Gibson at NAMM 2019

[Dave W]

https://youtu.be/ZpXnb5IwKQQ?t=19m23s

So, a bass for guitar players?! Come on Gibson, don't screw up already.

Gibson will sell to whoever will buy. Selling a short scale bass to guitarists is a plus for Gibson. It's too bad that Jim DeCola emphasized it like that, but he's no dummy. The target market for that video is guitarists. I'm surprised that the basses were mentioned at all. When was the last time anyone at Gibson did that? However the new bass does in the marketplace, I'm still impressed that new management is getting one out there so soon.

I noticed what he said about the pickup. Whatever's under there, it's not a standard TB-Plus.

[Dave W]

How much does the new Management have to do with the models at NAMM anyway? It's only been what, three months?

Plenty, I think. They have decided to have a core line of classic guitar models that will not change from year to year. That's already a walk back from the 2019 models that were introduced last August. They're discontinuing model years, which was a Henry marketing gimmick. Changes are happening much quicker than I thought.

[slinkp]

Yeah, but those are nomenclature changes, no?

Surely the new Jr models have been in the works longer than that.

[Dave W]

Yeah, but those are nomenclature changes, no?

Surely the new Jr models have been in the works longer than that.

The new core Classic line just announced at NAMM is not a nomenclature change. It's a return to 50s and 60s specs. It's not the same as the 2019 line introduced last August. Those were probably in the works even before the Chapter 11 filing.

To put it another way, the 2019 LP Standard in stores right now, which has been criticized for having gimmicks not on the originals (internal dip switches, coil taps, high pass filter, etc,) will be replaced by the new line sometime soon.

From what I can gather, the newest stuff at NAMM was not already in the works. New management is moving fast.

[Basvarken]

The new LP Jr Tribute DC bass is clearly a companion to the LP Jr Tribute DC guitar. The guitar was introduced at Summer NAMM 2018. The new management was not installed yet in the summer of 2018.

[Dave W]

The new LP Jr Tribute DC bass is clearly a companion to the LP Jr Tribute DC guitar. The guitar was introduced at Summer NAMM 2018. The new management was not installed yet in the summer of 2018.

True, but I'm not sure what you're getting at. Gibson had plenty of existing models at NAMM in addition to the brand new models they just introduced. From what's been said, it's pretty clear that the bass is brand new since new management took over.

[Basvarken]

I think the LP Jr Tribute DC bass was already in the making when the new management came into sight.

[godofthunder]

   I don't see how you can call it a odd item for Gibson,  they have been tooled up for this version since 1989.

[Dave W]

I think the LP Jr Tribute DC bass was already in the making when the new management came into sight.

It's always possible, but anything beyond the fall 2019 lineup that was already in the works before the Chapter 11 filing would have had to be specifically approved by the bankruptcy judge. Very unlikely, especially since this was something requested by CME.

   I don't see how you can call it a odd item for Gibson,  they have been tooled up for this version since 1989.

I would be surprised if Firebird and TBird production accounts for more than 2% of Gibson's business. Compared to Ric, where more than 50% of their production is in neck through models. Even so, Gibson pricing is still at the low end of US-made neck through guitars and basses.

[gearHed289]

It's just my impression, but both online and in real life guitarists who want to play some bass for whatever reason do seem to gravitate toward short scale.

Just yesterday, a young guitarist who works over at one of our sister companies next door asked me for advice on a short scale. I suggested an SG, but he ended up getting a Mustang at CME.

[westen44]

Just yesterday, a young guitarist who works over at one of our sister companies next door asked me for advice on a short scale. I suggested an SG, but he ended up getting a Mustang at CME.

I'm not surprised.  If someone goes to ask for advice in certain places, the suggestion to get a Mustang often comes up.  Of course I'd get the SG instead. 

[Pilgrim]

Just yesterday, a young guitarist who works over at one of our sister companies next door asked me for advice on a short scale. I suggested an SG, but he ended up getting a Mustang at CME.

I'd go the other way, myself.  I've had a couple of Epi SGs and I have a Squier Bronco with a replacement pickup.  The Squier is my pick of the two for feel and playability, and the Mustangs have been building a good reputation.  If it's a current Mustang, the PJ setup adds versatility. But that's why all three models have succeeded, right? Tastes differ.

[Chris P.]

Of course the Casino is more populair than the ES330 because of some guys from Liverpool. I guess that's why they will make that one in the US. Same with some solid body Epiphones used by guys like Weller and Marriott. Cool they make some basses too.


Darryl Jones liked the DC JR so much, they ship one for him after the NAMM. As you might know, Darryl started his career on Mustangs and he still plays competition Mustangs with the Stones, like Bill Wyman. So the big guy loves short basses.

[westen44]

Darryl Jones learned bass on a violin bass, though, a Hofner copy. 

https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20180316/rolling-stones-bassist-darryl-jones-relishes-25-years-with-band

[Dave W]

Of course the Casino is more populair than the ES330 because of some guys from Liverpool. I guess that's why they will make that one in the US. Same with some solid body Epiphones used by guys like Weller and Marriott. Cool they make some basses too.


Darryl Jones liked the DC JR so much, they ship one for him after the NAMM. As you might know, Darryl started his career on Mustangs and he still plays competition Mustangs with the Stones, like Bill Wyman. So the big guy loves short basses.

If Darryl Jones is that impressed and it becomes known, that should really give the bass a boost. If Gibson were to have him endorse it, that would be even better. The bass will sell regardless, but bringing attention to a Gibson bass might convince the new management to pay more attention to basses.