Lunch Report, 2/1/12: What's a Wednesday mean to you?

[kakerlak]

Today, it means a bag of gas station chips, a Gatorade and a day probably about the same as the two before it and two to follow...

I spent a little time this morning on the glguitars site, familiarizing myself w/ the current G&L offerings, and a few things occurred to me:

1. Not much in the way of new models/options
2. The signature model Rampage is probably smart (didn't know that had come out)
3. Where's the Whipper-snapper? That and the "rustic" line, which I didn't really notice either, were all the talk of NAMM, last time I was active here.

Can you guys fill me in here? I remember thinking the amp was cool, but expensive and wondering if there was really enough market to be had at the price point to justfy tooling up for it. (Maybe BBE came to the same conclusion?)

Did the rustic line go away? General consensus around here at the time was that it was a silly concept, both in general and in specific, since there aren't any 50+ year old G&Ls to mimic with pre-aged new ones (is that a REAL '55 ASAT?!). Is that still the overall thought, or have you guys warmed to it?


Broadening the horizon a bit:

Why do you think there continues to be market for new guitars at all? Generally speaking, guitars aren't a consumable commodity and we're probably at a time now where a lower percentage than ever before actually end up discarded. How can Guitar Center sell millions of new guitars every year? Where do they all go? Is it really just the number of individuals that end up accumulating 10+ instruments out there that keeps the 2nd hand market from killing the new market?

I mean, I can understand why Levi's is able to keep making jeans year after year, but how does Fender keep pumping out Strats? Maybe there's a clandestine effort out there to buy up used guitars and destroy them on the sly...

[Craig]

1. Not much in the way of new models/options

3. Where's the Whipper-snapper? That and the "rustic" line, which I didn't really notice either, were all the talk of NAMM, last time I was active here.

Can you guys fill me in here? I remember thinking the amp was cool, but expensive and wondering if there was really enough market to be had at the price point to justfy tooling up for it. (Maybe BBE came to the same conclusion?)

Did the rustic line go away? General consensus around here at the time was that it was a silly concept, both in general and in specific, since there aren't any 50+ year old G&Ls to mimic with pre-aged new ones (is that a REAL '55 ASAT?!). Is that still the overall thought, or have you guys warmed to it?

Besides the Rampages, there is the 30th Anniversary Collection (which can still be ordered) and additional 30th Anniversary models,
the Korina Custom Creations LE Collection and the M-Series Basses. Also, serveral new Tribute models, too. They have also added a line of G&L Effects Pedals.

They do have some new models coming ... the one I can mention is the revisit of the Superhawk.
There will likely be a standard production model and a Jerry Cantrell Signature model. See: Jerry Cantrell tests a protoype USA Superhawk JC sig model.

A few new options are the DFS bridge, stainless steel frets, satin finish over any of the current standard finishes (Frost Top Coat option) and
EMG 85/81 humbucker set : available on ASAT Deluxe / Semi-Hollow, Invader XL / Deluxe, Legacy HB2.

The Whippersnapper is still on the list (but further down, though) and with a name change, see: Re: G&L Whippersnapper.

The Rustic line is still there: ASAT Classic Rustic, Legacy Rustic and L-2000 Rustic.

With more yet to come ...

[Craig]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the new body wood: Monkey Pod (East Indian Walnut) and Walnut Special.
It look's like G&L is doing some Special Builds of various models so far.
I have further inquired about the details but have not heard back yet. Dave really does need to get
the G&L website updated (I sent him a list of corrections, omission, etc. awhile back).

[kakerlak]

Neat stuff, Craig, and good to hear there's more in the works!

[blargfromouterspace]

1. Not much in the way of new models/options
Ever notice how the best restaurants only serve one or two kinds of things?


2. The signature model Rampage is probably smart (didn't know that had come out)
I agree. If I were to suddenly join a metal band I'd most likely be playing a Rampage.

3. Where's the Whipper-snapper? That and the "rustic" line, which I didn't really notice either, were all the talk of NAMM, last time I was active here.
I'd love to have a Whipper-Snapper, whatever it's name is. Relic guitars are, IMO, a bit lame.

Where do they all go?
They're in a pile somewhere with all those odd socks you've lost in the washing machine. I ponder this same thing sometimes. I reckon a few of them would be in those weird music shops where everything is overpriced and the people running it refuse to lower the price. A while ago there was a 3-bolt ASAT on Aussie ebay being sold as a new guitar

[kakerlak]

1. Not much in the way of new models/options
Ever notice how the best restaurants only serve one or two kinds of things?

Yeah, I'm not necessarily complaining, just an observation. The fact that I didn't see the stuff they were hyping at NAMM two years ago seemed a little odd.

Where do they all go?
They're in a pile somewhere with all those odd socks you've lost in the washing machine. I ponder this same thing sometimes. I reckon a few of them would be in those weird music shops where everything is overpriced and the people running it refuse to lower the price. A while ago there was a 3-bolt ASAT on Aussie ebay being sold as a new guitar

LOL, maybe it just arrived on the boat

[sickbutnottired]

[
2. The signature model Rampage is probably smart (didn't know that had come out)
I agree. If I were to suddenly join a metal band I'd most likely be playing a Rampage.
[

Sounds like something that could happen early in the morning after (quite) a few to many!

Guitar demand: I have wondered about this, too. Especially because it seems like the popularity of music that features guitar in any meaningful way is on the decline.

[JagInTheBag]

That and the "rustic" line, which I didn't really notice either, were all the talk of NAMM, last time I was active here.
Relic guitars are, IMO, a bit lame.

What he said! If I want worn looking jeans, I will wear them out. If I want a road worn looking guitar, I will play it relentlessly gig after gig. I do like the availablity of nitro finishes and satin nickel hardware, just let me put the rashes on it myself!

[darwinohm]

Lunch today was leftover Pork Loin Rib stew. It was good and I am not tired of it although it is gone.

G&L changes and new things. I think they are on top of the game. Craig mentioned them all and I had forgotten some of them. The Rustic Series is a mystery to me and I would never buy one. I would not by a nitro finish if it were an option. I personally see no advantage in a nitro finish on a solid body or electric guitar. I would visualize a deduct for nitro finish. It would be great if you want your guitar to age quickly. Kind of like people living in the fast lane all the time. I was only 90% in the fast lane.

Where have all the guitars gone? There was once a song like that. I stop at the Guitar Center not even twice a month. They still have most of the high end things that have been there for more than a year. The Gibson and PRS wall changes inventory slowly. Most of the sales are to young kids with parents shopping for their first guitar. That is where the guitars are going. I see them moving high end guitars that are not selling to other stores and they put in a shift cycle there hoping that they will be sold. All you have to do is look at serial numbers and it is not unusual too see guitars that have been is stock for 2 to 3 years. Guitars are not a throw away item but only so many have been made and it is interesting to see all the vintage stuff being pushed. Where does it come from? Good question today Colin and I bet none of us has the answer. It is really neat to go into a good guitar shop and hear someone playing some great stuff. I usually hear nothing but chugging from the shredders when I go to the GC in recent times. Am I really that old??? --Darwin

[kakerlak]

Hey Darwin,
I may have exaggerated a bit. I too have noticed the higher end stuff sticking around for years at GC. I really hate that place anyway; it's always full of kids testing out Marshalls w/ poorly executed sleaze riffs (or worse, drum kit test drives).

[JagInTheBag]

Hey Darwin,
I may have exaggerated a bit. I too have noticed the higher end stuff sticking around for years at GC. I really hate that place anyway; it's always full of kids testing out Marshalls w/ poorly executed sleaze riffs (or worse, drum kit test drives).

My G&L store has a regular round of talented acoustic players. The electric test drives I hear are people trying to out Brian Setzer eachother on the Gretschs.

[zapcosongs]

I'm kind of pre-occupied today with my Dad's health. I'm just checking in to lend a bit of support and for the therapeutic value to me (selfish bastid that I am!).

Wednesdays to me mean that neither kid has an after-school activity, so nobody's wolfing dinner down in the car on the way to swimming or something. I used to troll for "What the Heck" material on Wednesdays in particular, but the world has gotten so strange every day of the week that Wednesday is just another crazy day among many.

I don't know where all the guitars go (ever wonder how many the big two and their subsidiaries flood the world with each day? I have but don't have the inclination to research it) but I will confess that I was THIS CLOSE to pulling the trigger on an eBay Whipper Snapper a year or so ago. I felt it might be one-of-a-kind, and the price was very reasonable. But alas, I have enough amps to sound crappy through, and I was too busy shorting gold. Ha!

I'll conclude with my suspicion that Britney Spears has a few Invaders stashed in her hoo-ha. I challenge you to prove me wrong, gentlemen. - ed

[JagInTheBag]

I'll conclude with my suspicion that Britney Spears has a few Invaders stashed in her hoo-ha. I challenge you to prove me wrong, gentlemen. - ed

I'll take your word for it Ed.

Prayers for your father's health and recovery. As well as strength and perseverance for both of you.

~Patrick

[zapcosongs]

Thanks Pat. - ed

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

At least a Wednesday is not Monday or Tuesday, however, Mondays and Tuesdays are better than Wednesdays when on vacation.

I don't care that new G&L models are not rolled out regularly. That would become an empty shell in no time. I would rather see variations of what exists now. Expanding options that people are actually interested in is a good idea. Offering anything you can think up, more for the sake of more, is just going to make the factory suffer as they have to prep for so many one-zy two-zy builds. Unless G&L ramps up their reach for the public they will be catering to the same crowd until it is 6 feet under. It is a losing bet thinking some great model to come will sell itself.

The success of the Rustic / Road Worn concept is a sign of how sick our society has become, G&L might as well create a timely new line of guitars called the Ultimate Substance-less Series featuring the Kardashian and Hilton models. A newer non-Rustic / Road Worn guitar showing wear is valued significantly less than one that has been beat to crap in order to look like it is worn out from years of playing. This with full disclosure. You know you are buying a fake. It is insane.

As for the continuing guitar market, no one ever seems to notice how populated the world has become. There are a lot of kids growing up and for years now playing guitar has been right in there with being a fireman and astronaut. Now this includes girls.

I wonder how many people have ever seen a famous musician actually shopping in a Guitar Center? I am sure they have been seen promoting something. Has anyone ever seen anyone there shopping and looking to buy gear? I suspect it is rare. Those high dollar guitars are part of the illusion. In truth, Guitar Center exists for the average guy in your town including most levels of struggling musicians hoping to make it big. None have money and if they do it is probably because they have better paying jobs in another field and they are only dreaming of making a living as a musician.

[JagInTheBag]

Unless G&L ramps up their reach for the public they will be catering to the same crowd until it is 6 feet under. It is a losing bet thinking some great model to come will sell itself.

The success of the Rustic / Road Worn concept is a sign of how sick our society has become, G&L might as well create a timely new line of guitars called the Ultimate Substance-less Series featuring the Kardashian and Hilton models. A newer non-Rustic / Road Worn guitar showing wear is valued significantly less than one that has been beat to crap in order to look like it is worn out from years of playing. This with full disclosure. You know you are buying a fake. It is insane.

AMEN!

I am pleased to see they are doing more with the classic G&L body shapes, opening up the SC-2 to the full list of finish options for one. The return of the F-100, Sky Hawk, etc. So many things you can do with these- S-Shape, T-Shape, SC Shape, F-100 Shape, Invader Shape. Between these and the pickup options- they have a complete lineup that can compare with any other maker. Once they get carved top versions on each shape here in the USA line, well then LOOK OUT! You can sign me up for the first USA Z-3 ASAT Deluxe Carved Top!

Heck since G&L is set on building a through neck guitar, bring back the G-200 shape with the 24 3/4 through neck in both semi-hollow carved top and full hollow design (similar to the classic Starcaster)- this would give G&L owners something new to consider and a segment that G&L does currently serve.

[blargfromouterspace]

I'll conclude with my suspicion that Britney Spears has a few Invaders stashed in her hoo-ha. I challenge you to prove me wrong, gentlemen. - ed

Thats how they get relic finishes

[sam]

Interesting topics today Colin,

I am still waiting on this new models/option

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The Superhawk reissue could be well received.

Where's the Whipper-snapper?
Aside from Craig's info, I recall this was a Rivera collaboration. If someone elses memory is better, please post correction

The "rustic" line never did it for me. Much like road worn I consider it overpriced marketing.

Why do you think there continues to be market for new guitars at all?
Growing population, people tire of rock band and want to play a real guitar, older population can now afford the guitar they always wanted, or now decide to play, and of course G&L will flood the market with new models/marketing/features and GLDP give-a-ways

Where do they all go? We will know when Ed returns from his Britney exploration.

[zapcosongs]

Lord help me. I'm back.

Let's just say I had the seminal moment of my lifetime - and yours; and

Ever wonder what ever happened to the likes of Valley Arts, Guild and many others similarly consumed? Well, they are all there. ALL of them! I'm gonna be sick..... - ed

[JagInTheBag]

Interesting topics today Colin,

I am still waiting on this new models/option

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Sign me up for one!

[jammers5]

Y'know, I have an ASAT Classic Rustic and love it.I ended up with it quite by accident, I went to the G&L dealer to order a BSB ASAT and they offered me the Rustic at a great deal! It is a fantastic guitar, and I don't have to worry about dinging it or chipping it!

J5