Hendrix family and Gibson strike a deal ... hard to believe

[Dave W]

I could put this in the guitar section, but it's not really meant to be about gear.

Moneygrubbing Janie Hendrix the Hendrix family is putting out its own "authorized" line of Jimi Hendrix Strat-type guitars -- and they will be made by Gibson or its subsidiaries.    That's right, Gibson. Because everyone associates Jimi's Strat with Gibson, right?


Read it and weep, rage, be amazed or whatever:

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/jimi-hendrix-electric-guitar-packages-220786

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/blog-when-is-a-strat-not-a-strat-220867

Discuss.

[OldManC]

WTF?

I figured Gibson were so hard up for new artist models that they were going to do a Jimi V but this is ridiculous!

[TBird1958]

Wow.....Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

[eb2]

They have been doing nonsense like this for years.  Remember the Hendrix Wah Wah pedals?  There was another short-lived Hendrix Strat-esque guitar in the 80s too.  This was right before they got control of the lps but did have control of licensing his name.  There was a comment in a guitar thing that said something to the effect of buying Al Hendrix a case of beer was all you needed.

When they got control of the music they reissued all the lps on CD with new cover art - you know, to bring Jimi's music to a new audience.  That was when little sis yanked all the lps off Reprise and reissued them with new remastering on MCA (the highest bidder) - which sounded horrid vs the Reprise CD work.  Then they invented Experience Hendrix records and reissued everything again.  They must get on the phone to Priscilla Presley and ask how to repackage things to death and milk the fans.  At least Eddie Kramer gets to go on TV every couple of years to talk about how the tapes have been remastered ...again.

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

They probly won't even make one lefty.
Not that I'd want one. 

[Aussie Mark]

And the package includes a tie dye scarf and a 10w amp.  How awesome.

[Highlander]

I'm sorry, I appear to have landed in the wrong dimension, again... nothing this ridiculous could ever happen where I come from, could it...?

It is hard to believe that Gibson could stoop so low...

[godofthunder]

Yeah that'll sell.   

[Chris P.]

Very strange... Some artists are like too big for one brand. Take Pete Townshend. He plays Strats and Fender amps and he's in every Fender catalogue. In the mean time Gibson brings out his J200, his SG and LP's, while Rickenbacker also had a sig and Hiwatt uses his name... Same with people like Hendrix. Let Marshall make a Hendrix amp, let Fender make the Strat and Gibson the V. Hendrix used a lot of Gibsons though..

But what's next? Fender bringing out a Entwistle Thunderbird? Rickenbacker a Clapton LP and, and, and..

[ramone57]

you guys got it all wrong.  it's all about giving back!   

"Creating this new guitar is continuing Jimi's practice of giving back to people. He would go to Manny's Music store in New York to make himself available to young musicians and invite them to his studio to watch him record. He also gave away guitars or bought them for young players," said Janie Hendrix, Jimi's sister and CEO of Authentic Hendrix.

[the mojo hobo]

Jimi Hendrix Strat-type guitars -- and they will be made by Gibson or its subsidiaries. 

Let's see, you get:
1. an official "Jimi Hendrix signature electric guitar"
2. a Jimi Hendrix Signature "Voodoo Child" amplifier
3. a Foxey Fuzz pedal,
4. a deluxe padded gig bag,
5. an instructional DVD, an electronic tuner,
6. two guitar cables,
7, a Hendrix inspired strap,
8. three picks
9. USB drive containing exclusive Hendrix media content.
10. a Hendrix inspired tie-dyed tee-shirt and bandana.
MSRP $449.99 USD.

I'm guessing it's going to be made by a Chinese subsidary.

[uwe]

Manic depression is touching my soul.

[gearHed289]

Sick. 

[Dave W]

I'm guessing it's going to be made by a Chinese subsidary.

Gibson does have its own Chinese factory, and those MSRPs sure seem too low for Korea or US.

But look at this: http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Blogs/Gibson-USA-Blog/September-2009/Live-From-the-Production-Line-at-Gibson-USA.aspx


It seems like these will not use any of Gibson's brand names. Regardless, I think it's a shame to do this.

[TBird1958]

Nice thing is; as Bass players we can all easily distance ourselves from this.  



Thank God!