An open letter to Henry J.

[Mr Insane]

I have a question about Henry being the owner. Could Gibson's board vote him out of CEO position? I see board of directors vote the very founder and owner out of postion all the time.

 

[kernelofwisdom]

/thread

the internet is king. why wait for something to be ordered when you can have it next day and for a cheaper price?

Also, the average guy does not want a sales tax to apply to out of state retailers, which is definitely anti mom/pop.

I think people are blaming Gibson more than is warranted. The average consumer chooses methods of purchasing that are bad for small businesses. And a lot of small businesses sucked.

I'd like to see Gibson find a way to bridge the gap. And I think Henry is not showing that he is listening to say Leumas' points. But he has a point that the buying public likes things that are often not best presented by a tiny business, unless that tiny business is excellent.

 

[kernelofwisdom]

I have a question about Henry being the owner. Could Gibson's board vote him out of CEO position? I see board of directors vote the very founder and owner out of postion all the time.

Depends. If he is the controlling shareholder then not really because he can appoint, probably, the majority of the board.

Also, there is not, from what I've seen, a compelling business reason to do that. Some of his strategic decisions may not be liked on forums, but unless you see the financials you don't know the real picture, so the outsider has a tough time seeing the state of things.

Edit: owners could be tossed from employment after giving up enough shares to control the board, certainly.

 

[Wizzle]

But ultimately it is the consumers who make the choice so, in the end, it is their fault. What Walmart is doing in your scenario might not be all that ethical, the fact remains that nobody forces consumers into its outlets - people choose to shop there so, again, it is the consumer's fault.

Nobody literally forces the consumers into the retail giants' stores but in an age of stagnating wages, tighter budgets and job insecurity people will find it harder to justify spending a little bit more at local independent shops.

 

[jeff_farkas]

Nobody literally forces the consumers into the retail giants' stores but in an age of stagnating wages, tighter budgets and job insecurity people will find it harder to justify spending a little bit more at local independent shops.

When people are living pay check to pay check every penny counts. Like it or not places like Walmart have lower prices and people will shop there to save. Options are less relevant now a days.. saving money is.

I have a Gibson LP Studio and it's put together well. I'm sure it could be better but for what I paid it fits the need. I had a PRS and the quality was amazing. So, if you don't like new Gibson's check out PRS.

Jeff

 

[River]

But ultimately it is the consumers who make the choice so, in the end, it is their fault. What Walmart is doing in your scenario might not be all that ethical, the fact remains that nobody forces consumers into its outlets - people choose to shop there so, again, it is the consumer's fault.

Considering some of the tactics used, which I have not only heard of but witnessed (see my previous posts), you're blaming the victim.

Many of those tactics are, in fact, already illegal. They're not prosecuted, in many cases, due to politics - i.e., corruption.

 

[tojo]

He can do what he wishes with his company. What he did though was ask for opinions from those of us who are in some way, small or large, involved in his company. When he got answers that didn't agree with his sensibilities, he reacted in an extremely bizarre manner.

This is the issue that suprises me as well. Do whatever it is you're going to do Henry, you own the place after all. But don't expect folks to bow down to you - and if nothing else, don't disrespect your customers who are at least trying to be constructive with you about your business.

If people didn't love the Gibson Brand - they wouldn't be participating in the dialogue. People are passionate about Gibson guitars. And if folks like Leumas and BCRGreg have the chutzpah to say something directly to the CEO of Gibson - they do it because they care a great deal about the product and the perceived direction of the company. Maybe we don't see the bigger picture, sure, that's understandable. Maybe we don't share Henry's daily stresses about the apparent shaky welfare of his family - but, come on, we all have our own similar challenges - albeit maybe not on the same scale. Sell his Rolls Royce and most of us could live well for a few years on that alone...

But if someone is giving you the 'what-for' out of a place of passion and concern, rather than beligerence, by God respect their position at least and thank them for it (genuinely). You don't have to agree or do anything with it - just listening at a minimum is all one could ask for.

If Gibson has a functioning board, not a given if they are not a publicly traded company, then they could potentially fire Henry as CEO. But they could not fire him as owner. And even if they did fire him as CEO, they probably wouldn't given that he is the owner and ultimately controls who is on the board - depending on how the company's governing documents and charters are written that is.

Somebody would have to convince him to step down as CEO. Not likely given that he has led the company from the brink apparently and now his ego would not likely allow him to admit to himself that he should to step aside.

He was the right guy for Gibson 25 years ago. He may not be the right guy now. But that's not for us to decide...

 

[jeff_farkas]

That's great, I sense that you feel like I'm calling out anyone that shops at a chain, I'm not doing that at all. It's simply unavoidable. All I am saying is that I personally choose not to shop at a chain when there is an alternative present. Sometimes there is no alternative.

I do understand and appreciate the point you're making. I like shopping at the butcher shop because I can not only get great service, great meets and I SAVE MONEY!! You can't beat that.

As for Hank.. the quality of his product does need to improve. NOW! If you compare him to Paul Reed Smith you see the vast difference between someone who really cares and some one who is indifferent. If I had a choice I would buy a PRS over a new Gibson any day.

Just my 2c
Jeff

 

[VictorB]

We need more Kiefer Sutherland signature guitars. The fans demand it.

 

[Leumas]

We need more Kiefer Sutherland signature guitars. The fans demand it.

I want a Donald Sutherland Guitar!

 

[jeff_farkas]

We need more Kiefer Sutherland signature guitars. The fans demand it.

 

[MRJ]

I want a Donald Sutherland Guitar!

He wouldn't want to get hit with them negative waves.

 

[Nightrain]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuStsFW4EmQ]YouTube - Kelly's Heroes Oddball - Negative Waves[/ame]

 

[MRJ]

One of the best films ever!

 

[DRF]

What he did though was ask for opinions from those of us who are in some way, small or large, involved in his company.

Ah,an answer!. I wasn't sure but I guess the reason was right in front of me. I thought everyone was just baggin on him-cause thats what we do at MLP.

Now,I hear BCR has a killer line of non gibson guitars!.

 

[Leumas]

Ah,an answer!. I wasn't sure but I guess the reason was right in front of me. I thought everyone was just baggin on him-cause thats what we do at MLP.

Now,I hear BCR has a killer line of non gibson guitars!.

Oh yeah, I wasn't just spouting off on Hank. The OP was originally posted on 4henry.gibson.com ...a forum he created specifically to gather thoughts and opinions from us, the guitar buying community. It was directed toward, read, and responded to by Hank himself. I reposted here since it is a pretty Gibson relevant.

If you follow over there at all it is fascinating to see the way he responds to each submission. Most are very gracious, but sometimes something comes so far out of left field that no reasonable person could really come away doing anything but giving a big old

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

I have NEVER been in one of the big chain stores but have often heard their BIG Sales & blow out prices. Blow out unreal prices Alot of what they get is discontinued & slightly Impaired products. They move alot at low prices if the flaws are brought forth a simple replacement is done. Anyone ?? Do they have the good Highend products that are rare & hard to find ?

 

[tojo]

I have been in my local GC a number of times. It's on my way home so I will stop there usually just to buy strings. I've bought a few things there from time to time, nothing ever very significant. But when in there I usually give a glance at what they have laying around. I have never really seen anything extraordinary that I wanted other than the strings, picks or other basic commodities. They don't even stock much of a selection of cables which suprises me. I think I bought a little Vox DA5 there, that's probably the biggest purchase I've made. To be honest, I wish I would have just waited and got a Roland Cube from the Mom and Pop joint that I go to every Saturday. The Mom and Pop joint has even less of a selection though. But it is understandable as it is mainly a student music store, that makes most of it's money thru lessons and guitar repair work. Their guitars are student guitars and they sell a fair number of them in the community. The owner is a Norlin guy. He has a number of older LPs. He is my go to guy when I need work done. He knows his stuff. They do carry a good selection of strings and such. And in the basment, he has an old vintage Plexi in a sound proof room. Dingy place down there, but still very cool. He has told me on many occasions that I am welcome to rock the Plexi any time I get the urge. You'll never get that at GC.

Most of the gear I've gotten I've sourced elsewhere. Honestly, I buy stuff on-line more than anywhere else. The stuff I'm looking for generally doesn't get stocked in GC or the Mom and Pops - least ways not the ones I've been to.