So now that Rick Gember and E Wilson are gone

[ONEHERO]

Are you happy or sad? It seemed looking at several threads in the past some were complaining about various "issues for reissues"

Does anyone know if quality went up or down? Any plans for updates for specifications?
there must be a new signature on the COA now...
:fall

 

[Dilver]

My 2017 CS Standard 58's COA was still signed by Rick Gembar. Not sure who was responsible for overseeing the production of the 2017's, but so far all look amazing and everyone who bought one seems to be super pleased. I would assume that Rick Gembar was responsible for spec'ing the 2017 line in 2016, so really the real test of the new head of the Custom Shop will be the features/build quality of the 2018 guitars.

 

[Big Al]

Not happy and not planning any new purchases. I'm happy finding pre 2017 models to buy.

 

[Steve Craw]

Not happy and not planning any new purchases. I'm happy finding pre 2017 models to buy.

+1. I think Gabby Johnson said it best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG0faW-LRZU

 

[67SLP]

Ronald Eubanks : Custom Shop Manager

New guy signing the COA's.

 

[DANELECTRO]

I have a recent 2017 R8 that is very nice and easily on par (or better) than Historics from previous years. Hopefully the quality doesn't begin to go downhill. I wouldn't really expect that to happen unless other changes occur such as eliminating skilled workers or forcing them to cut corners in order to reduce cost. Without the leadership of Edwin and Rick, the forward progress that has been made towards making the Historics better each year may come to a halt. I don't know anything about the new guy so I'll reserve judgement.

I will say that if Henry steps in and starts to micro-manage the Custom Shop then I'm pretty confident it will all go down the toilet.

 

[marshall1987]

For the QC/QA to continue unabated, it falls on the shoulders of the cadre of trained and experienced Custom Shop employees at all levels, hanging on and carrying the torch which has been passed to them. Assuming materials and specifications are not compromised, there shouldn't be any decrease in the quality of the Custom Shop guitars.

 

[lpthomas]

Sad they're gone but very happy that TH specs are cheaper.

 

[El Gringo]

I have a recent 2017 R8 that is very nice and easily on par (or better) than Historics from previous years. Hopefully the quality doesn't begin to go downhill. I wouldn't really expect that to happen unless other changes occur such as eliminating skilled workers or forcing them to cut corners in order to reduce cost. Without the leadership of Edwin and Rick, the forward progress that has been made towards making the Historics better each year may come to a halt. I don't know anything about the new guy so I'll reserve judgement.

I will say that if Henry steps in and starts to micro-manage the Custom Shop then I'm pretty confident it will all go down the toilet.

That is the exact reason that they have this mess and chaos .

 

[ONEHERO]

Sad they're gone but very happy that TH specs are cheaper.

Yes but the 2017 so far have been out with RG and EW on board....they left shortly after.

On the subject of TH specs for 2017 - just to clarify, it is only the plastics and glue that carried from the 2015 TH. The handpicked woods, double sanding of tops and sanding of necks (labor intensive), along with the thinner wet-sanded nitro finish are NOT on the 2017 unless they're ordered through the M2M.


just wanted to clarify that some corners were cut/left out from the 2017 "true historic specs" (thus the lower price)

I wonder who's going to replace EW in picking the best woods (light weight, resonnant, etc) for historics from now on (as he was known to do so in a passionate way exclusively for the 2015 TH series and CC models)

 

[67SLP]

Also quite a few of the serial stamped 2017s were actually made in 2016 or early 2017... when both Rick and Edwin were still there. So bear that in mind and research the exact build date.

 

[renderit]

I personally will run screaming like an idiot and bouncing off of walls. But I would probably do that if they were still there...

 

[Sparta]

Not happy and not planning any new purchases. I'm happy finding pre 2017 models to buy.

What he said. Yes, I too say the same.

 

[ONEHERO]

Same here! I think I'm done buying anything after they left....which will put me in a hunt for whatever I can find of the True Historic series :##

 

[AA00475Bassman]

I will buy new if the quality & craftsmanship remains going forward .

 

[alnico59]

It was a good run. Nothing last forever. Some great guitars out there on the used market.

 

[clearmudd]

Also quite a few of the serial stamped 2017s were actually made in 2016 or early 2017... when both Rick and Edwin were still there. So bear that in mind and research the exact build date.

This is very true. ............... And NO i am not happy.

 

[lespaul1970]

..this is so sad= wondering when we will all hear more details of exactly WHY this happened? Not that it matters I guess- the damage is done now. I have nothing but great things to say about Rick- I don;t know him personally but everything I've owned and/or played from the Custom Shop has always been a great Guitar. For now I'm just going to have to focus on buying ones that came out of the Shop during Rick's era- at least until I see and play proof to convince me otherwise...

 

[GibbyLover]

When will the 2018 custom shop models be released?

 

[lpthomas]

When will the 2018 custom shop models be released?

If they keep their current system, we might not see an actual one-time release of a collection. More like mini collections being released over time.