope that you're wrong

"In theory, this should be "We build the best guitars in the world. Unfortunately, competency-wise, they don't"
Ace, yes, and it's still not clear if they understand this which is befuddling. They had a good excuse with Henry.. he wasn't a guitarist.

And JMP, you win the award for funniest post... I've got to find that monkey online.

 

[Aceman]

The ES 339 was kinda of gross though

Epiphone for the win there.

 

[Mincer]

Epiphone for the win there.

Indeed, the Epi version is great.
I think Gibson is going for the market where 5k is really no big deal. They won't ever see a stage, and it looks great in a glass case on the wall.

 

[Aceman]

Indeed, the Epi version is great.
I think Gibson is going for the market where 5k is really no big deal. They won't ever see a stage, and it looks great in a glass case on the wall.

I don't know that the shareholders will like that, and in the end, it kills the brand. That's like buying a Harley, and putting it in the garage under a clear tarp. How many people will really do that?

Not enough to keep the factory open.

Only a small percent perform, but at least play the thing!

 

[JMP/HBE]

If this is the new guy the Gibson company is doomed.
He barely speaks english seems like he's never even been in a wood shop before.

.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Come on, he doesn't barely speak English. He just has an accent.

His background is more corporate, though, you're right. I guess his selling point is he was in a band, LOL. But aren't we all?

 

[solspirit]

"Barely speaks english" my ass, I've had a harder time understanding people from georgia, Alabama, New Hamshire, Wisconsin &, Minnesōōda.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

"Barely speaks english" my ass, I've had a harder time understanding people from georgia, Alabama, New Hamshire, Wisconsin &, Minnesōōda.

And "fuggedaboutit".

Some people are really sensitive to that. I remember I've read forum posts from people that don't listen to certain bands because the singer sings with an accent.

I mean...

 

[zionstrat]

Yeah I saw this differently.. he understood wood moisture, sourcing, aging and his accent is perfectly understandable.

It seems like the managers were around him prepared to step in if necessary- but he seemed to know what he was doing.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Gibson is always on the brink of collapse, TBH.

90% of what's holding it together is what they did like 70 years ago.

Cool guitars. I love mine. But even I admit 60% of what I like about mine is the romantic notion of having a Les Paul because that's what's been behind like 60% of the tones that I like.