Gibson vs Nik Huber Guitars?

[Greg G]

Saw this on FB:

Announcement for our US customers.

Due to circumstances related to a US company and their trademark on a traditional singlecut body shape, we will unfortunately no longer be offering our Orca, Orca ’59 and Krautster II models in the US. This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, and we know that it will be a disappointment to some of you. My team and I are genuinely sorry for that disappointment.

All of our other models will continue to be available as normal in the US through our amazing dealers, including the Krautster III and Dolphin ’59 models. As you've most likely noticed, focusing more on our Dolphin-shape models has been a long-term goal for us for some time now, and so hopefully this change isn't too disappointing.

We’ve already made our network of US dealers aware of this change, and they’re ready to help you as always with questions about our models and with placing orders. We really do work with the very best dealers, and you can always trust them to keep you right. I owe a massive thank-you to them for continuing to be amazing partners, as well as for their support on this matter.

 

[RobB]

This post begs the question: Will Gibson go after PRS again? Stay tuned!

[Tortious]

Great, just when I'm looking at a nice one, thinking nah, not now.

Guess I should re-think that. Grrr. 🤬

[Steve Haynie]

We better get our Guild, Gretsch, and ESP/Ltd single cut guitars while the dragon is still digesting its recent kill.

[tbonesullivan]

Apparently Gibson's recent "wins" in trademark court and litigation have emboldened them to try this BS again, even though only an idiot would confuse a Gibson Les Paul and a Huber at the point of sale, which is exactly what they got Gibson's "expert" to admit on the stand during the PRS trial. Gibson is probably assuming that Huber won't fight it due to the money involved.

[BoogieMKIIA]

There are a few at Willcutt Guitars… if you’ve got the jack

[kizanski]

6 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

Apparently Gibson's recent "wins" in trademark court and litigation have emboldened them to try this BS again, even though only an idiot would confuse a Gibson Les Paul and a Huber at the point of sale, which is exactly what they got Gibson's "expert" to admit on the stand during the PRS trial. Gibson is probably assuming that Huber won't fight it due to the money involved.

And their assumption is correct. Classic, effective bully tactic. 

I don't think the question is whether anyone would "confuse" a Huber, PRS, or any other guitar with a Gibson.
I think it's more a question of, if I want to spend (for argument's sake) $6,000 on a single cut, would I be more apt to choose a Huber, due to their superior craftsmanship and wood choices, or with the good old Les Paul?
If I have choices, Gibson will lose some of those head-to-head competitions.
If those choices are removed...

They can't sue to remove your choice, so they claim design copyright infringement. 

[Steve Haynie]

7 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

...only an idiot would confuse a Gibson Les Paul and a Huber at the point of sale, which is exactly what they got Gibson's "expert" to admit on the stand during the PRS trial.

So, Gibson realizes its market is mostly idiots. 

[bry4321]

Announcement for our US customers.

Due to circumstances related to a US company and their trademark on a traditional singlecut body shape, we will unfortunately no longer be offering our Orca, Orca ’59 and Krautster II models in the US. This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, and we know that it will be a disappointment to some of you. My team and I are genuinely sorry for that disappointment.

All of our other models will continue to be available as normal in the US through our amazing dealers, including the Krautster III and Dolphin ’59 models. As you've most likely noticed, focusing more on our Dolphin-shape models has been a long-term goal for us for some time now, and so hopefully this change isn't too disappointing.

We’ve already made our network of US dealers aware of this change, and they’re ready to help you as always with questions about our models and with placing orders. We really do work with the very best dealers, and you can always trust them to keep you right. I owe a massive thank-you to them for continuing to be amazing partners, as well as for their support on this matter.

[django49]

I have had a lot of Gibsons over the past 50+ years. Some great, some so-so. Enjoyed them. When I got my first Huber, I started on a path of cutting all of the Gibsons loose. Sometimes, it is a matter of what "fits" YOU as much as what is "better". FWIW, I DO prefer the Dolphin to the Orca.....

I DO prefer my 3 remaining Orcas (one a very direct "59" variance, the other somewhat exotic takes) over any of my former "real" Les Pauls. But my memory may be hazy.....

I wonder if they have the desire to relitigate with PRS, which has deeper pockets and some history. In the meantime, there are a number of smalls they could go after that make moderate to high end versions......Eggle, Hartung, Collings. Bartlett, Gustavvson, Fibenare, Ruokangas, Corsa. Shoot, what if they went after Heritage(?) 😉

What next? ES-335 copies?

[cynic]

If I'm in the market for an Orca or a Krautster II, I can't imagine coming up short and thinking a Gibson is good enough.

Huber produces so few guitars this isn't even about the numbers.  Gibson doesn't want anyone to see what real quality looks like.

[Dutchman]

My Hamers are better than the Gibsons I've owned.(with different pickups) I would imagine it's a no challenge with Hubers. I can't afford one, never even seen one or played a Huber. I have been thru enough Les Paul's to know I prefer a Hamer Artist.

[scottcald]

I guess if you can't impress them head to head with the competition, then try to remove the competition. 

I've said it before, but I think the new management etc. really only improved the marketing.  

Anderton's has a tour of the factory with Jim DeCola and to me that's the perfect time to say, "Hey what are doing about continuing QC problems?"

DeCola did say they've let him implement some "improvements" but no detail on that.  The implication was that Henry and possibly even JC didn't let him do the mystery work. 

[Disturber]

20 hours ago, kizanski said:

I think it's more a question of, if I want to spend (for argument's sake) $6,000 on a single cut, would I be more apt to choose a Huber, due to their superior craftsmanship and wood choices, or with the good old Les Paul?

If you are willing to put up 6K for a new Huber Orca or Krauster you can probably afford to fly over to Germany and pick it up yourself.

[kizanski]

20 minutes ago, Disturber said:

If you are willing to put up 6K for a new Huber Orca or Krauster you can probably afford to fly over to Germany and pick it up yourself.

The only ones I've seen in that price range are the used ones.  Here the new ones go for stupid(er) money.  

[hamerhead]

19 hours ago, django49 said:

...Sometimes, it is a matter of what "fits" YOU as much as what is "better"....

I've always lusted after those Hubers. Gorgeous, all of them. And I always thought that if Mike built a Les Paul clone it would be the best guitar on the planet. But even though my Shishkov and Hamers are better guitars in nearly every way, #1 is still the old LPC that I got when I was 18 years old.

It's wore and dinged up. It's been refretted a couple times and PLEK'd (Thanks, Jay!). It's got Josh's pickups and my own tailpiece and bridge 'locks'. It's a concrete pig that wears me out every time it's on the strap. And after 44 years, it's just about where I want it.

It just 'fits'. And that's better.

Gibson needs to focus on improving their guitars, plain and simple. If they made a better product, the rest would work itself out. And the lawsuits could - finally - stop.

[cornjulio]

4 hours ago, hamerhead said:

I've always lusted after those Hubers. Gorgeous, all of them. And I always thought that if Mike built a Les Paul clone it would be the best guitar on the planet. But even though my Shishkov and Hamers are better guitars in nearly every way, #1 is still the old LPC that I got when I was 18 years old.

It's wore and dinged up. It's been refretted a couple times and PLEK'd (Thanks, Jay!). It's got Josh's pickups and my own tailpiece and bridge 'locks'. It's a concrete pig that wears me out every time it's on the strap. And after 44 years, it's just about where I want it.

It just 'fits'. And that's better.

Gibson needs to focus on improving their guitars, plain and simple. If they made a better product, the rest would work itself out. And the lawsuits could - finally - stop.

I hear ya! Got my black LP Standard in 1992 (it‘s a 1992 model) when I had just turned 18. Whenever I play it it‘s like coming home because I know the guitar so well. Then I have Mike‘s V80 which is awesome, but different and my new Krautster, II that the Hubers customised a little for me (my inlays, ebony neck, matching headstock) which is unbelievable in terms of comfort, weight, materials (the flamed maple neck), versatility. Excellent quality control too and like Mike, people you can actually talk to, which is fun. I wish them all the best and everyone with an open mind in the single-cut sector should give a Huber a try. I play more guitar/s these days because I just love the moment of opening the case and getting them out, the Huber and the Shishkov in particular!