New Gibson CEO

[zionstrat]

Gibson has named Cesar Gueikian, Gibson’s brand president, as president and interim chief executive officer, effective immediately.

I was really immersed in Gibson back during the bankruptcy and wished they had made major changes while all the pieces were laying on the floor. I'd be very interested in your thoughts as to current changes and how they might help or hurt Gibson in the future.

https://www.gearnews.com/cesar-gueikian-is-the-new-gibson-ceo/

 

[Chris Pile]

So what happened to the guy who ran Levi's into the ground?

 

[Mincer]

Well, this new guy really digs the brand, I'll say that. Let's see if he can run a company.

 

[Securb]

It has to be a challenging position to fill. Finding someone with great business knowledge and guitar manufacturing know-how is like looking for a unicorn. If you get the guy that leans heavily on the business side, he might make decisions that alienate your buyer base. The guy with more music/guitar experience might not be the most substantial business-minded candidate. I imagine the board tries to find someone who balances those skills.

 

[GuitarStv]

Can't be worse than the last guy - that dude seemed like quite a twat.

 

[playas]

Is it that time of year again already?

 

[NegativeEase]

So what happened to the guy who ran Levi's into the ground?

The Hatchetman usually doesn't last long term is my guess. He came in to right the ship -although I guess it's debatable how successful he was -but I think the general consensus is he made Gibson better than the 2010s

 

[Securb]

The Hatchetman usually doesn't last long term is my guess. He came in to right the ship -although I guess it's debatable how successful he was -but I think the general consensus is he made Gibson better than the 2010s

He did. The problem is the entire guitar category is increasing in sales. People are buying more guitars. While Gibson's profits increased, Fender, Taylor, and PRS had banner years. It is my guess he is being compared to his peer companies, and the Board of Directors at Gibson are not happy being behind these other companies with their revenue numbers. It is not apples to apples because I would guess Gibson's gross sales are more considerable than PRS, but Gibson is 4th or 5th in YOY net increase in sales. That is enough to get you fired in a competitive business.

 

[JMP/HBE]

um well $300 guitars are now $1200 guitars.
And $2500 LP's are now $4500 LP's.
If pricing people out of existence was the goal than mission accomplished.
What goes up must come down.

 

[NegativeEase]

[IMG2=JSON]
um well $300 guitars are now $1200 guitars.
And $2500 LP's are now $4500 LP's.
If pricing people out of existence was the goal than mission accomplished.
What goes up must come down.

The problem for Gibson is the people who buy Gibsons are dying and the next generations don't care about Gibson to the same degree

-Same problem Harley Davidson has.

 

[JMP/HBE]

The problem for Gibson is the people who buy Gibsons are dying and the next generations don't care about Gibson to the same degree

-Same problem Harley Davidson has.

Zack-ta-mundo >
Gibdo is out to rape the Boomers finacially while they lay dying.

 

[Securb]

The problem for Gibson is the people who buy Gibsons are dying and the next generations don't care about Gibson to the same degree

That is what they said in 1963 and then Keef appeared
Then they said it again in 1970 and Jimmy Page appeared
Then again in 1985 and Slash appeared
Gibson was dead again in the 90's and Zakk came on the scene ...

.

 

[NegativeEase]

That is what they said in 1963 and then Keef appeared
Then they said it again in 1970 and Jimmy Page appeared
Then again in 1985 and Slash appeared
Gibson was dead again in the 90's and Zakk came on the scene ...

.

Yeah, super fair point -but that is the problem that is real RIGHT NOW for the Gib CEO until that happens

and unlike all these other eras -Rock is not the dominant musical interest or commercial force of the last 2 generations.

Those guys you list were played with house money right? .

Whose the Gibson DJ who will arise and save the day? :32:

 

[Securb]

Whose the Gibson DJ who will arise and save the day? :32:

More people are buying and playing guitars. The category is hot thanks to Taylor Swift, Ed Sheridan, and all of the new country music. Metal is still alive and well, and despite what you might hear around here there is plenty of guitar-orientated music being made. Taylor is credited for the boom in acoustic guitar sales maybe seeing she plays a Gibson Les Paul she will be the next one to grab the Gibson baton.

 

[JMP/HBE]

That is what they said in 1963 and then Keef appeared
Then they said it again in 1970 and Jimmy Page appeared
Then again in 1985 and Slash appeared
Gibson was dead again in the 90's and Zakk came on the scene ...

.

I lived all those era's and thats not what was said" at all.
Making sh*t up yo.
Um Slash is on record stating he was THE ONLY ONE PLAYING LES PAULS IN DA 80'S but he was also on a steady diet of Smack * Vodka.

 

[GuitarStv]

I lived all those era's and thats not what was said" at all.
Making sh*t up yo.
Um Slash is on record stating he was THE ONLY ONE PLAYING LES PAULS IN DA 80'S but he was also on a steady diet of Smack * Vodka.

Slash is also most famous for playing a Gibson knock-off in GnR.

 

[NegativeEase]

Taylor is credited for the boom in acoustic guitar sales maybe seeing she plays a Gibson Les Paul she will be the next one to grab the Gibson baton.

haha please make this so.

 

[Securb]

Slash is also most famous for playing a Gibson knock-off in GnR.

.

.

 

[zionstrat]

Considering this guy's background, I'm hoping for something good.

But if you consider how well Fender has targeted products for females and how many medium and high end manufacturers make competitive products for less money, I don't get the feeling that they are much better off than before the bankruptcy.

Of course they gave away lots of product that they had never been able to manage (most of my students enjoy the free version of Cakewalk) so their operational costs should be lower.

But what I'm waiting to see is positioning that explains what they can do best to give the end user the greatest value (and that doesn't have to be low cost by any stretch of the imagination).

If anyone can do it, it this should be this guy. If they don't have that message in the near future, I'm afraid that they will continue milking the brand and losing market and mindshare.

 

[Aceman]

I gotta say - Mexican Fenders are getting priced ridiculously lately...