View Full Version : "New" Gibson Company: No More Mandolins?
Paul Kotapish
Jan-18-2019, 6:49pm
Forgive me if there is already a thread on this, but my search didn't turn up anything.
I've been getting bombarded with ads for the "New" Gibson under new leadership, so I finally followed the link:
Welcome to the New Gibson (https://www.gibson.com/)
Lots of Les Pauls, SGs, ESs, Firebirds, Flying Vs, Explorers, SJs, Hummingbirds, J45s, and L00s, but nary a mandolin in sight.
A Google search for Gibson mandolins brought up the old link to their mandolin-products page, but it resolves to the acoustic-guitar page.
http://www.gibson.com/Products/Acoustic-Instruments/Mandolin.aspx
Have they dropped the whole mandolin line? Is this old news? Last I checked (which is admittedly a while back), Gibson was still making some mandolins.
Anybody know the story? Have Gibson mandolins gone the way of Gibson banjos?
Bill McCall
Jan-18-2019, 6:59pm
Mandolins aren't listed under the 'Products' section of the front page. I'm sure the story will be out before long.
foldedpath
Jan-18-2019, 10:36pm
The new management after bankruptcy came in on November 1, 2018. Web sites always lag behind whatever is actually happening at a company, so it might be too early to tell what the fate of the mandolin division is.
colorado_al
Jan-18-2019, 11:17pm
The new management after bankruptcy came in on November 1, 2018. Web sites always lag behind whatever is actually happening at a company, so it might be too early to tell what the fate of the mandolin division is.
Hate to disappoint you but this is the site until this change listed mandolins. If they're still part of the product line I doubt they would launch a new site without them.
174107
cigman1st
Jan-18-2019, 11:31pm
I noticed mandolins weren't listed yesterday so I called Gibson customer service. The rep I spoke with said they certainly were still producing mandolins and checked the webpage himself. When he confirmed they weren't listed he said he would notify IT about it along with several other issues they seem to have dropped the ball on. He was very frustrated.
foldedpath
Jan-18-2019, 11:37pm
Hate to disappoint you but this is the site until this change listed mandolins. If they're still part of the product line I doubt they would launch a new site without them.
174107
Well, color me skeptical anyway (about the lag time). I used to own a web design and hosting company, and I know more than the average bear about how these things go with the way IT departments interface with management.
;)
rcc56
Jan-18-2019, 11:45pm
The link that Paul posted is indeed the updated Gibson web page.
On their old webpage, they did not list mandolins among their projected 2019 products either.
Those who were familiar with Gibson's 2018 product line may notice that 2019's advertised product line is much smaller than that of 2018.
Also, the impending closure of their Memphis manufacturing operation was announced several weeks ago. They are down-sizing.
The NAMM show will be next week [Jan. 24 to 27]. We should have a clearer idea of Gibson's future intentions about mandolin production by the time the show is over.
I will mention that Gibson has built mandolins only in small numbers for the last several years.
Gibson has a huge hole to climb out of. They are going to have to significantly reduce their expenses to survive. Mandolins might or might not fit into the new picture. We will know soon enough.
Luna Pick
Jan-19-2019, 1:10am
Eesh. And therefore no list of Gibson Mandolin dealers on their website.
If this is all true where's the best place to look for the remaining mandolins that may be straggling in to dealers, or in stock? The only dealer I'm aware of is The Mandolin Store.
Mandobar
Jan-19-2019, 5:59am
I have to laugh about the IT comments from everyone. However, having been involved in a lot of business “rebuilds” I think we need to give Gibson’s new management some time to get organized. Very rarely do websites keep pace with company activities, especially in these types of situations.
Astro
Jan-19-2019, 12:45pm
I think this thread is suffering from premature eradication. David Harvey showed off a brand new Goldrush last week heading to The Mandolin Store. If mando eradication were true, I would think Harvey would have announced his departure already. I would think the dealors would be advertising "come get the last Gibson". Gibson has never been an internet driven company. Don't expect their internet presence to reflect everything going on there. It could happen. The whole company could disappear. But I wouldn't speculate based on their webpage.
allenhopkins
Jan-19-2019, 1:05pm
I think this thread is suffering from premature eradication...
Is there something you can take for that?
Assuming Gibson's new management has a list prioritizing profit centers, expect the topic of mandolin production to come up sometime in 2021.
Mandolin Cafe
Jan-19-2019, 3:15pm
Morgan Music has been a Gibson Mandolin dealer (http://morganmusic.com/gibsonmando.html) as long as we can remember. Guitar Center claims they sell new Gibsons, and maybe they do. Not sure Gibson needs more dealers than that. I'd say if some of you make your decisions on being informed if someone is manufacturing a certain instrument that it not be on the back of the company they've hired that builds and updates web sites--that's not a very good source for information. A quick Google search shows that whoever has been working on their site has left a huge trail of broken links and 404 pages.
Bob Buckingham
Jan-19-2019, 3:54pm
There are three Gibsons showing in stock at TMS. No Gold Rush. I spoke with Dennis there a couple of weeks ago and he did not indicate then that Gibson was going out of the mandolin business. He and Brian both extolled the virtues of the current models and the fine job Dave Harvey was doing.
dhergert
Jan-19-2019, 9:51pm
... A quick Google search shows that whoever has been working on their site has left a huge trail of broken links and 404 pages.
Yup. I've been looking at their website related to various instruments for decades and it has never been up to date. I think their web administrator must have been their catalog designer in a previous life.
That said, I always have received good, valid information from their phone support people. I'd suggest checking there before giving up on anything.
Astro
Jan-19-2019, 11:48pm
There are three Gibsons showing in stock at TMS. No Gold Rush. I spoke with Dennis there a couple of weeks ago and he did not indicate then that Gibson was going out of the mandolin business. He and Brian both extolled the virtues of the current models and the fine job Dave Harvey was doing.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gibson-Custom-Division/719882891472464?__tn__=%2CdkC-R-R&eid=ARBaBrGL1p_YcUSpUUvxC8jyNnNN36fXd2-xWZiqJmoaAAKaCTeqPSZvQ5PDoJblZNL0TwqvvjX0SuuG&hc_ref=ARQoydGyUtDXrc5Ky4SQy3AXOX6tCVN3kwmFsdZ0IX9 C5xJuklb9fkCX9jG0Aipw-S0&fref=tag
Ivan Kelsall
Jan-20-2019, 4:14am
Personally,i feel that IF Gibson were to cease mandolin production,then we'd have heard some news that would negate any 'speculation' on the matter,either from Gibson as a Co.,or from Dave Harvey maybe. We have to face the fact that despite our penchant for 8-string 'mini-guitar looking items',real guitars were / are Gibson's 'main event',so we can't blame Gibson for flagging those up first. If their guitar sales go down too much,expect mandolins to follow pretty quickly !,
Ivan
Frankdolin
Jan-20-2019, 7:46am
I think if Gibson stopped making mandolins, it would then justify the ridiculous prices on these things.
Hendrik Ahrend
Jan-20-2019, 8:32am
I think if Gibson stopped making mandolins, it would then justify the ridiculous prices on these things.
Frank, I appreciate your effort to stand shoulder to shoulder with us mandolin geeks here in the MC. However, my I humbly ask how you know that Gibson prices are, indeed, ridiculously high (assuming by "ridiculous" you do not mean ridiculously low), and that Gibson makes more than just a little bit of money on mandolins?
jaycat
Jan-20-2019, 9:18am
That would indeed be sad. I guess I'd just have to console myself with one of these (https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/ACC73T218/SJ-200-Vintage-2019).
dhergert
Jan-20-2019, 12:30pm
I think if Gibson stopped making mandolins, it would then justify the ridiculous prices on these things.
I really haven't seen prices go up or even stabilize with the banjo or Dobro market since Gibson discontinued them, so I sort of doubt that it would happen with any of Gibson's other discontinued instruments. If the company were to disappear altogether, maybe in 10 to 20 years there might be a price upturn, but I really don't think that Gibson is going to disappear. Gibson has had, and still has the capability to flood the market, and they've done so in many cases.
Gibsons prices have gone up since the 90s..doubled and then some.. But then again so have Martins prices and Taylors.. in Canada what you see on the U.S Gibson.com sight as a List price.. is what those sell for here in Canada.. .. .. 6400 U S list is 64 Canadian selling. not worth it. on any of those.. quality and product is Just not there..
back in 89 up til 1999 . I averaged buying 1 Guitar a week.. it was either Gibson or Martin Acoustic. 4 True Custom shop Gibson Acoustic a year on top of those.. in the Mid 90s. what I see offered now for what there asking..
No Thank you.. No interest at all..
jeff_75
Jan-20-2019, 3:05pm
Gibsons prices have gone up since the 90s..doubled and then some.. But then again so have Martins prices and Taylors.. No Thank you.. No interest at all..
Well, sure. A quick internet search indicates a median household income in the mid-90s was maybe $34K, today it's around $63K. A gallon of gas was averaging $1.15 in the mid-90s, a gallon of milk maybe $1.75. A stamp was what, $0.30? An adult could get a one-day pass to Disney for maybe $40 in the 90s, now it's well over $100. I graduated from college in the 90s - tuition at my school is now between 2 or 3x what it was then (a bargain compared to what some college rates have done.)
You know this drill. Can you think of anything that hasn't gone up significantly in the last 20-30 years? Why should Gibson, or any musical instrument maker, not keep pace? Especially for items such as their high-end mandolins, which remain handmade in the United States.
Paul Kotapish
Jan-20-2019, 3:50pm
Thanks for the replies, all. Seems like it's all speculation at this point and only time -- or NAMM attendees -- will tell.
Bernie Daniel
Jan-20-2019, 11:08pm
Gibsons prices have gone up since the 90s..doubled and then some.. But then again so have Martins prices and Taylors.. in Canada what you see on the U.S Gibson.com sight as a List price.. is what those sell for here in Canada.. .. .. 6400 U S list is 64 Canadian selling. not worth it. on any of those.. quality and product is Just not there..
back in 89 up til 1999 . I averaged buying 1 Guitar a week.. it was either Gibson or Martin Acoustic. 4 True Custom shop Gibson Acoustic a year on top of those.. in the Mid 90s. what I see offered now for what there asking..
No Thank you.. No interest at all..
I don't claim to be a guitar expert but I have owned a number of Gibson guitars starting with a 1960 Hummingbird, a bunch of J-45s from the 60s to the 80s and couple of J-50s, a J-55, a '92 J-60, a '74 Dove (maple) and now a 2006 AJ reissue. I don't see how one can make the case the Gibson guitar quality has slipped since the 90s? I think in has probably improved? And certainly Martin guitars with all the "Authentic" and "Golden Age" etc. series are better than ever? Of course the prices have gone up -- everything else has too!!!
allenhopkins
Jan-21-2019, 12:18am
...back in 89 up til 1999 . I averaged buying 1 Guitar a week.. it was either Gibson or Martin Acoustic. 4 True Custom shop Gibson Acoustic a year on top of those.. in the Mid 90s. what I see offered now for what they're asking..
Let me get this straight -- you averaged buying 52 guitars per year for ten years??? Either Gibsons or Martins??
So, over 500 guitars. I assume you either very have a large music room, or you did a bunch of trading, which usually ends up as a money-losing proposition.
If you still have hundreds of guitars, I'd graciously accept the loan of those you seldom play (like once every 18 months or so). Always glad to have a new axe or two to experiment with...
As to what Bernie D says, consensus seems to be that the Montana shop that builds Gibson acoustic guitars is first-rate. I've heard some new Gibsons that sounded great, though as a "Martin guy" I stick pretty much to that brand.
If I can make an uninformed prognostication: Gibson will continue to build a limited number of mandolins, concentrating on their higher-end models that bring a greater return. It's not as feasible to outsource mandolin components, as they did with banjos and Dobros before they stopped making those entirely. What I doubt they will do, is sell or license out the Gibson brand. As long as kids buy Les Pauls, there's a reason to have a Gibson guitar company. Will G continue to hire a train shop personnel to build the F-5's of the future? More problematical, and probably entirely dependent on the new ownership.
Nobody made National resonator instruments for quite a while, until entrepreneurial craftspeople resurrected the brand and the technology. Now they seem to be doing quite well. There's gonna be some demand for good acoustic instruments for the foreseeable future, and firms that can position themselves well in the market can be economically viable.
Let me get this straight -- you averaged buying 52 guitars per year for ten years??? Either Gibsons or Martins??
So, over 500 guitars. I assume you either very have a large music room, or you did a bunch of trading, which usually ends up as a money-losing proposition.
If you still have hundreds of guitars, I'd graciously accept the loan of those you seldom play (like once every 18 months or so). Always glad to have a new axe or two to experiment with...
As to what Bernie D says, consensus seems to be that the Montana shop that builds Gibson acoustic guitars is first-rate. I've heard some new Gibsons that sounded great, though as a "Martin guy" I stick pretty much to that brand.
If I can make an uninformed prognostication: Gibson will continue to build a limited number of mandolins, concentrating on their higher-end models that bring a greater return. It's not as feasible to outsource mandolin components, as they did with banjos and Dobros before they stopped making those entirely. What I doubt they will do, is sell or license out the Gibson brand. As long as kids buy Les Pauls, there's a reason to have a Gibson guitar company. Will G continue to hire a train shop personnel to build the F-5's of the future? More problematical, and probably entirely dependent on the new ownership.
Nobody made National resonator instruments for quite a while, until entrepreneurial craftspeople resurrected the brand and the technology. Now they seem to be doing quite well. There's gonna be some demand for good acoustic instruments for the foreseeable future, and firms that can position themselves well in the market can be economically viable.
Actually I owned 1000 plus up till 2005 I did alot of trading. Alot with Greg Boyd and we both did very well. Alot of my acoustics went over to Japan and Germany as well. I did average 52 plus guitars a year whether from long and mc quade up here or through Daves in Lacrosse and Gregs. I have my share still. Not as many as it was though. I was also able to hand pick my guitars from Bozeman
jimmy powells
Jan-21-2019, 6:13am
If they were too expensive then they wouldn't sell. As long anything keeps selling, companies will continue to make as long as production economies work. They just won't make as many as cheaper brands. Same applies to cars, clothes etc. Having said that I do think that you can buy a really great F5 mandolin such as Northfield very much cheaper than Gibson but of course it won't have that magic name on the headstock and if that's what turns you on, then you'll buy the Gibson. I've had 27 Gibsons over the last 50 years and always love the old oval hole F4s etc. I have a Northfield Big Mon F5 and love it. A Gibson F5 would be out of my price range and I just love the feeling of owning a very old Gibson. Having said that I believe David Harvey is tops in every way.
Charlie Bernstein
Jan-21-2019, 8:46am
I noticed mandolins weren't listed yesterday so I called Gibson customer service. The rep I spoke with said they certainly were still producing mandolins and checked the webpage himself. When he confirmed they weren't listed he said he would notify IT about it along with several other issues they seem to have dropped the ball on. He was very frustrated.
I notice that no one has noticed your post.
Come on, gang! Cigman called the company! What more do you need?
PS - The idea that websites are complete when they go live is science fiction.
dhergert
Jan-21-2019, 11:46am
I get it though, we are dedicated mandolin enthusiasts and we care about the future of one of the main producers of mandolins. As someone who plays two other instruments that were discontinued in the past decade, I'm sympathetic.
But the phone call to someone live in the company is the clincher... They know as much as anyone who isn't making decisions could possibly know.
slimt
Jan-21-2019, 12:10pm
Chances are the archtops and mandolins were just missed . I ve seen it before. Montana missed there whole catalog back in the 90s. But the guitars were in full swing.
A Collings MF is around $500 cheaper than a Gibson F9. Both are really good sounding mandolins. So that is the price you are going to have to pay for the Gibson tone.
You can buy a plain mandolin from a single man shop for half that. Haven't played one, so can't comment on tone. There are huge overhead costs with a larger company. And it really boils down to if we quit buying them, they will quit making them. I don't see prices going down.
The best business model is to have a customer think something is too expensive, but still buy it.
RustyMadd
Jan-21-2019, 2:06pm
After a couple of decades of grotesque incompetence and mismanagement I wouldn't be surprised at all if they did stop the Mandolin line. Hell nothing would surprise me from Gibson. Any company that charges premium prices for anything with their brand on it but still cannot keep afloat, SHOULD crash and burn and go the way of the Dodo.
Bottom line, Gibson as a company is pathetic. That may sound harsh, but it's my opinion.
dhmando
Jan-21-2019, 4:34pm
Hello fellow mandolin enthusiast,
Please rest assured that we are still producing Gibson mandolins on a daily basis and are very excited about what the future holds for Gibson with the new management team in place!
Please check out the very cool new Gibson mandolins at the Winter NAMM show this week!
Thanks and keep picking,
David Harvey
Gibson Master Luthier
Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments/
Gibson Custom Shop
Nashville TN
onassis
Jan-21-2019, 4:47pm
And there you have it.
Paul Kotapish
Jan-22-2019, 5:55pm
Please rest assured that we are still producing Gibson mandolins on a daily basis and are very excited about what the future holds for Gibson with the new management team in place!
David Harvey
Good to know.
ABrown
Jan-22-2019, 10:33pm
All the speculation makes me glad I snagged the 2017 F5L that was in the classifieds a couple days ago
Jeff Mando
Jan-22-2019, 10:44pm
All the speculation makes me glad I snagged the 2017 F5L that was in the classifieds a couple days ago
Yep, my thoughts exactly........makes the used stuff an even better deal! And, there is already plenty out there for 10 lifetimes, IMHO......
Eric "Trapper" G
Jan-23-2019, 1:07am
Violates forum posting guidelines:
- Topics started for or end up being used to discuss religion, politics or sex as well as other hot button issues meant to create discord are prohibited. Posts or threads deemed inappropriate or unrelated to our subject matter are subject to immediate removal at the discretion of the forum owner and/or lead moderator.
And with that this discussion has run its course and beyond.