Hey it's Mat from Gibson Product Development - AMA

[El Gringo]

Hey guys!

I just submitted by down payment (through PayPal) to the Music Zoo last week.

When will the CS start building my M2M LP?

Is it now just a waiting game?

I'm both excited and worried at the same time.

I certainly know the feeling oh so well . Yes now is the hardest part -the waiting but the payoff will be so worth it that when your dream guitar finally arrives it will surely blow your mind and ears and eyes to Smitherens . This will surely take time to build and craft and the beauty part about it is that Art takes time to build . So please be patient as it will surely be worth it and then some !

 

[Reddart]

Hopefully you payed “The Music Zoo” and not “The Music Z00” , else you will certainly be waiting a long long time.

 

[TM1]

Music Zoo is Top Notch!! I've dealt with Jessica there for nearly 10 years. She's a real sweetheart. Very sincere, honest and really gives a shit about her customers I ordered last June an ES-335, Murphy Lab light aging without an ABR-1. It'll just have a wrapover tailpiece! I have a friend who has one and it's stunning how much it sustains and resonates. His was done before they went to using all Hide Glue construction, so the use of Hide Glue should be amazing!
But Music Zoo is about the only new shop I'll use!

 

[Jericho-79]

I certainly know the feeling oh so well . Yes now is the hardest part -the waiting but the payoff will be so worth it that when your dream guitar finally arrives it will surely blow your mind and ears and eyes to Smitherens . This will surely take time to build and craft and the beauty part about it is that Art takes time to build . So please be patient as it will surely be worth it and then some !

Should I email the Music Zoo every now and then during the next 18 months in order to get updates on the progress of the build?

 

[ADP]

Should I email the Music Zoo every now and then during the next 18 months in order to get updates on the progress of the build?

I can't believe a grown adult is asking this question. When I order something custom, whatever it is, I am in constant communication with all parties involved.

"Yes" is the answer.

 

[TommyVee]

Should I email the Music Zoo every now and then during the next 18 months in order to get updates on the progress of the build?

You certainly could ask the Music Zoo to update you every so often. I placed my order through Sweetwater, my rep there has called me a few times over the past 7 months, just to let me know the timeline has not changed.

 

[El Gringo]

Should I email the Music Zoo every now and then during the next 18 months in order to get updates on the progress of the build?

For sure

 

[renderit]

I would touch base once a month.

 

[djcmusician]

@matkoehler for '23, has Gibson CS started rounding off the corners on pickup mounting rings?
This VOS Goldtop has a 2023 Serial number. Haven't seen this before

 

[Jericho-79]

Music Zoo is Top Notch!! I've dealt with Jessica there for nearly 10 years.

I'm dealing with Rick D at Music Zoo for my M2M order. He seems nice, but he sounds overwhelmed every time I talk to him on the phone.

I can't believe a grown adult is asking this question. When I order something custom, whatever it is, I am in constant communication with all parties involved.

The thing is that when I call Music Zoo, I often can't get ahold of Rick. And whenever I email him, it takes more than a week for him to respond.

 

[Binky Griptite]

Hi all. Charlie and I thought it might be fun for me to address Gibson (or Epiphone) questions in this thread...whether about current products or mysteries from Gibson's history. I think it's important to hear it straight from the horse's mouth...don't seem to have much luck getting accurately paraphrased or quoted in magazine articles.

If you don't know me, I was a longtime forum geek and I decided to put my passions to use by joining Gibson in April 2016. I started in product management for Custom Shop and Memphis and now I'm doing product development company-wide. I am also a huge Gibson/Epiphone history fan and having access to our archives is an incredible perk of the job. So fan to fan, let's have some fun!

Hi Mat,
Serial number question, yay. The Gibson serial number page says Custom Shop SNs start YY. We know that the all of the 60th Anniv '61 SG were made in 2021, but they have serial numbers that start 10 or 11. So does that mean that it's YRRRRM instead of YYRRRM? Just curious and confused.

 

[mdubya]

I'm dealing with Rick D at Music Zoo for my M2M order. He seems nice, but he sounds overwhelmed every time I talk to him on the phone.



The thing is that when I call Music Zoo, I often can't get ahold of Rick. And whenever I email him, it takes more than a week for him to respond.

To be fair, you are a handful.

I would have declined to sell to you.

No offense meant. JMHO.

 

[Jericho-79]

Another question, guys.

Does the CS usually provide a HSC when they ship your M2M order?

 

[ADP]

Another question, guys.

Does the CS usually provide a HSC when they ship your M2M order?

I'd call, just to make sure.

 

[poon99]

Another question, guys.

Does the CS usually provide a HSC when they ship your M2M order?

Yes

 

[axeman565758]

Speaking of the Music Zoo.......... all three of my M2M's were ordered through them. (actually 4 Gibson and 3 CS Strats and 1 CS Tele as well) I been dealing with Tommy since 2008. When I wanted to do these monster necks, everyone thought I was nuts. Working with him and someone directly at the CS, we were able to make it happen.
The results were perfect for me. The Goldtop at 1.023", CS-336 P90 at 1.031" and my 60th Anniv R0 at 1.017" 1st fret depth. My R0 serial number is also my birth date!!
The Custom Shop even scanned my CS for future use for anyone who wanted that big neck. One of the first to order through the MZ was Steve (Goldtop0). He ordered his '58 ES-335 "Misley" neck.
Pictured are the 3 M2M's, a copy of the computer pic of my scanned CS-336 and one of the ad's for one of the many "Monster Necks" that were ordered for stock, based on my neck profile(s)

 

[Professortwang]

I can't believe a grown adult is asking this question. When I order something custom, whatever it is, I am in constant communication with all parties involved.

"Yes" is the answer.

Grown adults are the patient ones. It's the kids in the back that are constantly asking are we there yet? Specify what you want in the beginning and let people do their work.

 

[ADP]

Grown adults are the patient ones. It's the kids in the back that are constantly asking are we there yet? Specify what you want in the beginning and let people do their work.

Let me ask the forum for permission first... People never cease to amaze.

 

[El Gringo]

Music Zoo is Top Notch!! I've dealt with Jessica there for nearly 10 years. She's a real sweetheart. Very sincere, honest and really gives a shit about her customers I ordered last June an ES-335, Murphy Lab light aging without an ABR-1. It'll just have a wrapover tailpiece! I have a friend who has one and it's stunning how much it sustains and resonates. His was done before they went to using all Hide Glue construction, so the use of Hide Glue should be amazing!
But Music Zoo is about the only new shop I'll use!

Jessica is a real sweetie !

 

[El Gringo]

Another question, guys.

Does the CS usually provide a HSC when they ship your M2M order?

Yes the brown custom shop case