Gibson Skaggs Model

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-29-2006, 3:18pm

Heard through the grapevine recently that Gibson is working up a Skaggs model. Allegedly, Skaggs has already signed on and is receiving a hundred thous. for the deal. Something like that.

**Joe Parker** · Jan-29-2006, 5:38pm

I guess he'll be calling you to thank you for keeping the confidence. Pass the popcorn!

**Hans** · Jan-29-2006, 5:56pm

Yea, I made a deal with Yank Rachel for 10 bucks and a pint of whiskey, but he up and croaked on me. #

**G. Fisher** · Jan-29-2006, 6:38pm

According to previous posts Gibson does not give away mando's to anyone and that they only give artist pricing. So, paying Ricky $100,000 sounds like a stretch.

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-29-2006, 7:06pm

Wouldn't Gibson need to pay Skaggs for the name though?

**cbogle** · Jan-29-2006, 7:09pm

I believe that Gibson may be loaning them out for very long periods of time to certain artists, and occasionally these artists might lose track of the instrument(s)in question. Never know where those things may end up!

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-29-2006, 7:19pm

I think a few of you misunderstood my thous. abbreviation. I mean Gibson is paying Skaggs for his name so Gibson can make a Skaggs model mandolin, like the Bibey or Bush model.

**Lane Pryce** · Jan-29-2006, 7:22pm

If its no company secrete how steep is the discount for "artists" and what kind of strings are attached? Lp

**G. Fisher** · Jan-29-2006, 7:37pm

I'm sure they may pay to use his name but $100,000 still sounds like a stretch.

**Joe Parker** · Jan-29-2006, 8:00pm

ratherbepickin, I guess your secret source didn't tell you everything.I hate it when that happens!

JPP

**shawverscrossing** · Jan-29-2006, 8:25pm

I know for a first hand fact that Sam Bush presented Curtis Burch a Sam Bush Model mando. I find it hard to believe that Sam paid retail for that rascal.

**Scott Tichenor** · Jan-29-2006, 8:35pm

Originally Posted by (ratherbpickin @ Jan. 29 2006, 15:18)

Heard through the grapevine recently that Gibson is working up a Skaggs model. Allegedly, Skaggs has already signed on and is receiving a hundred thous. for the deal. Something like that.

My sources are very, very, very, very secret, but I will say it's an independent luthier who regularly communicates with Skaggs. I consider the luthier to be a reliable source.

You may have heard it through your super-secret source on the grapevine. The rest of us read a thread here about a month ago where Joe Vest at Gibson mentioned they were working with Skaggs on the possibility of a model for him.

I attempt to avoid discussions with people that don't sign their names, so just pretend I'm not talking to you.

**om21ed** · Jan-29-2006, 9:05pm

Well, big whoop what Gibson pays anybody, I'd be more interested in the specs--what would be the unique features of a Skaggs model ? Which features from which of Ricky's mandos are going to make it to his model-- I remember reading the neck of his Loar is pretty thin, but i imagine he has a few mandos to cultivate ideas from.

Ed McG

**Stephanie Reiser** · Jan-29-2006, 9:17pm

Originally Posted by (JLP @ Jan. 29 2006, 20:22)

If its no company secrete how steep is the discount for "artists" and what kind of strings are attached? Lp

Maybe D'Adarrios??? I think that is the kind Ricky uses.

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-29-2006, 9:22pm

It might come standard with the tone guard, because Ricky definitely uses that. There might be some slick action settings. He doesn't get a "big" tone out of his mandolin, it's kind of sleek.

**Tom C** · Jan-29-2006, 9:31pm

If I was that independent luthier, I would be rather ired. If true, Ricky may have told him in good faith. Why get somebody in trouble or take the chance of spreading false info? Were any of the specs talked about?

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-29-2006, 9:52pm

Here are my closing comments on this thread.

I doubt the guy I spoke to is too worried about it. I met him once and he told me within' minutes of meeting him. The reason he told me is I asked why Skaggs doesn't play one of the luthier's mandolins, if Skaggs and the luthier are so tight. The luthier responded that Skaggs is locked in with Gibson, and the luthier mentioned it with an aura of respect for Gibson, not contempt. It seemed like the luthier was saying that Gibson products are great, so why should Skaggs worry about playing anything other than a Gisbon if Gibson's paying Skaggs to play their product.

I'm no longer tracking this one, so don't bother trying to respond to my comments, with the intent on getting feedback from me.

**G. Fisher** · Jan-29-2006, 10:16pm

We've all seen this one before.

Throw out a bunch of hear say.

Have some people respond and questioning the validity of the info.

Respond to their own thread and going after Scott (not a good idea).

Delete posts and declare they are done with the thread.

Why would Gibson pay him to play a Gibson? He does already right?

**fredfrank** · Jan-29-2006, 10:19pm

Yeah, I think Ricky plays a Loar. Don't know why he'd want anything else.
That's about as Gibson as it gets!

**Big Joe** · Jan-30-2006, 9:50am

Ricky plays a Distressed Master Model that is nearly exactly like his Loar. We even shaped the neck to match. We have been in dicscussion with Ricky on a DMM Scaggs model, but I don't know where that process is. I can say we do not pay artists for the use of their name. We would not make enough profit on these mandolins in a couple decades to overcome a 100K payment! The artist usually gets some product for his part. I don't work these deals and don't know how they are structured, but I can say with all clarity no artist will get rich on an endorsement for Gibson products! You can take that to the bank.

**kudzugypsy** · Jan-30-2006, 10:17am

i agree with joe, that figure given is WAY out of line for the number of instruments you could sell. i can see fender giving that kind of money to eric clapton for his signature model, which they will sell thousands of, but not for a DMM....i mean, what could they offer different than a standard F5...they are already running out of features...there is only so much you can do to the classic F5 design.

i think when the market gets saturated with these signature models...martin is a perfect example - then they really loose their appeal. look at all those martin signature editions....they even have an andy griffith signature model...folks, i have played with andy griffith...that is going over the edge imo.

**mandopete** · Jan-30-2006, 10:23am

Yeah, yeah yeah....but when in the world is Gibson gonna come out with the Milla Jovovitch clothing-optional model?

**JEStanek** · Jan-30-2006, 10:37am

Joe, I'm neither a pro nor a terribly good picker... I would be willing to sign on as the Poster Boy for any of the new Flatiron models. It took a lot of introspection to come to this endorsement decision.

I'm not looking to get rich off the endorsment, maybe just some product. I'll pose for some photos (dear God don't make me do sound clips!) although I've been told I have a face for radio! Just a thought for a way to get Joe-Eight String to identify with the new line.

Respectfully,

Jamie Stanek