Yeah, I didn't like that either. They were "counterfeit" Gibson clones from China and this his how the Gibson responded to that, when they were intercepted by customs. I remember at the time people were saying "why don't you give them to music schools or low-income students" but Gibson wanted to make a point.This picture makes me sad.
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G&L. Wouldn't you love...
- Thread starter bdplaid
- Start date
Fender would just use the Leo Fender name and image and throw the rest away. I that happens I will be selling all of my Fenders and never purchase another.
They already have those. They would not be buying G&L for those. I see no reason for them to buy it except to shut it down
Fender does not currently own those. From G&L's website...
† The personal name, likeness and signature of Mr. Clarence Leo Fender are property of G&L Musical Instruments / BBE Sound, Inc. and may not be used in any commercial capacity without prior approval. For enquiries regarding the use of the “Leo Fender” name, likeness or signature, please contact us. G&L is not associated with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
Additionally, Fender wanted to use Leo's signature for a custom shop instrument years ago. They had to get G&L to agree to it. I cannot find the link, but I know Dave McClaren has posted about it before (either on G&LDP or Instagram). This is the guitar... Fender Custom Shop 1999 Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster 1999 Blonde | Reverb
Edit: found the post about it.
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This picture makes me sad.
It's okay. They're only Gibsons.
Just wait until that overdue container full of Tributes arrives one day soon and there's no more G&L around to take delivery...
DJmtd
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These are actually their Firebird X model and they destroyed them to removed them from their books. You can't claim a loss on a product that you could potentially still sell, so they have to be destroyed beyond repair. Gibson claimed they were unsafe somehow and therefore un-donate-able. My gut tells me destroying them was more financially advantageous than donating them so that's why they did it.
Gibson just destroyed 100s of Firebird X guitars - here's why
US company says instruments were “unsalvageable” and could not be donated
Back to the matter at hand though... I would personally hate if any company owned by a private equity firm bought G&L. It's ultimately always a death sentence. I have a huge respect for what G&L has done and I love my L-2500 to death. It was my first Big Boy Bass bought used around 2001 or 2002 when I was 14 or 15 after having played for a few years. I've had that bass longer than any other piece of gear I own. And come to think of it, it's been with me longer than damn near anything and anyone else in my life at this point!
As an employee at a G&L dealer for many years, they were one of our absolute favorite brands to deal with and I thought they did an excellent job with the BTO instruments of bringing something close to a custom shop to regular players who didn't have $3k+ to drop. I can't speak to their QC in recent years, but that kinda thing can always been remedied. In any event, I hope the brand gets another lease on life. It would be a shame if some of Leo's coolest designs and features went the way of the Dodo.
Yup, this.
They were an Awesome New Innovation that nobody wanted, so Gibbo cut their losses and crushed them all.
Wow, I did not know that. Now that sucks even more than destroying counterfeits. How can a bass be "unsafe?" Did they have grounding problem, perhaps attract lightning when played outdoors?These are actually their Firebird X model and they destroyed them to removed them from their books. You can't claim a loss on a product that you could potentially still sell, so they have to be destroyed beyond repair. Gibson claimed they were unsafe somehow and therefore un-donate-able. My gut tells me destroying them was more financially advantageous than donating them so that's why they did it.
Gibson just destroyed 100s of Firebird X guitars - here's why
US company says instruments were “unsalvageable” and could not be donatedwww.musicradar.com
Back to the matter at hand though... I would personally hate if any company owned by a private equity firm bought G&L. It's ultimately always a death sentence. I have a huge respect for what G&L has done and I love my L-2500 to death. It was my first Big Boy Bass bought used around 2001 or 2002 when I was 14 or 15 after having played for a few years. I've had that bass longer than any other piece of gear I own. And come to think of it, it's been with me longer than damn near anything and anyone else in my life at this point!
As an employee at a G&L dealer for many years, they were one of our absolute favorite brands to deal with and I thought they did an excellent job with the BTO instruments of bringing something close to a custom shop to regular players who didn't have $3k+ to drop. I can't speak to their QC in recent years, but that kinda thing can always been remedied. In any event, I hope the brand gets another lease on life. It would be a shame if some of Leo's coolest designs and features went the way of the Dodo.
Well, I guess some days I want to do that to mine too? Fortunately I don't own any heavy equipment.
That disqualifies Fender then, because they're owned by private equity.
I can, it's excellent. I got a new JB in June. Best jazz bass I own.
I wonder when we'll find out who bought them.
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I had a buyer actually willing to talk that is in the industry…The deal was already in the works.
Since no one bailed out the company and saw value in retaining the institutional experience of builders and others, and since it's not clear what unique IP exists outside of trademarks, there might not be anyone 'buying them' but parties interested in some trademark IP, like Leo's name/signature, or patents related to pickup development (if there are any that haven't expired).
