Gibson 2014: pure BS marketing drivel

Tom Wittrock · Jan 4, 2014

Texas Blues said:
Therapy is for pussy's.
Alcohol is recommended heavily.

Alcohol is a type of therapy [and not a very good one]. :ganz
Therefore ... Alcohol is for pussys. :hee

tdarian · Jan 4, 2014

TW59 said:
Alcohol is a type of therapy [and not a very good one]. :ganz
Therefore ... Alcohol is for pussys. :hee

c_wester · Jan 4, 2014

tdarian said:

Hehehe that's funny :hee :hee

sillytele · Jan 4, 2014

They also might want to show a guy playing a recognizable guitar chord too. He looks like an Apple store employee that is good at Guitar Hero.

Cogswell · Jan 4, 2014

lol- good point. So they've got some inked-up gauged rocker dude on there who is using an awkward grip that could only make sense if he was Barney Kessel, MAYBE

J T · Jan 5, 2014

Hey this rocker is looks cool

sillytele · Jan 5, 2014

J T said:
Hey this rocker is looks cool

All of this shows that:
1. Gibson uses models that CANNOT play the guitar.
2. Gibson use photographers that CANNOT play the guitar.
3.Gibson uses an ad agency that does not know the first thing about what playing a guitar means.
4. Gibson has an ad department that approves this crap, so the ad department does not know the first thing about playing a guitar.
5. Gibson is run by one man that does not CARE about what it means to play A GIBSON, fer crying out loud.

There, I got it off my chest. I love the Custom Shop guys and gals but this new PR stuff sucks. I would love to have the chance to correct these faux paux. Dang.

stock_hippie · Jan 5, 2014

"I drink 3 pints of Guinness before a recording session."

Smolder · Jan 5, 2014

J T said:
Hey this rocker is looks cool

She must be checking the resonance of the guitar unplugged.

latestarter · Jan 5, 2014

MikeSlub said:
I think the move to frets over binding really sucks. First of all, nibs are classic Gibson. The nibs were a major thing that differentiated Gibbys from the Chinese copies. This was clearly just a cost saving move. Me no likey. :hank

+1 also. Hard to believe really.

yeti · Jan 5, 2014

J T said:
Hey this rocker is looks cool

That guitar color don't go with those pants. That's all I've got to say about that.

eace2

Victory Pete · Jan 5, 2014

I was a bit surprised in a way to see all the posers with tattoos on Gibsons site. It seems Gibson is selling out to the typical commercialism that is directed toward the entitled teeny bopper generation. I don't think Gibson can be trusted anymore. I have a nice stash of Gibson's and don't think I will be adding any more Gibsons from now on. Gibson has become a joke I am sorry to say, Henry should be ashamed of himself.

sillytele · Jan 5, 2014

Gibson is playing a new tune. In the key of E#sus4+6+7.
Truly as complicated as everything else they are trying to do.:frank:
I can't believe they are going after the non-working, non-job market with disposable product and concepts. I think they are actually trying to make guitars the Chinese WON'T copy:ganz

Pat Boyack · Jan 6, 2014

sillytele said:
Gibson is playing a new tune. In the key of E#sus4+6+7.

But the dude has tats. In Austin that will get you a 4pm gig at Emo's any Sunday of the year.....

guitarjb44 · Jan 6, 2014

6950whead said:
I'm not understanding the criticism here. Are you saying that Gibson cryogenically treating frets means they're NOT using stainless steel? What would they be using?

Certainly, treating any steel cryogenically does in fact increase its long term durability.

What am I missing?

I see your point, and I agree with you.

What I am pointing out is: it doesn't say anywhere that the frets are made of steel (stainless, or otherwise)- it just says they are cryogenically treated.

Therefore, I assume they are using regular nickel silver fretwire that has been cryogenically treated- otherwise it would clearly state they are stainless steel AND cryogenically treated.

If my assumption is correct, I am quite sure there is no way to treat standard nickel/silver fretwire to render it harder (more durable and long-lasting) than steel. I might be wrong...if so, someone please correct me.

guitarjb44 · Jan 6, 2014

6950whead said:
Ah! I see.

Well...that's quite a stretch in my opinion. If Gibson is cryogenically treating their frets for the first time, they are indeed the longest lasting they've ever used. That's a reasonable point to market and in no way "drivel". Just my opinion.

6950whead said:
Whatever the type of metal used, cryogenically treating that metal will increase its durability.

I still don't understand the OP's criticism. Is he saying they should use stainless steel instead of cryogenically treating their current alloy? I don't understand why he is criticizing the cryogenic treatment of frets. How is that "pure BS marketing drivel"?

I just noticed these additional posts above.

I am not denying the benefits of cryogenic treatment- that's not the point.

However...it IS "pure BS marketing drivel" because the web site doesn't say they are the longest lasting frets Gibson has ever used- it states: "Cryogenically treated frets are the longest lasting frets ever made". Most guitar players I know of are well aware of the existence of stainless steel frets, and the fact that they will last almost forever if using any of the commonly available modern/standard strings. I am under the assumption that the frets are cryogenicaly treated nickel silver fretwire, since they don't state otherwise.

Again, someone please correct me if I am wrong. I am not anti-Gibson, but I am "anti-bullshit". Among others, I own and love Gibson, Fender, PRS, .etc...

6950whead · Jan 6, 2014

guitarjb44 said:
I just noticed these additional posts above.

I am not denying the benefits of cryogenic treatment- that's not the point.

However...it IS "pure BS marketing drivel" because the web site doesn't say they are the longest lasting frets Gibson has ever used- it states: "Cryogenically treated frets are the longest lasting frets ever made". Most guitar players I know of are well aware of the existence of stainless steel frets, and the fact that they will last almost forever if using any of the commonly available modern/standard strings. I am under the assumption that the frets are cryogenicaly treated nickel silver fretwire, since they don't state otherwise.

Again, someone please correct me if I am wrong. I am not anti-Gibson, but I am "anti-bullshit". Among others, I own and love Gibson, Fender, PRS, .etc...

There definitely is some BS going on, whether they meant "ever made" or "ever made by Gibson". I get they're trying to put the most positive light on their products and to come up with key selling points that are perceived as unique, but I agree with you that they've seemed to ignore their more informed customers in favor of hyperbole and those that might equate tattoos with talent...and that's just sad.

Personally, I think you can do both. Nothing wrong with putting a positive spin on one's products and using images the appeal to the broadest swath of targeted customers, but I believe you can do so without counterdicting previous marketing claims or overstating the value of features. Models with the look you're going for can be instructed how to hold your product and not look silly attempting to use it, it just takes a little effort.

Anyway, you're right...a lot of BS. My questions on the frets were really an attempt to understand the material and processes being used. So thanks for helping me understand it. Gibson sure isn't going to enlighten me!

I applied to Gibson's Marketing Department some time ago but never got a call back. Too bad as I ASSURE you I would have never supported such a piss poor campaign.

mistersnappy · Jan 6, 2014

sillytele said:
I think they are actually trying to make guitars the Chinese WON'T copy:ganz

Haha! That picture hurts to look at with that "fingering". I could care less about the tattoos because how many singing cowboys do you see these days? But jeez, can you imagine Ted approving something like that? Compare that with the ACTUAL musicians in the old "Galaxie of Stars" ads.

lanman · Jan 6, 2014

That is truly pathetic. What an insult to the fans of the Brand. Ironically my son (16), who I raised on Gibson products, told me a couple of weeks ago how he felt that Gibson was pandering to the "pretenders" out there in our mindless pop-culture. He reminded me of my speeches warning of blind loyalty in other areas of life. Touche' son.

Victory Pete · Jan 6, 2014

lanman said:
That is truly pathetic. What an insult to the fans of the Brand. Ironically my son (16), who I raised on Gibson products, told me a couple of weeks ago how he felt that Gibson was pandering to the "pretenders" out there in our mindless pop-culture. He reminded me of my speeches warning of blind loyalty in other areas of life. Touche' son.

You have a son to be proud of!

Gibson 2014: pure BS marketing drivel

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