Latest Gibson 'Back To Basics' 2019 Model Lineup Article On Reverb

[crunchee]

https://reverb.com/news/gibson-back-to-basics-2019-model-lineup-released

[Montelovesco]

Maybe I missed something, but theres nothing here that turns me on...

[Hamer_SS_guy]

I thought the 2018 Firebird Elite looked nice. But they haven't produced anything in recent years that caused GAS on me. Do they still produce in Memphis? I thought they had that property for sale. I don't expect something from them that might get my interest, as I am not into their traditional, historically correct stuff.

[Thundersteel]

I noticed most, if not all, of the 2019s now have low profile frets. I don't know why they switched from medium-jumbo. 

[cynic]

All the acoustic bridges are upside down 🙃

[Tortious]

The low fret thing is rather baffling. Was there some well-hidden yet massive clamoring for these that I totally missed? Very facepalm-inducing.

Things I noticed about the LP Std - still with the asymmetric neck. Not a big fan of that.

Locking Grovers. Ok I guess, seems kinda wrong though.

Aluminum bridge and tailpiece. That's cool, not sure if that's new or just recent.

Makes me wonder if some of this was already Henry's ideas in place before the BK, maybe they were only able to reign him in a little since then.

Overall, not drooling over anything that seems like a must have.

 

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars.aspx?ModelYear=2019

[tbonesullivan]

Hmmm.. they went back to the batwing pickguard for the SG Standard. Interesting.

Looks like they are already clearing out the 2018 models. Sweetwater only has the 2018 models in left handed versions at present.

[RobB]

I dunno...I like the look/appointments of the LP Classics. If the four, push/pull pots actually produce good sounds, hey, why not?

BTW, I got it on pretty good authority that Henry J was offered a $12,000,000 golden parachute, but he passed on that (!) and signed on as a consultant for $1,000,000 until his replacement is announced. Curious, no?

[tommy p]

Reserving comment until we see what the quality is like and the prices.  If a LP is $5,000-$10,000 they will continue to circle the drain.

[Jakeboy]

I like the cardinal red Firebird simply cause I dig the body shape, but with bird pups in my Artist, I have that base covered to my satisfaction.

[tbonesullivan]

They are up on Sweetwater and Musiciansfriend already, with prices.

[DaveL]

Cardinal red firebird is cool.   Explorers back to rosewood.    Once they start getting discounted they should be more reasonable.    Would like to see some blowout pricing on the 2018 les Paul classics with the p-90s.

[Disturber]

The new Les Paul Classics looks nice. ABR bridge, "Model" on the head stock, Grovers (for some stupid reason) - that is a bit weird but better than robot tuners, paf type pickups, push/pull pots with ugly knobs.

The Traditional looks the nicest.

The Standard, 1K more expensive than the Classic, comes in two colours only: baby turd green and clowns are funny blue. Both looks terrible. And with Grovers(?!).

 

No Historics for 2019?? Have they stopped the custom shop production, no more Historics?

[Willie G. Moseley]

My initial reaction is not effervescent but this lineup seems like a step in the right direction for the company.

I think I mighta heard some months ago that about half of the Custom Shop personnel were laid off/dismissed. Somebody else might need to confirm that on accounta I don't wanna be responsible for perpetuating what is, as of now, a rumor.

[Tortious]

On 9/1/2018 at 8:47 PM, Tortious said:

Makes me wonder if some of this was already Henry's ideas in place before the BK, maybe they were only able to reign him in a little since then.

Saw a thread on TGP , someone found all of these (and a few more) on Amazon back in May. So I wondered correctly.

And then there's this: http://msretailer.com/juszkiewicz-step-ceo-gibson-emerge-bankruptcy-october/

Looks like they will emerge from bankruptcy next month and apparently Henry no mas for real-ish. Sort of. I still want to hear about him boxing up his shit and being escorted out by security.
 

Quote

 

The plan specifically states:

• Agreements by the Gibson, Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Notes, and the Supporting Principals Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman with respect to adjustments to the Restructuring Support Agreement to facilitate improved recoveries for unsecured creditors under the amended plan.
• Commitments by GSO Capital Partners LP (GSO), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Philips) and the Committee to support confirmation of the amended plan.
• Suspension of discovery and litigation over the plan and certain asserted claims.
• Settlement of threatened litigation against GSO, the Supporting Principals and others.
• Agreed allowance and plan treatment for GSO’s and Philips’ claims against Gibson.

“As the future owners of Gibson Brands, we are pleased that the business has performed well throughout the restructuring,” said Jamie Baird of PJT Partners, speaking at the request of the Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Notes. “With an anticipated exit from bankruptcy less than one month away, Gibson is poised for growth on strong consumer demand, significant available liquidity and a debt free balance sheet at emergence. We look forward to working with the company’s customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and other partners as Gibson gets back to its roots and its next chapter begins.”

Commenting on his transition from CEO to a consultant, Juszkiewicz said, “I have been honored to lead such a dynamic company in an industry near and dear to my heart. I am excited about a great future for Gibson and its loyal employees, customers and partners.”

 

I have doubts about his sincerity. 🙃

[Jeff R]

Stab in the dark but worth mentioning ... bulk fret wire is sold in giant coils, and by weight. Jumbo frets are bigger, heavier and they cost more $$$ in bulk. If you're making about 300 US guitars daily for your global markets, times 225-250 production days a year, it would surely add up. I don't know how much a smaller fret wire would save annually, but they are in bankruptcy and trying to show restructuring and reorganization, plus trying to show a trimming of fat in all reporting areas. That is a production point where you can cut production cost without compromising a raw material's quality or performance on paper. Again, just an observation.

[crunchee]

2 minutes ago, Jeff R said:

Stab in the dark but worth mentioning ... bulk fret wire is sold in giant coils, and by weight. Jumbo frets are bigger, heavier and they cost more $$$ in bulk. If you're making about 300 US guitars daily for your global markets, times 225-250 production days a year, it would surely add up. I don't know how much a smaller fret wire would save annually, but they are in bankruptcy and trying to show restructuring and reorganization, plus trying to show a trimming of fat in all reporting areas. That is a production point where you can cut production cost without compromising a raw material's quality or performance on paper. Again, just an observation.

I'd bet they're nickle-and-diming everything like their jobs depended on it.  Because it might.  It'd probably be a lousy place for getting office supplies right now, though.

[MCChris]

25 minutes ago, Jeff R said:

Stab in the dark but worth mentioning ... bulk fret wire is sold in giant coils, and by weight. Jumbo frets are bigger, heavier and they cost more $$$ in bulk. If you're making about 300 US guitars daily for your global markets, times 225-250 production days a year, it would surely add up. I don't know how much a smaller fret wire would save annually, but they are in bankruptcy and trying to show restructuring and reorganization, plus trying to show a trimming of fat in all reporting areas. That is a production point where you can cut production cost without compromising a raw material's quality or performance on paper. Again, just an observation.

Also, hipsters don't shred, they plink around on cowboy chords and other rudimentary stuff that doesn't lend itself to jumbo frets. Win-win.

[Steve Haynie]

Why use four screws when three will do? 

Jol told us that when some Gibson people visited Hamer they kept pointing out that certain jobs could be cut by minutes, which is important when creating bulk products. 

If the difference in fret wire size can save fifty cents on every guitar out the door, that pays the cost of at least one employee. 

[DaveX]

On 9/16/2018 at 3:05 PM, Jeff R said:

Stab in the dark but worth mentioning ... bulk fret wire is sold in giant coils, and by weight. Jumbo frets are bigger, heavier and they cost more $$$ in bulk. If you're making about 300 US guitars daily for your global markets, times 225-250 production days a year, it would surely add up. I don't know how much a smaller fret wire would save annually, but they are in bankruptcy and trying to show restructuring and reorganization, plus trying to show a trimming of fat in all reporting areas. That is a production point where you can cut production cost without compromising a raw material's quality or performance on paper. Again, just an observation.

This is exactly the type of Bean-Counter cost cutting that nearly ruined Gibson (and Fender) at the end of the first so-called 'Golden Era' of guitar making, back in the mid to late sixties when ECL (later Norlin) took Gibson over and CBS bought Fender. Both of these big conglomerates thought only about extracting more profit out of the (guitar) businesses (about which they hadn't a clue) by shaving a few cents off the cost of important components and in the process eventually destroying the quality and reputation of the Brands, which in turn jump-started the Japanese 'invasion' (Tokai, Ibanez etc.), the 'Vintage Guitar' market and eventually led to the start of the custom shop 'boutique' builders of which our beloved HAMER was the first!! I hope that the new owners of Gibson do not forget this important historical lesson!!

[Tortious]

Bam.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/02/gibson-guitar-bankruptcy-exit/

 

Quote

 

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has officially approved Gibson’s plans for reorganization.  Attorneys representing various parties in this case alerted Digital Music News to the development late Tuesday (October 2nd).

The court’s ratification represents the last major step prior to exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.  That leaves a few formalities, and Gibson’s bankruptcy case is expected to close in early November.

 

 

This version says Henry no mas, but does not say when.  https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/gibson-bankruptcy-plan-formally-approved

I still want to hear about him boxing up his shit and having to GTFO.

[tommy p]

13 hours ago, Tortious said:

Bam.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/10/02/gibson-guitar-bankruptcy-exit/

This version says Henry no mas, but does not say when.  https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/gibson-bankruptcy-plan-formally-approved

I still want to hear about him boxing up his shit and having to GTFO.

I came here to post an update too.  When I saw this thread bumped to the top, I knew you had beat me to it.  It's a short article, but if you don't want to read it this was the important part:

Gibson’s C-level leadership has largely been eviscerated, with CEO Henry Juszkiewicz losing most of his ownership share and all of his authority within the company.

Ahead of Tuesday’s court approval, Gibson also replaced its CFO — perhaps for obvious reasons.

[Camstone]

[tbonesullivan]

Ugh... AMS has more of those Pelham Blue exclusive SG standards.