[CanuckTodd]

Ouch, only two days after Canada Day and we learn that Gibson bought innovative Canadian guitar maker Garrison Guitars. I own two of them, a six and a 12 and love them. I guess being bought by Gibson isn't exactly bad news, it's just that we were proud of this little Canadian company that could.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
GIBSON GUITAR ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GARRISON GUITARS

Nashville, Tenn...July 3, 2007...Gibson Guitar, the world's premiere musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology announced today its acquisition of Garrison Guitars, a company based in St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. The acquisition will further Gibson's expansion in the acoustic guitar market offering a new series of Gibson brand acoustic guitars aimed at the median price point to be introduced at the Summer NAMM convention in Austin, Texas.

Garrison Guitars are crafted using the latest technologies and innovations including the Griffiths Active Bracing System, a revolutionary method of guitar construction that took over six years to perfect. The single unit brace combines all the acoustic guitar's top braces into a single unit and allows for the resonance to have an uninterrupted path of travel throughout the instrument and provides enhanced structural stability. Offering a range of instruments in all price points, the G Series features all solid woods, hard shell cases, bolt on necks and UV finishes in a variety of wood combinations. The AG Series offers an affordable line using the patented bracing system technology. The company also manufacturers all solid wood mandolins and mandolas in its 20,000 square foot facility in Canada.

Garrison will join the historic division of Gibson Acoustic guitars offering top quality acoustic performance instruments along with superb craftsmanship. The acquisition allows for Gibson Guitar to offer musical enthusiasts around the world the best acoustic guitar in every major price point. The company's portfolio includes Gibson Acoustic guitars built in Bozeman, Montana, Epiphone acoustic guitars and Garrison acoustic guitars. The company plans on shipping the new Garrison acoustic guitars by August of 2007 and will be Gibson branded.

"My co-workers and I are extremely excited about our new beginning as the newest edition to the Gibson family of brands. Being a part of Gibson allows us to do so much more than we could have achieved on our own. Furthermore, Gibson's reputation for strong community involvement and the expansion and new job creation is sure to impress everyone here in St. John's, who have supported us so well over the years," said Chris Griffiths, Garrison founder.

About Garrison Guitars:
Founded by Chris Griffiths of St. John's Newfoundland, Canada in 1999, Garrison Guitars was born to commercialize a revolutionary new bracing system called the Griffiths Active Bracing System. In early 2001, Garrison Guitars opened an acoustic guitar manufacturing company in Canada tooled with the latest robotics, laser cutting, cnc milling and UV finishing. The 20,000 square foot factory produced orders for distribution in North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Japan and Canada. Garrison Guitars was awarded a "Golden Axe Award" for Best Value by Harmony Central in 2000. In addition, Garrison Guitars and its founder have won over 14 different awards for innovation, business planning, export growth, leadership and entrepreneurship.

[Rockerbob]

Bummer!

[GotDeeBlues]

I had a chance to play a couple Garrisons a few weeks ago while in Florida on a visit. I was seriously considering a one for my next purchase, planned of the autumn. Might have to bite the bullet and grab one sooner.

[allthumbs]

I just played the more expensive Garrison with the full fiberglass braced body. Loud. warm tones. A terrific guitar. Sucks that we lost them to Gibson but, maybe now they will get the recognition they deserve.

[JessThrasher]

RB do you hate gibson or something?

[Nutty]

I love my Garrison as well. I have the G-4 6 string.

Nutty

[CanuckTodd]

Hmmmm... might make my made in Canada Garrisons more valuable over time since Gibson will now be branding them... Hmmm might have to check out ebay... I guess no matter what corner of the globe we live in, we like the "local guy does good" story. And I suppose the owner of Garrison, who I've met a few times and is a great guy, will now get the recognition (not to mention money) he deserves.

[Mike8307]

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

RB do you hate gibson or something?

I doubt that it is a matter of hating Gibson as much as it is a matter of losing a small company that produces a quality instrument.

When an acquisition like this occurs the smaller company loses its identity. The larger company wants to realize a return on their investment almost immediately. The manufacturing process gets streamlined, the quality tends to lapse. The larger company comes in and becomes the 800 pound gorilla, making changes, better for the bottom line (profits) rarely better for the instruments produced.

I think RB is just sad to see an independant guitar maker fall.

Mike
(or I can be wrong and he could just hate Gibson)

[jimmyzowens]

i dont feel that gibson will or could strealine a small company enough to reduce quality , Gibson has been around for years and produced a very high quality instument, if there intent is to just turn a buck i feel you are mistaken,and if they were in the practice of turning a buck they would have been out of buisness years ago. and furthermore, i feel we should look at this as a venture for the small canadian company , as he might be gaining more than people realize by being associated with Gibson , so before we throw the gorilla term around let us just take a minute to analyze both sides of the page ..........

[Rockerbob]

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

RB do you hate gibson or something?

I hate the owners of the company. Ruthless bastards that buy companies and put them out of business. Gibson has a history of doing that.

[allthumbs]

Originally Posted by jimmyzowens

i dont feel that gibson will or could strealine a small company enough to reduce quality , Gibson has been around for years and produced a very high quality instument, if there intent is to just turn a buck i feel you are mistaken,and if they were in the practice of turning a buck they would have been out of buisness years ago. and furthermore, i feel we should look at this as a venture for the small canadian company , as he might be gaining more than people realize by being associated with Gibson , so before we throw the gorilla term around let us just take a minute to analyze both sides of the page ..........

Um. You haven't read some of my posts about the current state of affairs with Gibson. Many of my friends who have been playing semi pro for decades are appalled at the decrease in quality of the Gibson product in the last 1o years. They used to have the high quality standards that you speak of but, now it is hit and miss.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine went into a mom and pop store that ordered in 10 Gibson's. 9 went back with finish flaws or fret problems. Another friend went to buy an LP at a big chain. He went through about 20 and gave up. They all were flawed in some way. He bought an Edwards instead. None of my friends can figure out why the quality has gone down so much. Twenty years ago you could pick a Gibbie off the rack blindfolded knowing it would be perfect.

[Mike8307]

Originally Posted by jimmyzowens

i dont feel that gibson will or could strealine a small company enough to reduce quality , Gibson has been around for years and produced a very high quality instument, if there intent is to just turn a buck i feel you are mistaken,and if they were in the practice of turning a buck they would have been out of buisness years ago. and furthermore, i feel we should look at this as a venture for the small canadian company , as he might be gaining more than people realize by being associated with Gibson , so before we throw the gorilla term around let us just take a minute to analyze both sides of the page ..........

I beg to differ. Gibson is a for profit company. If they didn't turn a buck they would be out of business. If Gibson couldn't make a profit making the best guitar in the world, they would eventually stop production, or find a way to make it cheaper. They make investments (and this is what this purchase is) just like anyone else makes an investment, to make a profit, to turn a buck. I don't say that they don't make a quality instrument, but don't think that they are coming to Canada with a bag full of money to say, "Here ya go, have fun with it. Don't worry, we'll make more." That just does not happen in the real world.

[jimmyzowens]

Originally Posted by Mike8307

I beg to differ. Gibson is a for profit company. If they didn't turn a buck they would be out of business. If Gibson couldn't make a profit making the best guitar in the world, they would eventually stop production, or find a way to make it cheaper. They make investments (and this is what this purchase is) just like anyone else makes an investment, to make a profit, to turn a buck. I don't say that they don't make a quality instrument, but don't think that they are coming to Canada with a bag full of money to say, "Here ya go, have fun with it. Don't worry, we'll make more." That just does not happen in the real world.

i understand they are a for profit organization , and everyone is out to turn a buck , what im trying to say is that i dont think any company that produces any type of product that has the reputation af a company such as gibson, is in buisness because they go buy up little companys to turn there product into cheap remnants of what they once were just to make a extra million or some such thing . i feel that both sides probably came to a advantage through the deal and everyone probaly benefits in some way , as for the specifics of the company of gibson i am nor have i ever been very involved in there affairs. so my ignorance is probably shinning through ,
And then again mabye its just a little bit of the childhood memorys of playing my fist gibson lp , and the effect that it had on me that could be clouding my better judgment and making me a little bias to this topic, i in no way mean to offend any one here just here to discuss and have fun with everyone

[jimmyzowens]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Um. You haven't read some of my posts about the current state of affairs with Gibson. Many of my friends who have been playing semi pro for decades are appalled at the decrease in quality of the Gibson product in the last 1o years. They used to have the high quality standards that you speak of but, now it is hit and miss.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine went into a mom and pop store that ordered in 10 Gibson's. 9 went back with finish flaws or fret problems. Another friend went to buy an LP at a big chain. He went through about 20 and gave up. They all were flawed in some way. He bought an Edwards instead. None of my friends can figure out why the quality has gone down so much. Twenty years ago you could pick a Gibbie off the rack blindfolded knowing it would be perfect.

i would love to read some of your post on this matter if you could link them i would enjoy the infomation (ignorance is a lack of knowledge)(stupidity is a denial of knowledge.)...... just lookin for the knowledge ........thx thumbs for the info

[CanuckTodd]

I didn't intend for this to be a Gibson bashing thread, I really don't know much about the company, but you never know where a thread will go I guess! I really hope the company continues to grow and that the founders insist on maintaining the quality controls.
Garrison has a personal connection for me because I once met and interviewed the founder and wrote a story about his company -- and this was before I had ever played a guitar in my life. Researching the story, and learning about the craft of guitar playing was partly what motivated me to try to learn to play. And of course, when it came time to buy my first guitar, I bought a Garrison!
The story is a few years old, but the basic info is there. They've since introduced their AG line that are manufactured in China using the processes they worked out in Canada. Here's the link: (if it doesn't work, just type "Garrison, advanced" into Google.
Advanced Manufacturing - Advanced Manufacturers