Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[Coachmoe]

I have wondered this myself --- so good question! I have to believe it was originally a conscious choice aimed at eliminating any potential sharp edges. But now it's something I'm going to push back on and question. Thanks for the prompt!

Mat, thanks for the update. I called Gibson yesterday to check my serial number. It appears that sometime in 2019 Gibson went back to the First / Fifth digits designating the year as well as the second, third and fourth digits show day / date the guitar was made. Hope you can get the pickguard issue changed. Thanks again!

 

[Pat Boyack]

Hi Mat! So glad you are doing this. I work at an independent store in Addison, Tx. We carry the full line of Gibson products. Seeing the new Standard line was a great thing and we have stocked and sold many. Having Tom M back at it was also an exciting element. We have gotten many of those as well and they are kick ass!!

I admire your decision to come here and engage. Reading this thread has been a good source for the daily questions I recieve from customers. Thanks again!!

 

[matkoehler]

Hi Mat! So glad you are doing this. I work at an independent store in Addison, Tx. We carry the full line of Gibson products. Seeing the new Standard line was a great thing and we have stocked and sold many. Having Tom M back at it was also an exciting element. We have gotten many of those as well and they are kick ass!!

I admire your decision to come here and engage. Reading this thread has been a good source for the daily questions I recieve from customers. Thanks again!!

Thank you very much for all your support!

 

[luizhmax]

Hi Matt, I'd like to know if all Custom Shop guitar are currently coming stock with Luxe Radio "bumblebee" caps or if that was only a special run for the 2019 60th Anniversary LP guitars?

 

[jonspace]

This is in reference to an earlier comment here. Here is a new R4 from Sweetwater with the lower logo stance. I passed on this one because it was too heavy. I’m hoping for a lighter one to arrive soon. I’ve had one of these on pre order since March. The color looks nicer too with less green than what I’ve been seeing the last two years. Any other changes on these we can look forward to? Any insights on which dealers will be getting some lighter weight R4s? I even tried pursuing the M2M route but Gibson didn’t respond to the dealers with pricing and eta info.

 

[Dmcguitar]

Hi Matt, does m2m allow for adding an axcess neck heel to any reissue? For instance could I order a gold top with dark back and an axcess neck joint, or a 68 custom (would binding be able to be on the back and end at the heel, like esp has done with some of their eclipse models?)

Also are customers able pick the tops anymore, I know some dealers used to have actual woods to pick from, is it possible to see a few choices?

Would it be possible to order a satin neck with the normal VOS finish on the rest of the guitar?

Thanks.

 

[Wambemando]

Thank you for participating! That's funny...I have never heard these rumors so I'm not sure I understand fully. But I can attest 2017 was a weird year, and also the first year I was able to influence some specs like the neck profiles. It all started with a dramatic decree from HJ: "no more Historic Reissues." He felt that the factory which was supposed to be a Custom Shop should not be making old monochromatic guitars and instead be more of a true Custom Shop with fun and exiting colorful runs of instruments. We were ordered to release at least one new and exciting limited run *every week* from then-on, and he didn't want them looking like Historic Reissues. But the kicker was we had already produced the first several batches of what were to be the 2017 Historics, so now we had to find a way to introduce them as limited runs without calling out the year reissued. That explains the odd product and color names. It was crazy and I could write a book on that year alone. BUT the good news was that the Custom Shop team stepped up bigtime and we were able to do more new products in one year than other manufacturers would introduce in a decade. It was a total group effort and everyone really bonded as a result. Really a proud time. I didn't love everything that was introduced or the circumstances we were put in, but there are definitely a few things that we never would have done otherwise. The limited runs lasted into 2018 but by that time we were able to go back to making Historic Reissues. For 2019, we had the whole Custom Shop product plan pretty much established ahead of the regime change, so ahead of NAMM the new leadership blessed it and the 2019 NAMM show was another proud time because of the fact that we were able to start in one place, turn everything on its head, then turn back around doing all new and improved Historic Reissue stuff. Truly the wildest years of my professional life.

I own a "repurposed" CC29, aka 1958 Historic Standard, purchased at Wildwood in early 2018.
I was told by the employee that the guitar was originally built as a Collector's Choice #29. Upon further research, I discovered the mark where the stamp was removed from the center of the control cavity. There is also a sanded area where the shoddily-stamped/written "R8" was overlaid. With the aid of a flashlight (known as "the flashlight trick", I was able to make out the original serial number on the back of the headstock between the D and G tuners and some of the CC stamp at the tip of the headstock (which was sanded down, restamped, and refinished). You can easily discern where the finish was reapplied.
Aside from these "discoveries", it was obvious just from the overall look and appointments that this was intended to be a CC29. After joining these forums I sought out fellow owners and compared notes, and also got into contact with a former CS employee (who 100% verified this story). I believe there were approximately 75 aged and VOS models that were repurposed and sold as Limited Run "Historic Standards" through CME, WW, and Sam Ash. The only things that were altered were the stamps, COA, and pickups (underwound '57 Classics for Custombuckers).

 

[madrivermoco]

Heard about that! I've been researching him for some time and I've seen three different spellings...even his obituary is different from his granddaughter's claim but I have no reason to doubt that it is what she says it is!

I am responsible for 'leaking' the below photo where you can see Punty playing the Futura at a show circa 1960...knobs and switch clearly visible. Not really sure if I was allowed to share but it was in the interest of truth! Also confirmed that both the neck and body are Korina. And btw, IMO there was only ONE Futura made. All the others are fakes.

View attachment 15949

Just to keep y’all updated. I had NOTHING to do with this. But I am sharing it. And I am imploring everyone who reads this to vote early and often!

The Get Punty a Signature Model Petition

 

[goldtop0]

Hi Mat, could I put in a request for a return of the 'Cali Girl' case.........for LPs
I'd buy one if they're done again.

 

[mjross]

Hi Mat, could I put in a request for a return of the 'Cali Girl' case.........for LPs
I'd buy one if you they're done again.

Can someone please explain exactly what the ‘Cali Girl‘ case is. I thought I knew but I’m not sure! I’ve googled and everything else and there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what the ‘CAli Girl’ case actually is. I thought the cases you get with the Reissues were ‘Cali Girl’ cases!

 

[Pat Boyack]

Can someone please explain exactly what the ‘Cali Girl‘ case is. I thought I knew but I’m not sure! I’ve googled and everything else and there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what the ‘CAli Girl’ case actually is. I thought the cases you get with the Reissues were ‘Cali Girl’ cases!

Brown on the outside. Pink on the inside.

 

[mjross]

Pat, thanks for the response but I’m still a little confused! I think the case also has to have the right configuration on the inside and the right brass plate on the outside. The new Reissue cases are the brown on the outside and pink on the inside and have the brass plate but I had someone tell me that it was not a Cali Girl case. Hmmm…..

I have several Reissues and there are 2 different brown with pink cases. One has the small brass “Gibson“ plate on the outside and the other has a plate the says ”Gibson Custom”. They have a different neck rest system. One has only one neck rest and the other has 2. There’s also a slight difference in color, inside and out.

From what I can tell, based on web research, the case with 1 neck rest and the brass plate that just says “Gibson” may be a “Cali Girl” case as it resembles an old 59 case I’m aware of, but I really don’t know. Might really matter when trying to sell a Reissue with a “Cali Girl” case. Probably better just to say Reissue case to be safe. Just wanted to have a better understanding so I’m not “blind sided” again!

 

[markguitar]

Lift on “Cali Girl” case

 

[mjross]

Lift on “Cali Girl” caseView attachment 16109View attachment 16110

Thanks Mark, now I got it! Totally different than what I thought. Not like the current Reissue cases at all. I guess the person that told me I did not have a ‘Cali Girl’ case was right!

 

[Coachmoe]

Mat,

Greetings!

Wondering if you can give me some help concerning Firebird headstocks, specifically, the carved ledge version.

I am under the assumption, based on everything I've ever read, that the carved ledge is exactly that: a carved ledge into the headstock. I am including an image that I found that supports my claim.

Recently, I have seen posts from people in Facebook Firebird groups, that the carved ledge is actually an overlay, some say it's holly, some say that it is a carbon fiber or resin overlay.

I know that 2018 was the last year for the carved ledge headstock and in 2019 they went to the flat style headstock. Is it possible that at some point in time that the construction went away from the original carved variant and an overlay of some time WAS used?

Can you please shed some light on the progression of the headstock construction?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

 

[Gibbons59]

I'd just like to say that I'd like to proactively place a pre-order for a an Epi Pearly Gates.

 

[sunson69]

Hi Mat,

I've bought a 60th R9 from Japan to Hong Kong months ago. But the dealer didn't take out the toggle switch cap before shipping it out. It was broken like 6-7 pieces when I received the guitar.. The Japan dealer didn't response for the problem. And I 've tried contacting the Gibson customer services both US, then they passed the case to Japan.. but the Japan dept said they only provide free warranty for Japan only... There is no Gibson custom service in Hong Kong.. The worst thing is that it is impossible to buy another true historic toggle switch cap from the internet or retail stores. so how can I replace my historic toggle switch cap?

 

[El Gringo]

Hi Mat,

I've bought a 60th R9 from Japan to Hong Kong months ago. But the dealer didn't take out the toggle switch cap before shipping it out. It was broken like 6-7 pieces when I received the guitar.. The Japan dealer didn't response for the problem. And I 've tried contacting the Gibson customer services both US, then they passed the case to Japan.. but the Japan dept said they only provide free warranty for Japan only... There is no Gibson custom service in Hong Kong.. The worst thing is that it is impossible to buy another true historic toggle switch cap from the internet or retail stores. so how can I replace my historic toggle switch cap?

View attachment 16184View attachment 16183

Man that sucks/stinks big time and I would be pretty sore big time . Most Beautiful figured beauty I must say ! I hear what you are saying and maybe try Reverb.com or EBAY ? I see all kinds of stuff and parts and guitars on Reverb.com . Best Wishes ! (I hope there was no damage to the finish in the circled/affected area ? )

 

[CK6]

Hi Mat,

I've bought a 60th R9 from Japan to Hong Kong months ago. But the dealer didn't take out the toggle switch cap before shipping it out. It was broken like 6-7 pieces when I received the guitar.. The Japan dealer didn't response for the problem. And I 've tried contacting the Gibson customer services both US, then they passed the case to Japan.. but the Japan dept said they only provide free warranty for Japan only... There is no Gibson custom service in Hong Kong.. The worst thing is that it is impossible to buy another true historic toggle switch cap from the internet or retail stores. so how can I replace my historic toggle switch cap?

View attachment 16184View attachment 16183

Nice guitar! I’d order a Montreux switch tip from Japan - more accurate than the Gibson one.

 

[Torshalla]

Hi Mat,

I see some info is starting to get released about what may be a ML KH Greeny… can you tell us more?
And more importantly, how do i make sure i get one?