Playing a Fireturd X: Guitar business 'proving recession proof' (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14045539)
I almost feel embarrassed for the man. Almost.
Geez, Henry, do something about that mustache. And stop using the word "youngsters."
crap haircut :o
The haircut is unfortunate and Henry does not exude animal magnetism, let's leave it at that. But contentwise it could have been worse. More credible doing this than smashing an Epi.
He did not look that comfortable - the interview was conducted by one of the BBC's regular business news staff...
I watched it as it was broadcast this morning and something summed it all up for me in a very short comment he (Henry) made about the "Firebird X" being more akin to a "sports car"...
So if I understand this correctly this is an instrument for males of the species going through a mid-life crisis with issues regarding the length of certain parts of their anatomy... :rolleyes:
The guy is a CEO and he has an $8.00 haircut from Supercuts!? OK, granted he's limited as to what can be done but nothing looks worse than the comb over. Surely, he could afford a decent suit? The interviewer looks very professional while Henry looks like a manager at the Golden Coral in Sheboygen. :P
I guess he just doesn't want to look too wealthy because of Gibson's creditors?
I think the sportscar comparison was very apt. There are probably more Porsche drivers with a Firebird X than anybody else. And I don't have issues with building sportscars or guitars for people who drive them. As long as it gives people work that's all fine.
That said, I can't ever imagine buying a Porsche (no decent bass rig will fit in it!), but I'd buy a Thunderbird X in a heartbeat just out of curiosity.
Uwe
I can't imagine ever buying a Thunderbird X (I don't and won't own an active bass), but I'd try a Porsche in a heartbeat just out of curiosity. ;D
Bad look. Bad interview. He said the recession-proof, counter-cyclical guitar business went up in the 1920's. He might want to brush up on his history.
On second look, this is even more of an embarrassment than I thought. If it weren't for Gibson's established name, this would be bad publicity for the company instead of something to laugh at.
Also I think his mustache is too wide. If he narrows it quite a bit it will complement his Hitler haircut/combover.
New slogan: Gibson...we'll comb you over.
Yeah, but wasn't the tone from that firebird incredible? :-\
I bet all guitarists they asked refused to demonstrate it. And Henry J said; I'll have to do it myself...
Quote from: EvilLordJuju on July 07, 2011, 04:26:05 AM
Yeah, but wasn't the tone from that firebird incredible? :-\
Yeah, with a little more improvement it might sound as good as one of those Chinese counterfeit Gibsons.
Quote from: fur85 on July 06, 2011, 10:02:51 PM
Bad look. Bad interview. He said the recession-proof, counter-cyclical guitar business went up in the 1920's. He might want to brush up on his history.
Many music stores have either hung it up or gone out of buisness in the last few years. The recession-proof guitar wasn't enough to help these people through the downturn of the economy. Also, I don't know how big a player the music stores in many of the Best Buy locations have become. They must believe that it will be an enduring segment of retail.
"Youngsters"....yes, great word to turn off the kid market.
And nothing like playing like you picked up a guitar for the first time a week ago but then talking about how you studied guitar when you were a "youngster."
Why would any CEO waste TV time to demo his new product by making it sound like crap? At least come in prepared with two good riffs and knowing which buttons make the thing sound its best! Geesh!
Quote from: mc2NY on July 10, 2011, 10:03:10 AM
"Youngsters"....yes, great word to turn off the kid market.
And nothing like playing like you picked up a guitar for the first time a week ago but then talking about how you studied guitar when you were a "youngster."
Why would any CEO waste TV time to demo his new product by making it sound like crap? At least come in prepared with two good riffs and knowing which buttons make the thing sound its best! Geesh!
Remember the product rollout in NY where he tried to imitate Steve Jobs and wound up a laughingstock in the eyes of anyone who actually knows guitars. He could read the way he was savaged on his own forums, yet he comes back for more.
He manages to bamboozle enough journalists who don't know guitars. They fawn over him and his Fireturd X because they have no idea how to ask critical questions. And he winds up believing their image of him.
My guess is that his target market is those people who are as clueless as the journalists.
According to Simon Jack's Twitter feed, this went out at 6:50am, so the chances of any musicians seeing it were quite small. :P
In fairness to him, BBC Breakfast is only tenuously a news programme. It's main function is to provide a platform for celebrities to plug their books, films or records to people who are getting the kids ready for school. Asking searching questions wouldn't be in his brief.
Financially, looks like they're improving
http://www.creditflux.com/Issuers/2011-04-05/Clean-sound-from-Gibson-brings-Moodys-applause/
Not popular with employees though
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Gibson-Guitar-Reviews-E6869.htm
Quote from: PhilT on July 11, 2011, 10:29:40 AM
Financially, looks like they're improving
http://www.creditflux.com/Issuers/2011-04-05/Clean-sound-from-Gibson-brings-Moodys-applause/
B3 is still the bottom rung of Moody's poor credit/high credit risk category. Just a notch above their Caa1 rating when they were apparently in default. Maybe the applause was the sound of one hand clapping.
I'm more and more fascinated by the analogy of that Firebird to a sports car. When he plugged it in, it set off in crazy looper delay mode and he seemed to be struggling to stop it. The equivalent for a sports car would be, when you start the engine the auto shift is set in reverse with the cruise control stuck at 80mph and the only accessible button switches off traction control. Sounds like something made by British Leyland in the 1970s.
Quote from: PhilT on July 12, 2011, 10:35:12 AM
I'm more and more fascinated by the analogy of that Firebird to a sports car. When he plugged it in, it set off in crazy looper delay mode and he seemed to be struggling to stop it. The equivalent for a sports car would be, when you start the engine the auto shift is set in reverse with the cruise control stuck at 80mph and the only accessible button switches off traction control. Sounds like something made by British Leyland in the 1970s.
;D
You're forgetting that a British Leyland car from the 70s couldn't make it across a parking lot without needing a major overhaul. You didn't have to worry about stopping it.