Comments on: How Gibson Flushed Les Paul Down The Toilet http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/ News, tips and resources for songwriters and song contest participants Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:07:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ben W http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1090 Ben W Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:00:55 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1090 I thought you might appreciate my input, seeing as that I am the writer of the scathing review that you quoted. In my opinion, Gibson's biggest problem isn't their poorly moderated website design, it's their R&D department. In their heyday of the 50's-60's they created some of the most important, influential and original guitar designs of all time, and this is the reason Gibson has so many fans all over the world. They don't need to create 'buzz', because they've had many decades of hugely respected artists playing their instruments. These days, all Gibson seems to do is create gimmicky versions of their flagship models, with seemingly no thought towards improving the many shortcomings of using a 50-60 year old guitar design: "Ok guys, we need a new Les Paul model, any ideas?" "Let's put a weird paintjob on it!" "We can use cheaper wood and call it 'eco-friendly'!" "The cheap wood is too heavy! Cut some stylized holes in it!" "Yeah! We're designing guitars!" "What about the fragile headstock design? Can't we remove the sharp edge of the body where your arm rests? And the big heel on the neck that makes it very hard to play the upper frets of a Les Paul. Why don't we do something about those?" "Uhh Tony, we can't change those things, it wouldn't be a Les Paul. Duh..." Gibson can't seem to realize that in trying to pander to both traditionalist and progressive-thinking musicians, all they are doing is making instruments that neither party would want to own. Just have a look at the Dusk Tiger. It's embarrassing... I thought you might appreciate my input, seeing as that I am the writer of the scathing review that you quoted.

In my opinion, Gibson’s biggest problem isn’t their poorly moderated website design, it’s their R&D department.

In their heyday of the 50’s-60’s they created some of the most important, influential and original guitar designs of all time, and this is the reason Gibson has so many fans all over the world. They don’t need to create ‘buzz’, because they’ve had many decades of hugely respected artists playing their instruments.

These days, all Gibson seems to do is create gimmicky versions of their flagship models, with seemingly no thought towards improving the many shortcomings of using a 50-60 year old guitar design:

“Ok guys, we need a new Les Paul model, any ideas?”

“Let’s put a weird paintjob on it!”

“We can use cheaper wood and call it ‘eco-friendly’!”

“The cheap wood is too heavy! Cut some stylized holes in it!”

“Yeah! We’re designing guitars!”

“What about the fragile headstock design? Can’t we remove the sharp edge of the body where your arm rests? And the big heel on the neck that makes it very hard to play the upper frets of a Les Paul. Why don’t we do something about those?”

“Uhh Tony, we can’t change those things, it wouldn’t be a Les Paul. Duh…”

Gibson can’t seem to realize that in trying to pander to both traditionalist and progressive-thinking musicians, all they are doing is making instruments that neither party would want to own. Just have a look at the Dusk Tiger. It’s embarrassing…

]]> By: Lior http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1047 Lior Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:34:12 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1047 I wasn't implying that a public conversation is a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it's a great thing. However, creating a free-for-all forum is chaos. The conversation needs to be moderated and guided, otherwise all you're left with is noise, regardless of whether the comments are positive or negative. I wasn’t implying that a public conversation is a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it’s a great thing.

However, creating a free-for-all forum is chaos. The conversation needs to be moderated and guided, otherwise all you’re left with is noise, regardless of whether the comments are positive or negative.

]]> By: Jon Lebkowsky http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1045 Jon Lebkowsky Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:59:36 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1045 Nothing wrong with the strategy from what you've revealed so far. I guess you're implying that the company shouldn't encourage public conversation about its products because there might be negative comments. Negative comments are not a bad thing, it's all in how well you handle 'em. Deleting the negative commments and keeping those that are positive would be a horrible mistake... like customers won't see that their commetns were deleted, and have their own conversations about that? I hate to say "studies have shown..." when I can't quote the study, but I know that there has been research that shows that a customer conversation with positive comments only is less trusted than a conversation that has some negative commments. Getting customers engaged is a good thing; so is showing that you're listening... like funneling the negative comments to operations so they can assess whether something needs to change. Nothing wrong with the strategy from what you’ve revealed so far. I guess you’re implying that the company shouldn’t encourage public conversation about its products because there might be negative comments. Negative comments are not a bad thing, it’s all in how well you handle ‘em. Deleting the negative commments and keeping those that are positive would be a horrible mistake… like customers won’t see that their commetns were deleted, and have their own conversations about that?

I hate to say “studies have shown…” when I can’t quote the study, but I know that there has been research that shows that a customer conversation with positive comments only is less trusted than a conversation that has some negative commments.

Getting customers engaged is a good thing; so is showing that you’re listening… like funneling the negative comments to operations so they can assess whether something needs to change.

]]> By: Numsig http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1043 Numsig Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:49:59 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1043 If Gibson receives 10,000 comments but only 500 get past a moderation, then they are not creating a buzz or brand managing....they are performing a cover up operation...deluding the customers! Best thing a company can do is develop (or re-develop) a good product. The fact you can market or brand manage a bad product good is one of the foulest smells on the planet these days. If Gibson receives 10,000 comments but only 500 get past a moderation, then they are not creating a buzz or brand managing….they are performing a cover up operation…deluding the customers!

Best thing a company can do is develop (or re-develop) a good product. The fact you can market or brand manage a bad product good is one of the foulest smells on the planet these days.

]]> By: BigRonLoveR'Mozart http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1022 BigRonLoveR'Mozart Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:58:50 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1022 I say they went wrong when they didn't believe in their own strategy. Ive sold everything from lighters, to light your smokes, to stuff monkeys they look stupid but parents were sold on the silly cuteness to get a smile from their child or someone elses. Making a brand is just another form of sales, once a marketing firm leader coached me and a group of sales rep befor we left the office. People will by a rock with a ribbon on it if you believe in your picth. And its true hence (chia pet,). the point is when we went out to sale people were so happy to see someone with a fire for what they were doing it made them by that person not the item they were selling, Its like a visit on a lonely day, the milkman, the poolboy, all these guys sleeping with hardworking mans wives while there out paying for the house that being enjoyed. Hint Call home stop by visit your wife your husband sale your self the brand is confidece. Dawolfdawg howls owwwwwl! I say they went wrong when they didn’t believe in their own strategy. Ive sold everything from lighters, to light your smokes, to stuff monkeys they look stupid but parents were sold on the silly cuteness to get a smile from their child or someone elses. Making a brand is just another form of sales, once a marketing firm leader coached me and a group of sales rep befor we left the office. People will by a rock with a ribbon on it if you believe in your picth. And its true hence (chia pet,). the point is when we went out to sale people were so happy to see someone with a fire for what they were doing it made them by that person not the item they were selling, Its like a visit on a lonely day, the milkman, the poolboy, all these guys sleeping with hardworking mans wives while there out paying for the house that being enjoyed. Hint Call home stop by visit your wife your husband sale your self the brand is confidece. Dawolfdawg howls owwwwwl!

]]> By: Stephen carmichael http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1011 Stephen carmichael Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:36:59 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1011 of course they would have. that's the point. then they wouldn't have this dilemma. if this was your company or even your music profile or whatever, wouldn't you moderate comments to try and control your image. if someone came along and posted a nasty comment about your music on myspace, would you deleted or keep it there??? of course they would have. that’s the point. then they wouldn’t have this dilemma. if this was your company or even your music profile or whatever, wouldn’t you moderate comments to try and control your image. if someone came along and posted a nasty comment about your music on myspace, would you deleted or keep it there???

]]> By: Lior http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1009 Lior Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:17:01 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1009 I like your thinking Jeff. I like that you disagree with me. I like your alliterated term (Convene vs. Control) describing the conflict in Gibson's actions. I will remember that... and, perhaps, use it if I may? I like your thinking Jeff.

I like that you disagree with me.

I like your alliterated term (Convene vs. Control) describing the conflict in Gibson’s actions. I will remember that… and, perhaps, use it if I may?

]]> By: Jeff Shattuck http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1008 Jeff Shattuck Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:08:07 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1008 Lior, I totally disagree with your post, though I confess that Gibson's web changes might have come from someone younger. Here's the thing with social: you can convene but not control. Now that Gibson has convened some folks, it needs to listen and act on the comments that have merit, both positive and negative. This is where most companies fail. They hear only what they want to hear, or worse, have no process for taking legitimate praise and criticism and improving things. Personally, I think Gibson won't make this mistake. Jeff Lior, I totally disagree with your post, though I confess that Gibson’s web changes might have come from someone younger. Here’s the thing with social: you can convene but not control. Now that Gibson has convened some folks, it needs to listen and act on the comments that have merit, both positive and negative. This is where most companies fail. They hear only what they want to hear, or worse, have no process for taking legitimate praise and criticism and improving things. Personally, I think Gibson won’t make this mistake.

Jeff

]]> By: Travis Knight http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1006 Travis Knight Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:07:29 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1006 I get your point. And sarcasm is hilarious. When you're right, you're right. Here's the problem: if you want buzz, and you want it to help, you have to screen it. Don't allow a message sounding board to create negative threads if what you really are going for is a "props" and "shout outs" section. If you are looking for positive reenforcement, don't make way for negative mudslinging. Pull in the reigns. Control your messaging. Don't hope. Brand. I get your point. And sarcasm is hilarious. When you’re right, you’re right. Here’s the problem: if you want buzz, and you want it to help, you have to screen it. Don’t allow a message sounding board to create negative threads if what you really are going for is a “props” and “shout outs” section. If you are looking for positive reenforcement, don’t make way for negative mudslinging. Pull in the reigns. Control your messaging. Don’t hope. Brand.

]]> By: Jcaz http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/how-gibson-flushed-les-paul-down-the-toilet/#comment-1003 Jcaz Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:05:48 +0000 http://www.wearelistening.org/blog/?p=2988#comment-1003 Interesting. Seems like the simple solution would be to have admin control over what you allow to be posted. Heck, I do this on my lil' ol blog. http://jcazmusic.blogspot.com/ I would think a big company like Gibson would certainly filter comments... J Interesting. Seems like the simple solution would be to have admin control over what you allow to be posted. Heck, I do this on my lil’ ol blog. http://jcazmusic.blogspot.com/
I would think a big company like Gibson would certainly filter comments…
J

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