The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Outpost Cafe => Topic started by: pamlicojack on November 17, 2009, 02:15:29 PM

Title: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: pamlicojack on November 17, 2009, 02:15:29 PM
http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=11523068

Not good...
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Pilgrim on November 17, 2009, 02:22:27 PM
Would you say the feds gave Gibson a giant woody in public?  :P
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on November 17, 2009, 02:45:14 PM
Guess this is gonna hold up production of that zabinga ax Uwe ordered.  :P
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Highlander on November 17, 2009, 02:48:54 PM
Wood ya believe it...  :o
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 17, 2009, 02:50:07 PM
The wood in question is madagascar rosewood. And from reading this article (http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/2009/11/gibson_guitars_raided_by_fbi_f.php) it's unclear to me whether or not it's illegal.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: jmcgliss on November 17, 2009, 11:00:20 PM
Sounds like another case of tattletale terrorism.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Chris P. on November 17, 2009, 11:57:05 PM
I think Gibson has worse problems that that. I know banks wanted to sell the company to Peavey, but they were asking too much money. And more brands are in problems. I heard rumours about some other brands too, but I don't know if I can post that here.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: eb2 on November 18, 2009, 12:26:44 AM
I suspect a lot of guitar companies are having big headaches these days, especially the larger ones that built up over the last 20 years on easy lines of credit. 

But I would not be surprised if this turns out to be a load of crap: if Gibson has purchase orders and import tariff documentation, then someone would have to prove that the Gibson brass was in cahoots with the lumber companies in Madagascar.  If they are, then everyone else is, and I doubt that.  Seizing the wood and guitars sounds like tattletale terrorists, or not greasing the right fed, or both.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 18, 2009, 07:37:53 AM
Remember that Gibson is part of the Rainforest Alliance and Henry J is very big into using sustainable woods. It's hard for me to believe that the company would do this deliberately, if they did it at all.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Barklessdog on November 18, 2009, 11:19:47 AM
Remember that Gibson is part of the Rainforest Alliance and Henry J is very big into using sustainable woods. It's hard for me to believe that the company would do this deliberately, if they did it at all.

I wood have to agree with Dave  ;)

It would be bad for their image as well as big companies usually do not like to take chances on the possibilities of big repercussions.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/misc/Hugemonsterpig.jpg)
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: uwe on November 18, 2009, 11:46:32 AM
Man, I really want a Custom Shop TB with that bookmatched "Impounded by US Police" stamp on the West African rary wood top!!! Those things will be real expensive. First 100 issues will come with a free mug shot of Henry J. Tending the garden at the Tennessee State Penitentiary to become a better man of course ("Hey, boss, may I water the flowers some more?"). Prison carpentry might me a good idea too ...("Henry, watch that saw ... we can't have any more deaths here ...").

Sounds like vengeful whistleblowing/libel by a fired employee to me.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: TBird1958 on November 18, 2009, 11:52:37 AM


 Nothing like a prison shower scene  ;)

Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: tom grossheider on November 19, 2009, 07:29:36 AM
Fender did it.....  ;D
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 19, 2009, 09:32:30 AM
Fender did it.....  ;D

If it were a competitor, my guess would be PRS.   ;D
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: nofi on November 19, 2009, 12:42:24 PM
i don't think fender worries about anybody concerning bass sales at least. i do wonder if tacoma will still be making stuff, though.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: uwe on November 19, 2009, 12:50:32 PM

 Nothing like a prison shower scene  ;)



That one, dearest Fräulein?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guCGGjrYHUo

We aim to please and satisfy here!  :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Maybe it's the horrible Euro kitsch piano-synth muzak, but I prefer the tent scene in Brokeback Mountain any day for sheer passion. Of course, that was a quarter of a century later.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: eb2 on November 19, 2009, 02:27:46 PM
Funny that Al Pacino in Cruising doesn't get a lot of airtime these days.  Timeless style, that one.  But studded leather and guitars don't always go together well.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Highlander on November 19, 2009, 02:50:08 PM
Midnight Excess...

Uwe and Mark... a match made in Heaven...
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 19, 2009, 06:32:57 PM
i don't think fender worries about anybody concerning bass sales at least. i do wonder if tacoma will still be making stuff, though.

Tacoma is on its way out. They were broke when Fender bought them, and they only bought the company to get the production staff and facilities.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 20, 2009, 09:26:32 AM
This blog entry is written from a certain political viewpoint that we're not going to debate here, but this may shed some light on the raid, at least as far as what law the allegations come from: the criminalization of wood (http://www.classicalvalues.com/archives/2009/10/where_were_you_2.html)
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: uwe on November 20, 2009, 09:51:01 AM
My guess is that Gibson bought some wood where the origin specifications were doctored. And once that is in the market, it has to be confiscated whether the user is to blame or not. Of course, under civilized circumstances, you wouldn't need a dawn raid for that, but just a call along the lines of: "We've heard of some doubtful wood deliveries to you guys, may we take a look?" That doesn't look as hands-on in the evening news though.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Dave W on November 20, 2009, 10:04:37 AM
More: Henry J takes leave of absence from Rainforest Alliance board (http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2009/11/18/rainforest_alliance_speaks_out_on_gibson). Note that Gibson's chain of custody certificate doesn't cover wood from Madagascar, though that still doesn't mean the wood was illegally imported.
Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: uwe on November 24, 2009, 11:37:36 AM
Gibson Guitar Corp. Press Statement*
11.17.2009
Gibson Guitar is fully cooperating with agents of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service regarding an issue with wood procurement. Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO takes the issue of responsible wood sourcing very seriously. Gibson Guitar makes every effort to ensure that all its wood purchases are legal and is also working to increase the amount of wood purchased from certified sources, including FSC-certified wood. The company will continue to cooperate fully and assist our federal government with all inquiries and information.

"The Natural Resources Defense Council, one of America’s leading environmental advocacy organizations with 1.3 million members and on-line activists, has been collaborating for years with Gibson on environmental initiatives. Together with Gibson, NRDC has promoted protection of landscapes, endangered forests, and drinking water quality. We have also worked with Gibson to educate corporations, public officials and the public at-large about the risks we face from environmental threats, in particular those related to the risks posed by mountaintop removal coal mining and global warming. NRDC knows firsthand that the leadership at Gibson is committed to and informed about environmental issues and we look forward to continuing our collaborations with this good and upstanding organization for many years to come." -Allen Hershkowitz, Ph.D.

"Global Green USA, a national environmental organization, has worked with the Gibson Foundation for several years in its initiatives to promote smart solutions to global warming including the building of green schools that create healthier and more productive classrooms for kids.  Gibson has helped raise public awareness of global warming issues and has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable business practices.   We know Gibson will continue to be a leader in promoting environmental practices and look forward to our continuing work together." -Global Green USA

Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: TBird1958 on November 24, 2009, 12:56:26 PM
That one, dearest Fräulein?

We aim to please and satisfy here!  :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Maybe it's the horrible Euro kitsch piano-synth muzak, but I prefer the tent scene in Brokeback Mountain any day for sheer passion. Of course, that was a quarter of a century later.

 Ahh.................I've been away a little lately, the love that dare not speak it's name. thank you Uwe!


Title: Re: Feds raid Gibson Factory
Post by: Highlander on November 24, 2009, 01:05:58 PM
It's good to see that Mark is now over that "Going Dutch" part of his life...  ;D