James Curleigh live @ Thomann Music

[Dave W]

47 minutes long and IMHO worth it to watch all the way through. I'm impressed, and especially impressed at how much the new management has done already.

[Chris P.]

Will check! I talked to the guys recently and I was impressed to. No bullshit.

[uwe]

Very good and lending further support to my personal view that all leadership positions in that one nation under Canada should be held by those northern neighbours. 

Nuff said.

[uwe]

This guy is no comparison to Henry J's awkwardness. I really like him - does he play guitar a little? Not that he needs to, but he's probably the type who would learn it now.

Ain't it ironic? Henry J always waffled about making Gibson a lifestyle brand like Nike and Harley Davidson and is now succeeded by someone who comes from an arch-lifestyle brand like Levi's.

Time to contact the Custom Shop again about my doubleneck long scale/short scale fretless/8-string doubleneck SG dream bass, you think? I could always play the Stairway to Heaven intro on it and claim I wrote it! 

[doombass]

He definitely says the right things and seems very sincere and down to earth. And yeah, he can play the guitar.

[Dave W]

I'm most impressed by the steps they've already taken to improve quality control.

[Chris P.]

Yep both JC as the financial manager, who is part of the big financial company owning most of Gibson, are Gibson players and collectors.

Isn't it strange? Saviours are always called JC: Jesus Christ, Johan Cruijff and now this guy.

[uwe]

That reminds me how good a year 1974 was ..., three major, splendid events ...

[Basvarken]

That video makes you retroactively question Henry J's policy and contribution to the brand even more. My goodness, what a difference!

[Basvarken]

That reminds me how good a year 1974 was ..., three major, splendid events ...

"we" got our revenge in 1988 

[amptech]

Wow, that was really positive! (JC, not the football content)

[Dave W]

That video makes you retroactively question Henry J's policy and contribution to the brand even more. My goodness, what a difference!

Curleigh didn't have to mention Henry by name yet his comments were devastating. Henry did save the brand in the mid 80s but he had completely lost his way.

[uwe]

Yes, that is a solomonic obituary for his reign. Not everything Henry J. did or wanted was crap, during his tenure Gibson had strong phases too.

[doombass]

Yes, Henry had been there for over 30 years. My guess most of his later activities stemmed from restlessness after a while and he wanted change for change sake. I suppose that's why corporate leaders switch seats quite often, but Henry simply did'nt.

[Dave W]

He began to see himself as a visionary. His vision was wrong.