[alexx]

Originally Posted by LoKi

That is typical corporate marketing for you. Take a good look at the 'Robot Guitar'.

Gibson takes a nifty, gimmicky device that SOMEBODY ELSE INVENTED and then lathers at the mouth about how Gibson has always been about innovation.

Then they give it a corny name and sell it for way too much money.

That is the Gibson I've known, since Oh! Henry Juszkiewicz took over.

In the 50's and 60's Gibson started losing money. Why? Because their electric guitars were hard to play, heavy and not very desirable.

A handful of superstars using them changed peoples opinions on that... Kept them afloat long enough for a larger corporate entity to take over *Norlin* who made changes to the guitar based on feedback of customers. Norlin cut the bottom line and the company started making money again. The guitars weren't made as well, the materials weren't as pricey, but it kept the doors open, until the 80's when people decided once again they hated heavy guitars, and things with neon colors and points were far more interesting.

Again, a handful of superstars playing Gibson Les Pauls saved the day.

Now we're back to the same thing again. People will say they want a lighter guitar, but it has to be exactly the same as the old ones. Sound the same, look the same and feel the same without being heavy. People also want low fat Big Macs and free gasoline.

None of that shit is gonna happen. Plain and simple. Gibson will continually try to make changes to their line up, just to realize that people want what WORKS. Quality solid body instruments. Thats all.

The only thing is, its a double edged sword. If Gibson doesn't try to make anything new, people will get bored with the same old, same old. But if they get rid of the same old same old, God help them.

Same thing with Marshall. Marshall used to be high quality best of the best tube amps.

Now? They haven't put out a good amp since 1990. Its all about the bottom line. Cheaper, faster, higher priced. Cheaper, faster, higher priced. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Marshall makes toys now, not amplifiers. The real high end stuff has all left 'brand names' and brand loyalty won't get you anywhere, except broke.

Dude, you were inspired here. excelent post,interesting point of view.