[S Sill (Scott Sill)]

I would love to see some more provocative comments and questions from the Gibson management. I know that they are preparing for Winter NAMM and they must be working on some great things. I see this forum as a large focus group because you wouldn't be here unless you play and love Gibson guitars. I would love to see some specific questions to the folks here to get their opinions. I know that things need to be held secret, but I would think there are little things that they could ask us and get our feedback on.

Just a thought:

Scott Sill

[J Alexander (1963 guitar maker)]

Scott,

Lets get the ball rolling then.
What would you like to see Gibson re-introduce and or what new products would you like to see potentially produced in the near future?
We are currently working on some new product in the designer series and hope to have them released within the next 8 to 10 weeks.

Thanks,
Johnny

[P Petiniot (Blues4U)]

Johnny,



I would love to see the SG X and SG I's come back--Gloss, not worn finish- Actually, you make a white SG X with a bound fret board and I am in--Maybe a wrap around bridge rather than a T.O.M.



The flat top Single cut specials were really nice guitars in gloss as well.

The Gibson double cut spirits were nice, as were the USA epiphone spirits--

A spirit with P-90's would be great--

[P Petiniot (Blues4U)]

I am all for a formal focus group--I would actively participate in such a group--it can be done in private, since it would be people throwing around ideas and giving frank, and blunt opinions at times--

[K Bolas (lespaul1963)]

1) Gibson tube amp, Class A-A/B selectable, two channel, foot-switchable, effects loop, 30 to 50 watts in the $1300-$1500 range, street (slightly less for a head-only version).
2) Gibson or Epiphone Moderne re-issue.
3) LP Double Cut-away.
4) SG with a Floyd Rose bridge.
5) 5-string Robot technology bass guitar.
6) Gibson Bass Amp using a Class D, switching power amp topography and a tube preamp.

[S Sill (Scott Sill)]

1) I would love to see Gibson bring back the super Goldtone amps again. Those are secret little gems that are hard to find these days. Gibson amps are awesome and I would love to see this company support their own amps a little more.
2) I loved back in the 90s there were so many different styles and varieties of the Les Paul. There were Deluxe, Standard, Studio, Custom, Deluxe Plus, etc. I have a poster that has about 8 different models offered. I don't really see that anymore, and would love to see that rather than a "Artist" model every week.
3) A personal favorite of mine was the Les Paul Florentine (the one with the F Holes cut in). I would love to see that back.
4) A 24 Fret LP double Cut Away is needed.
5) I would love to see Gibson create a made to order program for those of us who want to pick out each and every detail for their guitar. I hate to hear how a musician buys a guitar and then immediately goes and Mods it. Would it be nice to let the customer choose their: finish, pickups, tuners, tremolo or no tremolo, size of neck, knobs, pickguard or no pickguard, etc. Those are simple mods that don't require someone to break out a new machine to make something that hasn't been made in years. Just a thought, and it should be relatively affordable too. It should be close to the price of what it would cost the user to do this on their own once they purchase the guitar.

Some of my thoughts off the top of my head.

6) Bring back more guitars with the 60s slim neck.

[D Bighorn (LesPaulNut)]

How about DECENT guitars to DECENT guitar shops as opposed to the horrible Supermarket stores Staffed by idiots who think that they are in a Waynes World movie?

Apart from that, another Run of the U2... to give the Ibanez a run for their money...

Norlin era guitars, pancake bodies.... Save you a few quid...

What about 70's SG with block fret markers on ebony boards..

[D Bighorn (LesPaulNut)]

How about DECENT guitars to DECENT guitar shops as opposed to the horrible Supermarket stores Staffed by idiots who think that they are in a Waynes World movie?

Apart from that, another Run of the U2... to give the Ibanez a run for their money...

Norlin era guitars, pancake bodies.... Save you a few quid...

What about 70's SG with block fret markers on ebony boards..

[R Willard (Rybass)]

-Bring back the guitar of the month and do short runs of some classics like the Moderne, RD, Blueshawk, Firebird I and VII, SG-X, etc. They may not sell enough for regular production but a 400+ run at affordable prices may open a few doors for full production in the future. You guys have tons of cool designs and I would assume you still have the tooling around.

-Diversify the color options for non-custom shop guitars. More Pelham, inverness green, cardinal red, goldtops, tv yellow, etc. I want an SG 61 but cherry just isn't in my tastes. Once again these could be short affordable guitar of the month runs.

-SG juniors and SG style melody makers.

-Bring the price of the Melody Makers back down. These were good Gibson branded instruments for the youguns to get in on when they were more affordable but it seems they are a bit out of reach now. They were also great for modders at their $300ish price point. I know, I know Epis are aimed here but still you guys perpetuated the branding; having one very affordable line withe the legendary name would be cool as an introduction for younger players.

-Bring the prices of Juniors down. You can buy a Les Paul studio vintage mahogany cheaper than a junior. Doesn't make sense to me. $500ish seems like a more comfortable spot but you guys know the cost and margins. Just $839 seems damn high for a satin finish, single pup guitar.

-Custom shop guitars with actual custom wound pickups. It would be cool to see these come with pups that aren't available on regular run guitars.

-I like the idea of the build your own guitar. Pick: style, finish, hardware, pups and such. Limit the parameters to keep cost down. It would give the feel of having your own individualized guitar in a sea of same ol same ol's.

[. . (Tightpants)]

P Petiniot (Blues4U), on 17 September 2010 - 06:17 AM, said:

Johnny,



I would love to see the SG X and SG I's come back--Gloss, not worn finish- Actually, you make a white SG X with a bound fret board and I am in--Maybe a wrap around bridge rather than a T.O.M.

Boy, a big plus one to that one. I'd be all over an SG-X in Pelham Blue myself.

I would REALLY like to see a USA double cut Junior, as well. Rybass' suggestion of a Firebird 1 would very much please me as well.

I would also love to see an expansion of the Melody Maker line, and bringing some of the price points would be very nice, if unlikely.

[R Willard (Rybass)]

J Method (Captain Tightpants), on 23 September 2010 - 03:09 AM, said:

I would also love to see an expansion of the Melody Maker line, and bringing some of the price points would be very nice, if unlikely.

Melody maker basses? Short scale, satin finish, bare bones bass. That would be cool.

[. . (Tightpants)]

R Willard (Rybass), on 23 September 2010 - 06:48 AM, said:

Melody maker basses? Short scale, satin finish, bare bones bass. That would be cool.

Love it!!!

[J Alexander (1963 guitar maker)]

R Willard (Rybass), on 23 September 2010 - 07:48 AM, said:

Melody maker basses? Short scale, satin finish, bare bones bass. That would be cool.

Not a bad suggestion, I like it.
Thanks for your input,
Johnny Alexander

[P Petiniot (Blues4U)]

You make a short scale bass in the melody make price point--I'd buy it in a minute--My young son wants a bass--He will need a short scale for sure--

Make the p-90 melody make again as well--

I'm still waiting on an sg x or I with a bound fret board--

[K Bolas (lespaul1963)]

How about an SG Faded Five string bass or something along those lines that doesn't weigh a ton on my shoulder ?

[m dailey (milod)]

I dunno... This may sound silly, but...

I'm convinced that 30 percent of complaints about Gibbies - Epis or anything else for that matter - new in the box are a result of transportation/climate, etc. Another 30 percent is from retail store mistreatment and lack of post-transport setup.

Perhaps 20 percent is a combination of some other factor resulting in a legitimate short or long-term problem with product - or somebody who wouldn't be happy if they were hanged with a new rope.

The last 20 percent of some "reviews" I've seen on all kinds of guitar has resulted from new and/or younger players who seem almost to me to have an expectation that the guitar will be so perfect it almost plays itself. When the complaint is about strings on a new guitar I don't know whether to laugh or just shake my head.

So... I wonder if a "guitar 101" might not be a good idea to be plastered anywhere and everywhere possible, from web stores to Gibson web site... whereever it might be seen. You don't even need a CD - just a web address: "YOU MUST READ THIS."

What is setup. What about strings. How do different strings affect setup. How do you tune your guitar after a setup. What do you do if a tuning machine seems loose or...

A video that can be downloaded in, let's say five or six segments and is specifically oriented to a beginner and/or the beginner's parents. I got something similar on a CD, but it seemed more like a "general first guitar lesson" rather than "okay, you just unwrapped your new guitar of any brand - what should you expect."

Heck, no experienced player expects to use "factory" strings, do they? But oddly that seems to be a major complaint from web pages like Musicians Friend. The kid/family looking for a beginner guitar at any price point is in the same boat. I even wonder if some "bad pot" complaints aren't because they're turned down or off.

I dunno. Those who don't read have no advantage over those who can't - but I wonder if some "so you're interested in a new Gibson/Epi" set of vids and or web pages might not at least allow a disclaimer of "hey, we put factory strings on so the neck doesn't bend during transportation." Or <grin> "You can expect to need a setup in the U.K. because of climate differences compared to central North America affecting the wood."

It could also have a "Okay, while you're putting on your new 'low' E string, here's the tone you're looking for. Then...."

m

[C Thaeler (fly7hotel)]

Now THAT is a GREAT idea.

Perhaps one for Acoustics and one for electrics? Good opportunity to showcase factory folks too.

NGD Electric: FedEX to First Song

NGD Acoustic; Music Store to First Note

[r ferrell (raven999)]

An ACTUAL set up at the factory. And I mean the whole 10 yards, intonation, action, relief, fret edges dressed better,pups adjusted for height, hardware (TUNERS!) securely tightened, . STRAP BUTTONS! GOOD ONES! And no more plastic jack plates,

A lot of these things are personal to taste, but some aren't, and most beginners, and some not so beginners have no idea that simple adjustments to these areas can make all the difference in tone, and playability. This would be great information to put into a DVD, or pamphlet that would come with each guitar new at purchase.

I had a real issue with the fret edges, when I cut my hand on several, I don't mind bleeding for my music, but I don't think anyone else would agree with me.

More Bigsby's more translucent finishes for the Studios, how about a few more mini-humbucker models? bring back the Voodoo line, how a bout some diversity in the fret markers-split diamonds, parallels, non-weight releived, chambered bodies, I'm a guy, I can take it! (make it an option/ additional line??)

[M Weaver (Awfers)]

Hmmm.. a Les Paul Standard in Root Beer finish

[A Holt (Progressive Luddite)]

J Alexander (1963 guitar maker), on 16 September 2010 - 09:26 PM, said:

Scott,

Lets get the ball rolling then.
What would you like to see Gibson re-introduce and or what new products would you like to see potentially produced in the near future?
We are currently working on some new product in the designer series and hope to have them released within the next 8 to 10 weeks.

Thanks,
Johnny

Advance the design of the guitar just like Les did back in the day. Electrify a guitar? Insane!
Let's see advanced materials. Carbon fiber!
Entirely new ways to read strings. Maybe something that senses the whole string, not just a window of it.
Built in bays that you can pop your favorite effects in and out of in seconds.
Carbon strings that last for months!
Keep reissuing stuff all you want, however, if Gibson doesn't do something to innovate, someone else will!