[J Ulch (DetroitBlues)]

A couple other members on the forum besides me have suggested some ideas for new products that went into production. After all, Gibson is using our ideas to create fresh ideas on new runs of their guitars to help make them money. Unfortunately, it feels like Gibson is using us for a free R&D department. Would it hurt Gibson to reward us for coming up with some ideas they are using? Maybe a T-shirt or some other kind of gift pack? I understand they may not send us the guitar we helped come up with, but man, its it really that much to ask to spend a few dollars on their fans? I put in a good word for Cleartone Strings once only because I really like the strings. I use them on all my acoustics. I wasn't looking for credit. Know what Cleartone did when they read my post? Sent me six packs of strings. Wow, awesome. Rewarded for being positive about a company. So what do you say Henry and Co., think you can toss us some bones for helping out your bottom line? Anyone else agree?

[D Thompson (rockstar232007)]

I wouldn't hold your breath.

[J Tee (jeffwith1f)]

+1 send me a T-shirt
I'll be a willing walking billboard for your company.

black with just the logo would do. no need for the word "fan".
;-)

or don't. whatevs.

[J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK)]

I'm sure with attitudes like that, you guys will get lots of stuff..

[D Thompson (rockstar232007)]

J Tee (jeffwith1f), on 17 December 2010 - 10:56 PM, said:

+1 send me a T-shirt
I'll be a willing walking billboard for your company.

black with just the logo would do. no need for the word "fan".
;-)

or don't. whatevs.

How many of these people do you think got free stuff for being "walking billboards"?
http://www.gibson.co...ures/gibsonink/

[T Carlson (Todd C)]

It has to be difficult from a financial perspective to give away lots of stuff.

But I can see how a free t-shirt or hat added onto the purchase of a new guitar --- any new guitar --- could really be seen as a positive thing for a consumer.

I'd love to have a company where customers would buy my shirts, hat, etc --- essentially paying ME --- to walk around with my logo/brand name on it. Having a customer pay you to advertise your company would be a great thing.

[S Sanchez (trekhead)]

I agree!!! Sending someone a hat or a t-shirt when they register their guitar would be really nice

[J Ulch (DetroitBlues)]

Not many ideas have been used, but the ideas that have come up should be rewarded in some way.

[M Ryan (Malikon)]

yeah I've noticed some of the suggestions/ideas I first saw on this board I'm starting to see in their production line. I guess we were the research group.

They got what they wanted I suppose. The board is clearly dying down and slowing down, Henry hasn't been around for seemingly months anyway.

I suppose it served it's purpose. It is interesting though what suggestions were taken and what ones were completely ignored.

[J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH)]

M Ryan (Malikon), on 21 December 2010 - 03:39 PM, said:

yeah I've noticed some of the suggestions/ideas I first saw on this board I'm starting to see in their production line. I guess we were the research group.

They got what they wanted I suppose. The board is clearly dying down and slowing down, Henry hasn't been around for seemingly months anyway.

I suppose it served it's purpose. It is interesting though what suggestions were taken and what ones were completely ignored.

What are we seeing in production which can be credited to here ?

[J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK)]

I would like to personally take responsibility for the 50th anniversary Reissue Les Paul. I once thought of that and they read my mind.

[M Ryan (Malikon)]

J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH), on 21 December 2010 - 06:41 PM, said:

What are we seeing in production which can be credited to here ?

different colored Epi wilshires, Epi 60's LP's with switchcraft switch, better pups, long tenon, coa and case and all around $900. (all things I recommended to Jim Epi and still have the posts and emails of), the swirl finish that someone here said would look great on a guitar after seeing the flood pics, the supposed new run of 50's tributes which we were told over and over again would NOT happen, but people kept asking for it and after the FirebirdX blew up suddenly Big G hopes to appease the masses by saying they'll do another run of the 50's tribute.

So yeah, I've seen ideas thrown out here that months later seem to have been taken.

It's not a big deal, but it does seem that quite a few ideas were lifted straight off this board.

It's interesting because on one hand they obviously do listen, but then on other topics they're completely deaf.

[J Ulch (DetroitBlues)]

J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH), on 21 December 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:

What are we seeing in production which can be credited to here ?

How about the Firebird X new finish to represent the swirl paint from the Gibson Shop Floor after the flood. I brought that idea up in September, I believe the 1st of September. I came up with that idea right after I saw the pictures of the flood posted on the Gibson website. You can go back and check my posts.

[r akers (wrick)]

Well I could never understand why Gibson or any other instrument maker wouldnt throw in a hat or T-shirt with a purchase.The band I am in throws 5 into the crowd every gig and charge $5 bucks,the cost of the shirt,no profit.Why? free advertisement,and why would a Big maker not want to do that? As for ideas on this forum and anywhere on the web,without a patent,its fair game.Due think a little something should be granted,it shows a little class if the idea was thought up outside the R&D team.Seems to me,showing of a T-shirt as a trophy after a purchase would only help sales of the instrument,than the petty cash made off a shirt.Hey what do I know,just a old,guitar buying idiot.Maybe we are doing it wrong,where your guitar around in public and use the shirt on stage.Hmm

[J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH)]

J Ulch (DetroitBlues), on 23 December 2010 - 10:54 AM, said:

How about the Firebird X new finish to represent the swirl paint from the Gibson Shop Floor after the flood. I brought that idea up in September, I believe the 1st of September. I came up with that idea right after I saw the pictures of the flood posted on the Gibson website. You can go back and check my posts.

The firebird X didnt debult till Oct.28,2010 to the world

[D Thompson (rockstar232007)]

J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH), on 23 December 2010 - 10:44 PM, said:

The firebird X didnt debult till Oct.28,2010 to the world

He wasn't talking about the FTX. He was talking about having the "flood finish" being an option on regular-run guitars (LPs, SGs, etc).

As for the FTX? Even if it were made from solid gold, it'd still be one of the ugliest "guitars" I've ever seen.

[J Ulch (DetroitBlues)]

J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH), on 23 December 2010 - 10:44 PM, said:

The firebird X didnt debult till Oct.28,2010 to the world

The change in the finish. The original finish when introduced had nothing to do with the flood. The new promoted finish was an idea I had. Please read carefully.

[L B. Setz (Lewis B)]

J Ulch (DetroitBlues), on 16 December 2010 - 12:15 PM, said:

A couple other members on the forum besides me have suggested some ideas for new products that went into production. After all, Gibson is using our ideas to create fresh ideas on new runs of their guitars to help make them money. Unfortunately, it feels like Gibson is using us for a free R&D department. Would it hurt Gibson to reward us for coming up with some ideas they are using? Maybe a T-shirt or some other kind of gift pack? I understand they may not send us the guitar we helped come up with, but man, its it really that much to ask to spend a few dollars on their fans? I put in a good word for Cleartone Strings once only because I really like the strings. I use them on all my acoustics. I wasn't looking for credit. Know what Cleartone did when they read my post? Sent me six packs of strings. Wow, awesome. Rewarded for being positive about a company. So what do you say Henry and Co., think you can toss us some bones for helping out your bottom line? Anyone else agree?

I think you're asking for too much. That's would be less money for H.J. pocket.

[I Stoddard (Low-B 5-String)]

J Luekemeyer (ACELUEK), on 17 December 2010 - 10:30 PM, said:

I'm sure with attitudes like that, you guys will get lots of stuff..

Not only that, but can the poster prove that they were first with the idea? Could one of the cleanup crew have mentioned it? Could a tourist have mentioned it?

Swag isn't free. Someone had to pay to have it made. When it's used to generate advertising/good will, someone has to decide how it's accounted for.
That's true whether you're a multi-million-dollar company or a garage band. It's a debit from your business plan.

I've seen folks get the best results by keeping the emails private, rather than posts, being extremely polite, and being extremely patient.
I have yet to see anyone earn swag by being confrontational or borderline-rude. YMMV.

[J Hall (Jonny Rocker)]

J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH), on 21 December 2010 - 06:41 PM, said:

What are we seeing in production which can be credited to here ?

I have a suggestion.

How about you idiots make something in left hand other than the SG, LP Studio, and LP std?

Oh, that's right, Guitar Center doesn't want to stock them and Centre City Music has been shut down.

That's ok, I got so fed up with you Gibson guys, that I will probably never purchase another new Gibson. FYI, I have purchased over 10 Gibson guitars since 1998. Consider me a lost customer.