The Last Bass Outpost

They're delaying their audited financial statements? THAT concerns me more than anything I've heard from the store owner. Once the auditors flinch giving the audit, you're in reall bad shape, ouch.

Now I have nightmares of Fender buying Gibson!!!

Yep, the delay of the financial statements is a big red flag. Along with the loss of revolving credit. I don't believe the other rumors (except that Peavey might be interested) but Moody's evaluation is something you can't take lightly.

Fender has bought a number of troubled companies, but they may not be in a position to in this economy, especially one this big. Unless Korg ups its stake in Fender.

OTOH if there's a real problem and creditors wind up taking control, anything could happen. Can you see Gibson becoming part of a Chinese or Indian conglomerate? 

I've heard the part about the ex-wife getting Epiphone, but Epi is still wholly owned by Gibson so AFAIK that's completely false. Never heard a thing about a divorce anyway.

It's possible that Gibson isn't in good shape. Moody's recently downgraded them. I don't believe there's been any default or things would be worse than this:

October 29, 2009 Source

Moody's Downgrades Gibson, Warns of Further Downgrade

Moody's downgraded Gibson Guitar Corp.'s corporate family rating to B3 from B2 largely due to Moody's expectation of weaker than expected 2009 operating performance versus 2008.

The ratings are on review for possible further downgrade.

The one notch downgrade in the corporate family rating to B3 from B2 reflects the company's expected diminishing operating performance in 2009 versus 2008 and Moody's view that operating performance will likely continue to be pressured for the near term. The downgrade also reflects Moody's concern over Gibson's continuing delay in issuing its 2008 audited financial statements and the risks associated with the company's corporate governance structure.

"The review for downgrade reflects Moody's concern over Gibson's liquidity position as the company no longer has access to its revolving credit facility because of the delay in issuing its financial statements by the waiver deadline" said Moody's.

The review for downgrade also reflects Moody's concern about the company's ability to comply with financial covenants over the next few quarters as the covenants contractually adjust.

Moody's review will focus on the company's liquidity position, including the cushion for covenant compliance and operating cash flow.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Gibson manufactures and markets acoustic and electric guitars under the Gibson and Epiphone brand names. Revenues for the twelve months ended June 28, 2009 were approximately $300 million.

My knowledge of living Aborigines starts and ends with Evonne Goolagong.

The price seems right but how do we know that these are the real McCoy? 

IMO the unequal size cream colored rings are the giveaway. 

I remember Willie's had one in the late 90s that was showroom clean for about $1300, and IIRC somebody (you?) traded in one that was in rougher condition. Or maybe I have the sequence backwards.

If you click the shipping and payments tab, it does show that he'll ship just about anywhere.

Those are Gibson TB-Plus pickups from the most recent LP Standard Bass series. They're not Thunderbird bass pickups.

But thanks for posting, somebody may still be interested.