Ok everyone…I’m packing up my Firebird X and heading down to Guitar Center Hollywood. Come visit me and our FBX Master, Kyle…try out the guitar and get entered to win 2 tickets to a 2011 show at the Gibson Amphitheater.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!!
Friday September 30, 2011
2pm-5pm
Guitar Center Hollywood
7425 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
(Source: www2.gibson.com)
Here is a video of Moby ( @thelittleidiot ) checking out the @gibsonguitar Firebird X in celebration of the official FBX launch!
Be sure to go visit our Firebird X Master at Sam Ash Hollywood today 10am-2pm to get your own private demo and a chance to win two tickets to a 2011 concert at the Gibson Amphitheater.
(Source: www2.gibson.com)
“Revolution” is a powerful word — and not one to be thrown around lightly. It indicates a sweeping change, obliterating the past and ushering in a new era. Firebird X does just that, with features that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. If you don’t believe us, take a tour of this beast and decide for yourself.
Come down to Sam Ash Hollywood on the 29th or Guitar Center Hollywood on the 30th and get a private instructional session with our local Firebird X Master!
**AND….Just for taking the guitar for a test run, you will be entered to WIN 2 tickets to a 2011 show of your choice to the Gibson Amphitheater!!!
Thursday September 29, 2011
Sam Ash Hollywood
10am-2pm
7360 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90046-3411
Friday September 30, 2011
Guitar Center Hollywood
7425 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
**Tickets for the Gibson Amphitheater are based on availability.
(Source: www2.gibson.com)
@gibosnguitar Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates “lite”
This was yet another challenging and deeply satisfying week at Gibson Custom Division. We had a call from the Reverend Billy F. Gibbons a couple weeks back presenting a challenge. Billy is playing the Zeitgeist Media Festival Main Event on Sept. 11 at the Music Box in Hollywood under the moniker “El Willy and the Wolves”. The challenge, to come up with 2 R9s (59 Les Paul reissues) weighing in at under 7 lbs. for use by himself and his trusty sidekick Elwood on the charity show and webcast. Billy is loving playing his Les Pauls on stage of late but really prefers a seriously light weight instrument. He had some specific requests; he wants a “butterscotch” color, Pearly Gates neck shape and top carve and perhaps most interestingly no toggle switch. As on Billy’s specially built Goldtop he wants individual volume knobs and a master tone knob. Our response … “no problemo Mr. Gibbons”. Now Billy is an interesting guy. He seems to defy all the preconceived notions of what produces great tone. Most people know Billy as a “tone monster” and many also are aware that he prefers very light gauge strings and light-weight or even chambered mahogany bodies. A lot of knowledgeable people would tell you that only dense wood and heavy strings can produce that amazing Les Paul tone. Apparently this is not always the case and Billy Gibbons would be my exhibit “A” in any court case. Anyways, back to these two fiddles for Billy. In the case of these guitars we opted to go the chambered route. The two blocks of mahogany were routed out to reduce the weight by almost two pounds each. We capped the guitars with some nicely flamed eastern maple with good flame but not too extreme. Because Billy wanted a vintage tone we went with “Burstbucker” pickups and wired them as directed. They were topped off with a few coats of nitrocellulose lacquer in a “no-burst” finish that looks as though all of the sunburst has just faded away with age. The resulting guitars are 6lb 11oz. of pure Custom Shop magic. You can see photos of the guitars in progress here or better yet, make plans to attend the Zeitgeist Media Festival or check their website for information on when and where the show will be broadcast to see and hear the final product in the hands of the master.
Thanks to our Gibson family in Nashville for the story!
Here is a piece written by Gibson Guitar CEO and Chairman Henry Juszkiewicz @henryej @gibsonguitar
You can keep up date with his thoughts on the Gibson raid by following his blog http://4henry.com/
· In a case initiated in 2006, the government prosecuted a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming for shooting a bald eagle for use in a traditional religious ceremony without a permit; on appeal, the 10th Circuit reversed the district court’s finding that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act precludes the government from prosecuting the defendant, and remanded the case for trial.
Ms. Colbourn was a hired gun that used legal violence to protect big government when big government does damaging and hurtful things:
· In the early-to-late 1990s, Ms. Colbourn assisted in the defense of various environmental claims brought against governmental agencies. As an example, Ms. Colbourn was involved in defending a case filed in 1996 challenging regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce that allegedly had a disastrous impact on small fishing boat operations; the district court granted summary judgment for the government.
· Ms. Colbourn was also involved in defending a pro se case filed in 1994 against various governmental agencies alleging that they have addressed inadequately the impact of Coast Guard activities on various endangered marine mammals; the district court granted summary judgment to the defendants.
WHY IS BIG GOVERNMENT SPENDING OUR MONEY TO HARM ORDINARY CITIZENS AND SMALL BUSINESS?
Is this big powerful Washington law enforcement weapon protecting us, or is it following its own self-centered agenda? If big oil lays waste to an entire section of the country, is responsible for loss of life, loss of wildlife and habitat and causes billions in economic damage the Washington law enforcement club is put away – silent. If the government causes harm to endangered animals, out comes the club to protect who?
Two strong American values are reason and common sense. These American values are being trampled. Ordinary citizens are being trampled by Washington interests with Washington agendas.
American values of caring for our fellow citizens and having honest and open dialogue are replaced by legal terrorism and shoot first tactics.
What is the end result for our citizens and our country from the above enforcement actions? Are these the first steps in erasing American values and the American dream?
We must hold our government leaders accountable.
Gibson has still not been given any proof of wrong doing. Yet an ordinary citizen, a production worker was threatened with 5 years in jail and a felony conviction. That employee was not a buyer of wood, but was Gibson’s representative on a mission to support conservation partners.
The law that is being enforced is not US law, but the laws of another country that have suffered a coup and is under a dictatorship. What makes the wood unlawful are the regulations of this impoverished country whose laws and documents are in French. The Lacey act is not about conservation, but about enforcing the laws in countries from which goods are sourced, no matter the reason the laws exist.
Yet the cost is real, thousands of dollars spent by Gibson, and much more spent by big government to persecute us. The fear on the part of our workers is real. The damage to our reputation is real.
Ultimately, the President, and Congress make the decisions that direct big government. The people we elect to do what we believe is right are responsible and should be held accountable.
· The only way to insure these powerful people do what we want them to is to tell them. Write to them. Write to your friends. Vote for those people who believe in fair play, dialogue and American values.
· Our case is but one in many. We will continue to cooperate because we did nothing wrong, and I believe we will prevail. But if we win this case we will have lost time, money and reputation. The tax payer has paid to the bill to persecute Gibson.
Is this where America is going? Is this where we should go? I pray not.
We must work to stop this useless harassment and abuse. We must protect our citizens and small businesses. Our weapons need to be focused on bad guys and not ordinary citizens trying to honor their religious traditions. Only if we grow into a large and loud group committed to this change do we have a chance at a better future. As individuals, the powerful interests in Washington will continue to abuse us. Those who support these un-American terrorist tactics should be voted out of office.
Write your members of congress. Write to the President. Write to you friends and have them spread the word. Let change the world and restore American values of fair play, cooperation and protect our citizens from mean and hostile abuse.
Let us together move to a better world.
Henry E. Juszkiewicz
CEO
Gibson Guitar Corp.
Word of the @GibsonGuitar raid has spread to Europe. Here is a BBC Radio 5 morning show interview with our CEO. Tell us your thoughts…do you think it could be an issue that will effect all guitar owners?
@GibsonGuitar is taking it to the fans and friends on social media to ask for support. Make your voice heard on Gibson90210 or Gibson Guitar Facebook. Send us a video, like us or make a comment. We value and appreciate all of your thoughts and support.
Here is an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal opinion pages that can give some more insight:
“Guitar Frets: Environmental Enforcement Leaves Musicians in Fear”
Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Corp., has responded to the August 24 raid of Gibson facilities in Nashville and Memphis by the Federal Government. In a press release, Juszkiewicz said: “Gibson is innocent and will fight to protect its rights. Gibson has complied with foreign laws and believes it is innocent of ANY wrong doing. We will fight aggressively to prove our innocence.”
The raids forced Gibson to cease manufacturing operations and send workers home for the day while armed agents executed the search warrants. “Agents seized wood that was Forest Stewardship Council controlled,” Juszkiewicz said. “Gibson has a long history of supporting sustainable and responsible sources of wood and has worked diligently with entities such as the Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace to secure FSC-certified supplies. The wood seized on August 24 satisfied FSC standards.”
Juszkiewicz believes that the Justice Department is bullying Gibson without filing charges.
“The Federal Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India. (If the same wood from the same tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal.) This action was taken without the support and consent of the government in India.”
From the archives: @ZakkWyldeBLS & @GibsonGuitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz talking shop here at Gibson90210
Hot ticket in town…wish we could be there @gibsonguitar !!
Featuring Bachman & Turner, Gary Clark Jr., Johnny A. with Dixie Peach, The Kicks, 3 Pill Morning, A Friend Called Fire, and The Dudes
Gibson Guitar is having a party and you are invited! Please join us at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, TN for the return of the Gibson Summer Jam.
Gibson Summer Jam 2011 will take place July 23, 2011 — the same weekend Summer NAMM returns to Nashville. Summer Jam is FREE and open to the public.
Along with a unique opportunity for attendees to experience firsthand some of the latest models and products from Gibson Custom, Gibson USA, Epiphone, Gibson Acoustic and Gibson Gear, the Gibson Summer Jam will feature performances by an array of amazing artists including: Bachman & Turner, Gary Clark Jr., Johnny A. with Dixie Peach, The Kicks, 3 Pill Morning, A Friend Called Fire, and a special appearance by The Dudes, a dynamic act comprised of gold-selling artist Keith Anderson and some of Nashville’s most respected players, including Eddie Perez, Chad Warrix, Keio Stroud and Robby Wilson. These artists will perform throughout the day.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Hard Rock Café and Jack Daniel’s. There will also be opportunities to win guitars from Gibson USA, Gibson Acoustic and Epiphone, plus items from Gibson Gear.
Where:
Gibson Custom Shop
1612 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
When:
Saturday, July 23
Doors open at 11:30 am
Event ends at 10:00 pm
Accommodations:
Spring Hill Suites Nashville Airport
1100 Airport Center Drive, Nashville, TN
Call 888-287-9400 and ask for the Gibson Guitar rate, or email Vatsana.Mounivong@marriot.com
Partners:
We look forward to seeing you at Gibson Summer Jam 2011!
