Gibson Brands transforms guitar-making into diverse 'music lifestyle' firm

[Zorro]

Resting in its case on top of a desk at the corporate headquarters of the company that makes Gibson guitars is a technologically head-spinning model that Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz describes with parental pride.

The craftsmanship that went into Gibson’s Firebird X “hexaphonic” limited-edition electric instrument is obvious. Less apparent is this contraption’s ability to do just about anything short of brewing a cup of coffee.

Consider: Advanced sampling technology allows it to sound like any one of dozens of vintage electric or acoustic guitars at the touch of a button. A player can also quickly shift among any number of conventional and unconventional tuning setups at the touch of another button. And thanks to automatic tuning technology, one will never worry about it going out of tune.

And that’s barely scratching the instrument’s high-gloss surface.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-gibson-brands-guitar-henry-juszkiewicz-20170618-htmlstory.html

[Hoyt]

1. Guitars, mandolins, etc., are one of those areas where I remain a traditionalist. But if it helps

new folks find pleasure in making music, hope it works. Still, as much as I hate tuning, automated tuning machines just ain't fer me.

[jmg257]

2. I'm with you on this one, Hoyt. "Luddite" was the word Henry J would use.

I prefer old school!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

4. As someone who's had to work on guitars with automatic tuners...

They are a HUGE pain. I always suggest swapping them out for a set of Klusons or Grovers.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

3. He's STILL trying to push the Firebird X?

Gibson needs to get back to making guitars that are worth a damn. The Firebird X has been around, and ridiculed, for a couple years now. Very low seller. It seems 'ol Henry J is DETERMINED to run a once iconic name into the ground.

[jmg257]

6. Sounds like you'd remember the BIG Hard Rock role out. The flood-inspired paint jobs? The contests?

But my favorite - the 1st LP Studio off the rebuilt assembly line after the flood - signed by all and donated to...Slash ('cause he's need it!)

Thankfully they still make the LP Traditional, last Standard I tried was very very meh.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

7. Yeah, I remember all that...

I've owned a few Standards and Specials... In the end, I found the ones I liked the best were the OLD ones (50s), but they're WAY outside of my price range... So I built my own...

[LuvLoogie]

5. I need to show you guys what this guy in Chicago is doing.

Master craftsman, beautiful stuff.

http://www.specimenproducts.com/

[Dr Hobbitstein]

8. I like those tube amps...

I don't like the price, but they are beautiful.