Every Business is suffering through this economic meltdown and Gibson Guitars is no exception. Now, I totally understand that Gibson makes some of the best guitars in the world, but perhaps if they made them a little more affordable for most people they wouldn’t have to cut their work force in order to continue to be profitable. Of course they have Epiphone, which are much more affordable, but still. Either way, the company was bound to have to make some cuts regardless. It doesn’t see like anyone is safe right now.

Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitar Inc. stated, ”We regret that the company had to reduce our work force to meet the economic challenges faced by our industry.  We believe our streamlined team of talented people will continue to serve our valuable customers in an increasingly excellent fashion.  We expect to continue to build the finest instruments in the world and lead the industry in quality and innovation.”

To read more visit Gibson.com.

Image: Guitarcenter.com

You know those cool, ultra-sleek new “Robot” guitars that Gibson came out with awhile back? Now they have released the classic Gibson Explorer and Flying V and are they smoking hot! The Robot Guitars incorporate the Robot Tuning system that can tune itself to the standard tuning of EADBGE along with 6 programmable presets so the user and change tuning with the touch of a button. Of course if you want a Robot Guitar, you better have a fat wallet. The Robot Guitars start at $2,599 suggested retail.

Image Source: Gibson.com

Just like that. Sounds just like Randy Rhoads. Well it’s not that simple. Remember last week when I talked about Gibson.com teaching you how to capture Joe Perry’s tone? Well this weeks it’s good old (R.I.P.) Randy Rhoads. I can play the beginning of Crazy Train, but I don’t quite have that tone down. Playing the beginning of Crazy Train is actually pretty easy for a novice player. It’s the rest of the song that’s a bit tough. Click the link below to learn how you can capture Randy’s tone.

Capture Randy Rhoads Tone

Surprised, Right? Riiiiight. As if we didn’t see this coming light years away. Kiss are capitalizing just a little more on Guitar Hero and probably Rock Band in the future. I’m actually surprised it took them this long. There was an actual full scale guitar with KISS on it, but I don’t know if it was ever produced or available to the public. If they really wanted to get in on it good they would create Gene’s Battle Axe bass and maybe Paul’s Ibanez Iceman guitars for Guitar Hero. Sure there are decals and lay-overs with Kiss, Ozzy and Motley Crue, and Slash (Personally I like the bulls eye Zakk Wylde one for the SG) but it would be cool to actually see some variety in guitars besides Gibson shaped and the ugly after market wireless guitars. So why just cases for Guitar Hero?

By the way…the guitars are made of plastic and I really don’t think cases are necessary. If it was a real SG, Les Paul or Explorer I could understand…but it’s a toy. I love the game…but it’s-a-toy.

If you ever get a chance Gibson.com has a lot of great info and stories. go to Gibson.com and click on “Lifstyle”. One of the features lately was an article on left handed guitarists. I’m right handed so this article has no other inspiration to me other than that it’s a cool article. Check out the list of left handed guitarist and an excerpt of the article. Click the link at the bottom to read the entire article.

So uncommon is the phenomenon, you can’t help but be taken aback at the sight of a guitarist playing his instrument in left-hand fashion. Fact is, however, southpaw six-stringers occupy several high spots on the list of all-time guitar greats. The 10 below, listed in no particular order, rank among the best.

• Tony Iommi
• Jimi Hendrix
• Elliot Easton
• Kurt Cobain
• Albert King
• Paul McCartney
• Dick Dale
• Otis Rush
• Tim Armstrong
• Al McKay

10 Great Left Hand Guitarists

Gibson.com has a pretty cool article on the 10 Greatest Live Albums From The Rock Era. The include the following in no particular order.

• The Beatles: At The Hollywood Bowl (1977)
• James Brown: Live At The Apllo (1963)
• The Who: Live At Leeds (1970)
• Kiss: Alive (1975)
• Led Zeppelin: How The West Was Won (2003)
• Johnny Cash: Live At Folsom Prison (1968)
• Bob Dylan: Live 1966 The Royal Albert Hall Concert (1998)
• Cheap Trick: At The Budokan (1978)
• The Rolling Stones: Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out (1969)
• Allman Brother: At Fillmore East (1971)

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