We are going to continue to make the world’s best solid wood, hand crafted, beautiful, one of a kind, made in American work of art that securely holds your beloved instrument. Thank you for your support. This has been my focus from the day I started Zither in my garage.
This thing with Gibson just makes me sad. I'm from Michigan, and love the Gibson history and my many Gibson guitars. I hope that Gibson will do right by your company. My brother made me a beautiful hand-crafted guitar stand inspired by your stands for Christmas a couple of years ago. I love it. Your design is great, and works so well. I also have many other stands, wall hangers and guitar racks. I don't need another floor stand, but just ordered a stand from you. Good luck to you and your employees.
I hope you get to read this. Years ago Gibson bought Griffith Guitars in St John's Newfoundland and then shut down the shop. Chris Griffith designed an acoustic guitar frame that you just install top back sides and neck. It was a massive game changer in the acoustic guitar industry.... Gibson bought it and just shut it down
Yes, Garrison Guitars. They where a damn fine guitar. They had a carbon fiber skeleton that pretty much eliminated long term belly bow from bracing failure. And poof! Gibson closed them down.
Your standards for courage is pretty low. I’m kind of ashamed at you even making that comment. Courage is volunteering to give up a quality of life for a belief. Courage is running towards danger to save lives. I like this podcast but this is not an example of courage. Please educate yourself.
@@vedder10 No. I stand by my original statement. Phil M earns income from TH-cam, his guitar brand, & his pickup company. Two of those income sources are in direct competition with the second largest guitar brand. He respectfully but publicly called out questionable behavior from a guitar giant. That guitar giant employs tens of thousands of people world wide. That guitar company has millions of fans. If anyone of them decide to be retaliatory, Phil could lose both $$$ and influence of his channel. So by definition, what Phil did is an example of courage because of the $$$ and influence he risks of his own skin. Now, allow me to give an example of what is NOT courageous. Ridiculing someone from afar & anonymously is NOT an example of courage. BUT, there is a word for that as well and you are an example of that word.
@@BoltRMMan to change the subject a little bit, Kamen who owned Ovation and Applause guitars also made strings called the Kamen Performer Strings (just $ 4 bucks) , the best effing strings ever! Flexible stainless steel wound strings with coated plain treble strings that felt and sounded incredible! From '82- 87 and then gone forever 😢! Didn't Gibson buy the Kamen co.out as well?
Love my zither stand. It’s so beautiful I keep a guitar in the living room on it. Now that I know they are fellow Texans, I’ll be buying more. I’ll be sticking to Fender. I was considering an SG Junior. Not now.
15:50 Zither stands are high quality and so are the folks who make them. I ordered mine online & picked them up at the factory here in my hometown. They offered a tour and told me about the company history. The stands are not just functional, they are beautiful and sturdy as well.
I've been playing for close to 30 years. Bought my first Gibson in the 90s and it had quality control issues. Brought another Gibson about 20 years later and it still had quality control issues. Conversation aside, I'm not buying another one because of personal experience. There are just too many other great guitars for the price.
Phil, what you say around minute 28 about trademarks is correct. TMs protect the consumer. Early TMs were ironworkers initials in/on their product. Those initials told the buyer whose product they were buying.
Agree 1,000% with your words and sentiments on Gibson, Phil. If their management focused half as much on QC and bring decent as they did on screwing other firms and cheesy marketing, they'd be everyone's favourite maker instead of everyone's biggest disappointment. And I'd be buying as much of their stuff as I could afford instead of boycotting them.
My brother in law owns a G&L Asat tele. It’s one of the older ones and is flawless. The single best guitar I’ve ever played. If he’d ever sell it I’d buy it in an instant.
Exactly why I will never own a Gibson. Keep buying them, keep supporting them. That mindset is exactly why your "friends" in the industry are getting screwed. How can you support that? Asking for a friend....
Gotta agree here. If you don’t like a business’ practices, you tell them with your wallet. Anybody will treat you like a joke if you’re criticising them while handing over thousands of $£€ for their products. Phil, love you dude, but can’t complain about Gibson’s business practices while actively supporting them. Buy used if you _need_ to own a Gibson.
Pretty simple really, a small scale boycott will do absolutely nothing and the only person effected is you. It's much less exhausting to just buy what you want and avoid the politics. Even if Phil made a video stating he wasn't gonna buy from them anymore and explained why. how much momentum will that really carry? You might have a handful of people that join in and half of those couldn't buy one anyway. A couple weeks from then the hype of the video is dead and it's business as usual and the whole time Gibson lost nothing and learned nothing. It's a "gotta separate the art from the artist" situation. I don't like what they do to people but doesn't change the feel or sound of the guitar.
@@johnnysix7162 I was actually speaking broadly, not just to Phil. But I see where you get that from the text. Companies do this all of the time, and all of the trendy bandwagoneers never will step up and hit these monsters of companies where it hurts. It does work, but sadly all the social media influencers, and channels promote their overpriced and stolen designs. So you are correct, these things usually never change. Everyone has to fit in with the trend. Nobody really cares about integrity anymore. People are more worried about likes and views these days.
@@johnnysix7162 well, a local dealer near my hometown in France has just decided he won't bother to sell gibsons anymore, as he has had so many QC issues. Evil prevails when good men do nothing.
Joe Strummer telecaster and many other MIM signature models have grown in value nicely. A used signature USA production (not custom shop) Clapton strat cost the same used as the new ones did four years ago. A new one is $1999 now.
I love their broadway strings! They're the fullest sounding and loudest strings I've ever tried. If you like their normal strings and haven't tried them yet, they are 100% worth a shot.
They done something very similar with Seymour Duncan also. For years they were selling the Slash Signature Les Paul’s with Slash’s Signature Seymour Duncan Alnico pickups and then for the last run they cheaped out and started shipping the guitars with their own in-house version of his signature Seymour Duncan Signatures. They even got Slash to go along with it
Re the Gibson/Zither , the issue is the legal system has always been skewed to favor those with money, since the cost of justice can be ratcheted up almost endlessly thru appeals after appeals and the lengthy time it takes to go thru the process, during which the underdog is being racked over the coals and ripped off.
@zitherWizard, thanks for commenting, much appreciated. If you have a patent and you think Gibson have not designed around it, then yes you havre every right to feel aggrieved and wronged. Start with a cease and desist or a call to someone there who you know to be sensible and ask them to be reasonable. This really should be the end of it. If not, shame on Gibson and we, the community need to hold them to account. Best wishes for a satisfactory resolution.
I'm 67,played Gibson guitars for almost 50 years.After buying a few {5} custom shop guitars,I realized I was replacing almost every component,to get reliable usage.I,sold all but a cheap SG and will not own another.Really too bad
Well said Phil. It’s the Amazon principle. Sell other peoples’ stuff, see what works and sells in any area, then copy it, make it yourself, and you’ll make a tonne more and dominate that market.
Your right Phillip. I quit buying Gibson in late 80's do this type of operation. I start watching your show since the beginning and have stayed due to your honest program telling the truth. What I learned was the other brands of guitars are just as good and in some cases a lot better. Gibson QC sucks.
I've been playing guitar for 40 years and can appreciate the history of the Gibson brand and everything they've contributed to music but, at this point, I think their reputation is almost irreparably damaged. The last few years (actually decades) they've become known more for high prices, poor quality and going after any other company they can possibly take to court. I own a few older LPs and an SG but I'll never purchase so much as a t-shirt with their logo on it again. There are so many great companies out there making incredible instruments for far less that my collection will be just fine for the next 40 years.
To me, if Gibsons are coming out of the factory with the same quirks as mid level import guitars, is it really worth spending all that money on one, especially when other premium brands in that price range have shown much better quality and consistency?
Honestly, Gibsons reputation has been in and out of the gutter most decades and much of it self inflicted. It isn't really irreparable though - their buyers carry on buying regardless. You can see the split reaction throughout the comments. Those with a moral compass are dismissed as jealous haters who just can't afford a Gibson lol.
@bksd-tv5796 Dude, Gibson is universally seen as a joke by anyone that actually plays their guitars lmao. At best they’re wall art at this point for finance majors.
It may have been a tough discussion to start, Phil, but it was very valuable. Was about to pull the trigger on another SG, but I'll just pause for now. I might sit on it now for a week, maybe longer. As you said, it's worth the conversation first. Will definitley check out your Patreon!
@@Joe-mz6dc More like “Guy with known industry contacts tells a story about IP disputes between two companies I love, that makes me wait on more information before voting with my dollars.” Intellectual Property is a very important thing to me, if only for the thousands I’ve had to pay lawyers in my own lifetime to protect my own work. I’ve got a number of Zither stands and have always been impressed. I love most my Gibsons, but I’ve had my share of lemons from them too. Besides, there are MANY guitars I want. If I hear news that makes me wait for more info, it’s hardly the same as making a snap decision due to scuttlebutt, but chacun son gout.
@@Joe-mz6dcdude stop cucking for Gibson, or any brand for that matter. They don’t care about you and it’s really cringe. I get it, you paid _a lot_ for your instrument and feel that investment is being attacked. Get over it. Only you care.
I think Zither will be fine. Not everyone wants a Gibson branded stand. Their individual sales will still be where they were at. Maybe more after this situation. The loss of the Gibson 3rd party sales is rough. Hopefully they can make a deal to keep that branding aspect still a thing.
Hello Phil, what about the Monoprice stage right 15 W all tube amp. With a 12-inch celestion speaker Around $300. I have one, it's a nice amp especially for the price. :-)
I am happy to know this about Zither and Gibson. Sounds like everybody I know is getting a Zither stand for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. 😂 whether they play guitar or not!
Gibson / Epiphone will not see another one of my dollars. On the other hand I bought two Zither guitar stands. Good on you Phil for talking about it. Cheers! P.S. I don't actually have a favorite must have guitar string so I tend to buy whatever is on sale. A while back I bought a few 12 packs of Super Slinky strings when they were on deal for around $40 rockets per 12 pack. Bought some Darco 9-42 strings when they were on deal for $3 a set. Just bought some 4 packs of Super Slinkys for $20 so prices have definitely gone up. It's interesting to note that when I bought the 12 packs the strings came in the pink wrappers inside a pink box. The 4 packs I just got came in clear plastic wrappers inside a pink box. Guess using the clear plastic wrappers saves money or maybe they just ran out of the pink wrappers. Cheers again! P.S.S. Have two SG's, one ebony and one heritage cherry. Have been looking hard at an Epi viper blue SG. Full stop.
Maybe a class action lawsuit involving all of these small companies against Gibson is in order. Theyre essentially trying to create a monopoly and force out smaller businesses with excessive legal fees and marketplace dominance. I say this as someone who has spent A LOT OF MONEY on Gibson products.
Interesting thought . . . Congress seems happy to consider questioning, if not 'de-centralising' monopolies when it suits them. A concerted get-together for a class action might prove easier said than done, though. Hmmmm . . . .
It's stupid though. Bad publicity for Gibson, wastes their money and that of the people they sue and yet it will not generate one single extra sale for them.
Phil, your channel is my favorite and go to for all things guitar related. The reason I love your channel is because of your honest opinions on gear, your interactions within your subscriber community and the gear manufacturers. I’m sure that your honesty has impacted sponsorship of episodes, but your candor is refreshing and appreciated when some other channels do nothing but pander. Thank you for all you and your wife do!
Social media brand- Framus Guitars. Many youtubers went to Germany years ago, and almost all bought a Framus while there. I don't think a single one of them ever play them today.
I love mine and it’s my wife’s favorite guitar my best friend bought the same one I have as well. Best made guitar hands down wish they worked with channels I would buy another, but super hard to find.
Don’t feel bad, Phil, about saying what happened outright. I have a software company and in just four years, several behemoth companies have approached us about partnering, investing, or acquiring us, and then backed out. They signed NDA’s but they are copying our solution now. It’s clear they lied to us and met with us, looked at our IP, and asked a lot of questions so they could collect intel about how to steal it from us. It sucks and it’s okay to say it sucks.
@@paisteplayer1040But the sound is Nickelback Vanilla and headstock is a nu metal nightmare that needs a wizard or dragon inlay to finish the vibe. I have tried and tried with them but they are always bland. More power to those who love them but I cant.
@@jhrdrake7205 Stop.. You gibson fanboys, this is all you got. you dont know what you are talking about.. I have guitars from every make, Gibson do not really better.. Thats a myth..
The issue I would have with Gibson doing this, from the perspective of the folks at Zither, is that Gibson doesn't actually NEED to do this. They could just have the company that has been making their stands make the stands in the "official" Gibson design and both companies make good money because the Gibson branded ones probably won't even get the same sales numbers as the Zither, an already established company that specifically makes this product would anyway. Gibson branded accessories historically do not sell nearly as well as their counterparts made by brands that specifically make accessories. People want great Gibson guitars, not Zither knockoff Gibson guitar stands. That's Gibson's biggest problem -- prioritization. So Gibson is just kind of probably using this as a means of removing scrap wood from the shop floor and onto someone's bedroom floor because I don't actually see a glaring financial reason why they would do this otherwise. If I were the folks at Zither, I'd be pissed off too and also suspicious of Gibson's actual motives for even doing this
Also, for as much of the "America First" bs I see people talking about over and over these days, I actually see people DOING a lot more of the "Me First" type of business. Eventually lawyer money even runs out for a President 🤷🏻♀️
Why should Gibson pay Dimarzio a royalty for something that was originally invented at Gibson? I never understood that. DiMarzio is the one who found a "loophole" and trademarked the cream pickup bobbins, when it was really Gibson who did that first.
Totally agree here. To put Zither and DiMarzio into the same conversation here is pretty disingenuous. Taking what Phillip has said at face value what Gibson have done with respect to the stands does seem ‘off’ but DiMarzio’s US trademark registration on the double cream humbucker and PAF has always been a nonsense (given that they didn’t actually develop either) and anti-competitive in the pickup industry in general and I’d just point out that Gibson aren’t trying to take away those trademarks for their own use purposes, they’re trying to cancel them which will benefit other pickup makers in the US and provide more options for customers. DiMarzio are not the “good guys” in this one.
IP only really exists if you can defend it. That’s expensive. There’s a long history of it if you study Innovation. But if people do infringe and damage their reputation that’s their risk. The internet is wonderful for getting that info out…. You can’t sue people for telling the truth and win. Best thing small producers can do is just do it better and develop a suitable sized following. Someone will rip you off if it’s good enough.
The investors who bought Gibson will do everything to maximize the value of the company so they make a profit when they sell it. I have the same behavior in other industries. This is big business today. It’s not about the customer anymore. When is the last time Gibson listened to players about the issues and recommendations for their instruments?
Thanks for approaching this in the manner you did, Phil. And most of all for that line, "You sell joy." "This isn't joy." Everyone who loves music and follows the best artists knows it is one place in life, where acknowledgement of teachers, mentors and other artists is given freely and has to be. We all know music is an art built on the art of others. The acknowledgement is of that, and admiration. And it goes both ways in many cases. And that's why failing to acknowledge and harming creators in this sphere is really disturbing. Gibson is going to find at some point that this course will blowback on them badly. I hope they come to appreciate how much this offends a creative culture of inspiration, admiration and acknowledgement. Qualitiws that makes music precious and most universal form of human connection.
Looking forward to a collab with Dr. Fluud. Especially on tremolos and their feel. I really like your video on the Vegatrem. I have often thought of putting one on my Strat, but the truth is, I have the 2 point tremolo on the Strat, with locking tuners, and it never gives me any issues. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? On the other hand, I have a Kahler on my 83 Les Paul Custom (they were more popular back then) and it is somewhat fidgety. I've often considered replacing it with a standard TOM but doing so would leave a big gaping hole in the top, and I don't want that. But there is an option to lock it down, so that's what I did, and just removed the tremolo arm and don't use it. Still, the fine tuners are nice, so at least I've got that going for me. I'd be interested to see if you have any take on a Kahler.
Behemoth corporations are evil by nature. You really don't understand what is going on? You have shown some courage. I wish I had access to being on TV again to have Gibson on my show. Information would be researched, and even on what has been revealed, I would rip them a new one so they would change their ways.
For the "more drag" on the pot thing, i use the extra rubber things for the cheap earphones you get with a new cell phone. Perfect size, fits right on, squashes down, and does the job perfect
Yeah, I'll never buy a Gibson new. PRS is getting pretty ridiculous too. Not sure how I feel about them lately. I'll try supporting some of the smaller companies if at all possible.
Thks for the independent nature of your channel. I can’t ever see myself buying another Gibson however I presently own three core models and they totally fulfill expectations of owning high end gear. I play a few of Ibanez guitars too love them as much… cheap or expensive just tools.
Gibson screwed small mom and pop stores years ago with demands they sell X amount of Gibson or lose the ability to sell Gibson. I support small local biz and from that point on Gibson went south. Had a friend buy a Gibson Les Paul Supreme that was a mess. Frets were not dressed or leveled, paint was crap and it had the stupid robotic tuners which were one more flawed POS out of that gang of cut throats. He had more money than sense. Heritage Guitars are made in Kalamazoo MI on the old equipment, and they are sweet. Plenty of well made guitars out there. Screw Gibson. Thanks Phillip. Good stuff.
I've always wanted a Les Paul and I love the new painted SGs, but their attitude these last 7 or 8 years has really turned me off and now that I can easily afford one my money is going to ESP and Guild.
Thank you for telling us the facts about what Gibson's doing. If, after learning more and more about their behavior as a company, we still buy their products, we're just as much at fault as they are. I only own one Gibson and I don't plan to buy another. Ever.
On the Gibson discussion: Brian May attended the recent opening event of the London Gibson Guitar Garage. No news has been announced yet as to how he is on board with Gibson, but there is speculation that part or all of his own brand BMG Red Specials will be produced by or taken over by Gibson. My view is this: if it is the high end replicas that are to be made by Gibson fine because that would increase output and reduce the massive waiting list for those who can afford such a custom signature guitar. However, if it were to include the 'affordable' BMG RS line, that would be bad for buyers outside of the States. Brian May made his own guitar because he couldn't afford Gibson or Fender back in the day. If Gibson slaps its name on the BMG model and ships them across to Europe the price is likely to increase. Even if they were to be built as an Epiphone brand the price is still likely to increase. There are very good guitars available for much less than BMG's nowadays but people do still want that particular guitar. Obviously the economy of scales has pushed the BMG up in price a lot over recent years but it is still sub £1000. Agreed you can get a very decent Fender or Epiphone for that, but we are talking about a unique sounding and looking signature guitar. I hope Sir Brian has thought about this in depth. It might be a worry over nothing. Maybe he is in line for a signature Gibson acoustic model but reality suggests that Gibson has its eye on the Red Special design. Let's hope Brian retains ownership over that. Burns and Guild both made licenced copies in the past but he always retained his intellectual rights and pulled out when either sought to make a design change that he didn't agree with. Fingers crossed.
Covey would teach Gibson the meaning of two words. “Principles Govern” Well done Phil. I see very little in their corporate mission statement about integrity or partnerships; “Nobody wins, unless everyone wins” -Bruce Springsteen
I think part of the trouble is that anything that Gibson does involving lawsuits really gets hyped by the guitar media. I bet there's loads of stuff going on with copyrights and lawsuits with other companies that never gets a mention.
Thx Phil for your openess and honesty. These companies dont deserv charity fron us consumers so when one company (gibson) is actively trying to hurt other manufacturers and by proxy us consumer's they deserve to be called out for it
I think on the trademark discussion, Gibson is looking to have the PAF trademark invalidated. Since it is more than five years old, this is a difficult path for them, but they might be claiming that “paf” is generic (everyone calls them pafs and the term isn’t directly associated DiMarzio). This has some validity and would have been a strong claim before the trademark aged out.
Now that they are in the stands business they should offer finishes to match the customs they sell. Makes sense for them to build them, not like they are short of wood.
Disappointingly its standard operating procedure for corporates these days. Do whatever you want and worry about any downside later. Only the consumer can change this but its easy for our ethics to be left at the door for a cheaper price or easier availability etc.
Phil, your information is excellent, and your playing is jaw dropping. I would love it if you could break up your videos into 15 minute segments. More focus on a topic, and done!!!
Sears did that same thing. They would start out by initially doing biz with a mom and pop who had a great idea and product. Within a short time, they would knock off that same item and dissolve the relationship with mom and pop and add a new item to the declining Craftsman brand. Now ya see where Sears went....
Shure did the exact same thing with Westone. They had in ear buds made by Westone, reverse engineered them, cut off the contract and started making basically the identical design.
Matches US foreign policy. Gibson owning Boogie a hugely litigious company that made a lot of money from taking a large part of their Recto design from SOLDANO.
as much as i like the guitars sometimes... the current stuff gibson offers is not worth the price tag.. and their buisiness practices are disappointing to say the least. i dont think ill buy a new gibson ever.. and im not even sure id buy a used one at this point .. i dont want to play the ones i have out (r8 and '79 custom that weighs mo re than a boat) not because im scared to hurt them etc but its just not a company i want to represent in anyway lol. i almost want to stop playing my mesa.. but at least i can say its a pre gibson mesa lol its a mountain of tiny slights against the consumer on top of all the things going on behind the scenes. things like 3k les paul standards with 2 piece bodys(the 50s 60s standards and even the slash and greeny usa models)
The David & Goliath thing with Gibson. Sad for smaller companies in the firing line from the ambulance chasers BUT, ultimately, a bad look for Gibson and one that may well steer people (like me) away from their new offerings, or at least look at them sideways " . . . I wonder I wonder how much the mark-up on this quite nice little 70s Deluxe ReIssue is helping to finance the law company chasing after so and so ??? ". Nice one on the V + Duesy Trem sale - good kharma, doesn't surprise me at all - this is a go to channel for me. I'm sure you know but if not my other 'go to' Friday nights from the UK is Colin, who also does deep dives and made an honorary McKnight McMention complete with a fine set of hosiery checking out fret-nibs! (Maybe that didn't quite come out the way I wanted . . . he just had a stocking on his left hand 🤣) Colin will only review guitars he has bought, BTW. It doesn't surprise me that some manufacturers are scared of seeing their instruments 'on the table' under informed scrutiny . . . but what does that tell you about their ethics, their concern for delivering to the actual buyers who pay their salaries? Anyway, thanks for all you do! Cheers.
Gibson very much pulling a Walmart here. They're notorious for selling a product from an OEM, and eventually trying to either buy them out or price them out by making a similar product under their own branding.
Phil, you know in your heart of hearts what Gibson is doing, "it's just business" if Gibson comes up with an idea that generates money, they patent it and lawyer up to protect it. If they can steal/copy a good idea from another company that they know can't protect their patents, Gibson will just bully and steal the idea...its all about Gibson. You keep ascribing ethics to Gibson and time and time again you keep getting disappointed. Let your wallet do the talking, everyone should let their wallets do the talking...until it hurts Gibson in the pocket book they'll just keep on doing business their way.
Personally love VegaTrem for Stratocaster. I fell back in love with Strats since swapping out the bridges to the Vegatrem. Love how much range and how stable it is. Don’t like the plastic ring gasket on the trem arm though. Thankfully they work okay even with that plastic ring cracked.
Hey Phillip, I'm a big fan and always appreciate the insights you share! I was watching this on Saturday morning when you were talking about the issue with the guitar stands. In reference to the PRS stand which I have owned for about a year, and I really like it, and I don't mind the extra weight. Your comment about these stands causing a problem with nitro finishes concern me. Is it the hanger padding the concern? Thanks in advance!
It's always good to shine a light into darkness, which is basically what you're doing here Phillip. Our legal system is skewed towards the wealthy and established, who can afford to bring lawsuits, and sustain them through appeals and other expensive processes, against the little guy. I hope you don't get any uncomfortable blowback from this; but you're taking the high ground, which is deserving of respect...
Never understood the fanboy Gibson crowd; thanks for the measured and well thought out critique. Unfortunately large companies can litigate small companies out of existence.
In the 25+ yrs as a Guitarist/Musician, as well as a Luthier/Tech 17yrs within those yrs of playing. Gibson has/was always been a headache for me, personally. When I was doing the whole bands/recording thing(now I'm doing things Solo lol), Studios would have a Les Paul (Either a Deluxe, Studio, or Custom), or a SG and would have to use either one of those cause the Studio Owner(s) would hate the Guitars I'd have at that time (was using Jackson 6-strings w/Trems, Ibanez 6 & 7-strings w/ Trems). I spent more time fiddling with the tuning pegs, cause they were constantly going out of tune!! Mean the SG did better than the studios LPs but not by much, and to top the off!! When I was "shooting the breeze" with engineer. Was being informed about how the Headstocks were glued back on lol... but that's kind of the norm with Gibsons and their Headstocks etc. I was never a "fan" of Gibson when I first started back in the late 90s. Always thought there was other brands/models out there that could play better, plus the prices were just meh... Never knocked anyone for being a Gibson player/fan. Hell, we've all got our preferences, that's what's soooo awesome 😎🤘🏻 about being a guitar player as well as conversing with other players about guitar 🎸 Now! All this Gibson suing/lawsuits garbage, is just that, lol GARBAGE!!!! It's like every week they're going after someone, now they're being complete hypocritical a**ea Great vid as usual buddy!
Not for nothing, Dimarzio deserves to have "their" patents rescinded. They didn't invent the double cream humbucker, Gibson did. They didn't invent the PAF, Gibson did. That always rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, Gibson sucks for stealing other people's designs.
We are going to continue to make the world’s best solid wood, hand crafted, beautiful, one of a kind, made in American work of art that securely holds your beloved instrument. Thank you for your support. This has been my focus from the day I started Zither in my garage.
I very much appreciate small business, like yours. Just ordered a stand (mahogany) because of this story / situation. Wish you all well. TM
@@tommymann6182 thank you
Good on you Sir
Don't mess with Texas! Keep'em coming and thank you for your quality products!
This thing with Gibson just makes me sad. I'm from Michigan, and love the Gibson history and my many Gibson guitars. I hope that Gibson will do right by your company. My brother made me a beautiful hand-crafted guitar stand inspired by your stands for Christmas a couple of years ago. I love it. Your design is great, and works so well. I also have many other stands, wall hangers and guitar racks. I don't need another floor stand, but just ordered a stand from you. Good luck to you and your employees.
If only Gibson could this much effort in to building instruments.
I hope you get to read this.
Years ago Gibson bought Griffith Guitars in St John's Newfoundland and then shut down the shop. Chris Griffith designed an acoustic guitar frame that you just install top back sides and neck. It was a massive game changer in the acoustic guitar industry.... Gibson bought it and just shut it down
That's really bloody sad. Is the design documented anywhere?
@@BrodenssonGarrison Guitars. That was the brand.
I was working in a shop when that happened. Garrisons were pretty decent and then pooof gone.
Yes, Garrison Guitars. They where a damn fine guitar. They had a carbon fiber skeleton that pretty much eliminated long term belly bow from bracing failure. And poof! Gibson closed them down.
So why don't you go after the guy who sold out to Gibson?
I appreciate your courage to speak on this. Courage is in short supply. Well done!
Courage ? Are you on drugs 😂😂😂my grandpa died for his country .thats courage
@@JuddLofthouseyeah financially dying from corporations is also a reality in this era
Your standards for courage is pretty low. I’m kind of ashamed at you even making that comment. Courage is volunteering to give up a quality of life for a belief. Courage is running towards danger to save lives. I like this podcast but this is not an example of courage. Please educate yourself.
@@vedder10 No. I stand by my original statement. Phil M earns income from TH-cam, his guitar brand, & his pickup company. Two of those income sources are in direct competition with the second largest guitar brand. He respectfully but publicly called out questionable behavior from a guitar giant. That guitar giant employs tens of thousands of people world wide. That guitar company has millions of fans. If anyone of them decide to be retaliatory, Phil could lose both $$$ and influence of his channel. So by definition, what Phil did is an example of courage because of the $$$ and influence he risks of his own skin. Now, allow me to give an example of what is NOT courageous. Ridiculing someone from afar & anonymously is NOT an example of courage. BUT, there is a word for that as well and you are an example of that word.
@@JuddLofthouse what country? I assume the USA?
Thanks Phil for calling it as you see it. Many people will not stand up to large companies due to fear.
@@BoltRMMan to change the subject a little bit, Kamen who owned Ovation and Applause guitars also made strings called the Kamen Performer Strings (just $ 4 bucks) , the best effing strings ever! Flexible stainless steel wound strings with coated plain treble strings that felt and sounded incredible! From '82- 87 and then gone forever 😢! Didn't Gibson buy the Kamen co.out as well?
Love my zither stand. It’s so beautiful I keep a guitar in the living room on it. Now that I know they are fellow Texans, I’ll be buying more. I’ll be sticking to Fender. I was considering an SG Junior. Not now.
Hey man, I dig the principles.
Thank you
I didn't need a stand but I just ordered one from Zither, thanks.
Thank you
Bought a zither stand tonight, happy to support. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and for everything you do.
Thank you
15:50 Zither stands are high quality and so are the folks who make them. I ordered mine online & picked them up at the factory here in my hometown. They offered a tour and told me about the company history. The stands are not just functional, they are beautiful and sturdy as well.
Thank you
I am buying a Zither today.
Thank you
Wish I could, but I'm broke😂.
I've been playing for close to 30 years. Bought my first Gibson in the 90s and it had quality control issues. Brought another Gibson about 20 years later and it still had quality control issues. Conversation aside, I'm not buying another one because of personal experience. There are just too many other great guitars for the price.
I'll never knowingly buy a Gibson product. I'm sure they don't care, either.
That's funny. I bought 1 LP and I regretted it almost immediately and I was lucky enough to sell it for what I paid for it. Never again!
I used to feel this way but now that they own Mesa/Boogie it's a different story. =/
@@Adamfromky buy used then if you must
For what they want for their guitars, I'd sooner get a Kiesel.
The anti-Gibson BS is getting annoying. They make great guitars and that's the bottom line. It's just trendy to hate on them.
I love how Mark Agnesi responded to Zither that "Its a Gibson branded Zither stand" in the DM hahah
Agnesi is such a slimy little turd.
I’m done with Gibson. Thank you for shedding light on what Gibson is doing.
Phil, what you say around minute 28 about trademarks is correct. TMs protect the consumer. Early TMs were ironworkers initials in/on their product. Those initials told the buyer whose product they were buying.
Watch the movie "A Flash of Genius" very similar situation. I have to say the Gibson moustache base is very cool.
Agree 1,000% with your words and sentiments on Gibson, Phil. If their management focused half as much on QC and bring decent as they did on screwing other firms and cheesy marketing, they'd be everyone's favourite maker instead of everyone's biggest disappointment. And I'd be buying as much of their stuff as I could afford instead of boycotting them.
Gibson are a bunch of evil scumbags. I'm done with them! Best guitar company around...G&L in Fullerton, Ca.
Got a tribute S500 in November, immediately became my favorite guitar
Thank you 🙏
My brother in law owns a G&L Asat tele. It’s one of the older ones and is flawless. The single best guitar I’ve ever played. If he’d ever sell it I’d buy it in an instant.
Exactly why I will never own a Gibson. Keep buying them, keep supporting them. That mindset is exactly why your "friends" in the industry are getting screwed. How can you support that? Asking for a friend....
Gotta agree here. If you don’t like a business’ practices, you tell them with your wallet.
Anybody will treat you like a joke if you’re criticising them while handing over thousands of $£€ for their products.
Phil, love you dude, but can’t complain about Gibson’s business practices while actively supporting them. Buy used if you _need_ to own a Gibson.
Pretty simple really, a small scale boycott will do absolutely nothing and the only person effected is you. It's much less exhausting to just buy what you want and avoid the politics. Even if Phil made a video stating he wasn't gonna buy from them anymore and explained why. how much momentum will that really carry? You might have a handful of people that join in and half of those couldn't buy one anyway. A couple weeks from then the hype of the video is dead and it's business as usual and the whole time Gibson lost nothing and learned nothing. It's a "gotta separate the art from the artist" situation. I don't like what they do to people but doesn't change the feel or sound of the guitar.
@@johnnysix7162 I was actually speaking broadly, not just to Phil. But I see where you get that from the text. Companies do this all of the time, and all of the trendy bandwagoneers never will step up and hit these monsters of companies where it hurts. It does work, but sadly all the social media influencers, and channels promote their overpriced and stolen designs. So you are correct, these things usually never change. Everyone has to fit in with the trend. Nobody really cares about integrity anymore. People are more worried about likes and views these days.
@@johnnysix7162 well, a local dealer near my hometown in France has just decided he won't bother to sell gibsons anymore, as he has had so many QC issues. Evil prevails when good men do nothing.
Joe Strummer telecaster and many other MIM signature models have grown in value nicely. A used signature USA production (not custom shop) Clapton strat cost the same used as the new ones did four years ago. A new one is $1999 now.
1:34:45 STRINGJOY MENTIONED 🔥 love their stuff, worth the price being made in the US right in Nashville and for how long they seem to last
I love their broadway strings! They're the fullest sounding and loudest strings I've ever tried. If you like their normal strings and haven't tried them yet, they are 100% worth a shot.
They done something very similar with Seymour Duncan also. For years they were selling the Slash Signature Les Paul’s with Slash’s Signature Seymour Duncan Alnico pickups and then for the last run they cheaped out and started shipping the guitars with their own in-house version of his signature Seymour Duncan Signatures. They even got Slash to go along with it
Re the Gibson/Zither , the issue is the legal system has always been skewed to favor those with money, since the cost of justice can be ratcheted up almost endlessly thru appeals after appeals and the lengthy time it takes to go thru the process, during which the underdog is being racked over the coals and ripped off.
Precisely, if they don’t have a patent it’s open to replicate.
We have a patent, trademark and trade dress. We don’t have a legal department to drain Gibson dry.
@zitherWizard, thanks for commenting, much appreciated. If you have a patent and you think Gibson have not designed around it, then yes you havre every right to feel aggrieved and wronged. Start with a cease and desist or a call to someone there who you know to be sensible and ask them to be reasonable. This really should be the end of it. If not, shame on Gibson and we, the community need to hold them to account. Best wishes for a satisfactory resolution.
I'm 67,played Gibson guitars for almost 50 years.After buying a few {5} custom shop guitars,I realized I was replacing almost every component,to get reliable usage.I,sold all but a cheap SG and will not own another.Really too bad
Well said Phil. It’s the Amazon principle. Sell other peoples’ stuff, see what works and sells in any area, then copy it, make it yourself, and you’ll make a tonne more and dominate that market.
Your right Phillip. I quit buying Gibson in late 80's do this type of operation. I start watching your show since the beginning and have stayed due to your honest program telling the truth.
What I learned was the other brands of guitars are just as good and in some cases a lot better. Gibson
QC sucks.
The next stage will probably be Gibson sending a C&D letter to Zither to stop them making "copies of a Gibson product"!
I've been playing guitar for 40 years and can appreciate the history of the Gibson brand and everything they've contributed to music but, at this point, I think their reputation is almost irreparably damaged. The last few years (actually decades) they've become known more for high prices, poor quality and going after any other company they can possibly take to court. I own a few older LPs and an SG but I'll never purchase so much as a t-shirt with their logo on it again. There are so many great companies out there making incredible instruments for far less that my collection will be just fine for the next 40 years.
Lol damaged? Try selling ANY Gibson vs any other guitar. They are doing very well. 99.9999% if players don’t care about this stuff.
To me, if Gibsons are coming out of the factory with the same quirks as mid level import guitars, is it really worth spending all that money on one, especially when other premium brands in that price range have shown much better quality and consistency?
Honestly, Gibsons reputation has been in and out of the gutter most decades and much of it self inflicted. It isn't really irreparable though - their buyers carry on buying regardless. You can see the split reaction throughout the comments. Those with a moral compass are dismissed as jealous haters who just can't afford a Gibson lol.
@@PaulCooksStuff moral compass 🙄
@bksd-tv5796 Dude, Gibson is universally seen as a joke by anyone that actually plays their guitars lmao. At best they’re wall art at this point for finance majors.
It may have been a tough discussion to start, Phil, but it was very valuable. Was about to pull the trigger on another SG, but I'll just pause for now. I might sit on it now for a week, maybe longer. As you said, it's worth the conversation first. Will definitley check out your Patreon!
So guy on TH-cam makes a video about Gibson and you make the decision not to buy guitar that you want? How does that work exactly?
@@Joe-mz6dc More like “Guy with known industry contacts tells a story about IP disputes between two companies I love, that makes me wait on more information before voting with my dollars.”
Intellectual Property is a very important thing to me, if only for the thousands I’ve had to pay lawyers in my own lifetime to protect my own work.
I’ve got a number of Zither stands and have always been impressed. I love most my Gibsons, but I’ve had my share of lemons from them too.
Besides, there are MANY guitars I want. If I hear news that makes me wait for more info, it’s hardly the same as making a snap decision due to scuttlebutt, but chacun son gout.
@@Joe-mz6dcdude stop cucking for Gibson, or any brand for that matter. They don’t care about you and it’s really cringe.
I get it, you paid _a lot_ for your instrument and feel that investment is being attacked. Get over it. Only you care.
Phillip, you are the TH-camr we need but don’t deserve. Thank you for being brave and truthful in your videos, you have my respect, sir. 🫡
15:50 - 40:50 Phil please post this segment as its own video. You have a very good way of explaining these guitar industry issues
I think Zither will be fine. Not everyone wants a Gibson branded stand. Their individual sales will still be where they were at. Maybe more after this situation.
The loss of the Gibson 3rd party sales is rough. Hopefully they can make a deal to keep that branding aspect still a thing.
I was tossing up between an H-535 and an ES-335 until I watched this… my upcoming NGD will definitely be The Heritage!
I own a 535, they're great. They don't look as good as a Gibson, but they feel and sound better.
Hello Phil, what about the Monoprice stage right 15 W all tube amp. With a 12-inch celestion speaker Around $300. I have one, it's a nice amp especially for the price. :-)
I am happy to know this about Zither and Gibson. Sounds like everybody I know is getting a Zither stand for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, etc. 😂 whether they play guitar or not!
Well said concerning Gibson. Sadly greed and money rule the world !
Gibson / Epiphone will not see another one of my dollars. On the other hand I bought two Zither guitar stands. Good on you Phil for talking about it. Cheers! P.S. I don't actually have a favorite must have guitar string so I tend to buy whatever is on sale. A while back I bought a few 12 packs of Super Slinky strings when they were on deal for around $40 rockets per 12 pack. Bought some Darco 9-42 strings when they were on deal for $3 a set. Just bought some 4 packs of Super Slinkys for $20 so prices have definitely gone up. It's interesting to note that when I bought the 12 packs the strings came in the pink wrappers inside a pink box. The 4 packs I just got came in clear plastic wrappers inside a pink box. Guess using the clear plastic wrappers saves money or maybe they just ran out of the pink wrappers. Cheers again! P.S.S. Have two SG's, one ebony and one heritage cherry. Have been looking hard at an Epi viper blue SG. Full stop.
Thank you
Maybe a class action lawsuit involving all of these small companies against Gibson is in order. Theyre essentially trying to create a monopoly and force out smaller businesses with excessive legal fees and marketplace dominance. I say this as someone who has spent A LOT OF MONEY on Gibson products.
Interesting thought . . . Congress seems happy to consider questioning, if not 'de-centralising' monopolies when it suits them. A concerted get-together for a class action might prove easier said than done, though. Hmmmm . . . .
It's stupid though. Bad publicity for Gibson, wastes their money and that of the people they sue and yet it will not generate one single extra sale for them.
They learned this strategy from Bill Gates 100%
Phil, your channel is my favorite and go to for all things guitar related. The reason I love your channel is because of your honest opinions on gear, your interactions within your subscriber community and the gear manufacturers.
I’m sure that your honesty has impacted sponsorship of episodes, but your candor is refreshing and appreciated when some other channels do nothing but pander.
Thank you for all you and your wife do!
Social media brand- Framus Guitars. Many youtubers went to Germany years ago, and almost all bought a Framus while there. I don't think a single one of them ever play them today.
I love mine and it’s my wife’s favorite guitar my best friend bought the same one I have as well. Best made guitar hands down wish they worked with channels I would buy another, but super hard to find.
Don’t feel bad, Phil, about saying what happened outright. I have a software company and in just four years, several behemoth companies have approached us about partnering, investing, or acquiring us, and then backed out. They signed NDA’s but they are copying our solution now. It’s clear they lied to us and met with us, looked at our IP, and asked a lot of questions so they could collect intel about how to steal it from us. It sucks and it’s okay to say it sucks.
I’ve been considering a Gibson vs a Novo vs a PRS. I think I’ll trim list by one.
My Novo is fantastic, would recommend getting a Novo! I have a Serus P2 in Mermaid Sparkle. Also would recommend K-Line guitars!
PRS quality is top shelf.. PRS fit and finish is top shelf.. PRS tuning stabily is top shelf.
Yep@@paisteplayer1040
@@paisteplayer1040But the sound is Nickelback Vanilla and headstock is a nu metal nightmare that needs a wizard or dragon inlay to finish the vibe. I have tried and tried with them but they are always bland. More power to those who love them but I cant.
@@jhrdrake7205 Stop.. You gibson fanboys, this is all you got. you dont know what you are talking about.. I have guitars from every make, Gibson do not really better.. Thats a myth..
The issue I would have with Gibson doing this, from the perspective of the folks at Zither, is that Gibson doesn't actually NEED to do this. They could just have the company that has been making their stands make the stands in the "official" Gibson design and both companies make good money because the Gibson branded ones probably won't even get the same sales numbers as the Zither, an already established company that specifically makes this product would anyway. Gibson branded accessories historically do not sell nearly as well as their counterparts made by brands that specifically make accessories. People want great Gibson guitars, not Zither knockoff Gibson guitar stands. That's Gibson's biggest problem -- prioritization. So Gibson is just kind of probably using this as a means of removing scrap wood from the shop floor and onto someone's bedroom floor because I don't actually see a glaring financial reason why they would do this otherwise. If I were the folks at Zither, I'd be pissed off too and also suspicious of Gibson's actual motives for even doing this
Also, for as much of the "America First" bs I see people talking about over and over these days, I actually see people DOING a lot more of the "Me First" type of business. Eventually lawyer money even runs out for a President 🤷🏻♀️
True! Thank you
Interesting, thanks for the heads up, this is the way the world's been going, I can believe it, still sad and worrying
Why should Gibson pay Dimarzio a royalty for something that was originally invented at Gibson? I never understood that. DiMarzio is the one who found a "loophole" and trademarked the cream pickup bobbins, when it was really Gibson who did that first.
Totally agree here. To put Zither and DiMarzio into the same conversation here is pretty disingenuous. Taking what Phillip has said at face value what Gibson have done with respect to the stands does seem ‘off’ but DiMarzio’s US trademark registration on the double cream humbucker and PAF has always been a nonsense (given that they didn’t actually develop either) and anti-competitive in the pickup industry in general and I’d just point out that Gibson aren’t trying to take away those trademarks for their own use purposes, they’re trying to cancel them which will benefit other pickup makers in the US and provide more options for customers. DiMarzio are not the “good guys” in this one.
IP only really exists if you can defend it. That’s expensive.
There’s a long history of it if you study Innovation.
But if people do infringe and damage their reputation that’s their risk. The internet is wonderful for getting that info out…. You can’t sue people for telling the truth and win.
Best thing small producers can do is just do it better and develop a suitable sized following. Someone will rip you off if it’s good enough.
As tempting as it is to call Gibson "douche bags", it isn't really fair.
Douche bags provide a valuable service.
😂
The investors who bought Gibson will do everything to maximize the value of the company so they make a profit when they sell it. I have the same behavior in other industries. This is big business today. It’s not about the customer anymore. When is the last time Gibson listened to players about the issues and recommendations for their instruments?
Thanks for approaching this in the manner you did, Phil. And most of all for that line, "You sell joy." "This isn't joy." Everyone who loves music and follows the best artists knows it is one place in life, where acknowledgement of teachers, mentors and other artists is given freely and has to be. We all know music is an art built on the art of others. The acknowledgement is of that, and admiration. And it goes both ways in many cases. And that's why failing to acknowledge and harming creators in this sphere is really disturbing. Gibson is going to find at some point that this course will blowback on them badly. I hope they come to appreciate how much this offends a creative culture of inspiration, admiration and acknowledgement. Qualitiws that makes music precious and most universal form of human connection.
Also. Love the show! I’ve learned so much from your channel and am truly grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained. Keep rocking!
Looking forward to a collab with Dr. Fluud. Especially on tremolos and their feel. I really like your video on the Vegatrem. I have often thought of putting one on my Strat, but the truth is, I have the 2 point tremolo on the Strat, with locking tuners, and it never gives me any issues. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? On the other hand, I have a Kahler on my 83 Les Paul Custom (they were more popular back then) and it is somewhat fidgety. I've often considered replacing it with a standard TOM but doing so would leave a big gaping hole in the top, and I don't want that. But there is an option to lock it down, so that's what I did, and just removed the tremolo arm and don't use it. Still, the fine tuners are nice, so at least I've got that going for me. I'd be interested to see if you have any take on a Kahler.
Behemoth corporations are evil by nature.
You really don't understand what is going on?
You have shown some courage. I wish I had access to being on TV again to have Gibson on my show. Information would be researched, and even on what has been revealed, I would rip them a new one so they would change their ways.
For the "more drag" on the pot thing, i use the extra rubber things for the cheap earphones you get with a new cell phone. Perfect size, fits right on, squashes down, and does the job perfect
Yeah, I'll never buy a Gibson new. PRS is getting pretty ridiculous too. Not sure how I feel about them lately. I'll try supporting some of the smaller companies if at all possible.
While their prices are up, they have good company values. Quality is always top notch too on my US builds.
4real mon@@synonyx
Thks for the independent nature of your channel. I can’t ever see myself buying another Gibson however I presently own three core models and they totally fulfill expectations of owning high end gear. I play a few of Ibanez guitars too love them as much… cheap or expensive just tools.
Gibson screwed small mom and pop stores years ago with demands they sell X amount of Gibson or lose the ability to sell Gibson. I support small local biz and from that point on Gibson went south. Had a friend buy a Gibson Les Paul Supreme that was a mess. Frets were not dressed or leveled, paint was crap and it had the stupid robotic tuners which were one more flawed POS out of that gang of cut throats. He had more money than sense.
Heritage Guitars are made in Kalamazoo MI on the old equipment, and they are sweet.
Plenty of well made guitars out there. Screw Gibson.
Thanks Phillip. Good stuff.
Right on, Phil. 💪🏾 I like my Gibson guitars very much but there is no limit to human avarice.
Feels Amazonian. Yes, clearly Gibson's intellectual property attorneys determined that Zither's IP was not defensible.
Tim from 311 was actually going with Paul's guitar as his 1A for a good while there. Will be interesting to see if he uses Paul's again this year
The Microsoft business model lives on in Gibson!
Phillip, I happen to personally know of PRS threatening a luthier in N. Cal over “Bird-Style” fret marker inlays. Interesting story and outcome.
The birds are a unique trademarked style.
I've always wanted a Les Paul and I love the new painted SGs, but their attitude these last 7 or 8 years has really turned me off and now that I can easily afford one my money is going to ESP and Guild.
Mono price tube amps are actually really good and cheap! $200-350 last I checked.
Thank you for telling us the facts about what Gibson's doing. If, after learning more and more about their behavior as a company, we still buy their products, we're just as much at fault as they are. I only own one Gibson and I don't plan to buy another. Ever.
Phil, about your knaggs tremolo bridge. In term of how it works, I think the closest to it is ESP flicker III bridge which is used in ESP snapper.
There’s a documentary, Food Inc, that shows how a big company (Monsanto) sues farmers into submission. Great watch
On the Gibson discussion: Brian May attended the recent opening event of the London Gibson Guitar Garage. No news has been announced yet as to how he is on board with Gibson, but there is speculation that part or all of his own brand BMG Red Specials will be produced by or taken over by Gibson. My view is this: if it is the high end replicas that are to be made by Gibson fine because that would increase output and reduce the massive waiting list for those who can afford such a custom signature guitar. However, if it were to include the 'affordable' BMG RS line, that would be bad for buyers outside of the States. Brian May made his own guitar because he couldn't afford Gibson or Fender back in the day. If Gibson slaps its name on the BMG model and ships them across to Europe the price is likely to increase. Even if they were to be built as an Epiphone brand the price is still likely to increase. There are very good guitars available for much less than BMG's nowadays but people do still want that particular guitar. Obviously the economy of scales has pushed the BMG up in price a lot over recent years but it is still sub £1000. Agreed you can get a very decent Fender or Epiphone for that, but we are talking about a unique sounding and looking signature guitar. I hope Sir Brian has thought about this in depth. It might be a worry over nothing. Maybe he is in line for a signature Gibson acoustic model but reality suggests that Gibson has its eye on the Red Special design. Let's hope Brian retains ownership over that. Burns and Guild both made licenced copies in the past but he always retained his intellectual rights and pulled out when either sought to make a design change that he didn't agree with. Fingers crossed.
The Gibson logo flat on the floor facing you looks like a big duck foot.
and ducks are sure footed
Covey would teach Gibson the meaning of two words.
“Principles Govern”
Well done Phil.
I see very little in their corporate mission statement about integrity or partnerships;
“Nobody wins, unless everyone wins”
-Bruce Springsteen
May I just say I am so relieved to have always lacked the funds to buy any Gibson, and I now more than ever lack any desire to do so
I think part of the trouble is that anything that Gibson does involving lawsuits really gets hyped by the guitar media. I bet there's loads of stuff going on with copyrights and lawsuits with other companies that never gets a mention.
I'm in my 50s. I've never touched a gibson guitar. If I ever do, I'll pay for an old one. Something about the company has been off since the 70s.
Thx Phil for your openess and honesty. These companies dont deserv charity fron us consumers so when one company (gibson) is actively trying to hurt other manufacturers and by proxy us consumer's they deserve to be called out for it
I think on the trademark discussion, Gibson is looking to have the PAF trademark invalidated. Since it is more than five years old, this is a difficult path for them, but they might be claiming that “paf” is generic (everyone calls them pafs and the term isn’t directly associated DiMarzio). This has some validity and would have been a strong claim before the trademark aged out.
Now that they are in the stands business they should offer finishes to match the customs they sell. Makes sense for them to build them, not like they are short of wood.
Disappointingly its standard operating procedure for corporates these days. Do whatever you want and worry about any downside later. Only the consumer can change this but its easy for our ethics to be left at the door for a cheaper price or easier availability etc.
Why is it that when there’s a guitar company doing something crappy it’s almost always Gibson behind it?
Phil, your information is excellent, and your playing is jaw dropping.
I would love it if you could break up your videos into 15 minute segments. More focus on a topic, and done!!!
Sears did that same thing. They would start out by initially doing biz with a mom and pop who had a great idea and product. Within a short time, they would knock off that same item and dissolve the relationship with mom and pop and add a new item to the declining Craftsman brand. Now ya see where Sears went....
A tour would be interesting.
Shure did the exact same thing with Westone. They had in ear buds made by Westone, reverse engineered them, cut off the contract and started making basically the identical design.
Matches US foreign policy.
Gibson owning Boogie a hugely litigious company that made a lot of money from taking a large part of their Recto design from SOLDANO.
as much as i like the guitars sometimes... the current stuff gibson offers is not worth the price tag.. and their buisiness practices are disappointing to say the least. i dont think ill buy a new gibson ever.. and im not even sure id buy a used one at this point .. i dont want to play the ones i have out (r8 and '79 custom that weighs mo
re than a boat) not because im scared to hurt them etc but its just not a company i want to represent in anyway lol. i almost want to stop playing my mesa.. but at least i can say its a pre gibson mesa lol its a mountain of tiny slights against the consumer on top of all the things going on behind the scenes. things like 3k les paul standards with 2 piece bodys(the 50s 60s standards and even the slash and greeny usa models)
The David & Goliath thing with Gibson. Sad for smaller companies in the firing line from the ambulance chasers BUT, ultimately, a bad look for Gibson and one that may well steer people (like me) away from their new offerings, or at least look at them sideways " . . . I wonder I wonder how much the mark-up on this quite nice little 70s Deluxe ReIssue is helping to finance the law company chasing after so and so ??? ". Nice one on the V + Duesy Trem sale - good kharma, doesn't surprise me at all - this is a go to channel for me. I'm sure you know but if not my other 'go to' Friday nights from the UK is Colin, who also does deep dives and made an honorary McKnight McMention complete with a fine set of hosiery checking out fret-nibs! (Maybe that didn't quite come out the way I wanted . . . he just had a stocking on his left hand 🤣) Colin will only review guitars he has bought, BTW. It doesn't surprise me that some manufacturers are scared of seeing their instruments 'on the table' under informed scrutiny . . . but what does that tell you about their ethics, their concern for delivering to the actual buyers who pay their salaries? Anyway, thanks for all you do! Cheers.
This practice of "lawfare" is a real problem, and it's not confined to the guitar industry. I'm going to do my part and buy a Zither stand today.
Gibson very much pulling a Walmart here. They're notorious for selling a product from an OEM, and eventually trying to either buy them out or price them out by making a similar product under their own branding.
Amazon is a better example, but yes.
Trogly just reviewed a Gibson acoustic. F'ed up binding amongst other flaws.
A lot of the guitars Trogly reviews have minor little things that shouldn't pass QC for a $2,000+ instrument.
Phil, you know in your heart of hearts what Gibson is doing, "it's just business" if Gibson comes up with an idea that generates money, they patent it and lawyer up to protect it. If they can steal/copy a good idea from another company that they know can't protect their patents, Gibson will just bully and steal the idea...its all about Gibson. You keep ascribing ethics to Gibson and time and time again you keep getting disappointed. Let your wallet do the talking, everyone should let their wallets do the talking...until it hurts Gibson in the pocket book they'll just keep on doing business their way.
@SC ASH You can buy GraphTech String Saver bridge saddles.
Personally love VegaTrem for Stratocaster. I fell back in love with Strats since swapping out the bridges to the Vegatrem. Love how much range and how stable it is. Don’t like the plastic ring gasket on the trem arm though. Thankfully they work okay even with that plastic ring cracked.
Hey Phillip, I'm a big fan and always appreciate the insights you share! I was watching this on Saturday morning when you were talking about the issue with the guitar stands. In reference to the PRS stand which I have owned for about a year, and I really like it, and I don't mind the extra weight. Your comment about these stands causing a problem with nitro finishes concern me. Is it the hanger padding the concern? Thanks in advance!
The "Modern Business Model": It's always better to risk BEING SUED by the "powerless" than to PAY for permission...
zither has some word marks however those don't protect the design of the stand, just their logo.
Another great show done 👍🍻🎸
The serious talks on the stands does need to happen, but the chibson stand idea made me laugh pretty hard 😂
Can we pause to appreciate the irony that Gibson has become the antithesis of Rock n’ Roll? They have become THE MAN holding small businesses down.
It's always good to shine a light into darkness, which is basically what you're doing here Phillip.
Our legal system is skewed towards the wealthy and established, who can afford to bring lawsuits, and sustain them through appeals and other expensive processes, against the little guy.
I hope you don't get any uncomfortable blowback from this; but you're taking the high ground, which is deserving of respect...
Never understood the fanboy Gibson crowd; thanks for the measured and well thought out critique. Unfortunately large companies can litigate small companies out of existence.
In the 25+ yrs as a Guitarist/Musician, as well as a Luthier/Tech 17yrs within those yrs of playing. Gibson has/was always been a headache for me, personally. When I was doing the whole bands/recording thing(now I'm doing things Solo lol), Studios would have a Les Paul (Either a Deluxe, Studio, or Custom), or a SG and would have to use either one of those cause the Studio Owner(s) would hate the Guitars I'd have at that time (was using Jackson 6-strings w/Trems, Ibanez
6 & 7-strings w/ Trems). I spent more time fiddling with the tuning pegs, cause they were constantly going out of tune!! Mean the SG did better than the studios LPs but not by much, and to top the off!! When I was "shooting the breeze" with engineer. Was being informed about how the Headstocks were glued back on lol... but that's kind of the norm with Gibsons and their Headstocks etc.
I was never a "fan" of Gibson when I first started back in the late 90s. Always thought there was other brands/models out there that could play better, plus the prices were just meh... Never knocked anyone for being a Gibson player/fan. Hell, we've all got our preferences, that's what's soooo awesome 😎🤘🏻 about being a guitar player as well as conversing with other players about guitar 🎸
Now! All this Gibson suing/lawsuits garbage, is just that, lol GARBAGE!!!!
It's like every week they're going after someone, now they're being complete hypocritical a**ea
Great vid as usual buddy!
Does the $40 k Adam Jones V come with Adam Jones?
Not for nothing, Dimarzio deserves to have "their" patents rescinded. They didn't invent the double cream humbucker, Gibson did. They didn't invent the PAF, Gibson did. That always rubbed me the wrong way. That being said, Gibson sucks for stealing other people's designs.