[H Juszkiewicz (HenryJ)]

We already have over 100 members from all over the world. There are fantastic posts and great questions.

I am trying to figure out how to be very responsive and make this part of my daily work flow. It will take a little time to get it working offering, access to Gibson management and making it fun and interesting.

I am committed to making this an excellent experience for you.

Thanks for working with me and taking the time -- Henry

[S Englund (ksdaddy)]

This could be one of the biggest cans of worms you've ever opened.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I believe in the geometry lesson that says the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so you will be getting your info from the end users. We are vocal and opinionated.

[R Sage (AXE®)]

I concur on the potential "can" situation.

The heckling from the crowd may become get tiresome.

Anyway it's a very cool gesture Henry. I wish you well.

[A Sinanan (gibsonlespaul1319)]

R Sage (AXE®), on 15 July 2010 - 07:01 AM, said:

I concur on the potential "can" situation.

The heckling from the crowd may become get tiresome.

Anyway it's a very cool gesture Henry. I wish you well.

The amount of people who join to complain about Robot Guitars (for those who dislike them)or other features that they don't like across the product line may far outweigh the people who join who has an actual useful comment.

But it is cool to see Gibson reaching out to the customers!!!

[H Juszkiewicz (HenryJ)]

I am pretty open to honest opinion and criticism. I am hoping that we get a balanced community with many different points of view, both positive and critical.

Hearing what is on peoples minds will allow us to do a better job at meeting our fans needs.

The forum also allows me to explain my perspective to add to the dialogue.

Together we can make this a great forum. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[S Angell (i am wet)]

Good luck and I will try to help out when i can!

[P Petiniot (Blues4U)]

Henry,

Thank you for creating this site. I see the potential for both customers and The Gibson management team to learn from one another as well as make us feel like we have some sort of voice as to the product line and the direction of the company.

As for constructive criticism, well, the person giving it must also be receptive to the fact that they could be wrong as well. I have always been of the mindset that I will accept criticism when the person putting forth the complaint has a viable solution or idea as to how to go about changing the problem.

A person saying "This guitar stinks-I hate it" means nothing unless the person actually explains what they do not like and why they do not like it as well as gives a reasonably well thought out response as to how the product can be made better, more usable, better looking ect..-

I applaud you and the Gibson team for laying it all out there-It takes some guts and a commitment to your customers and brand name imo--

[m dailey (milod)]

No question it's a great idea.

Mr. J, I know exactly what you mean about having to figure out how much time to spend on it. When small biz computers started to become common one of my biggest problems as a sometime "consultant" (long story - it was a different life) was convincing people not to use them all the time when it might be fun and informative, but wouldn't help their business.

Best of luck. You took Gibbie from near death. If some folks complain, it's because their belief in the brand is near an expectation of "perfection," and that's a darned difficult standard. Done well, this forum could become a neat PR and education tool in the best sense of the term.

m

[D Garden (Davie Bluesman)]

It doesn't matter which forum you're in or moderating, there are always people registering who will be pro the forum topics or anti the forum topics. It wouldn't be worth running if everyone had the same thoughts and feelings. What is inspiring about this forum is that it has been started by Gibson themselves with a view to gaining input from it's customers so hopefully in the future there will have been some inovative ideas from Gibson players that will have been taken on board by Gibson and implemented into the Instruments we all love.

[R Braun (RLB61)]

Henry:

I would like to express to you my appreciation for creating this forum. It is a wonderful idea, and I believe it will be rewarding to Gibson as well as its customers. I think most of us here love the brand and its history. I recently came back to playing after several years away from it, and the first thing I did was purchase a Les Paul. I look forward to purchasing additional Gibsons and hope that my comments, as well as those of others, may assist the company in continuing to produce a high quality product.

Regards,


Randy

[R Reed (HRC)]

I think this forum was a GREAT idea on Gibsons part and I would like to say thank you for giving us the opportunity to participate.

[S Berrian (The_Sentry)]

Well, Mr. J...I think it's awesome that this forum is here. I guess if there's anything that can be taken with a grain of salt, it's this:

What you're going to find out is that by and large, the amount of topics that are posted will not be infinite in terms of content. (Not be belittle anyone, but there's only so many things that can be said about a guitar or an accessory). Usually you'll see a topic, you'll get some general feedback, and then at that point it's sort of like being on one of those phone calls where everything was said but whatever it was that you were talkin' bout...the points are sort of repeated a few times. You'll see this with a lot of general responses as well, or the topic will dive off into something else as people shift the coversation or they start posting about something else that might kinda/sorta be related to the topic. I'll admit that a lot of topics tend to run on and get repetitive at times. (It's not per se intentional...it's just a case of where something's floated out there, and someone will want to defend their statements or their opinions.)

It's still cool to give a big metaphorical plate for people to toss their 2 cents in. Personally speaking, I know I tend to get repetitive at times...(What can I say here? Welcome to internet posting!)

Seriously though...I think it's a good thing you're here. I don't know how hands on you'll be if the place continues to grow, and I don't know how anyone could expect you to personally respond to every topic. I figure as long as someone read whatever needed to be read I'd be more than satisfied with that as a consumer.

Thanks again for having this place!

[D Sawyer (Dan)]

A lot of folks out there, including myself, are glad that you took the chance to talk with Gibson customers directly. Although opinions may differ between people from time to time, I think some of the fundimental issues and important topics will get some much-deserved attention from both the makers and the users of these products. I think it's a great move and I thank you for your openess with us.

Dan