AndyTravis

Was nearly 7 when you played that black Ripper 😂

There was a point where if we matched another retailer on a Gibson Les Paul standard, we would’ve lost £100 ish. Now think how long you work with a customer who’s looking at spending £1600-£2k (quite a lot of the time people want talking through options and making sure it’s ‘right’) That was pre “Gibson Europe” and Rossetti (Former UK distributor) used to run all sorts of weird and wacky buy 4 get one free type bundles - so nobody ever paid the same prices…it was mental. But yeah, Fender, Yamaha and anything to do with recording - that was 5-15% margin. I think we got up to 22% on fender, then they got done for price fixing 😏 The whole thing about “what’s your best price” and “how much for cash?” Just used to drive us mad - “Chuck us in a strap, some strings…you’ve got a deal; I’m spending £1500…sweeten the deal” - we would always be scraping through on next to nothing to remain competitive. Its trying to have unique stuff that people actually want…we tried G&L as an alternative to Fender; we’d sell 30 fenders to 1 G&L…by which point, they’d been discontinued in a sale and we’d make as little as we did on the fender. Same with Tokai when we couldn’t make on Epiphone/Gibson.

It’s a trade that’s been on the wane for a long time. It seems Less kids are picking up instruments, when I started - it was the crest of the Britpop era and it must’ve been a booming time in the industry. The internet unit shifters started taking out the shops with lower overheads so didn’t need to generate as much profit to operate. Amazon, same or next day delivery on strings/cables etc - sort of where the bread and butter of guitar shops lies. I did it for 11/12 years and got out in 2014 - it was definitely going downhill then. I think the company I worked for lasted for another 4/5 years… I’d assume GAK will continue to operate online if the shop side goes. The second hand market is saturated - stuff seems to be sticking around more. So if fewer people are buying used, I’d say the same goes for new. People have less money; I know I do after energy prices jumped and mortgage deal ended… It’ll be survival of the fittest I suppose - much like supermarkets killed off the local bakers and butchers…of course there are still small pockets with loyal fans or something unique to offer…but the general public…will just nip to Asda. Convenience. Ramble over - hopefully they get sorted, I know Gak was originally the place people would ask us to price match, scalping prices all over the show…4% margin on a USA strat…but, there are peoples livelihoods at stake, that’s not ok.

Stunning work

now that’s a beauty

Must wear my spectacles at some point

Looks like the 5’s don’t have a Babicz 🤔

But if you want a Tobias…and that’s what a Tobias now costs…are you being fleeced as such? If that’s what @joel406 wants - I for one am happy for him; I’m sure it’s a considered purchase. I also think the Tobias looks a damn sight nicer than any equivalent Cort. And that’s a deciding factor too - albeit a personal one.

That control knob array is vile. Other than that…big thumbs up.

You not buying one then @Schnozzalee? 😉

Oh I’ve been well out of this since January 😆

I’m out again 😂

Zombie thread. I’ve got one of these…if you’re still looking.

Yeah, catalogue pics show the speed knobs, was worth the £21 for proper Gibson jobbies

1994 LPB-2 Deluxe in Heritage Cherry Got some Gibson Speed Knobs on it…sounds very un-Gibson with Bartolini Humbuckers and TCT preamp. Like a very angry stingray…but can do a nice modern clean hi-fi set of sounds too. Lives on a low slung strap now. Ace.

I completely agree, although the Wal order would still go in.

I had one in amber with LED’s - still wonder where that bass is; it cropped up once on eBay…think I was 18/19 when I bought it. Theyre Korean build, neck through…very cool/different