sepultura999 Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 I've been seeing these Gibson Spirit guitars here and there on ebay. Is this even sponsored by Gibson or what? They look pretty crappy to me. http://cgi.ebay.ca/GIBSON-SPIRIT-LP-GUITAR...1QQcmdZViewItem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 "spirit guitars, all of the weight, none of the tone" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 http://gibson.com/KOL/The%20Goods/Spirit%5F%20Electric%20LP/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoCaster Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 Plywood body! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 I think they're part of the Gibson/Baldwin Music in the Schools program or whatever. Making "affordable" instruments for beginners. Probably also to compete with the Starcaster thingy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 (edited) Interesting note, the Gibson "Spirit" was also a guitar Gibson put out in the 80's. It was a DC LP Junior style guitar with a single humbucker in the bridge, as opposed to the single p90. Oh and since when are low-end epiphones not good enough $150-$200 guitars for beginners? Edited February 9, 2006 by TeiscosRock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted February 10, 2006 Report Share Posted February 10, 2006 I thought Spirit was their line of cheap Steinbergers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwhiteandthemaple Posted February 10, 2006 Report Share Posted February 10, 2006 What's so good about them? *points at the Gibson Spirit Guitar* other than its age/rarity value? -IR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted February 10, 2006 Report Share Posted February 10, 2006 ABOUT GIBSON/BALDWIN MUSIC EDUCATION For over 100 years Gibson guitar and Baldwin Piano have made an unmatched commitment to musical excellence. This commitment has not only been to produce the world’s finest musical instruments, but also to support and promote music education. Under the sponsorship of the parent company, Gibson Guitar Corp., has made significant contributions and will continue to donate to various charities whose mission promotes music and music education. In furthering its commitment to music and music education, Gibson Baldwin Music Education is proud to introduce a collection of introductory musical instruments. GBME is a collaborative effort with the Gibson family, designed to provide beginners of all ages with a quality musical instrument. We hope your GBME instrument will provide you with a wonderful step in your musical journey. http://www.gibson.com/Products/GBME/Sub%20Pages/About%20Us/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEdwardJones Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Oh and since when are low-end epiphones not good enough $150-$200 guitars for beginners? The difference is probably purely distributional in nature. You sell Epis to music stores you sell the other brands to toy and electronic stores. The Epi's don't then get the "department store" stigma, and your still have a much wider distribution channel for your wares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Here's your barometer....I saw them for sale at Toys-R-Us.....I just kept walking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorecki Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 http://gibson.com/KOL/The%20Goods/Spirit%5F%20Electric%20LP/ Now available at Circuit City!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Their fantastical marketing amazes me. I'm compelled to purchase a hunk of plywood so long as it says Gibson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Hey, if "Esteban" can sell those fancy birdhouses on cable TV, why shouldn't Gibson cash in? It's not like they've ever missed an opportunity to beat a sucker out of his money in the last 30 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikhailgtrski Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Yeah, but those birdhouses have "herringbone purfling and chrome tuners"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 And only Esteban guitars use REAL herring bones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 My wife's sister bought one of those Zorro Guy guitars. After I got done laughing, I played it for a while. It actually doesn't sound bad. I wouldn't have bought it, but it's not that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psw Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I wish I could work out who Estaban is...I even checked out his web site...but I still don't get it...must be living too far south of the equator...we seem to be Estaban free!! Anyway...what is the matter with Gibson!!! They have, way back when, made some great "student models" and occasionally something worthy of their former glory...well almost (I'm thinking the no frills Les Paul studio models). But why would they seek to have any recognisable connection with such POS as these things. Fender's squires may not be that great, but this is atrocious!! What are these guys on!!! They have so much potential going to waste. Nad when they do try to innovate, they come out with the old RD (well they were trying...what they were trying is anyones guess) or now this rediculous Magic pickup system (if it ever comes to fruition it will be too late...what ever it is supposed to do). You could do quite a thread on Gibson's most rediculous products...what were they thinking with that can opener shaped guitar??? Someone in R&D must surely not been taking their medication, taking too much, or swapping it amoungst eachother down there in Gibson Land! I see they have now scaled right back most of their custom shop models too and signitures...what the...!!! How can such a company with such a heritage and brand power survive with such amazingly inept marketing strategies. Perhaps we should start a thread, or here, as to what gibson should be doing instead of what they are doing. Of course, we can only blame guitarists inheirent conservatism, but surely gibson could be more than simply the Les Paul. The Explorer and Vee were excellent attempts, but there really hasn't been anything quite as adventurous since. Maybe the folks at Project Guitar could give them a heads up... For instance...instead of pursuing PRS for the single cut, perhaps they should have recognised that PRS were simply doing the obvious that Gibson couldn't see for themselves. If Gibson had come up with the PRS design they would be a major player...but as it is they seem to be going the way of the dinosaurs!!! Too strong?...pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorecki Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 The only thing I'm going to say in defense of these things is somewhere is a young guy who wants to play guitar and can't affort the good stuff and if it wasn't for these plywood POS's they may never get started! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's first guitar was a serious POS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psw Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I'm sure I'm not the only one who's first guitar was a serious POS! Not just the first guitar. ATM the guitar I choose to play is a POS even though I own a genuine LP!!! No, my point was that in the past Gibson had quality "student" models such as the Melody Maker and Les Paul Jnr in the past and they already have the Epiphone brand under their wing. The world is filled with ply POS guitars...does it need one with the added cost of the Gibson association. And, if it does...how about a neck thru (so the solid timber goes right through) with strip timber or "ply" wings, a single pickup with simple controls and a choice of shapes, LP Xplr V etc. Surely in the age of CNC they could produce something like that!! Oh well, nothing against budget guitars, I love them...just think they could be a little more innovative if they wanted to evoke the "spirit" of the Gibson name... pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted February 17, 2006 Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 or an all maple guitar, maple is about as cheap as it gets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorecki Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 Oh well, nothing against budget guitars, I love them...just think they could be a little more innovative if they wanted to evoke the "spirit" of the Gibson name... pete They do have Les Paul and SG version's but yeah, the LP Jr & Special we're just fine and it would be nice if they didn't want over $700 for them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted February 18, 2006 Report Share Posted February 18, 2006 My very first electric was a sunburst LP copy from the Sears catalog. As was already stated, the planet is full of POS plywood guitars, does Gibson really think they'll put a dent in that market by putting axes in toy stores?? After the Sears special, once I got good enough that the instrument was holding me back, my very next electric was a sunburst LP Custom from Gibson. That's where Gibson should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEdwardJones Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 The thing I love most about this thread is how people - who completely aren't these guitars' target market - are all up in arms about how bad these guitars are. Kind of like the Sultan of Brunei complaining about the quality of a Kia Rio. Seriously, the venting of your spleen over something that you'd never buy anyway. That's just kind of silly, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Seriously, the venting of your spleen over something that you'd never buy anyway. That's just kind of silly, no?Wouldn't buy it now, no - but I did buy one of these antfarms with strings when I was 11. I guess I'm still irritated about trying to learn to play that cheese slicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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