Gibson strikes again!

[Iridescentone]

Rember when Gibson and CBS Fender had let quality slide and the Japanese market took off on better quality copies? In fact the only "lawsuit" was against Ibanez for a Les Paul copy. Ibanez shook them off and launched the artist series which is still revered today.

Funny thing is both companies had to cannibalize subsidiaries to launch affordable instruments that still paled in comparison to the Japanese copies.

In this case, Gibson is kicking the boutique builders who make better Gibsons than...Gibsons. Heck, even PRS's mid level gives them a run for the money.

Gibson needs to worry about quality and integrity. Not setting up lawsuits on companies like Dean, who everyone knows (isn't supposed to be) in the arena as Gibson.

As long as small and large builders alike, operate within the confines of the law, then there should be peace in the "arena". Step too far over the line for too long, then maybe lawyer up or go straight. Whether or not there have been transgressions by either (or any) side can be determined in court, if need be.

 

[abarson]

It's really none of my business but I'm beginning to think all these Gibson legal threads would be best posted in Miscellaneous. The topics are largely business decisions.

Just a thought with no offense intended.

I agree, as none of these are basses, but rather mere guitars.

 

[Eric Swaim]

I do not blame Gibson, nor would I blame Fender for going after companies that have copied their designs for decades.
Fender-Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision, Jazz Bass, etc.
Gibson- Les Paul, Flying V, SG, E.S. 335, etc.

Some of you may not like it but that's part of doing business. I would probably come closer to owning another Gibson now, than I would 5-10 years ago. I believe the company will make a strong comeback. But who really knows at this point.

 

[leegreenman]

I recently obtained a 2006 SG from a friend. It’s the best 6 string I’ve ever owned. Wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a used Gibson in the future if the price was right, but this stuff really really decreases the chances of buying anything new from them.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

The Volcano has been removed from the Reverend website.

What next, the Thundergun?

If they introduced an SB3, 34" scale with no neck dive I'd be the first in line. Not a big fan of short scale

 

[jd56hawk]

I agree, as none of these are basses, but rather mere guitars.

These look like basses to me.

 

[Leo Thunder]

The name is too close to Thunderbird?

Time for ZZ Top to rename themselves the Thunderbeards.

 

[rodv66]

I do not blame Gibson, nor would I blame Fender for going after companies that have copied their designs for decades.
Fender-Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision, Jazz Bass, etc.
Gibson- Les Paul, Flying V, SG, E.S. 335, etc.

Some of you may not like it but that's part of doing business. I would probably come closer to owning another Gibson now, than I would 5-10 years ago. I believe the company will make a strong comeback. But who really knows at this point.

So, Gibson invented the mandolin shape? How can you copyright shapes? Will Gibson sue anyone using the letter V now? They are only a limited amount of usable guitar shapes you can have.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Gibson sues Reverend for the thundergun, then goes after dingwall and Sandberg for making better versions of their instruments, then sues Epiphone for the vintage pro and that point sues everyone else for taking a cut of their business by making musical instruments! This is a joke, but honestly I was expecting at least a step in the right direction from Gibson now. This all seems anything but...

 

[Richard Martin]

Gibson then sues Epiphone for the vintage pro and that point sues everyone else for taking a cut of their business by making musical instruments!

One thing you can be sure of is that Gibson won't be suing Epiphone.

 

[Leo Thunder]

So, Gibson invented the mandolin shape? How can you copyright shapes? Will Gibson sue anyone using the letter V now? They are only a limited amount of usable guitar shapes you can have.

It is not a copyright issue.
I suppose there ought to be some level of protection to an original design, as there can be on a melody, especially since it is obviously what makes the sales, but I guess it should also have a time limit.

 

[Bander]

I'm confused. Why does this matter to me? or you? or anybody?

 

[Eric Swaim]

So, Gibson invented the mandolin shape? How can you copyright shapes? Will Gibson sue anyone using the letter V now? They are only a limited amount of usable guitar shapes you can have.

That's why you have to be creative, and mandolins come in many different shapes.

 

[Polk Salad]

Maybe the various companies can negotiate deals to licence some Gibson designs in their instruments and carry on with their businesses.

That's exactly what Gibson wants. Why make money on their own by selling quality products when then can just send the lawyers out to collect checks from people instead?

 

[rodv66]

By Gibson's line of thinking, only guitars that should be sold are Gibson, Fender and Rick

 

[GretschWretch]

By Gibson's line of thinking, only guitars that should be sold are Gibson, Fender and Rick

Maybe the "big three" should put their heads together for a composite product line, the FRickGibson.

 

[Super Bass]

Gee, I don't know. I like Gibson guitars and basses....

 

[jd56hawk]

Well, I just deleted every Thunderbird photo in my photo library. Same for the EB, RD, Midtown, Victory and Les Paul bass pics.
Do what you want, but I'm never owning another Gibson bass pic again!

 

[MCF]

Why the Thundergun? What Gibson design is the Thundergun derived from?

At least the Volcano is unmistakedly a take on the Gibson Flying V. Easy to see why Reverend might want to dodge a bullet, vis-a-vis all the recent litigation hubbub.

But the Thundergun? What am I missing here?

Other than the use of Thunder in the name and a slight, and I say slight resemblance to the headstock, nothing. I’m a Gibson fanboy. I love my Tbird. Best bass I own. But this is nuts. No one will ever mistake a Reverend for a Gibson. I’m really concerned about the effect this will have on Lull, Cataldo and other makers of wonderful instruments. Gibson is shooting itself in the foot. It is sad. Very sad.

 

[klejst]

Gibson is getting desperate and in return is out to get anyone and anything that may even remotely look like any of their products.