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Thread: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

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    Default Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    yes,......This question is most likely to be directed to a Gibson expert., but I thought I ask within the forum....so here goes, Why would Gibson change the script logo in the twenties from the cool slant to the straight across logo,....I mean you could read the logo just fine in you were sitting at a table in the audience. I don't understand., I mean WHO made the Decision to change to straight across?? some Joe Blow ?? or the then President of the company ?? and Why ?? Also, if they went ahead and did that , then why did they keep the slant logo on the tailpiece cover ??

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    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    Mandolin and guitar players were widely blamed for the stock market crash because of their loose morals and "dissipated" habits. To show that they were indeed upright citizens, they changed their playing posture and began performing with their instrument necks as perpendicular as possible. Gibson changed its logo placement so that the logo would once again be readable from the audience when players assumed this new posture.

    The late Kenny Hall was one of the few mandolinists who kept playing in the upright style after World War II. But he didn't play a Gibson, so that hardly mattered.
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    Why are the parking lights on a 56 Chevy different than on a 55? Companies make small changes just to keep their designers busy.

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    After working in New Product Design for thirty years...there is a reason (that always comes from "above").

    We change it........because we can.

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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    Gibson also changed the script on the tail piece cover...I don`t have any photos the two but they did it...

    Willie

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    Smile Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    I'm a great Gibson fan but I totally agree that the slant was sheer class and I don't know why anyone would change it.

    Equally bad is all the F2s and F4s which have 'The Gibson' squeezed between the top tuners when there's all that space above. Sometimes it actually goes into the tuner and a tiny piece taken out.

    I would have thought that even if the headstock veneers were made elsewhere, the very first one that came in and was obviously way too low would have been the moment for someone to say 'no more like that'. When they got it right, it was brilliant but occasionally it's almost sitting on top of the flowerpot inlay.

    Crazy really. My very first Gibson in 1973 was a 1932 A with 'The Gibson' in sliver script straight across and as I'd never seen a slanted one I thought it was brilliant but whilst I think it looks OK, it doesn't have the class of the Slant.

    JimmyP
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    The straight-across logo was found to improve sustain across the strings. The slanted logo overemphasized higher-end frequencies and was shown to cause malaise in lab rats.

    Many people are unaware of the influence of headstock logos on the overall sound of a mandolin. In this, as in so much else, Bill Monroe was ahead of his time.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.”—Emily Dickinson
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    That Funny.....I like that !!

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    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    Were there straight-across "The Gibson" logos on snakeheads?
    (I don't remember seeing any until a recent A2 in the classifieds.)NFI
    Phil

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    Quote Originally Posted by Philphool View Post
    Were there straight-across "The Gibson" logos on snakeheads?
    (I don't remember seeing any until a recent A2 in the classifieds.)NFI
    Yes, the snakehead A-2 in the classifieds is listed as a 1929 which would be odd. More than likely it was built in 1923-4 but perhaps shipped in '29?

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    Jim

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Script Logo > Slant vs Straight Across ??????

    I think that's the one that Lloyd was showing around just before the 24 Christmas party.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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