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How do I submit a custom order through the Gibson Custom Shop?

RocknRollShakeUp

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
766
I’ve never ordered a m2m through Wildwood, but I’ve purchased around 8 guitars from them, mostly custom shops, and the customer service has been excellent. The guitars were shipped to me in excellent packages and I never had an issue. I dealt with Bruce over there. We even got Greg Koch to demo and do shoot out videos in several instances which helped a lot. Highly recommended.
 

El Gringo

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Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
First - Thanks!

Second - Our dining room Table top (around 5' x 5') of granitey goodness. My wife's pick.

Third - At Wildwood they will play it for you (over the phone or probably do a quick video) if you request it and the salesmen are always very honest about the sound. They always told me what they liked and didn't about each. There have been times that a specific guitar was not their favorite of the choices but it suited my needs better. I am not always looking for a bright and clear sound for instance as I have more than a few like that, but a warmer more woody tone. Or one that pushes more or not. I like 'em different.
I have to be honest in regards to your #3 , as that is certainly an advantage for the customer .
 

El Gringo

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Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I’ve never ordered a m2m through Wildwood, but I’ve purchased around 8 guitars from them, mostly custom shops, and the customer service has been excellent. The guitars were shipped to me in excellent packages and I never had an issue. I dealt with Bruce over there. We even got Greg Koch to demo and do shoot out videos in several instances which helped a lot. Highly recommended.
That is a big advantage to have Mr. Greg Koch playing and doing demos . That is huge !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

RocknRollShakeUp

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
766
That is a big advantage to have Mr. Greg Koch playing and doing demos . That is huge !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before all the craziness with the lockdowns he’d go to Wildwood a few times per month as I understood it, and do guitar demo videos, FB live, and shootout requests. I’m not sure how they do things now though. But yes that was indeed huge!! It was mind blowing actually to have him involved in my guitar purchasing process.
But even before Greg they were awesome with giving info and sending videos of different guitars, etc. Bruce Beard was awesome to deal with but I’m sure all the guys are GTG as the place is a top notch operation.
 

brandtkronholm

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Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
First - very nice collection of M2M you have

Second - I'm not sure if it's that killer looking counter top or the 55 that's making me chub up, either way it would be easier for you to ship me that 55 2 day air than it would the counter top

Third - you walk into a store pre covid and start to going thru a wall of LP's and ... this one so so, this one is a little nicer, this one is very percussive on the lows and nice push in the mids, this one is really even sounding and resonates very well with bell like top end all while sounding huge with nice note separation and power - I'll take this one. Or you go to an online authorized dealer and check their stock of LP's and find something with a nice straight grained neck, consistent looking chuck of mahogany for the body , nice tight straight grained fret board, bridges saddles seem to be in the right ballpark, top is to your liking , you buy it and it's pooooooo , so you send it back and wash your hands of it. So my question would be ... are you taking a chance on getting a mediocre sounding guitar and how do you avoid that ?
First - Ren has sum gud 'uns fo sho!
Second - "Chub up" We call it GAS here at the LPF; Guitar Acquisition Syndrome/Sickness. But yeah, the '55 chub-up is a thing.
Third - You do not run a risk of getting a mediocre sounding guitar through the Gibson Shop, virtually regardless of what dealer you work with. Gibson Custom has been making exceptionally fine instruments for the past 30 years or so and the guitars they're making now are as good as it gets. There is no risk at all.
 

Jericho-79

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
Messages
56
Did you call or e-mail the Music Zoo ? You might surprised . Also I have read your remarks about shops not being open to the public . We are in a Global Pandemic of Epic proportions as in a once in a hundred years . Now when talking about a Made 2 Measure instrument it would not matter a bit that shops are not open to the public as a Made 2 Measure is built in Nashville at Gibson Custom and it would not matter about shops being open to the public or not . That's why I strongly recommend contacting the Zoo and like I have said you might really be shocked and pleasantly surprised . Anyway what do you have to lose with an E-Mail or call ? Nothing and you would be better informed after the contact and might like what you hear or are told .

Well, a few people are suggesting that I contact The Music Zoo, and a few are suggesting Wildwood.

The Music Zoo is in NY, while Wildwood is out in Colorado.

Which is better?

Does it matter which dealer that I end up working with?
 

El Gringo

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Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Well, a few people are suggesting that I contact The Music Zoo, and a few are suggesting Wildwood.

The Music Zoo is in NY, while Wildwood is out in Colorado.

Which is better?

Does it matter which dealer that I end up working with?
Life is all about choices . I was informing you of some of the choices in life .
 

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Well, a few people are suggesting that I contact The Music Zoo, and a few are suggesting Wildwood.

The Music Zoo is in NY, while Wildwood is out in Colorado.

Which is better?

Does it matter which dealer that I end up working with?

Both are strong Gibson dealers so take your pick and run with it.
I've done my M2M through MZ and they've been on the ball through these difficult last 2.5 years, however your guitar will take ages to come to fruition as CS are up to their necks with orders.
All the best.
 

Thunder Dump

Active member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
293
Don't forget Curt at House of Guitars in Rochester, NY. He's a great dealer to do M2M orders.

Whatever you do, go to a dealer with a lot of M2M experience. While most dealers can do it, if they've never done you risk having something not done the way you want it.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
JUS DO IT !

Muzacle interlude played on a monster from the MUZAK ZOOO!
36333228881_3ab2ed7995_3k.jpg
 

DougDR94

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2015
Messages
124
Isn't Wildwood located in Colorado?

Do you live there or something?
I live near the Wildwood store in Colorado. Pre-Covid it was a regular hang for me and got to know all of the reps. They’re all salt of the earth good guys, real players and love good instruments. They’ve closed to walk-in during the pandemic, but it’s the same service and follow up over the phone.
 

DougDR94

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2015
Messages
124
I did mine through Wildwood.

They not only placed my order, they inspected the product sent after 8 months and sent it back because they didn't like the neck on it.

When I got the guitar it was perfect as well as the other 2 I bought from them.

These are Historic Selects which are M2M with True Historic parts and finishes.

35512151673_0d01466d0d_4k.jpg

54
36268950606_8ef2cc04a0_3k.jpg

55
36321324955_61422a6181_4k.jpg

56
36277890376_8b49a14f46_3k.jpg
For my M2M order I went with a ‘54 Custom format, one piece mahogany body and ebony board with the staple neck and P90 bridge, but had them replicate the neck carve from my ‘18 R9. (They had a record with the serial #). Alpine white top over a brown back and neck with a white stinger. Black plastics and gold hardware. It’s going to be kind of unique and can’t wait to get it.
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
For my M2M order I went with a ‘54 Custom format, one piece mahogany body and ebony board with the staple neck and P90 bridge, but had them replicate the neck carve from my ‘18 R9. (They had a record with the serial #). Alpine white top over a brown back and neck with a white stinger. Black plastics and gold hardware. It’s going to be kind of unique and can’t wait to get it.
Oooh, intriguing finish options. Please post when... 🎸 [the waiting is the hardest part].
 

Jericho-79

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
Messages
56
I live near the Wildwood store in Colorado. Pre-Covid it was a regular hang for me and got to know all of the reps. They’re all salt of the earth good guys, real players and love good instruments. They’ve closed to walk-in during the pandemic, but it’s the same service and follow up over the phone.
Why is it that all these gear shops remain closed to the public while the Gibson Garage in Nashville is 100% open?

Isn't the pandemic "over" with all stores open to the public and mask-free?
 

Pat Boyack

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Messages
4,510
Why is it that all these gear shops remain closed to the public while the Gibson Garage in Nashville is 100% open?

Isn't the pandemic "over" with all stores open to the public and mask-free?
Tone Shop Guitars is open to the public!
 

Jericho-79

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
Messages
56
Hey guys. OP here.

Let's say I start doing business with The Music Zoo.

So I do I go about placing my M2M Gibson CS custom order?

Do I place my custom order by calling The Music Zoo or by emailing them?

Evidently, the Fender Custom Shop has a downloadable guidebook that contains an official "Design Order Form".
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
Hey guys. OP here.

Let's say I start doing business with The Music Zoo.

So I do I go about placing my M2M Gibson CS custom order?

Do I place my custom order by calling The Music Zoo or by emailing them?

Evidently, the Fender Custom Shop has a downloadable guidebook that contains an official "Design Order Form".
Call the Music Zoo.
Place order.
Wait.
Wait.
Music Zoo calls you and says "Your guitar has arrived."
Wait.
Receive guitar from Music Zoo.
 
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