I cannot believe the hogwash...

[Whitestrat]

I think when you're running a business, there are things you just DO NOT DO.

Here's is an example.

This is a Jimi Hendrix "Authentic" Guitar... Looks cool right?

Except for one thing. It's made by Gibson...
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-when-is-a-strat-not-a-strat-220867?cpn=RSS&source=MRNEWS

I'm flabbergasted... Just don't know what to say...

Do you?

 

[seekz]

Maybe thats where the Malaysian Tourism Minister get the inspiration!

 

[Ized]

Total blasphemy.

I'm sure Hendrix would flip in his grave if he saw this.

What were the Gibson dudes thinking?

 

[hardcore]

R.I.P Les Paul.

 

[Dime]

What a lame thing to do.Shame on you Gibson.

 

[vernplum]

While I don't like the guitar, agree that this is hogwash etc. etc. from a business perspective it's quite smart. Don't forget, to them, it's all about the money. Team up with the Hendrix family estate, get the rights, and see if they can't rebrand themselves as the manufacturer that Hendrix preferred - doing a little history rewriting in the process. Don't forget there are billions of young guitarists out there who won't have a clue about brands such as Fender or Gibson, much less know that Jimi played an upside down Fender Strat who may gravitate towards this if the marketing is canny enough.

Of course, there's the counter argument that this will damage Gibson's long term reputation with those in the know, but since when have they cared about that?

 

[Ized]

this will damage Gibson's long term reputation with those in the know, but since when have they cared about that?

Ever since they let their products QC control drop...

 

[Whitestrat]

Maybe thats where the Malaysian Tourism Minister get the inspiration!

Hahahaha!!! good one!

 

[seekz]

Actually aside from the headstock shape and the brand.

If its "authentic" enough, or if they can show us that they
can make better strats than Fender, I might just overlook
the crazy claims.

But of cos, I would expect nothing short of a perfect copy
of one of Hendrix's guitars, if not... Yeah, its still hogwash.

 

[Breen]

See what I've been saying about Gibson since '02?

Shite. RIP LP. Sorry Bonnamassa.

 

[vernplum]

Ever since they let their products QC control drop...

Precisely.

 

[Whitestrat]

from a business perspective it's quite smart. Don't forget, to them, it's all about the money. Team up with the Hendrix family estate, get the rights, and see if they can't rebrand themselves as the manufacturer that Hendrix preferred - doing a little history rewriting in the process. Don't forget there are billions of young guitarists out there who won't have a clue about brands such as Fender or Gibson, much less know that Jimi played an upside down Fender Strat who may gravitate towards this if the marketing is canny enough.

You forget, many younger budding guitarists who don't know about Fender and Gibson yet probably haven't heard of Jimi Hendrix either. He's not exactly pop culture these days... Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers is probably more accessible. Slash is the new Guitar Hero reborn. John Mayer too. and they're all playing the real stuff. (ok, lets ignore Slash's Derrig for now ya?)

I wouldn't label this one as a smart business move, as it does damage the brand equity. No one who knows about this would buy one.

However, this, true enough, isn't for those who know. It's a starter pack guitar, made by Gibson (maybe in the Epi factory?) for beginners. This does sound like a good way to capture that young audience doesn't it? At a glance, yes. But don't forget, these guys are going to go to guitar teachers or friends who know more, and will discover they're being lead the wrong way by a reputable maker. This is the age of the Internet. A quick google on Jimi Hendrix will show you pics with a Fender.

Imagine a 9 year old learning on this thing, then getting laughed at by his friend's brother who DOES play a bit of Hendrix and owns a Fender. Kids are vicious animals until they get older, and get laid. But for the time being, they'll tear that poor 9 year old apart. It'll be humiliating.

You know what'll happen? That kid will either live through it and continue playing (I hope) or more likely, they'll stop playing or buy another guitar, and might not even pick up a Gibson ever.

What remains to be seen, is whether that "JH" guitar bears the Gibson name. Which I don't think it is.

 

[vernplum]

I think the scenario you paint is equally valid and probably just as valid as one in which this pays off nicely for them. When you're doing business, particularly (and I presume there is some marketing science behind this at Gibson HQ) trying something that is controversial, you're taking a bit of a gamble; it could go either way. I think they would have spent a lot more time weighing up how this will benefit them in the long run than you or I have and taken a calculated risk and as tasteless as I personally find it, I for one think it's very clever in their ongoing joust with Fender - only time will tell.

I wouldn't label this one as a smart business move, as it does damage the brand equity. No one who knows about this would buy one.

Would it stop you from buying a Les Paul though? (assuming you have no current aversion to Gibson products)

 

[vernplum]

No one who knows about this would buy one.

Are you sure about this?

 

[MutantBanana]

Shame on the Hendrix Estate.
Shame on Gibson.
Come one Leo, do something.

Gibson probably waited for Mr Les Paul (RIP) to RIP before doing this kind of stunt. They certainly have no imagination, no respect, no shame.
The least they could have done was a Hendrix SG but no, they did a Strat shape the right way up with a reversed headstock and strange purple lettering... This must be a sign of the times.

PS. Wasn't there a thread recently about smashing guitars?

 

[Vaiyen]

Don't forget there are billions of young guitarists out there who won't have a clue about brands such as Fender or Gibson...

Are you sure? wow...i can't believe that.

 

[Ized]

It would be funny to see Fender doing the same thing to Gibson in return :lol:

Actually its no big deal actually. Ibanez was doing it when they first started out and I guess the main reason why Gibson is getting flak is because they are already such a big and established company to begin with. Sueing the crap out of PRS for imitating their les paul and then doing this is just ironic to the extent of say, pot calling kettle black?

 

[rock-fied]

I cant wait for a Fender Les Paul, everyone get ready for lawsuit claims!..

P.S. Have they actually worked out a deal with Fender? Seeing how blatant a copy this is..

 

[DeathCubeK]

That's the ugliest looking strat I've ever seen.

 

[Whitestrat]

and I presume there is some marketing science behind this at Gibson HQ

Looking at all the cheap shots they've been taking over the years, I'm not entirely sure they're exactly as smart. not in the sense that they've not done well, but that I think they could be much much more if they just concentrated on making their guitars great. The Robot and Darkfire and new LP Standards to me were a general step in the right direction. That's something I can tell that's being done with some thinking. But I'm not sure about their PR and marketing efforts.

Like I said, I don't think the JH starter guitar comes with the Gibson name, and they proably did try to cash in on this as a hit-and-run tactic. I just don't see this having any long term benefits, but I do see it having long term damages.

Would it stop you from buying a Les Paul though? (assuming you have no current aversion to Gibson products)

Very valid question, and I'm actually glad you asked.

Honestly, I've got mixed feelings about it. I've always wanted a Les Paul. Not because of the brand itself, but because of my guitar heroes. Having owned clones in the past, i've realised nothing can substitute my GAS except a Gibson.

Yet, I've also always known they were underhanded at their marketing tactics. and I STILL bought a Gibson over the last 2 years because the guitar was good (surprisingly GOOD), and the price was right (much thanks to Swee Lee!). But do I feel like buying one more? I'm not sure. I probably would, if I found another equally well built version of my LP. Or I could wait for the new Derrig clone from Gibson. hahaha...

But at the same time, I also feel disgusted in supporting a company that shows so little ethics.

Let me put it this way. It's almost like workers unions. They're pro-busienss (supposedly), but not always pro management.

So, I'm in a sense pro-Gibson products for the brand, but not pro Gibson management. Alas, they can't be separated unless someone buys out the company and bothers to look into these things. I just hope that after Henry retires, the new management would have different ways of marketing.