Gibson Exits Bankruptcy Today

As Gibson emerges out of it’s bankruptcy today, November 1st, 2018, the new ownership group has announced its new CEO and other key team leaders. New CEO JC Curleigh, who previously ran Levi Strauss, will hopefully return Gibson to the iconic brand of guitars we all know and love.

What The Experts & Dealers Are Saying About Gibson

We sought the opinions of some friends of Guitar Stories USA whom we greatly respect and who are in our opinion are not only Gibson guitar experts, legendary vintage and new model guitar dealers, but have also had personal dealings with Gibson for decades.

They include:

Sammy Ash of Sam Ash Music

Vic DaPra, “Burst Believers” Author, Vintage Les Paul Expert & Gibson Dealer

Eliot Michael, Rumbleseat Music, Vintage Gibson Expert & Nashville Gibson Dealer

Drew Berlin, Vintage Gibson Dealer & Expert (Southern California)

Mercedes Girard, Guitars West, Vintage Guitar Expert and Dealer (Southern California)

Ray Mauldin, Grinning Elk Guitars & 2019 Atlanta Guitar Show Producer

What We Asked Them

We asked what they thought of the new Gibson leadership team and the direction the company may be headed. We also thought you want to know how they thought Gibson ended up in bankruptcy, what Gibson could do better and what they would like to see from the new Gibson.



Audio Interviews With Vic DaPra, Eliot Michael & Ray Mauldin

These audio interviews are about 8 or 9 minutes each and have revealing insights from some of the greatest Gibson Guitar Experts, Vintage Dealers and Gibson Dealers.

Vic DaPra, author of the Burst Believer book series on historic Gibson Les Pauls bursts with Burst Believers 4 due out soon, with forwards from Jimmy Page and Billy Gibbons.

Vic is optimistic but had some great dealer insights about Gibson and what he thinks they should focus on. SInce Vic designs custom artist guitars in limited runs, he talks about the Gibson Custom Shop and key personnel.

Listen to this great 9 minute chat with Vic who shares many insights from someone who has designed Les Paul custom shop runs…besides knowing everything about 1958-1960 Les Pauls.

Eliot Michael, besides being one of the leading experts on Gibson guitars and premium vintage dealer to the stars, is Nashville’s newest and only private Gibson Dealer.

Eliot was recently at Gibson building a guitar and also discusses the custom shop.

He shares those guitar stories here. For more information on on Eliot and Rumble Seat Music, click here or on those beautiful Les Pauls.

Ray Mauldin and his partner Lee Jackson are the resident guitar dealing Southern boys and we wanted their take on the new Gibson. Ray and I discusses the new Gibson, dealer issues and the Colonel’s secret recipe and other vital information.

Grinning Elk Music is also the Producer and Organizer of the new 2019 Atlanta Guitar Show (first in 13 years) June 8th and 9th, 2019 in Atlanta. All of the premium guitar dealers from the U.S., Canada and Germany will be at this show and we will be bringing you more information soon.

Here’s What

Sammy Ash,

Drew Berlin

and

Mercedes

Girard

Had To Say:

What Do You Think of the New CEO at Gibson?

What do you think about the new ownership group and the future direction of Gibson?

Why did Gibson end up in bankruptcy?

What would you most like to see happen at Gibson?

What advice would you give the new CEO of Gibson?

So the sentiment is generally positive that Gibson Guitars will regain its legendary footing as the iconic brand of guitars that players have known and loved for well over a century.

Time will tell but it sounds like Gibson may restore its good reputation with the guitar buying public if they listen to a few of the suggestions our panel of experts and dealers have expressed.