Vivian Campbell disses Gibson

[loaded six string]

In the current issue of Guitar World "Jimmy Hendrix: 40th ann. of Electric Lady land", there is a interview with Phil Colin and Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard.
One of the questions posed was " What gear do you use in your current setup, and has it changed much"? Vivian Campbell responds with...."Ive been playing Les Paul's, but I hate to give any press to the ****ing Gibson ****ing guitar company because they're a pain. Gibson as a guitar company is really on the slide.They're not really supportive of there artists. But I really love playing the Les Paul"

Is this a case of sour grapes because I cant get a sig. model ? Or is he speaking some truth ?

[Wuchak]

The expression "sour grapes" has nothing to do with being bitter about not getting something. In the original Aesop fable the fox fails to get the grapes because they are out of his reach so as he walks away he says, "They were probably sour anyways". He's not bitter. He's rationalizing his failure.

In this case Campbell seems to be saying the grapes are sweeeet, but the owner of the vineyard is a pain in the ass.

[loaded six string]

Originally Posted by Wuchak

The expression "sour grapes" has nothing to do with being bitter about not getting something. In the original Aesop fable the fox fails to get the grapes because they are out of his reach so as he walks away he says, "They were probably sour anyways". He's not bitter. He's rationalizing his failure.

In this case Campbell seems to be saying the grapes are sweeeet, but the owner of the vineyard is a pain in the ass.

Thats the funniest thing I have ever read, but, you do make a valid point. Still,a guitar player of his caliber should be on a........minimal decent working relationship with gibson at least. Those are some pretty harsh comments by him.

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by loaded six string

Thats the funniest thing I have ever read, but, you do make a valid point. Still,a guitar player of his caliber should be on a........minimal decent working relationship with gibson at least. Those are some pretty harsh comments by him.

he seems pissed off about somethin'

[b-squared]

I'd like to hear the rest of the story.

BB

[WildeStarr]

I have heard alot of negative stuff come out of VC over the years.

[loaded six string]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I'd like to hear the rest of the story.

BB

B2..I tried finding the article online, but it wasnt there. There isnt much more at all concerning that particular issue. but still, I'd like to hear the whole story to

[stinger]

He is probably pissed cause they didn't give him one for free. Here's what Ronnie James Dio has to say about him: YouTube - Ronnie James Dio Slams Vivian Campbell as he signs autograph

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by stinger

He is probably pissed cause they didn't give him one for free. Here's what Ronnie James Dio has to say about him: YouTube - Ronnie James Dio Slams Vivian Campbell as he signs autograph

whoa......

Yeah, for SOME reason, rich musicians think they should get ALL their equipment FREE! Sometimes people like Slash will actually steal guitars, because of this attitude of entitlement!!

[mojofilter]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

Yeah, for SOME reason, rich musicians think they should get ALL their equipment FREE! Sometimes people like Slash will actually steal guitars, because of this attitude of entitlement!!

THAT SAYS IT ALL!!!!TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OT OF MY MOUTH

[shotgunlew]

Originally Posted by mojofilter

THAT SAYS IT ALL!!!!TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OT OF MY MOUTH

couldent aggre more!


chris

[loaded six string]

yup 100% agree. What more do these guys want ? They have millions of dollars, are in a hi profile rock band, get all of the vageeja they want, and they still bitch about not getting free gear ?

[drewbertca]

I want free gear

[st.bede]

Originally Posted by stinger

He is probably pissed cause they didn't give him one for free. Here's what Ronnie James Dio has to say about him: YouTube - Ronnie James Dio Slams Vivian Campbell as he signs autograph

lol...man what can you say.....

[arcanis494]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

Yeah, for SOME reason, rich musicians think they should get ALL their equipment FREE! Sometimes people like Slash will actually steal guitars, because of this attitude of entitlement!!

The ironic thing is they are the people that can afford it.

[captain tightpants]

.

[wolfie666]

this is dave wolff i've been teching for viv for 16 yrs now. to make a long story short gibson treated viv great up to 94 then it ended parts here and there the loan git here and there (off the shelf stuff mind u ) i get all the corp. crap but gibson has been dissing viv for years behind their mama's skirt. this was the truth long coming..viv's track record speakes for itself he has done more TV/ video's / shows bla bla bla than any other wanna be boy band fly by nighter's or one hit wonder's will ever think about w/ a LES PAUL HANGING PROUDLY OFF OF HIM. i know cuz i was there for all of it...i got emails after emails asking for gits and parts and got blown off....how would you like to show up to a raidio show(big on 05) (vh1 rock honors) and looking at racks of new gibsons in these boy band's gear and asking the tech how did ya get those and their reply is oh we just called and they showed up.....so to all the LP players out there by no means is he a multy millionaire rock star he has earned everything the hard way he has kids and wife and a very modist lifestyle and by far he is the nicest down to earth person i've ever met....i dont see viv ever not playing a LP no matter what gibson or anyone else say's ......this interview has stopped 10yrs of at least trying to get stuff from gibson.....i will keep all viv's gibsons up and running w/ the help of many other friends in all the great company's making parts so no worry's.....

[b-squared]

While I certainly admire Viv, and have followed his playing for a long time (bought a Kramer Night Swan when he endorsed them), Def Lep isn't a band that is on TV a lot these days.

I can understand Gibby putting a lot of guitars into the hands of these young up/comers; they are on MTV every 2 minutes...instant name recognition. Same with Slash...the most recognized guitar player on the planet right now...he gets carte blanche.

Not so much with Viv. I agree, Gibby is disrespecting him after a lot of years of publicity; throwing some nice axes/parts his way seems a small gesture on their part. Hopefully they'll fix the problem.

I'd gladly let Viv play my historics when he rolls through STL...provided I get them back.

Much respect...

BB

[coldsteal2]

He is a close freind and band mate with my x singer
Rob Lamothe, (they were both in the River Dogs) Rob was my singer
in my last two bands with Robbin Crosby.

[b-squared]

That's pretty cool.

BB

[BCRGreg]

Hey, Wolfie!

I have seen Gibson do this to lots of artists, most recently a guy that I teched for(no name mentioned because Gibson is treating him okay right now).

If the company will chop up guitars to make stupid displays but not compensate artists for promoting their products, then I'd say that Gibson has a problem.

Anyone remember Gibson Cafes?

Didn't think so. They spent MILLIONS on trying to have a branded restaurant. Nobody cared.

I have no problem with Viv or anyone on the big stage getting free gear, and I think Viv's justified.

[wolfie666]

thanx u guys

[Kashmir]

It sounds to me like Viv is just saying that he knows Gibson, and the fact that they often manipulate and take advantage, as many 'almost' monopolies do. Vivian's a real straight shooter. You couldn't meet a nicer professional musician.

[loaded six string]

It'cool that we got to hear the other side of the story, and from Viv's personal guitar tech. I would call that first hand info and almost a personal response from Viv himself. Good Info.

[captain tightpants]

Well, then I stand corrected. My apologies.

[Inside Guy]

Originally Posted by wolfie666

this is dave wolff i've been teching for viv for 16 yrs now. to make a long story short gibson treated viv great up to 94 then it ended parts here and there the loan git here and there (off the shelf stuff mind u ) i get all the corp. crap but gibson has been dissing viv for years behind their mama's skirt. this was the truth long coming..viv's track record speakes for itself he has done more TV/ video's / shows bla bla bla than any other wanna be boy band fly by nighter's or one hit wonder's will ever think about w/ a LES PAUL HANGING PROUDLY OFF OF HIM. i know cuz i was there for all of it...i got emails after emails asking for gits and parts and got blown off....how would you like to show up to a raidio show(big on 05) (vh1 rock honors) and looking at racks of new gibsons in these boy band's gear and asking the tech how did ya get those and their reply is oh we just called and they showed up.....so to all the LP players out there by no means is he a multy millionaire rock star he has earned everything the hard way he has kids and wife and a very modist lifestyle and by far he is the nicest down to earth person i've ever met....i dont see viv ever not playing a LP no matter what gibson or anyone else say's ......this interview has stopped 10yrs of at least trying to get stuff from gibson.....i will keep all viv's gibsons up and running w/ the help of many other friends in all the great company's making parts so no worry's.....

Dave,

Are you saying that Viv got Nothing from Gibson since 94????

[wolfie666]

no im saying that we have got a few things off the shelf viv in his lifetime has never received a custom shop guitar. we have got some parts and 3 les pauls 2 i repainted and had refretted. 1 we still use that has been refretted and lou vito just gave him an explorer all the git's have filtered in since 94 and are off the shelf. viv himself has had contact w/ gibson promised gis and they never came thru...everything viv has got he plays live. the silver LP he plays regular is a 71 custom that the body was destroyed by a luggage cart i had bolin guitar put a standard body on it i put a quicky paint job on it and he loves it all beat up its a good old touring git.....so back to it in comparison to other players of his caliber he doesnt get much. he pays for all his own fretwork and paint jobs i do the rest. we have toured w/ some top notch players that are supported by gibson so iv'e seen the other side of gibson..

[b-squared]

I hope someone from Gibby Public Relations is reading this stuff.

My offer still stands...I'd love to have Viv play my R9/R7!



BB

[Sea Pull]

Viv has a point and many people here have complained about Gibson for other reasons such as quality control. Just because he's made a name for himself and is touring doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to bitch.
On the other hand I do agree with Lew about the whole entitlement thing. Some musicians have a tendency to forget where they come from.
As far as what Dio has to say, well I've met him a couple times and he's always been nice to me but there are numerous stories about his Napolean complex all over the road. I take anything he says about another musician with a grain of salt.
It's always a two way street. I will say that in the last few years it seems that the suits are taking over at Gibson. And that bodes well for no one but the stock holders.

Hey Wolfie, are you still out with him? I was looking at your schedule, envious. I'm out with Brad Paisley and for some reason our booking agent seems to think that August is a good time to tour the freakin south. We have been roasting in places like Phoenix, and Albuquerque, and have places like Houston and San Antonio coming up. Looks like you guys are mostly up north for Aug, Canada, NY and the like. We don't hit Canada till January.