Hard to say. Gibson already had way more under $1000 guitars than USA Fenders, thanks to Fender's steep price increases earlier this year. So it could be a way of trying to call attention to that and grab more of Fender's market. Or it could be that Gibson's own sales are lagging and need a boost.
Both I suspect, Fenders' price increase ( roughly 30% across the board ) has seriously affected sales ( at least at my store ) of course they are offering a rebate on some models, but not enough to offset the increase. I'm actually suprised that Gibson has dropped they're prices, but I think I read that they laid off some workers at the Memphis or Nashville plants. The reaction to Fenders' pricing has been pretty negative and Oklahoma hasn't been as negatively affected by the recession as other parts of the country, I can imagine that the Fender dealers in Detroit are not too happy. So I'd say good for Gibson, it would appear that they are at least recognizing that there are fewer dollars floating around ( well that would not be counting the Trillion or so the Gov has printed up
)
I wonder if dealer cost has gone done too, or if the retailer is "eating" Gibsons' goodwill gesture.
Scott ( Gibson player/Fender seller ) well except for the BassVI's
