gibson's new website

[Dfyngravity]

This morning I was looking through some websites (I build webpages and was looking at webpages with flash and other cool things) and just happened to stumble into gibson's new "face lift". Get new website they have, I really like it. I noticed they have already stopped listing the Steffey model. I need to get my hands on one of those mandos. They might be worth some money later on down the road. If you haven't seen it, you should take a look.

Plus I can't wait for the new Flatirons to be introduced. It was a great mando and it's awesome that the are not just gonna let them fade away.

[Russ Jordan]

Were you able to find something about the Flatirons on the new website?

[Le7beda]

Elderly is no longer listed as an OAI Dealer... Hmmm.

[Scott Tichenor]

I'm not one to point fingers as someone who has built more than my share of crummy web pages, but I have some strong feelings about this new site. I'd hope that people reading this will consider this as an evaluation from someone that works on the web for a living vs. another chap trying to bash a builder. It's interesting to me. I pay attention to a lot of sites and how they're constructed, not just Gibson. Some very interesting stories out there.

With the redesign they've moved from #5 to #28 for a search on the word "mandolins", and incredibly, from #1 to #5 for the search on "gibson mandolins". I'd guess when Google figures out the total move (redirected pages) there may not even be a Gibson page in the top #10 returned in the results for "gibson mandolins". Time will tell.

What caused this? Lots of little things. Some of these issues existed with the old site but were never resolved, so I don't expect any change here either. A copy of Google Hacks would have gone a long way in building this site. Quite frankly I'm pretty disappointed in the end result, but it's not my site. I'd just prefer everyone in the mandolin business be successful on the web. Search results aren't everything, but some of these observations are indicative of other problems that exist.

[fredfrank]

This may be a bit off topic, but one of my least favorite things about web page designs are the ones that require you to move the thing sideways as well as up and down. Just my opinion.

[Dfyngravity]

Oh wow, I didn't even realize what I was typing up there. I meant to say, good new website, but I don't like it. It actually took me more than 5 or 10 seconds to find out how to see their mandolins. But hey, it is a pretty decent site so I am not really trying to bash it. The thing that caught my attention was that the Steffey model was gone.

You know, designing webpages is really no where as easy as some people would think it would be. Some times you never can really get it the way to visioned it. And no matter how good you try to make it there are always people who don't like it as much. But that's just reality. There are lots of cool sites out there that use a bunch of fancy stuff, however, they aren't very practical and are hard to use.

Scott, I think you have a very cool site here and it get's better all the time. I know you have put in a lot of hard work and I know there are a lot of people here that are very thankful for you doing that.

Anyways, not trying to bash anyones site here so I'll just end with that

PS-no I didn't see anything on the new flatirons, just saw a thread here about it and big joes confirmation I think.

[John Flynn]

Elderly is no longer listed as an OAI Dealer... Hmmm.
They've been upgraded from dealer to defendant! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[glauber]

I don't like it. It's kewl and overproduced, like something put together by a marketing group to "appeal to young people". Could be worse, though. At least you can navigate it. But could they possibly stick in a few more oversised pictures? The worst is a young dude playing an electric guitar. Caption: "watch out for flying panties". Huh? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif WTF?

I accidentally found the line of cheaper instruments we talked about here a while ago: Maestro (http://www.musicyo.com/brandpos.asp?dept_id=13).

[Keith Erickson]

I don't have an opinion either which way on the the design of the new website. #

Was I able to navigate with relative ease? Sure, not a problem.

From the way some folks have been talking, I would have had the impression that there was only one Gibson dealer and he was down in Antarctica somewhere.

However I found that there are a couple of Gibson dealers here in El Paso. #In fact Kurland Salzman is about 7 minutes from work and I'm probably going to go there on my lunch hour today.

Thank you for sharing the website with us

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Big Joe]

Hey Keith...They may be Gibson dealers, but they are not OAI dealers so will not be able to get bluegrass product.

[Keith Erickson]

Hey Keith...They may be Gibson dealers, but they are not OAI dealers so will not be able to get bluegrass product.
Hey there Joe,

Once again I'm going to prove to the world that I know very little.

What does OAI mean?

Actually since I have you on the phone http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif may I ask you another question?

I've been checking out the mandolins on the Gibson site. Do your mandolins have the option for a radius fretboard?

Thank you for your assistance http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[glauber]

What does OAI mean?
Original Acoustic Instruments. The division that produces the handmade mandolins, banjos, dobros, etc.

[JEStanek]

OAI = Original Accoustic Instruments.

I would like the site better with more photos. It's great to see the fronts but many other builders (small and large) have backs, sides, a regular gallery of photos of their fine instruments. I would have thought for the money being asked and the quality, craftsmanship, and finish on these mandos they would really want to show them off. These photos look like the ones on Musiscians Friend and don't even zoom! The white background feels sterile however, the background won't distract the eye from the instruments... Just feels colder. Couldn't discern a difference between the MM and Distressed MM by the photos.

Bummer. I think the OAI name has been dropped in favor of Gibson Original Instruments. Maybe not the find a Dealer page mentions OAI but doesn't reference what it means. Perhaps an oversight. The text reads

"Gibson Original Dealer Map

Select the Region to View the OAI Bluegrass Exclusive Distributor in Your Area"

I get the feeling from the site that the designer didn't work with people who really know the product. This is an all to common error in corporate sites I've seen.

The about us link speaks only of Gibson Electrics and Henry and Dave photos are on two pages (hmmmm). Nothing about Orville Gibson or Loar. No history on the Bluegrass Instruments. Agian, with as rich a history as this company has had, I expected more of an encyclopedia on Gibson history present - accoustic and electrics.

It would appear the Sam Bush Tone Bars are not tuned parallel - it is blank. Again, I hope these are also under construction.

Maybe the new site was released to soon.

Jamie

[Keith Erickson]

What does OAI mean?
Original Acoustic Instruments. The division that produces the handmade mandolins, banjos, dobros, etc.
glauber,

Much olidged to ya

Thank you http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Big Joe]

Hey Keith...You can get any Gibson mandolin with a radiused fingerboard or any other option imagineable. #You can get them just about any way you want. #Thank you.

[arbarnhart]

I wish they would show the front, back and sides in their pics.

[mandoman15]

i haven't been able to find this new site...url?

[Keith Erickson]

Hey Keith...They may be Gibson dealers, but they are not OAI dealers so will not be able to get bluegrass product.

Joe,

Thank you for the clarification. #According to your site, there is an OAI dealer in Houston. #Well that's a lot better than having to go to Antarctica. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Another question if I may?

I've been surfing the Gibson Site. #Are there any mention of prices anywhere?

Could we purchase on line?

Thank you again Joe

[Darryl Wolfe]

I pay attention to a lot of sites and how they're constructed, not just Gibson. Some very interesting stories out there. With the redesign they've moved from #5 to #28 for a search on the word "mandolins", and incredibly, from #1 to #5 for the search on "gibson mandolins".
Even a web dummy like me can see that most of the words "Gibson" and "Mandolin" are hyperlinks and gif's. I'm sure I'll do a search on "F-Series" and "Artist Series" when looking for a Gibson Mandolin
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Big Joe]

Hey Keith...the website does not give pricing. #You can call me anytime at 615-533-6830 and I'll be happy to help you. In Houston there is a fine store and they will have most, if not all, of the OAI product in stock. #Our store in Nashville has a good stock of all models at all times.

[kidtwist]

I'd like to find a place that has Gibsons mandolins/banjos in San Diego. There doesn't seem to be any.

[jefflester]

i haven't been able to find this new site...url?
Errr, www.gibson.com.

[Scott Tichenor]

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Bluegrass/Gibson%20Original/Gibson%20Mandolins/

or here (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Bluegrass/Gibson%20Original/Gibson%20Mandolins/)

[jjboone101]

I would like to see Gibson adopt some of the feature/benefits approaches some of the smaller builders have developed for their sites, like 3-D views of the instruments, ability to zoom in/out, sound clips, etc. Current site leaves you wanting a bit....