battle of the les pauls: Rally vs Gibson

[guitarsan]

That mad man might not be as mad as many think. Personally, I think the Firebird X was a mistake.

However, if you step back and observe, the Les Paul is the ONE key product in Gibson that is holding the fort. In corporate-speak, that product distribution mix is a problem. Meaning, if people one day wake up and think that Les Pauls are no longer the "IT" thing, the company will go down faster than a ton of bricks.

So, in long term strategy thinking, relying soley on one product line is very dangerous for the longevity of the company. I applaud the Firebird X's philosophy, just not the execution. I just think Henry J needs better designers.

And a better events agency.

Gibson (and also Fender) is somehow a victim of its own successful history. Many guitarists (conservative bunch they are) only want Gibson guitars with specs/design from the 50's and 60's. Anything "revolutionary" or modern is frowned upon. At present moment, Gibson is marketing the "nostalgia factor" aggressively, because baby-boomers are still around and the current generations are buying.

However, for future generations, there lies a big question. Will people then still accept traditional design of yesteryear? What will happen if something or someone drastically changes their taste? I believe the Firebird X (and also Robots, Dusk Tiger, etc) is Gibson's attempt to break away from its own historical and nostalgic stigma....which is a blessing at present but maybe a curse in the future.

Well, either all the above OR....it's just simply Henry J's big ego and a team of executives which have neither direction or clue of what they're doing!

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

LPs will still sell alright. Although admittedly, they could take a book out of PRS/Duesenberg/Ibanez in terms of finishing. Gibson has a very limited range of nice finishes...
I don't mind having a guitar that tunes itself accurately and stays in tune, but that's about all the technology i guess i'll need.
And i'm against the chambering, too. Keep the slab of mahogany please.
They could make Gibson more modern by, maybe... making it cheaper? That's a start.

And Fender... Well at least they have a piece of the Superstrat pie! But there needs to be more Fender brand Superstrats imo. Same shape but prehaps more aggresive pickups? The Blacktop is a start but it could do much better.

 

[Ized]

I quite like the blacktops actually....I think Fender is doing a better job than Gibson in the design department.

Am gassing for a Fender Blacktop Tele!

 

[dodgethis]

The Blacktops are absolutely brilliant. Well priced and something that people will want. Always wanted a dual humbucker Tele but the only route was either a digusting large Strat headstock Custom or to partscaster one. Now Fender has given me a good affordable option. Only thing is, fixed Strat Bridge. Can't have it all, can I?

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

dodgethis: so you want a Tele bridge or a floyd?

I'm thinking a floyd would look rad on those...
Heehee, i like the Blacktops too... Although they should move on to the more aggresive styles/pickps to cater to a larger market. I'm not part of that market though. Hahah.

 

[dodgethis]

Tele bridge, duh. I'm not into Floyds. Dumping a Floyd into a Tele body is pointless IMHO because it takes out so much wood. If I wanted a Floyd, I'd get a proper guitar with one ie, 24 frets and neck through (read: Horizon) .

I believe Fender does not really bother with the high output, low budget market because there are already so many brands on the market that are well established in that market segment. Heck, they even pulled out of that market by taking out the Showmaster line. Fenders perfectly happy building and selling the products it has now and diversifying too much would only serve to dilute their focus.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

That's easier... You can order a Tele bridge and slap it on, minimal drilling required.

 

[Ized]

In my honest opinion, Fender is doing really well. They know where their niche lies and they are not afraid to capitalize on it. They've also relaunched some new, solid product lines over the last few years. For instance, the current American Standard is lauded by many as one of Fender's best updates, quality and price wise. I know that for a fact cos I'm enjoying mine.

 

[dodgethis]

That's easier... You can order a Tele bridge and slap it on, minimal drilling required.

I wish.

Based on Warmoth's hardware section, the Strat fixed bridge uses three large screws to hold the bridge down while the humbucker Tele bridge uses four. To make matters worse, the string hole are further apart on the Strat bridge compared to the Tele bridge.

 

[Jumpin'Jellybean]

Ah. That's much harder then. I know the Tele pickup was slightly smaller but i always assumed the string spacing was the same. My mistake.
Maybe a custom part from Warmoth/USACG?
Warmoth does have a Strat hardtail for Tele spacing... but can't find it vice versa.