Hairy Dave Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Just watched a video posted by Juan Carlos explaining the Martin Custom Shop and showing off their online guitar builder. You can design and order your custom guitar online using historic specs etc (although Martin won't build any that won't work structurally). I know we can hook up with Five Star Dealers to order custom guitars - but would you like to have the option to do the same online with Gibson? Even if only for the fun of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuanCarlosVejar Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Dave , I totally would =D JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Dave Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Dave , I totally would =D JC I thought you might JC! I'm not in the market for a new guitar at the minute, but I think I could quite happily spend more time than I should online designing my next one! Maybe Gibson has plans for it - or maybe they're quite happy with the current 5 Star Dealer set up. I suppose I'm more inclined to want the service as there are no 5 Star Dealers in Northern Ireland (that I know of). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 A designer tool such as this could be fun, I'm sure it would encourage many of us to while away a wee bit of time trying out some options anyway, however, Gibson plays on that "old-world" stuff... such a tool would also have to indicate some pricing broadstrokes so people would get to see certain upcharge scales, as off-putting as it could be enticing. As well as the above factor in the amount of useless time spent evaluating unusual configs from a structural perspective, by not doing some homeowrk on an unusual model config it could open up warranty issues, it could also mean more manpower required for evaluating these queries and subsequent orders. But then, how many of the queries would turn into orders? Probably not as many as one might first think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Dave Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 I know what you're saying PM. If it were up to me (playing Gibson here) I would limit the configurations etc. No point in allowing someone to choose and LG body and the neck from a SJ if it doesn't work. Perhaps a simpler version where you choose a body and it shows you the relevant neck/headstock/wood/inlay choices. It most likely wouldn't create a rush of new business but it opens up opportunities and leaves potential customers with something to think about (at least they would be thinking about Gibson). It couldn't be that expensive to implement something like this online - even if only for fun/guidance. Personally, while I think it would be a neat tool, I don't know if I would be brave enough to use it. A Hummingbird made from an assortment of exotic woods might look amazing but sound horrible. The experts know what they're doing - I'll let them keep doing it! As a marketing tool though I think it could be quite good. I think kids (or big kids like us) that aspire to own a Gibson would enjoy building their own creations (acoustic or electric). As you say though - maybe in the end it's just not worth the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 or have the tool with limited options as you say... run a comp to find the "best" suggestion, do a small run of them, say half a dozen, sell em, but it would get loads of traffic and entries I'd guess..... a free bit of market research built in too to see some ideas from customers about what they'd like to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Dave Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Sounds like a plan PM. Now, if only I worked for Gibson lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneillt Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 I always was a bit surprised Gibson never had some sort of online guitar builder/ or at least a list of options or accessories/services they can do to guitars. They are really not so much of a selling tool but an advertising one as it gives the customer something to think about or ponder. Car manufactures have had online builder for as long as I can remember. None of them are to actually order a car, as you would still have to meet with a dealer and order one that way, its just to shows the different options and packages available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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