Gibson threatening the mandolin and guitar luthier community

[Hudmister]

I would not mistake that Stradivarius guitar headstock for the Gibson "open book" design.

[Wolfboy]

The banjo community has not been discussing these events. They have moved on.

That's probably because Gibson doesn't make banjos anymore, and consequently banjo builders aren't in (as much) danger of being sued anytime soon.

[MikeEdgerton]

The banjo community has not been discussing these events. They have moved on.

Is Gibson even making banjos anymore? I thought that production was gone.

[Wolfboy]

I would not mistake that Stradivarius guitar headstock for the Gibson "open book" design.

How about the one in post #138?

[William Smith]

Off subject but Gibson quit making banjo's? Anyone know when they stopped? I didn't know that but I know I haven't seen a recent Gibson banjo in a long time, say around 2007-08 when a friend bought a brand new 5 string-pretty fancy but can't remember the model?

[T.D.Nydn]

From what I've gathered,they quit making banjos right after the flood...

[rcc56]

Is Gibson even making banjos anymore? I thought that production was gone.

They were discontinued in 2009.

The banjo community has discovered that they can get by just fine without Gibson. They are not even discussing this subject on their forum.

[Bob A]

Wait . . . banjo players have a forum? You mean, like, reading, or is it just pictures?

[MikeEdgerton]

Wait . . . banjo players have a forum? You mean, like, reading, or is it just pictures?

OK, warn me next time you're going to do that.

[Wolfboy]

This just in: "Gibson wants players to report counterfeit guitars" https://www.musicradar.com/news/gibs...erfeit-guitars

Have to admit, being on a mandolin forum my primary concern was whether Gibson was going to claim trademark ownership of the F-5 body shape and start going after mandolin builders who build it…but I followed the link in the above article to this list of Gibson trademarks: https://www.gibson.com/Registered-Trademarks and didn’t see it there, so that comes as a relief. (The F-5 headstock is there, though.)

[Jeff Hildreth]

In the last years of Gibson banjo production, they did not "make banjos", they assembled them from parts supplied by others.
Necks, fingerboards, shells, tone rings, resonators, metal bits including those from the Czech Republic were outsourced.

[Bill McCall]

This just in: "Gibson wants players to report counterfeit guitars" https://www.musicradar.com/news/gibs...erfeit-guitars

)

Just when you thought things couldn't go lower......................

[sblock]

This just in: "Gibson wants players to report counterfeit guitars" https://www.musicradar.com/news/gibs...erfeit-guitars

Gee, wouldn't it be ironic if a whole lot of guitarists logged into the Gibson site for reporting counterfeits (https://www.gibson.com/Support/Report-Counterfeits) to complain about the "counterfeit" ES-300, S310, and the other Stratocaster models, all sold by Epiphone -- which is a brand wholly owned by Gibson. Clearly, those Epiphone models were all copied from the original Fender Stratocaster design.

Maybe Gibson would take itself to court?

[Timbofood]

I kind of like that this is starting to poke a little fun about it and not be quite so harsh. It’s a pretty lousy situation no matter how you look at it, the company getting all pumped up and bullying but, meeting with a very large amount of public opinion pushback.
I’m just glad I have absolutely no financial interest in any part of it.

- - - Updated - - -

Wait . . . banjo players have a forum? You mean, like, reading, or is it just pictures?

Or is it done in tab?

[stevojack665]

I saw some Dean guitars on display at the Bozeman airport today!

Best, Stevo

[MikeEdgerton]

In the last years of Gibson banjo production, they did not "make banjos", they assembled them from parts supplied by others.
Necks, fingerboards, shells, tone rings, resonators, metal bits including those from the Czech Republic were outsourced.

That was relatively recently actually. Prior to his death they were buying most of their banjo pieces from Bill Sullivan at FQMS and had been for years but that's not unusual. Instrument manufacturers have outsourced parts and pieces for a century or more that I know of and it's still happening today.

[dustyamps]

This guy might really be in trouble.

[slimt]

Just when you thought things couldn't go lower......................

Ya. Thats not going to happen.

Theres just to many builders out there that create just better products. They have to eat too. Chinese knockoffs are something Gibson will either have to deal with or buy them out and forget about what they bought

[darylcrisp]

Wait . . . banjo players have a forum? You mean, like, reading, or is it just pictures?

I play clawhammer and love it, but i love banjo jokes, they are just so funny. this was a good one, just in time too.
d

[darylcrisp]

I've read the posts each day, and its sad to have this sort of thing come up.
I feel really sorry for the people working in the factories/shops, building the Gibson products. I think they are making some really nice acoustic instruments these days. I would think they enjoy what they do and what they turn out-proud of the instruments. The mandolins are for sure very very nice.
Feel really sorry for those folks.
d

[MikeEdgerton]

This guy might really be in trouble.

I'd say so. That yellow just isn't an authentic color for either of those models.

[slimt]

I've read the posts each day, and its sad to have this sort of thing come up.
I feel really sorry for the people working in the factories/shops, building the Gibson products. I think they are making some really nice acoustic instruments these days. I would think they enjoy what they do and what they turn out-proud of the instruments. The mandolins are for sure very very nice.
Feel really sorry for those folks.
d

I totally Agree... Too bad they have to put up with Non sense like this.... I bet thats a real struggle..

[mandoglobal]

I have never owned a Gibson product. Considering this action, I probably never will. May they achieve the bankruptcy they so richly deserve.

Amen! This type of nasty corporate behavior is doing far more to complete the destruction of the Gibson brand than anything the competition could ever do. As far as I can imagine, it would be a miracle if I ever own one.

[Jess L.]

... over dramatic ...

I kind of like that this is starting to poke a little fun about it and not be quite so harsh. ...

This one from Dovydas is over-dramatic *and* fun, fast-forward to 5:05 where the police helicopter starts:


(or direct link, then fast-forward to 5:05)

[Bertram Henze]

This guy might really be in trouble.

Guitar breeders beware - don't leave your instruments unattended or lock them in their cases.