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Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Dave W on August 16, 2017, 09:11:42 AM

Title: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 16, 2017, 09:11:42 AM
Slash will develop new products for the Gibson Custom, Gibson, and Epiphone lines (http://variety.com/2017/music/news/slash-gibson-guitar-global-brand-ambassador-1202527853/)

Discuss.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 16, 2017, 09:31:58 AM
I can't remember ever at any point being excited about Slash.  I don't know who I would have chosen to represent Gibson, but it definitely wouldn't have been Slash.  Nothing against him personally--just never been a fan. 
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 16, 2017, 10:10:28 AM
Unless you are in Henry J-bashing mode, Slash is a good choice. He is a face/top hat that people know who haven't owned a GnR album in their life. Like ZZ Top or the Ramones, he is a "near-cartoon-character" icon for what "rock" is perceived to be by people who don't know much about it. Slash himself is as much a lifestyle brand as he is a rock guitarist who favors Les Pauls. So his choice as global ambassador for a company like Gibson that by Henry J's own announcement wants to become a lifestyle brand like Harley-Davidson or Nike makes perfect sense.

Now you might not agree with that lifestyle concept of Henry J, but that is another question. It's a logical implementation of what he wants. It's no less a weird choice than a perfume or make-up manufacturer picking an actress to advertise its products. Or Nike choosing an athlete.

As for Slash, he appreciates

https://www.facebook.com/Slash/posts/10151598468122439

an also top-hat-wearing individual dear to me

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/80/44/31/80443192f100f40bf9729bb039dbbea9--ritchie-blackmore-guitar-players.jpg)

so there!  :mrgreen:

I wouldn't write a bad thing about him. I would even go as far as to unequivocally state that his guitar style and choice of solo notes are as flawlessly clean and precise as Jimmy Page's. Always Duff as a bass player, but never a duff note.  :rimshot:

Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: lowend1 on August 16, 2017, 10:33:34 AM
Yeah, it's a good choice. He is almost exclusively associated with Gibson guitars. He crosses over both musically and culturally, and appeals to different segments of the guitar buying public. Then there's the fact that his parents were tied into the music business in the areas of clothing design and artwork at a fairly high level, so he's probably got some pretty interesting numbers in his phone book too.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 16, 2017, 11:07:16 AM
It's just that for me Guns 'n Roses never cut it for me.  I could never get into their music at all.  It's comparable to U2.  Try as I may, I could never understand what the appeal was for either band.  I have never wished either band ill, though.  They probably deserve the success they have; I just don't know why. 
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 16, 2017, 12:00:29 PM
Musically better bands have come from America (I'd say GnR are on par with Oasis as regards their musical worth), but with GnR it is the whole late 80ies era defining package. They were the last hair metal band

- though they are more rock than metal, I saw them a few weeks ago at a three hour (!) gig - yes, Axl was on time!, they have quite a range of music on offer even though they hardly ever provide it with Toto'esque precision and aplomb :mrgreen:  -


to make it, yet also had that street credibility in them that was so important to the later grunge deluge. Add a few hits/iconic songs, Axl's love-it-or-hate-it-but-it's-unmistakeable Janis Joplin-screech plus that outlaw mystique that also served the Stones so well for decades. No one gives a damn whether Chad Kroeger is on stage late or early (of course he never is late, clockwork band he fronts) - with Axl we somehow do (or a lot of people do).

GnR were also a canvas of easily identifiable characters for a lot of adolescent fans: With Axl as the enigmatic diva with sartorial splendor/daring and unhinged moods (but he wouldn't do something really irresponsible like kill someone driving drunk), Slash as a cardboard cliché of a rock god guitarist, Duff as the credible punk, Izzy as Mr Cool (strong and silent) and Steven Adler as Mr Unlucky everyone somehow still likes and cares for.

(https://img01.deviantart.net/fe3e/i/2010/348/a/d/guns_n_roses_by_aaronwty-d34vhsw.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 16, 2017, 01:16:19 PM
It's obvious Axl's bad boy image has an appeal to a segment of the female population.  That had to be a big factor in driving GNR.  Even now Lana Del Rey makes it clear she is quite a fan.  Once again, though, whatever it is that their music had I was never quite able to grasp. 
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 16, 2017, 01:17:20 PM
Like his iconic predecessor, Les Paul, I look forward to the Gibson Slash (tm) :-\

Oh yes, and as Uwe noted, I'm one of those folks who do not own a GnR recording and will be forever irritated by the persistent flat notes in the outro solo section of "September" Rain (sic) ...
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 16, 2017, 07:39:26 PM
I've never liked GnR but I do understand their appeal.

Allowing Slash to develop some products can't be worse than having Henry do it.

Like his iconic predecessor, Les Paul, I look forward to the Gibson Slash (tm) :-\


Did you miss this? (http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-Custom/Slash-Appetite-for-Destruction.aspx) It's one of several Slash models over the years.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Chris P. on August 17, 2017, 01:11:13 AM
My thoughts:

I still think it's hilarious that the iconic Slash Les Paul is a copy, made by Kris Derrig. So all the Slash signatures are Gibson copies of a Derrig copy.

Having said that, I think I stated this before. In my opinion the best and most influential guitar players are the ones who inspire young people to pick up a guitar. When I was young all guys wanted a Fender because of Kurt Kobain, an LP (Epi) because of Slash, or an Epiphone The Dot (335) because of Noel Gallagher. I don't think those guys are the best players, but they influenced hundreds of thousands of kids toy buy those guitars and start band. So especially Epiphone sold a shitload of LPs and 335s. And a lot of now famous bands started because of them. Young guys I know now want certain guitars because of Foo Fighters, QOTSA, .... So in my opinion those guys are better for guitar world and music world than Vai, Satriani, the lot...
No young kid wants (or can afford) a Yin Yang Fodera because of Wooten, a fretless five (six?)-string Warwick because of Steve Bailey, but they want that P/J/Tbird/... because of [insert name current hip bass player] of [insert name current hip band] plays it.

So yeah. Slash is good:)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Basvarken on August 17, 2017, 02:12:21 AM
I don't care.
He's a guitarist.



 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Grog on August 17, 2017, 06:55:20 AM
I can't remember exactly where I read or saw this, but it was fairly recent. Les Paul sales were in the tank around the time that GNR hit the scene. Apparently Slash had a lot to do with sparking a new interest that continues to this day. Henry had only owned the company for a few years and likely took note of this. That might be his reasoning?  ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2017, 07:00:06 AM
True, GnR draw women. Except for a Bon Jovi gig, I never saw as many women at a rock concert than at the GnR gig recently. And it poured buckets, you know how women don't like that (their hair and all), it was a true sacrifice for them!  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: 66Atlas on August 17, 2017, 07:49:43 AM
I remember hearing that he essentially resurrected les paul sales in the late 80s.  In a sea of pointy neon superstrats he defintely stood out with that guitar.

This was a fun read for anyone that hasn't seen the article before..

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/the_legend_of_slashs_appetite_for_destruction_les_paul?page=1
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 17, 2017, 09:38:47 AM
I don't care.
He's a guitarist.



 :popcorn:

Henry J was a bassist. That didn't help.  :-\
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: lowend1 on August 17, 2017, 12:09:52 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYV7Oinx3Yw
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Pilgrim on August 17, 2017, 02:30:33 PM
Fender sold a LOT of Strats thanks to Clapton and Hendrix.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 17, 2017, 03:21:14 PM
Fender sold a LOT of Strats thanks to Clapton and Hendrix.

Kirk Hammett said that before Hendrix the Strat was considered a pedestrian guitar mostly associated with country music and surf bands.  But Hendrix made it into a lethal weapon.  A shame, IMO.  I prefer the sound of a Gibson guitar (as I've noted in previous threads of course.)  I would say it's all subjective, but I've got a friend (who prefers Gibsons) who can tell you what guitar Hendrix was playing on live performances she has never heard before.  Needless to say, most of the time he was playing a Strat, but there were some exceptions. 
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 17, 2017, 09:25:58 PM
Kirk Hammett doesn't know what he's talking about, and he's not old enough to know unless he was going to gigs in the cradle.

I also don't believe the story about CBS planning to discontinue the Strat until Hendrix and Clapton came along. One of many tall tales told by former Fender guys looking to sell their books.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 17, 2017, 10:01:30 PM
Kirk Hammett doesn't know what he's talking about, and he's not old enough to know unless he was going to gigs in the cradle.

I also don't believe the story about CBS planning to discontinue the Strat until Hendrix and Clapton came along. One of many tall tales told by former Fender guys looking to sell their books.

Kirk Hammett didn't claim to have been speaking as an eyewitness.  Metallica didn't even form until 1981.  But I do think there is some validity to what he was saying.  Without Hendrix who knows where Fender guitars would be.  Just like without Paul McCartney who knows where Hofners would be.  But I'm a big Hendrix fan and believe that a lot of factors were involved in Hendrix playing Strats, but easy access on Strat necks was one of those factors.  It's my impression that he would have played Gibsons more if not for that.

I'm speaking mostly as a fanatical Hendrix fan who has observed some things through the years.  Based on what I've seen and read, this is my observation.  Several years ago here some of this was also discussed on a similar thread.  Eventually, a squad of pro-Fender people swooped in.  I thought they were going to take over everything--including maybe even the entire world itself.  I'm not personally interested into getting to any debates about this, though.  It doesn't mean that much to me, especially since it's about guitars--something i'm way less interested in than bass.  On a personal level, though, I've had both Gibson and Fender guitars. I liked both a lot, but preferred Gibson.

As for Hendrix fans (and I'm not even sure how relevant this is,) but I'm not sure how many fans from the original fan base are even left.  Most of the fans I encounter are people who became fans listening to the Band of Gypsys, "First Rays of the New Rising Sun," various bootlegs people like me may have never even heard, the Alan Douglas produced albums which came out for years even on into the mid-90s, the so-called definitive 2000 Purple Box 4 CD album, etc.  I seriously doubt if very many new fans are being brought in now that it's the 21st century, but some of the previously unreleased material like the 2010 West Coast Seattle Boy anthology is really good (but expensive.)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 18, 2017, 03:31:29 AM
... It's one of several Slash models over the years.

Les Paul "Slash" model... ;)
I agree with you, btw... anyone but Henry... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 18, 2017, 04:39:56 AM
I prefer a Strat sound to a Les Paul one - so there, I said it! If you listen to Blackmore's tone on In Rock (largely his beloved ES 335) and on Machine Head a few years later (pure Strat), the Strat tone is at the same time uncluttered, soaring, authoritative - it sounds more like a lead guitar.

I wasn't around either, but I have read many times that in the UK at least the Strat had a "Cliff Richard/Hank Marvin & The Shadows" goody-goody image in the early 60ies

(http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/volume-2-page-100-picture-23-1960s-cliff-richard-and-the-shadows-on-picture-id82138111?s=612x612)

which is why even The Beatles - originally a noisy cellar band from a harbour town - didn't play Strats. Or the Rolling Stones. Then Hendrix came along and the tall black man looked great with his white Strat (that match certainly no coincidence). And Clapton moved to Fender. So did Jeff Beck. David Gilmour. Robin Trower (a Hendrix fan, yes). Rory Gallagher. Blackmore (him again!), who said that he never loved a guitar more than his cherry ES 335,

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/6a/03/04/6a0304baf93057df98f3e597ae1626ac--screaming-lord-sutch-guitarist.jpg)

(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7b/9d/a3/7b9da3651da2e93980788f468ae37c5e.jpg)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UpWr7LCthlM/S6KIvxpnTJI/AAAAAAAAEjY/omxeuuU-9TQ/s400/78ritchie-1963-3.jpg)

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aA-MdLPo6X4/maxresdefault.jpg)


but that he came to the realisation that even a hand-me-down Strat from Clapton with a warped neck was the better tool for his style (though he never became attached to a single Strat like he did to his ES).

He looked better with the Strat too, at least to my youthful innocent eyes!  :mrgreen:

(http://c8.alamy.com/comp/AWJ7HF/deep-purple-uk-group-with-ritchie-blackmore-AWJ7HF.jpg)

(http://barriewentzell.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Ritchie-Blackmore-1970-641A_15a_16.jpg)

I wouldn't discount the image thing with younger players. At the end of the day, the reason why I never took to Fender basses was simply that any dance and Top 40 band in my neck of the woods had a bass player with either a P or a J. I didn't want my bass to look like that (though my first bass was a Korean J Ho because it was the cheapest thing available, I was distraught about the look from day one though and it never went away). I began playing bass in 1977 - it was the time when Jaco became famous too so everybody started pulling frets and playing Jazz Basses. But I didn't want to sound or look like some "jazz musician" either, I wanted to look like Roger Glover, Jim Lea, Martin Turner or Gene Simmons - players that never or hardly ever played Fender basses.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 18, 2017, 05:50:21 AM
Wanting to play something different sounds like the Jack Bruce explanation for wanting to play an EB -3.  Jack's comments in an interview--

"But probably the most important reason was that I didn’t want it to sound like a Fender; I wanted it to sound very personal. So the EB-3 fit the bill in all of those ways; I was able to get some great distortion, and it didn’t sound like a Fender at all!"

Later on he adds in discussing his desire to have a distorted sound on bass--

" To me it was actually a more musical sound than the very bland “thumpy” sound of even P-Basses. Certainly, in the hands of a master like James Jamerson, and later, Jaco Pastorius, they sound great, and I’ve got a couple of them myself. But at the time, I wanted to do something completely different."

Vintage Guitar, 2002

(i've quoted this before, but most of the time leave out that last part.)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 18, 2017, 06:52:00 AM
There is nothing inherently wrong with a Fender P sound (on the contrary, you can do most things with it), it's like wearing a Levi's or eating at McDonalds or driving a Volkswagen Golf, "does what it says on the tin"***. But that unremarkable look and the fact that everybody plays one, I can't help it ... that always turned me off.

***published consumption and emission data of the diesel engine may vary at times and HIMMEL!!! it was hard work to get zät richtig
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: patman on August 18, 2017, 07:01:18 AM
As a huge Allman Bros fan...I always preferred the sound of a Les Paul...

Less attack and more sustain...almost like a horn when soloing...

Sounds great in Duane's, Dickey's, Warren's hands...sounds like no other guitar.

I always say a Fender P does everything well, is never inappropriate for whatever type of music being played.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 18, 2017, 08:21:09 AM
Les Paul all the way... and DA pretty much top of that pile, and slide, no coincidence I own an SG...

I own a cheapie Squier Tele and a budget Gibson SG, for the 6 stringers in the herd, a budget Squier J with a fretless maple (ebanol capped, F licenced) neck that cost more than the bass (not that stupid, due to a seller error I paid 1/3 what I should have paid), some obscure Gibson bass, a dodgy headless with a 60's profile P thru-neck, and a couple of really dodgy custom basses... no replication anywhere... oh yes, and the Ibanez 12 acoustic and the fretless acoustic 5 stringer...

Uwe... the first bass player you listed was known for a Rick through the prime of his career with "that" band... and you ended up having this obsession with a certain other brand...? The remainder during that era known for EB3 (ish), T'Bird and Grabber... just curious...
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2017, 12:23:07 PM
Kirk Hammett didn't claim to have been speaking as an eyewitness.  Metallica didn't even form until 1981.  But I do think there is some validity to what he was saying.  Without Hendrix who knows where Fender guitars would be.  Just like without Paul McCartney who knows where Hofners would be.  But I'm a big Hendrix fan and believe that a lot of factors were involved in Hendrix playing Strats, but easy access on Strat necks was one of those factors.  It's my impression that he would have played Gibsons more if not for that.


Obviously not, but he's still dead wrong. The Strat became a sensation in 1957 thanks to Buddy Holly. I was in fifth grade, and believe me, any kid who wanted to play guitar noticed it. My first was a Melody Maker in 1959, thanks to the fact that my folks were paying for it and the store where I took lessons didn't see Fenders. If you went to a store that sold both in the early 60s, it was the Strats that got far more attention from young players. Solidbodies were second-string at Gibson, the ES series were their bread-and-butter.

As to where Gibson and Fender would be without the big stars that came along later, who knows? Hard to say.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: slinkp on August 18, 2017, 12:26:40 PM
Hm, I'd never heard this before:
"When the British Invasion hit big in February 1964, Fender instruments were not a prominent part of its armaments. The post-war U.K. import ban on U.S. musical instruments had only recently been lifted, and Fender guitars, basses and amps were only then starting to reach England in significant numbers."

From http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1960s/

If true, that would explain why strats, so common in the US in the early 60s, were rare in British Invasion bands...

That article also repeats the assertion that Strats were "not a dominant electric guitar by the middle of the decade" and credit Hendrix for the revival of popularity.
I wouldn't assume an article by Fender to be unbiased and accurate, but it's notable that they specifically mention a mid-60s dip in popularity.

This was all before I was born (1970), so of course I give more credence to those of us who were around at the time.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 18, 2017, 03:29:28 PM
Here you go, Ken, just what you need.

Gibson Announces Slash Les Paul Model in New "Anaconda Burst" (https://reverb.com/news/gibson-announces-slash-les-paul-model-in-new-anaconda-burst)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 18, 2017, 03:45:53 PM
Obviously not, but he's still dead wrong. The Strat became a sensation in 1957 thanks to Buddy Holly. I was in fifth grade, and believe me, any kid who wanted to play guitar noticed it. My first was a Melody Maker in 1959, thanks to the fact that my folks were paying for it and the store where I took lessons didn't see Fenders. If you went to a store that sold both in the early 60s, it was the Strats that got far more attention from young players. Solidbodies were second-string at Gibson, the ES series were their bread-and-butter.

As to where Gibson and Fender would be without the big stars that came along later, who knows? Hard to say.

My impressions are mostly personal and maybe pretty subjective, too.  I grew up looking at Gretsch, Fender, and Gibson as the top three guitar brands, with Fender probably being in third place, though.  I felt Hendrix's popularity did give Fender quite a boost even years after his death.  For several reasons, I never joined in on the adoration for P basses, although in later years I did end up having more of an appreciation for J basses than I expected. 
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Rob on August 18, 2017, 04:32:01 PM
Obviously not, but he's still dead wrong. The Strat became a sensation in 1957 thanks to Buddy Holly. I was in fifth grade, and believe me, any kid who wanted to play guitar noticed it. My first was a Melody Maker in 1959, thanks to the fact that my folks were paying for it and the store where I took lessons didn't see Fenders. If you went to a store that sold both in the early 60s, it was the Strats that got far more attention from young players. Solidbodies were second-string at Gibson, the ES series were their bread-and-butter.

As to where Gibson and Fender would be without the big stars that came along later, who knows? Hard to say.
I have also read that Fenders in general were really hard to get in the UK and Cliff Richards gear was an exception.
As to Jeff Beck going to Fender uhhhh that Tele from the Yarbirds was pretty Fenderish.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: OldManC on August 18, 2017, 10:09:24 PM
Both John and George had Strats (George's ended up with psychedelic paint for Magical Mystery Tour). I happen to like Les Pauls when I want an LP sound, Strats when I want a Strat sound, and Teles when I want a Tele sound. And (IMO) all three are about the best you can get for what each of them does,
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Basvarken on August 19, 2017, 12:33:31 AM
Geez guys. I thought this was a bass forum?
 :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: lowend1 on August 19, 2017, 08:54:11 AM
Kirk Hammett is a knucklehead. Fender was the original "rock n roll" guitar - as noted by Dave. Scotty Moore used an ES-295 and later a Super 400 with Elvis but those didn't exactly set the world on fire with teenagers. Actually if you read up on it, Scotty tried Fenders first, but found them a little too "feminine" (his words) for his hands. Uwe's point about Hank Marvin is also correct - lots of young Brits lusted after Fenders, but the prices were prohibitive. Even if they weren't able to afford them, though, Hank and his Strat were the inspiration. Not until Clapton, Bloomfield, Green, etc hit the scene did the Les Paul become a star.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: OldManC on August 19, 2017, 10:53:52 AM
Geez guys. I thought this was a bass forum?
 :mrgreen:

You're absolutely right, sir! My apologies.  ;D
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 19, 2017, 11:46:44 AM
Here you go, Ken, just what you need.

Gibson Announces Slash Les Paul Model in New "Anaconda Burst" (https://reverb.com/news/gibson-announces-slash-les-paul-model-in-new-anaconda-burst)

Snakes on a Plane... :mrgreen: (even the smiley's the right colour)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: the mojo hobo on August 19, 2017, 12:36:37 PM
Hm, I'd never heard this before:
"When the British Invasion hit big in February 1964, Fender instruments were not a prominent part of its armaments. The post-war U.K. import ban on U.S. musical instruments had only recently been lifted, and Fender guitars, basses and amps were only then starting to reach England in significant numbers."


They're making excuses. Most British Invasion bands played American made guitars, Paul's Hofner a notable exception. Gibson, Gretsch, Epiphone and Rickenbacker were all popular British Invasion instrument brands. Gibson and Rickenbacker especially for bassists.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 19, 2017, 08:16:19 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYV7Oinx3Yw

The Henry J was a big flop. Even back when most buyers weren't looking for luxury, it was spartan. I saw a few. Our '49 base model Chev, which came with nothing standard, not even a heater, was way nicer than a Henry J yet it cost very little more. And it had plenty enough power for the highway, which the Henry J didn't.

Did you know that Sears sold the Henry J through the catalog? It was rebranded as the Allstate. Even as big as Sears catalog was back then, it was a flop.

Not sure why the Kaiser and Fraser didn't last that long. Maybe being named Kaiser that soon after WWII didn't help. Buying Willys saved the company. The Jeep was an icon.

Geez guys. I thought this was a bass forum?
 :mrgreen:

Whatever Gibson does affects Gibson basses. I'd rather Slash have some input than just leaving it to Henry J, wouldn't you?

Now that I think about it, an all-baboon advisory panel could probably come up with better ideas than Henry.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 19, 2017, 08:47:32 PM
Hm, I'd never heard this before:
"When the British Invasion hit big in February 1964, Fender instruments were not a prominent part of its armaments. The post-war U.K. import ban on U.S. musical instruments had only recently been lifted, and Fender guitars, basses and amps were only then starting to reach England in significant numbers."

From http://www2.fender.com/experience/guitarchive/the-stratocaster-in-the-1960s/

If true, that would explain why strats, so common in the US in the early 60s, were rare in British Invasion bands...

That article also repeats the assertion that Strats were "not a dominant electric guitar by the middle of the decade" and credit Hendrix for the revival of popularity.
I wouldn't assume an article by Fender to be unbiased and accurate, but it's notable that they specifically mention a mid-60s dip in popularity.

This was all before I was born (1970), so of course I give more credence to those of us who were around at the time.

I have also read that Fenders in general were really hard to get in the UK and Cliff Richards gear was an exception.
As to Jeff Beck going to Fender uhhhh that Tele from the Yarbirds was pretty Fenderish.

They're making excuses. Most British Invasion bands played American made guitars, Paul's Hofner a notable exception. Gibson, Gretsch, Epiphone and Rickenbacker were all popular British Invasion instrument brands. Gibson and Rickenbacker especially for bassists.

There was never an import ban in effect in the UK. They did have import controls postwar for quite a while, maybe until about '60, but that was to allow time for major industries to rebuild. I find it hard to believe that MI manufacturers were ever considered essential to postwar recovery. In any case, Gibson and Gretsch had UK distribution well before the rock n' roll era. Not sure when Rickenbacker did, but they hit the jackpot with Rose Morris, who did a great job for them.

Fender didn't have any UK distributor until '61. Jennings and Selmer did not do a good job for Fender, including overpricing them compared to the other American competition. Jennings were only concerned with getting Vox amps into the hands of the bands. By the time Fender pulled distribution rights, they were several years behind in getting a foothold in the market. That's all there is to it.

Hank Marvin was playing with Cliff Richard's band and wanted a Strat. Cliff somehow got one for him in '59, not sure from where. But there's a video on YT where Hank says that Cliff only loaned it to him, he just never gave it back.  :)

Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 20, 2017, 11:37:46 AM
Now that I think about it, an all-baboon advisory panel could probably come up with better ideas than Henry.

I just got this flash of both Shakespeare and Douglas Adams... ;)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: slinkp on August 20, 2017, 08:10:46 PM
Yeah, that all makes sense. Thanks.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Chris P. on August 21, 2017, 01:25:57 AM
The big reason all Brit bands started with Framus, Egmond/Rosetti, et cetera, was that it was prohibited to import luxury goods from the US into the UK. This had to do with the war and economics.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: uwe on August 21, 2017, 04:35:21 AM
There was a lot of dearth in post-war UK - economically, the Empire had almost bled itself to death in WW II and the ensuing loss of the colonies didn't help either. There is a scene in the new film Viceroy's House where a - just arrived in India - Lady Edwina Mountbatten eats the chicken prepared for her dog by the Indian servants because (this happened in 1947, historically confirmed) she had been starved for chicken in wartime England. And you might think that a member of the Mountbatten family should have had access to more than just rationed food.

I once read in an interview that Pete Townshend was amazed at even the Phillips screws holding down the pickguard of his first Strat - he hadn't seen anything like it before.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Chris P. on August 21, 2017, 09:27:28 AM
Nice little fact: Lord Mountbatten was German and named Battenberg. But because of the war and the anti-German sentiment, he changed it to Mountbatten.... .....but WWI and not II.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Highlander on August 21, 2017, 11:16:39 AM
My dad saw him (Mountbatten) give his brigade a pep-talk before they went in, and then Wingate, his commanding officer told them, "You are all going to die..." Dad would not hear a word said against him...
Mountbatten, Prince Phillip's uncle, was also a direct descendant of Queen Victoria... Queen Victoria had a German accent that she was taught to lose... her original language was German... her parents original language was German...
But of course, the House of Hanover is the British Royal family, so there... :P

Now er... what were we talking about...? ;)
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Dave W on August 21, 2017, 12:43:15 PM
The big reason all Brit bands started with Framus, Egmond/Rosetti, et cetera, was that it was prohibited to import luxury goods from the US into the UK. This had to do with the war and economics.

See my comment above. I've never seen any evidence that there ever was such a ban. It's another one of those myths that you only see on guitar-related sites.

Egmond and Framus were not of equal quality as Gibson and Gretsch, and sold for a lot less.
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: Granny Gremlin on August 21, 2017, 01:57:24 PM
I can't remember ever at any point being excited about Slash.  I don't know who I would have chosen to represent Gibson, but it definitely wouldn't have been Slash.  Nothing against him personally--just never been a fan.

Fair enough; they coulda gone with Jimmy Page or Steve Jones, but they probably wanted it to be a yank (I'm sure there's a few other candidates but can't think of them just now).
Title: Re: Gibson’s First-Ever Global Brand Ambassador
Post by: westen44 on August 21, 2017, 03:13:01 PM
Fair enough; they coulda gone with Jimmy Page or Steve Jones, but they probably wanted it to be a yank (I'm sure there's a few other candidates but can't think of them just now).

I guess it isn't Slash so much as it's Guns 'n Roses.  Axl Rose is what I think of.  I realize he is probably far better than I give him credit for, but I find him hard to listen to.  If the lead singer isn't someone I like, it's hard for me to listen to any band.  Needless to say, I was never able to listen to Guns 'n Roses much (because of Axl Rose mostly.)  The point is if Slash had been in another band my impression of him would probably be different.