Each month, thousands of people visit this website. You’d think I’d be rich or something. Ha! I probably make about 4 cents per post. So I guess I better get on topic here.
Gibson bought Mesa-Boogie, one of many amp companies that makes expensive amps. For Gibson, it might make sense, because they need stuff that makes them money. For Mesa-Boogie, I’m not certain how much sense it makes, but I do know it means Randy Smith (who started Mesa-Boogie) just got a lot richer.
The Internet (meaning the collection of people online who talk guitars) is freaking out. Gibson-bashing has been in fashion for many years now. Previously it was about bashing Gibson for their prices being high. Then it was about Gibson trying to innovate and change things. But when Gibson gAnd ot new ownership and they decided to go after people who make Les Paul-shaped guitars, the Internet backlash was immediate and fierce, and will stick to Gibson for the next 20 years. It was, basically, the single dumbest thing the company could have done.
And now any headline Gibson makes will result in the Internet remembering “Play Authentic” and attacking Gibson. Years ago, Gibson used to make amps. At some point in time, they stopped. So now they’ve decided to get back into making amps, and they took the Apple approach – they found a company already making a kick-ass product, and they bought the company. That’s not necessarily a bad business idea. It’s pretty safe.
My own personal opinion of Gibson is that they have their head up their ass. Their current business plan is to sell Gibson as an “aspirational” brand, meaning you can’t afford it because you’re a loser, and only winners buy Gibsons. And they’ve jazzed up the Epiphone brand and said “Here, you can play THIS.” Like a little kid being handed a plastic hammer while Daddy uses the real one. Except that Epiphone is making great guitars, and plenty of people are buying them and swapping out the pickups. I see plenty of people who are proud of their Epiphones. I own THREE. I also own two lower end Gibson Les Pauls, as long suffering site readers are well aware.
And the competition isn’t doing what Gibson is. Fender’s making less expensive instruments in Mexico but they’re still Fenders. PRS is making guitars overseas also and they still say “Paul Reed Smith.” Companies like Schecter are making good stuff from the bottom of their line to the top. “Play Authentic” exploded in Gibson’s face. That’s why the Internet will stay mad at Gibson. And then there’s the fact that they like to jack up prices each and every year, except in the past year or two it hasn’t worked. That’s why Gibsons are marked down at Guitar Centers all over the country.
BUT. But I am a huge fan of the Gibson Les Paul because it’s a sick sounding guitar that plays great. Nowhere near worth the money, but if you can pick up a Studio or Tribute for under $800, you should. And I DO love what they’ve done with Epiphone, though I think it backfired on them. Lotta people saying Epiphone is just fine, which it is. I don’t honestly care much what Gibson does with Mesa-Boogie any more than I care what Macy’s does. I don’t shop there. If Gibson wants to put out an amazing 20 watt Mesa-Boogie head for $550, I’d be very interested, but that won’t happen. Gibson wants to be an ASPIRATIONAL BRAND. My guess is they’ll jack up the amp prices and then make a new line of expensive Gibson amps. That most people won’t buy.
Meanwhile, I’m interested in a used black Epiphone Les Paul, at some point. I really want one to hang on my wall. They’re so cool looking.
