Save the Stack!

[Grog]

It sounds like the iconic stack on the Gibson Kalamazoo plant was scheduled to come down today, can't find anything to confirm this.......

http://www.savegibsonstack.com/

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/01/effort_underway_to_demolish_fo.html

[Dave W]

The news article says a permit is necessary and it will be a couple of days. Still, seems like it's inevitable since the campaign is over a year old and hasn't raised enough money to repair it.

[Grog]

You would think that one of the many artists that have made millions using Gibson guitars, could spring for the $150,000 it would take to restore it........... But after a year, nothing!

[Pilgrim]

Looks like someone better write a check real fast if they want it to stay up.

[66Atlas]

Assuming it does end up getting knocked down I wonder how long it will take before they are selling the bricks.  Would you buy a "Gibson Brick"?

And of course the ones finished in white will cost more like any Gibson.

[Highlander]

Uwe won't care if it's white or brown... no collecting for fins...!

Will white ones come with CS tags...?

I don't know if anyone non UK here has heard of Battersea Power Station and it's somewhat iconic four chimneys, which are presently in the process of being carefully demolished (due to asbestos) and presently has only three towers... the owners will have to rebuild them all in the process of creation of multi-multi million des-res's...
You may know the site from the iconic cover of PF's Animals LP...

[gearHed289]

I can see it now - "The new Gibson Brick Bass!"

[Highlander]

Hmm... a Jethro Tull reference, perchance...?

If you created some kind of sling and hung one to the tail strap button it could help alleviate neck-dive in some models...?

[Dave W]

According to the latest article, the cost of restoring it would be about $800,000 and the current condition is hazardous.

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/01/bricks_are_likely_to_be_saved.html

".... the smokestack is leaning, bulging, located over a 14" gas main, and in danger of failing due to deferred maintenance."

It may be better to go ahead and dismantle the stack. The rest of the building isn't going anywhere.

[66Atlas]

Its seems like a lot of money to spend for a structure that few people would ever see and serves no purpose.  I could see if it were part of an iconic downtown skyline or something but even then for a town the size of Kalamazoo it might be a hard sell.   The money might be better spent on re-purposing the brick into a park or some type of walkway in a central downtown location that more people could appreciate.

As an aside, I got to play around with a 335 style Heritage a decade or so ago, that was a pretty guitar.

[uwe]

"Uwe won't care if it's white or brown... no collecting for fins...!"

[Highlander]

I haf amufed my mafter... 

[Dave W]

They are at least considering the possibility of a reprieve.

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/01/alternative_fixes_have_been_co.html

But if the cost of repair turns out to be greater than the value of the whole building, then it's doomed.

[mc2NY]

Assuming it does end up getting knocked down I wonder how long it will take before they are selling the bricks.  Would you buy a "Gibson Brick"?

And of course the ones finished in white will cost more like any Gibson.

Well....I've bought a couple Gibson over the years that turned out to be "loads."

So, Gibson selling "a Gibson brick" wouldn't be much of a change.


Maybe Uwe can restore it and use it as a Gibson Bass Museum and his American penthouse!!

[uwe]

I haf amufed my mafter... 

Call me Frollo, wretched one!!!