Alex Skolnick on the Firebird X (long, but worthwhile)

[captain von rat]

perfect summation -

Even if it were to catch on (which I think it won’t), my guess is that the Gibson Firebird X would take its place alongside the Keytar (strap on keyboard), a campy vision of the future that became dated before it even left the showroom.

 

[Blackie]

The all new revolutionary Gibson..........Lump of Coal........bwaaa ha hha hhha ahahaha

 

[shtdaprdtr]

Good read..although I felt bad about the plumber comments about the player. The guy didnt deserve to be insulted like that...that was a bit of a pompous statement. Either way..everything else was spot on. Especially the Henry insults.

 

[JonMan94]

in short terms:

We as lovers of Gibson guitars want the old time gibson backZ: builing kick ass guitars without the technoligical BS... we want Axes, not computers...

 

[PINKBITS]

in short terms:

We as lovers of Gibson guitars want the old time gibson backZ: builing kick ass guitars without the technoligical BS... we want Axes, not computers...

Spot on young man

Great thread, great read.

Henry, you suck. You suck a lot

 

[gypsyseven]

True words....i hope that's not the future...i don't want to see my kids with a computer hanging on their guitar strap.....

 

[snaredrum]

it's a limited edition (for now), designed by a budding megalomaniac.

I'm with Alex!

 

[Leumas]

Alex Skolnick is the man. Good for him for giving his honest opinions on the thing.

Edit: I do think he could have made his point without calling the guy a plumber though. I'd like to hear that guy with a real guitar. That Firebird sounds like complete shit from the video.

 

[Funkwire]

Alex Skolnick is the man. Good for him for giving his honest opinions on the thing.

Edit: I do think he could have made his point without calling the guy a plumber though. I'd like to hear that guy with a real guitar. That Firebird sounds like complete shit from the video.

I do feel bad for Frank Johns as well. HOWEVER, he does have zero stage presence and he was dressed very casually (if not sloppily). Unfortunately, he fit right in with the rest of the haphazard nature of the presentation.

How many endorsees could Gibson have had demonstrate that guitar? At least Ace Frehley and Jay Jay French were in attendance. Imagine how much more of an impression it would have made if a rock player ripped off some screaming leads...then handed it off to a country player for some clean chicken-picking...handed off to a jazzer for some mellow octaves...all without having to change amps and just flipping a few switches. Wouldn't that have been much more effective?

I get the distinct feeling that the guys at the factory had to draw straws and Frank Johns got the short one. "Sorry, Frank...you have to go demonstrate this hunk of junk..."

 

[Leumas]

I get the distinct feeling that the guys at the factory had to draw straws and Frank Johns got the short one. "Sorry, Frank...you have to go demonstrate this hunk of junk..."

That makes perfect sense!

 

[Scooter2112]

Great article!!

I got the same exact feeling by just viewing it on video and wondered if the vibe was the same in person. I suspected it was by peoples lackluster reactions. Ace's face says it all as he holds it in his hands.

How exactly do you start this "revolution" with only 1800 or so pieces scheduled for production??

(hint: if it were that revolutionary, it doesn't seem like you would be able to keep up with demand.)

 

[Cas]

If there is any hope for Gibson's future, it lies not in its current bombastic leadership, not in its global mass production assembly line factories, but in the hands of those at the little Gibson Custom Shop, where a supremely talented group of master craftspeople continues to painstakingly and lovingly create instruments in the best tradition of Gibson. During a tour stop in Nashville earlier this year, I had the privilege to witness these men and women at work—it was like watching a team of modern day Michelangelos and Da Vincis in action. These anonymous, humble folks represent nothing less than the soul of the company. Their stellar creations should be priced like they used to be—worth spending a few more bucks on but not contingent on the buyer being in an upper tax-bracket. By bringing the costs of their genuine Custom Shop items back down to Earth, presenting (and pricing) the mass-produced assembly line models for what they really are and focusing on remaining "timeless," Gibson could help get more guitars in the hands of players at all levels, remain profitable and earn back something much more valuable than sales figures: it’s integrity.

FUCKING BINGO!

I laugh at these idiot CEOs that tell us American made guitars cost SO much because of LABOR, when they are spending MILLIONS on retarded pointless projects like the "Firebird X" and mindless pointless advertising.

Give me a damn break.

All I want are simple guitars like an SG JR, or Les Paul Special, or affordable standards (there is NO reason why a standard should cost 2500 new). 1500 maybe.

These CEOs are hemorrhaging money LEFT and RIGHT and blame American labor costs for the reason why they outsource or the only way to get a pelham blue SG is to pay 4K for a custom shop.


Normal musicians who NEED multiple guitars for different tones are getting shit on by Gibson because of the corksniffers who think they get better "tone" from expensive guitars and the mismanagement of funds by these braindead CEOs who love to spend money on stupid "pet projects". They remind me of politicians. Mindless money spenders.

A les Paul "Jr" and "special" were CHEAP guitars. That was the whole damn point. That was what was so "punk" about them. NOT a f'king custom shop Les paul special for 3K dollars for Christ sake.

God, another rant. Im just frustrated.

Maybe I should just forget about dreaming of owning other Gibsons and go with some used fenders.

It took me 14ish years of playing guitar before I finally had the money for my first Les Paul. And I couldnt even afford a new one. Got it used. Love it. Its a crappy "standard".

 

[jp1969]

holy long post!