Rhett Shull - Why New Bands Don't Play Gibson Guitars

First guitar I ever played on stage was a Gibson Flying V - it belonged to a buddy who had let me borrow it for about six months while he moved cross-country. I tried to buy it from him but he wasn't giving it up. Never played a Gibson I liked after that. And, to this day, have zero interest in ever buying one. Funny thing is Ace Frehley is the one who made me want to play guitar, but I've only ever owned one Les Paul and I got rid of it as fast as I could...

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Had this poster on my wall for years and years, like so many other 70s/80s kids.

For me, I think what really hurt them was losing control of some of their unique shapes like the Explorer and V. LTD makes a cooler Explorer body, as does Solar. Jackson has made better Vs since the early 80s, and now ESP, Solar and half a dozen others make V shaped guitars. No one seems to have cloned the SG because Angus Young hasn't been relevant in decades.

BC Rich managed to keep control of their unique body styles and now Warlocks are collectible and still embraced by new guitar players who want something extreme looking to play on. If a young player wants an Explorer or a V, they look elsewhere... And yeah, Les Pauls, Firebirds, Tele etc are GGs, so the average young player wants something that speaks their generation, not ours or our parents.

Gibson obviously makes a good product and has a very loyal following, but like anything else if they don't figure out how to attract new, young buyers, they'll go bankrupt from attrition.
 
smitty_p said:
^^^^This!

Well, it seems we don't really have a difference of opinion as much as you may think!

Some solos are absolutely killer and really propel a song. Gilmour's solo on "Comfortably Numb" is an oft-cited example.

Other times, they are just vestigial.

My point is, I like to listen to well-written songs and I like to listen to how all the instruments and parts contribute to the piece. Sometimes, the choice of chord voicing can set a song apart.

But, again, I'm not "anti-solo". Sure, I come at this with a little different perspective, maybe. But, I think we actually have more in agreement than otherwise.

Also, for what it's worth, I can tell from the solos which you have done that you do seem to put a real level of thought into them.
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I appreciate that greatly....
 
Robert Herndon said:
Here! HERE!

A pic taken during our February 25th NASCAR soundcheck. (The bandana was for blowing dust)

For this event, my 2021 Gibson Les Paul 50's Standard Gold Top is tuned standard and the Slash Replica Les Paul in the stand was used for D standard passages.

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Here's the Slash AFD replica being put through its paces by one of my colleagues at the Fender Factory.


When playing clubs, and most we play have an occupancy of around 300, it's super important to get the cables out and the guitars cased before you have people coming up on the stage.

This reduces the chance of someone tripping over a cable and breaking a guitar and ot allows me to keep an eye on the instruments, as they are all in one location...
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Cool Yammy amp. I've wanted to try one. Like it?
 
Robert Herndon said:
I respect your opinion, but having met the artist, not once, but several times, I can say that he has always been a humble and likeable dude. I've never heard him say anything bad about anyone.

You know who else is a class act in this regard???

John 5.
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How well do they treat the hotel clerk, or the waiter at the restaurant, or some similar profession? I have no knowledge of how these individuals would behave. Both may be thoroughly likeable and respectful; I'm casting no aspersions at either of them because I don't know them. I gladly defer to your experience.

But, my point is, it's one thing to treat another musician or colleague with decency. That is good, but it only reveals part of the story of a person's character. The really telling thing is how people treat those of a different socio-economic situation.
 
smitty_p said:
How well do they treat the hotel clerk, or the waiter at the restaurant, or some similar profession? I have no knowledge of how these individuals would behave. Both may be thoroughly likeable and respectful; I'm casting no aspersions at either of them because I don't know them. I gladly defer to your experience.

But, my point is, it's one thing to treat another musician or colleague with decency. That is good, but it only reveals part of the story of a person's character. The really telling thing is how people treat those of a different socio-economic situation.
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I'm interacted with both of them in informal settings, around wardrobe and support staff, caterers and assistants. In every instance I was impressed with their humble nature and courteous mannerisms.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Now, Fountains of Wayne's song "Stacy's Mom" really was catchy and fun. I liked the vibe and the overall feel, despite not really having a solo of any kind.
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Now back to the topic at hand and this thread purpose. Look out Gibson, you are about to lose more market share.

Somewhere I heard the new Fender ad campaign is going to use Fountains of Wayne's song after hearing Robert's assessment.

Sung to the tune of Stacy's mom,,,,,,,,,,


Fender Strat has got it goin on, Fender Strat has Got it goin on,,,,,,,,,,,,, The Volume knob make Swells so coo oo ool, Strats are more than just a too oo oo ool... Fender Strats are all I ever want, and I've waited oh so long. Fender STRAT... Gibson Guitars you're not the one for me, Fender STRAT has got it GOING ON!!!!!
 
Don O said:
I saw a lot of shows there in the mid 70s Didn’t know they demolished it 20 years ago.
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Dono, I posted several references to it and the demo previously elsewhere in other threads. As an 18 year old kid I worked for a landscaper who had us doing work at the owner of the demo company's house. Mr Loiseaux.

I never forget some things he told me about how he got into demo and about how some buildings they would have to fix stuff on so when it was imploded, it would fall right. Lots to know engineering wise in order to be in the demo business.

Also, his dad had a contract over in Europe for like a 3 million dollar demo job but was ill or something and could not do it himself. So, his dad gave him the decision. Stay in college or go to that job and get paid. Needless to say, he chose to go demo that $3,000,000 job.
 
Fender is much "bigger" on endorsements than Gibson, which is very smart from a marketing standpoint.

Airbourne plays Gibson Explorers.

GretaVanFleet plays Gibson SG's

Ghost used Gibson RD's until recently

But when you mention "new bands," I think you gotta look at what their idols were playing.

A lot of young people seem to think Blink 182 is a "metal band," and nothing could be father from the truth, but I hear that statement time and again.

There's a clue...

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Modern music has lost its soul.

Grunge ushered in a new era of music that you didn't need any skills to play.
 
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