It all makes sense to me. In his Wallstreet Journal interview (or was it the Financial Times?), Henry J declared what his role model companies are. No, not Fender, not Steinway, nothing musical. He named Nike and Harley-Davidson as symbols for brand names having transcended the original product. And that is what he is trying to do. Gibson is not Ric, they don't want to stay an instrument maker, they want to be a life style brand. As long as that leads to occasional bass production, I don't have issues with it. Gibson handbags would not disturb me and some of the more prominent members of our forum might view them as just the right accessory for their stage outfit!
Uwe