Hate The Corporations Not The Guitar

Baxter and Jonathan discuss why we love some of our guitars but hate the brands and the corporate decisions that go along with them.

[@ZitherWizard]

Thank you for your support. We are not looking to sue anyone. We did not refuse to sell. After receiving our financial information and IP they stopped talking to us. I love my 335. This is like finding out you are being cheated on. We are committed to making great instrument stands.

[@rxdoctordaddy1795]

Why aren't you mad at prs for making the metal and plastic version of your stands?

[@vanzantm]

I just saw this and wanted to comment - which I rarely do. I have a couple of your fantastic stands and have spoken to the folks in Texas who were amazing and helpful! I can't believe that a company like Gibson, who sues other companies for IP/design, has done this to your company. You are a better person/company if you are choosing not to sue them. It's a shame that their corporate leadership has chosen this direction instead of continuing to support a great US manufacturer working in the music industry with them. In the words of John Lennon - "Instant Karma's gonna get you" (Gibson) (Same for PRS by the way). Good luck if you choose to stay independent! (not sure I'm reading your comment on refusing to sell correctly). Thanks Jonathan and Baxter for bringing this to the You Tube world for getting attention on this.

[@misteress3840]

Thanks for posting, Zither!

[@misteress3840]

It seems hypocritical of Gibson to sue others for copying then steal designs from others, like you. This may be the last straw for some of us players and collectors. But considering their ethics and behavior, no more for me at least. They’re plenty of other folks making great guitars. Gibson can kick rocks!

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

Something seems really fishy...why would they "need" your IP if they could just do what the wanted in the first place? Something ain't lining up with me on this.

[@UphillGardener-ly5sh]

I'm lefty, I hate the corporations, I don't get the chance to hate the guitars!

[@ornelasalberto1]

don’t let jonathan see this

[@russellzauner]

Yeesh, please explain to me what other instrument needs a completely reverse unit built for left handed people. There ain't no left handed french horn or trombone bro - if there were a left handed piano that would mess people up seriously and be hella expensive inventory to keep around anyhow. Left handed basses, guitars, etc were literally invented to sell more instruments and then they complain that nobody buys them so they're not gonna make them - think how simpler the world would be if you didn't have to search for "replacement part X for left handed Y" (ala the Lefthandtorium/Ned Flanders) and I've known people who learned to play "right handed" just so they didn't have to miss out on anything. No excuses 🙂 You're right to hate them but it's misdirection - hate the whole distribution chain and the manufacturing race to the bottom, not the workers who make the things you want. Also hate Cor-Tek all you want, I won't buy Cort or anything from companies that deal with them (you can do your own research on that one pretty easy). Vote with your wallet. 🙂

[@UphillGardener-ly5sh]

@@russellzauner Firstly, there are left handed pianos, but we won't go into that. Unfortunately I'm going to have to be hard with you, when I say you're ignorant on the matter, it's not an insult, it just means you don't know. There are of levels of handedness, you can be hard right and hard left going to full ambidextrousness, Paul McCartney tried to learn right handed and gave up because it was too hard, later someone suggested trying lefty as he was left handed.... it worked. Doyle Bramall, Eric Gales and Albert King all learned on right handed guitars, and it was easier to learn with the strings upside down than it was to learn right handed, we see handedness in golf tennis baseball, because that's the right way for some people, you would put an extra obstacle in their way. We will never know how many lefties took up the guitar and gave up because it was too hard for them. If you still haven't got it left footed football players are a premium, a good left sided winger is in short supply, but I hear you ask "why don't some right footed kids learn to use their left foot?" BECAUSE IT'S NOT NATURAL AND IT'S TOO BLOODY HARD! Lional Messi has one of the best left foots on the planet..... he can just about stand on his right, using your logic he should be two footed.... many players are, why not Lionel?

[@SlyRyFry]

@@russellzauner Left handed basses and guitars were made for left handed people lol Imagine telling Jimi Hendrix he should "just learn to play right handed", why? I'm glad your friend doesn't have to miss out on right handed gear but that's just horrible advice to give to literally any other musician lmao play what's comfortable. In some older bands they would make the second guitarist or bassist learn to play left handed so it looked cooler on stage too, just a little fun fact. I'm sure you ment well by the comment but it just comes off like the teacher that didn't believe in left handed writing lol it's 2024. Even Eric Clapton bought a left handed strat to give to Jimi

[@gscgold]

The struggle is real I feel for you

[@anthonycrudo2728]

Baxter in his track suit looks like a Bulgarian street vendor selling off brand Rolexes.

[@davidsummerville351]

Well said! 😆🤣😂😎🤓

[@duncangoodall7108]

Kinda channeling Britpop .. even the 80’s

[@kevinrogers5534]

He looks like he’s about to take Matt Damon’s money in Rounders

[@brianhensien]

😂😂😂

[@ianhoyle8459]

I thought it was a good look 😎👍😊

[@Donholleyglobeaz]

The market drives the business model. If people stop spending ridiculous prices for ridiculous shit then they will be forced to lower prices. Buy used!

[@shawn_ten_toes]

Im with a lot of you. No new gibsons for me. Epiphone has gone off the deep end, too.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Epiphone is great they are where they should have always been in the first place epiphone was never meant to be a budget brand in the first place and they weren't until Norlin ruined them..that all ends with JC Curliegh he restored Epiphone in 2019 if most of you would research first before you open your mouth you would know Epiphone was never meant to be a budget brand now majority of epiphone models are high end once again

[@Myfingersstinklikefish]

​@@BlueberryStinkFinger62it's amazing some of the bullsh*t people come up with about epiphone no research first no nothing but they're going to us how epiphone is Nuts friggin pathetic and sickening

[@mark240862]

You are both so in my train of thought. Sadly for me I live in London.. But trust me.. If I or you lived nearer Id happily buy you both a pint and while away a Friday night down the pub and get the music bizz back on track. Have a great weekend guys.

[@xMaoxoaMx]

I disagree. If you "hate" the corporation, then you should stop giving them your hard earned money. If you still really want one of their guitars, just get a used one.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

Very true … I love my old Gibsons, but I’m not buying a new Gibson until that company starts treating real players like people again.

[@robertgallagher2226]

yes!

[@RealROCKnROLLA]

Never it is, then!🫡

[@AmericanNationalist852]

Gibson is assho

[@shawn_ten_toes]

Yup.... epiphone as well.

[@adityanemlekar]

100% . I was saving up for a 335, but I’m going with PRS instead

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

If Gibson would put as much effort into quality control as they put into lawsuits, they would leave Fender, PRS etc., in the dust.

[@stuco]

I don't know about leaving them in the dust but they may be more efficient and consistent yes. All those companies have their own unique offerings.

[@randuxy]

Corporations should not be rewarded for their bad behavior. Sadly the only power we have is to vote with our wallets.

[@66falcon99]

What happened to guitars is what happened to the rest of the economy... Mergers and acquisitions have led to the corporate view, top-down, and that means one thing: The #1 priority is to make money for their investors. Making great guitars is less pressing than pleasing big investors. Financials / spreadsheets dominate the decisions because the investors must be kept happy!

[@johnjackson1270]

I agree with previous comments. No new Gibsons until they get their act together. I will only buy used!

[@blodpudding]

Well since they killed Dean I soured on the new regime.

[@EricMcD15]

I’ve been bald and shaving my head since middle school (alopecia), it’s ok for you to start doing that at your age, bro

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

LOL...in the words of the mighty prophet Idina Menzel...LET IT GOOOOOOOO, LET IT GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@markbaum9615]

Baxter be free..... We can see through the thinnng forrest

[@allend3127]

Happy Belated Birthday, Sean!!!

[@seanzinger]

I do love my Gibson guitars.

[@vegashdrider]

Corporations kill everything, but I love my Gibson’s, I’ve tried other brands, fender, strat, tele, custom shop strat, PRS, Kramer, and I couldn’t bond with them like a Les Paul, then a 2012 custom shop Iommi. I hate corporations, Gibson included but I have to admit I love the guitar’s they are making, even if I can’t afford them, can’t wait for the Jimmy Page EDS 1275!

[@dinein1970]

Go and support your local luthier! Or build a guitar from a kit!

[@ishonbelmont9943]

The Gibson Les Paul is my favorite guitar, but am not a fan of Gibson. This is why I'm a fan of Gibson copies from Japanese brands like Tokai and Edwards.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

I used to work at a local grocery store when I was a young woman, and the owner lost the store in a card game. I showed up one morning for work and the store was closed to the public, the local fuzz were there, the ATF, the FBI, etc., were there, and we staff members were shown into the store one at a time to get I.D.'d and fingerprinted(!), and get our final paychecks, which bounced.

[@AmericanNationalist852]

💪🏻string swing💪🏻

[@dave5655]

So the company that has become synonymous for suing anyone that makes a guitar that remotely looks like one of theirs, even if the guitar has been in production for decades without Gibson saying a word, bald faced steals a small companies design? OK.

[@FLOODtoFIRE]

Sitting on cash wanted my first Gibson But ..... i value my cash more if i buy one i'll buy a preplayed

[@Scott__C]

Plenty of other great single cutaway guitars to have.

[@baileywatts1304]

When I finally got the cash to afford my first Gibson my hands had already gotten used to Fender and Ibanez guitars. I felt like the neck was just so thick, and the short scale length made the strings feel like they were so slack. I love how an SG sounds in someone else's hands.

[@FLOODtoFIRE]

@@baileywatts1304 lol nice .... Thanks for the insite . ill keep that in mind . Cheers

[@LairdDavidson]

If corporations are doing stuff that is wrong then I'll buy products from companies that aren't as bad. I know the employees lower down the rung might be great people, that not the issue. Gibson and Fender have some great guitars but so do other companies.

[@IndigoJo]

I saw a video yesterday that said Epiphone has had a major problem for years (it took two and a half minutes for him to get to the point) which is that their fretwork sucked, especially on the upper frets. I asked him why he keeps buying them, and why anyway he expects the Chinese arm of a company notorious for poor quality control to be any better than the American arm? Depending on your budget, you can get a Les Paul or 335 type instrument from Sire, D'Dangelico, Tokai, FGN, Godin, Gordon Smith, Heritage (American and cheaper than Gibson) or Collings. Why bother with Gibson just because of the name?

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

That's bs I researched and found no such thing and I own 3 2021 high end Epiphones and frets are perfect

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

And epiphone isn't a Chinese company it's an American guitar company the Quindoa epiphone facility is completely American owned and operated Scott Lewis is the facility manager along with American and Asian luthiers when are you people going to realize all you have to do is take what you're claiming and research it on the computer to see whether you're telling the truth or lying...

[@chrisdigital]

I picked up one of the last Gibsons that was kind of maybe affordable. Got it for a little over $1,000. It was a 2020 SG in the matte finish Walnut brown. In retrospect, I like the instrument, but recent Firefly guitars I have picked up have been on par if not better for 1/8 the price. Kind of made me feel like an idiot for buying it.

[@TheNoncritical1]

By not buying something made in China you didn't give your money to a country that wants to put us under.

[@AtomicFacePunch]

I've owned and played all kinds of high end guitars, and I'm mildly amused that the best playing thing I've got is a Nightswan/Soloist thing I built from Warmoth parts just because I thought it'd be fun to have. Never thought I'd use it all that much.

[@TheWhiskeyCowboyLife]

There are a couple issues at work that make it more difficult.... first is on social/political matters, in the past most companies simply didn't get involved openly in these things. They stuck to their actual product or service, so the social/political views of the owners/management generally were not known or CARED about. Then it became (stupidly) a "selling point" (or they thought) for their products or services; which have NOTHING to do with social/political matters. They should go back to keeping that to themselves. Secondly, the "dirty pool" or other "bad" business tactics, practices, and issues were generally not known by the general public (similar to the first issue). But now days everyone knows EVERYTHING. The business stories from the past are really no less nice or "ideal" than they are today. We simply KNOW about them, and in real time. This said, yes I believe that are are legitimate reasons to NOT choose a product or service, based on matters not directly related to the product or service. But that decision is up to each person, and based on many factors. There ARE some businesses and products that I refuse to buy or deal with. But just a few. It's impossible to find the "perfect" business/company out there. Even the ones folks think are amazing and perfectly above board and no issues... scratch just a bit under the surface. ;) So I can see it from both sides.... and just play it on a case by case basis.

[@dinosaursr]

You guys brought up very good points. Working people are affected by boycotts.

[@phenderson20]

I would say Zither’s entire business is affected more by what Gibson is doing.

[@user-yf5lx1rn5h]

When you say new what year are you talking about ( the show V)?

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

I have no use for guitar stands. Back in high school, I saved nearly every penny I made from working nights at Jack-In-The-Box for six months to buy a "pro"-level classical guitar for college. After all those hours of work, I decided to heed the advice of, "If you're not playing your instrument, it should be in its case." Consequntly, all my instruments, though played hundreds, to thousands of hours, look pristine.

[@jaorte10]

I build bolt-on neck style guitars, including winding my own p'ups. With high-quality hardware, good wood,and a nice finish, it still runs me around $750 without a case or labor charges. So, if you don't mind heavy scrap wood, cheap pot metal hardware and p'ups made from refrigerator magnets with a 1/64 inch veneer top and a poly dipped finish, go ahead and buy those $199 Chinese guitars. And imagine how they're selling them at that price and that you're supporting it. Building guitars isn't a poor man's hobby, btw.

[@jaylunaguitar]

I’m sitting at the Gibson Custom Shop watching this currently lol. I like Gibson guitars but since I’ve been working at the custom shop for nearly 2 years now, I’ve started to lose respect for the brand. It also has made me not really care for their newer models as much.

[@pauldicker1679]

I have a hard time separating the instrument from the corporation. I live in the UK and we recently had a Gibson Garage open in London. I have not taken a vacation for 6 years, and the money I had saved I was going to spend on a really nice Gibson. On the way I picked up my Tele from the local tech. The Gibson Garage refused to let me in with my Tele so I had to go elsewhere. I ended up touring the rest of Londons guitar stores. Needless to say I didn't buy Gibson and doubt I ever will now. Gibson customer service say that is their policy but it has really turned me off the brand.

[@WannaBeatle-Paul_McMichael]

I personally know the owners and/or management of two of my favorite manufacturers. I'm not too fond of the goings on in their companies, but I absolutely love their products and will continue to play their stuff until I die (I think)! But, I can see being so turned off by the higher ups of a company that you no longer enjoy playing their guitars.

[@ernieb3626]

They are the string swing hooks for the headstock

[@MattSwain1]

There’s a few corporations in the world where I’ve drawn the line for my own reasons (one has a big yellow M over the door and the other has a swoosh logo) but if you go too far down that road sooner or later you’d have to grow all of your own food, make your own clothes and build your own guitars. On the whole you just haven’t looked hard enough if you think you’ve found a large corporation who have never done anything but good!

[@DjDoggDad]

Americans should be making all of those things for themselves, especially food. yet we lost woodshoop and home ec in public schools and basic gardening isn't a course. Otherwise realistically making a guitar is a highschool level skill, people seem to have forgotten that they could simply make a better guitar than a big corp and not support them in the process, and heck, maybe even naturally evolve the guitar in the process as opposed to the constant reissue shapes of yesteryear.

[@HotJuicyMess]

mcdonalds and nike?

[@MattSwain1]

@@HotJuicyMess yes, I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, or to do as I do. I’m sure there’s other brands that are just as bad (or maybe worse) but these are the two that I’ve chosen to avoid

[@simonpark843]

I still miss the old set...

[@solaris70]

zitheren down the road feeling gib .

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

Moral is, if you hate a company dont buy their products. Simple

[@sgt.gruhnn]

What if you hate companies that own gas stations?

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

@sgt.gruhnn can't help ya there. Even Teslas rely on dinosaur jiuce

[@kilgore7778]

Is that Rev Run sitting in for Baxter?

[@justinfleming7603]

turn on .5 speed on playback, too see funny version on Baxter and Johnathan

[@davidwood351]

What about principal? I don’t spend my money with certain businesses(Walmart) because of how I feel about their practices.(made in China) We can and should change the world with our wallets.

[@Pj32Sr]

I luv my Zither

[@ZitherMusicCompany]

Thank you

[@Pj32Sr]

@ZitherMusicCompany Thank you for crafting a great looking, trustworthy stand that makes playing and safety easier 🤘🫶.

[@carlthomas99]

Cesar is a Banker, And Bankers love Luxury brands. Enjoy your China-phone & remember 2008.

[@Scott__C]

And he came from that Private Equity, which is never good when they buy businesses. I think in like 5 years, after he's met the people he's want, he'll sell to a Private Equity firm.

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@Scott__C...and prices will go up again when that happens

[@Scott__C]

@@jasondorsey7110 Absolutely. I always use GC as the Private Equity bad story. Kmart/Sears as well, but they're not music shops.

[@hgwtube1]

According to baxter we are supposed to separate the guitar from the company. KKR Gibson specifically has a director of BRAND experience...they don't make guitars, they make a brand. It is a bad deal for the good people that get caught up in this kind of bullshit, but if we do not punish financial engineering types when they buy a company, it will just keep happening and guitars will cost more and be made as a lifestyle image device and not a way to make music. OK, so rock is a lot of image, but that is image of the artist mostly and a little about the guitar. And anyway, while there are reasons (such as to compare other guitars to gibson and to touch things) to shop at guitar center and other hedge fund monsters, there is no reason to buy a gibson. There are better made less expensive guitars made by smaller companies and especially individual luthiers. Compare a collings city limit to any comparable priced or above les paul. And, spend your money on the guitars you have and support a local luthier or guitar repairman or a shop like casino, and get the frets done and the nut just right and the intonation set and the string radius set ....etc.... or get a good honestly priced guitar and get it set up right.....or if you just want something to hang on the wall or spin around the room from a conveyor belt, then get a KKR gibson.

[@HamptonGuitars]

I have had a big corporation steal an idea I pitched to them on at least two occasions. There is NO such thing as loyalty from any corporate exec., the only thing you can count on from those pukes is a contract, and then they'll probably try to break it.

[@simontemplar3359]

Corporations in the US are legally people and wield vastly more influence than they should, and vastly more than any of us can. Unlike us, individuals are protected against criminal charges; how many corporations have caused death and injury through negligence? There is truth to the fight club point about major auto manufacturers doing a cost/benefit analysis and not fixing a known failure because they don't expect enough damage from legal action. Corporations have no morals and they lack compassion and empathy. Their only motive and purpose is to profit. That is dangerous. I'm not saying we can get rid of them although I wish we could, and yes I know youtube is a subsidiary of google and therefore as evil corporate as it gets. While I'm on that subject, I'd bet if we were to look into it, Casino Guitars is incorporated as well.

[@CameraLaw]

I like corporations. If they make a lot of money, they hire a lot of people. There was this one company at Warner Bros. Studios that hired me to work on “V”. Yup, I’m that old.

[@kencubala9560]

The original?

[@daveduffy2823]

I don’t hate the companies, they know their markets. As long as there are buyers, they will advertise and sell the same way they are now. They are selling to collectors, not players.

[@216trixie]

The new set is looking pretty much like the old set now. Not a bad thing.

[@ernieb3626]

As upset as I am at what Gibson did with making their own zipper stand. I hope that they make it right and I believe they will. I just want to enjoy this music world that some of us live in it’s much better than the rest of the world, and we need to keep the politics as far away as possible, but I also agree with calling it out. Great video.

[@microdot4374]

I have a Fender Tele standard USA, 96 & it has bubbled all over the neck both sides, it happens to a lot of models of that year, though I have an Epiphone Sheraton, 87 no issues?????..........I can only afford used!!!...

[@flapjack413]

For a company that whines about intellectual property as much as Gibson, it's VERY messed up of them to go and steal the design from a small company whom they used to work with. I hate what Gibson has been doing as a company for the last number of years. But when the QC is there, their guitars are fucking great. I'll still play them, except I'll only buy from the used market. I'm not going to reward their lack of ethics by putting money directly in their pocket until they chill with the lawsuits and get their QC back to a consistently good level.

[@guitarandstuff]

I think this is a really bad double standard. We can't separate the product from the producer simply because we want to be able to continue liking the product or we like the product simply because we love the producer. You've bashed products because you didn't like the way they were being produced (China made copies for example).

[@axesandelbows414]

Guys! It's not that hard!! Be original. Be you! Play what you like. Sometimes, it's just that simple. Life is too short to settle for drippings.🎈

[@armchairzen]

When I pick up my guitar and start playing it, my concern is how well it plays, and how well it sounds. Whether it's my 1980's Bulgarian-made Orfeus (built by Communists), my 1954 Gretsch Electromatic (built in Brooklyn), or my 1996 LAG Custom Shop Imperator (built in France), my mind never wanders and wonders what the corporate atmosphere was like, who built them, or where it was made. A good guitar is a good guitar. Bottom line: I enjoy playing my '72 Hagstrom F200 MORE than my 2016 Gibson Les Paul. I love the Les, but the Hag brings something I can't define.

[@alangreenway6695]

Remember that the more famous people, brands, and companies are, the more visible they are so we find out how scummy they are. Don’t assume the unknown, indie, or little guy is a complete saint. They don’t just get the press.

[@LumaTo]

Don't let it stop you from doing something about the evil you know though.

[@user-yf5lx1rn5h]

V with Morena Baccarin went off the air 13 years ago, series run 2009-2011. You are creeping into being an old man. Calling things new that started 15 years ago. 😂 I love it ramble on.

[@thesmellycatjazz]

Higher ups are a representation of the company and supporting them enables it. Buy used if you really want to get it, buy buying new will put your money into the pot that they use to justify their decisions at the end of the quarter.

[@mynickisnick4302]

what if we change “Gibson“ with “Harley Benton“, would you hold your position in this matter? Or forgiveness is reserved only for the brands you like and/or carry?

[@zackymueller]

Proline stands say they are nitro safe and I havent had any issues with my nitro guitars sitting on them.

[@johncrace911]

Why worry about a nitro safe stand when your store demos relic guitars all the time ?

[@Scott__C]

I think part of that is YT etc., everyone talks about minutiae of things that people generally wouldn't care about before. I keep saying the only thing Gibson actually improved was marketing.

[@alanbeesby2220]

Can’t stand Paul Reed Smith (the man) but hot damn does his company make a great guitar! I wonder how this chimes though with Baxter’s position on Harley Benton’s? 😜

[@germanomosconi392]

Baxter looks like Michael Stipe with a brillo pad on his head.

[@ianhoyle8459]

And some of the individuals responsible for the creation of these guitars probably feel the same. Don’t blame the child for the parents! ❤

[@Donholleyglobeaz]

Baxster, thanks for being a positive force.

[@sodapopkidd]

Im not buying anything made by a company I hate. Thats just feeding the devil.

[@Ninjametal]

The guitar companies don't hate the game, they hate the players

[@dougboal7425]

Gibson is the Disney of guitars. They only release nostalgic remakes and want to milk their fanbase dry in the process.

[@emartinezr]

Have you actually taken at least a minute to go over Gibson's current catalogue? They have LOTS of "modern" and non-reissue alternatives. Yet..... these classic remakes are the only thing YOU care to talk about and pay attention to. I can give you at least 10 "modern" models within the current lineup that have nothing to do with reissued classics.

[@CosmicBrain21]

I feel like this about Apple products. I hate Apple and everything they stand for, but I love my iPad, there’s no better phone than the iPhone and I can’t be productive in music without my Mac. I’d love to ditch it all though if there was at least an equal alternative.

[@mikeshweeng]

You can see the lizard claw marks in the routing holes of my LP. This is not a joke! They are here to eat us all!

[@GregD4502]

At least a small component of the decision to buy a guitar is the "cool" factor. I think most of us like to have a guitar that we think is cool and the big brands count on that. Unfortunately, for me, Gibson has kind of ruined whatever cool vibe it had with its pricing and its bullying. It's like when an actor whose performances you like turns out to be a jerk. It makes him or her harder to watch. I have an SG that I will probably hang on to, but I doubt I'll buy another Gibson.

[@pearsonm67]

Are you going to drink that bottle on top of the amp or not?

[@jltrem]

Buy Eastman.

[@theguitarfather1837]

Love my new Gibsons LOL ...best guitars I've ever played or had the privilege of owning

[@joshL28]

Hey man good for u 👍! I personally don’t think it’s worth the $3K for a standard Les Paul, should be priced down to a more realistic price of $2.5K (accounting for todays market). Had my eyes on the tribute since I actually prefer the satin finish but the brighter pickups and the PCB wiring made me change my mind.

[@Aussie_Dad]

I don't have an issue with the company Zither, and I will likely be ordering a stand or two in the near future. But....the Zither stand isn't a unique design. Stands for katanas have been around much longer than Zither and they look exactly the same, minus a notch in the base for the scabbard and instead of a swing string hanger, they have a U shaped cradle for the top of the katana. I'm not defending Gibson at all, they're big boys and girls and can defend themselves, I'm just pointing out that the design was likely stolen from the martial arts world because the design is shockingly similar lol.

[@ZitherMusicCompany]

I do not know this company please share a link. Thank you , Tony

[@Aussie_Dad]

@@ZitherMusicCompany couldn’t even tell you if you were giving me a million bucks. I’ve had the same katana stands from the mid 80’s. I’m sure they make them today because I’ve seen pics from way back in the 60’s. They’re the reason I like your stands, because they look like my old katana stands.

[@josephr4637]

Wrong. Do not buy that brand new custom shop item if you don’t like the company’s business practices. Otherwise you show them that they can be abusive, etc with no consequences. Money is all that sways corporate actions. But I wouldn’t get rid of or refuse to play that brand’s guitars that I already own. And buying secondhand is the way to go if you still want the past product without supporting current practices.

[@Mcfly0856]

Not a fan of Gibson's corporate practices and I've even said no more Gibson's at one point but the guitars themselves are impossible for me to ignore.

[@tallthinkev]

Nitro safe? Use some acid free paper

[@Jowls2024]

John Deer should make guitars.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

I've got three...Candy Apple Red, a black & white polka dot, and a clear Lucite one. Bet you've got a Pantone Matching System 364 GREEN one, huh?

[@Bob-Whiting]

Don't get on that ship! Huh? The Book!, It's a Cookbook!!! (alien quickly slams door)

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

"Epiphone will always be Gibson's older brother, and its history is perhaps the most interesting of any guitar brand": Celebrating 150 years of Epiphone from luxury

[@johnnyx9892]

Baxter..when are you going to do something about that hair? Looks like somebody gave you a swirly🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LumaTo]

I'd say I'm upset with Gibson, but Gibson REALLY doesn't care because I can't stomach the price for Gibson's stuff. Ironically I can stomach PRS prices for their stuff, but I know that PRS isn't a squeaky clean corporation either.

[@michaelmiranda178]

Take issue with the people who buy the bs- not the corporations that do what you know they do- sell whatever sells to make money lol

[@hosoiarchives4858]

I can’t imagine ever buying Gibson anything

[@bigbb70]

I was never gonna waste my money on an over priced Gibson, until I could afford one. Bought a 2022 Sg Standard 61. Best guitar I have ever played

[@martinclayton7260]

Gibson are hypocrites, they'll sue anybody who makes something that's remotely like what they make, then they copy these stands?

[@30smsuperstrat]

Working at the car wash

[@demian113]

Gibson has struggled with their reputation for decades. From lawsuits to quality control and price gouging. I'll never stop loving and playing my '87 LP, but I certainly won't buy anything from them as long as they're sticking it to small businesses like that. There's plenty of other companies out there who don't and honestly their whole brand relies on the obsession and nostalgia of all the guitar heroes we worship playing R9s, 335s, SGs, etc. There's plenty of singlecuts out there which imho represent the evolution of guitar and do things Gibsons can never do (like keep a G string in tune and not snap headstocks off due to the notorious neck angle). I've played $10,000+ original '59 LPs that sounded like hot garbage and played brand new PRS singlecuts that are mind-blowing. Gibsons aren't consistent and never have been. I think the brand loyalty is just nostalgia imho

[@solaris70]

remember - it's boycott nØt 🚫 'bayonette'

[@yargnad]

Those two things are coupled. If you buy guitars from the companies you hate, they only become more powerful. No bueno, senor.

[@hjs5686]

hate nobody!

[@joeldowdy404]

Luckily there isn't a guitar company called RED DEVIL GUITARS!!! Their slogan, "OUR PRICES, QUALITY, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE PURE EVIL". Maybe there is lol

[@kevincoffee3238]

"Don't hate the guitar, . . .mumble... mumble, mumble." Thought I'd check in to see if you fixed the audio yet, but no. I've cranked the volume to 36 and I can't even hear Baxter's opening salvo.

[@lockedowng]

Used prices prop up the new prices. Buying used helps gibson, so I personally won't be buying any new or used gibsons. My replacements have better qc anyway.

[@golfhound]

But what can a poor boy do Except to sing for a rock 'n' roll band 'Cause in sleepy big guitar land There's just no place for a street fighting man, I LOVE FENDER STRATS! I only play strats. But do have problems with the mindset at Fender and that is their treatment of Squier. Fender does NOT have any technical support for their Squier collection. Big mistake. They think of Squiers as that obnoxious relative nobody likes but must tolerate. There is a huge number of guitarists that are blue collar and can't afford American or even MIM. My grievance is that Fender does not sell any hardware for their Squier line. They have the mindset that Squiers are for beginners who will graduate to MIA guitars. The quality of the Squiers has gone up so much that a guitarist might decide to stick with Squiers and upgrade them with after market parts rather than buy a new MIA. That's what I did. But why can't Fender supply their own spare parts for Squier guitars? Also, another complaint.... With a company as large as Fender or Gibson, why aren't they more innovative in producing new designs or expanding their after market product line? At every NAMM Show, what I see most of the time is the same guitars in new colors. I must admit, the roasted maple necks is a great new innovation. But a telecaster for the most part, looks exactly the same - a slab of thick wood with a neck attached to it. Last year, Fender decided to put some contours in the tele to make it more comfortable. Finally! So slow in creating new ideas. As for corporations suing one another, musicians couldn't care less. Just give me my guitar and I'm happy.

[@blodpudding]

I watched a movie that was kind of about this topic. The Zone Of Interest. Now that was about literal nazis, but it's all up to us what we're morally okay with. That's true with everything, yeah you get a nice guitar but they also do stupid shit like that. I would recommend to support smaller companies and luthiers. Yeah the workers at Gibson aren't bad people, they're just trying to feed their families.... following orders so to speak. I had to! It's the internet!

[@gdhi11]

I mean, you could just buy them used...