Wow, it’s pretty mind blowing to think about.  The Les Paul Custom (specifically, my dad’s ’68 Black Beauty) was the reason I started playing guitar.  Gibson guitars are the most iconic and beautiful instruments ever made, imo.  I’ve owned and played so many over the years it’s easy to lose track!

When you think about the endless list of musicians that play or have been known for playing Gibson guitars, it’s incredible.  Al Dimeola, Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix (dont’ forget about that Flying V!), Zakk Wylde, George Benson, Larry Carlton, Steve Howe, Bob Marley, Mahavishnu, Wes Montgomery, Santana, Sco, Angus Young…you get the picture.  It’s hard to imagine what life was like before the Gibson humbucking pickup!

Now it seems the company, although earning over a billion dollars in revenue, has about $145 million in bank loans due immediately if those notes are not refinanced by mid-July.  Gibson released a statement that said “an ongoing streamlining strategy would soon help it record the best financial results the company has seen within the next year.”  Let’s certainly hope so.

One has to wonder though if this is tell-tale of a larger trend–less of the younger generation are learning to play guitar, opting instead for the ease of button-pressing, mind-numbing EDM (and the like) creation.  Loops have certainly overtaken the recording world with respect to drumming, so I imagine it’s just a matter of time before it happens to the guitar.  Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get “good” at playing guitar–it takes a lifetime of dedication for most.  I think the younger generations prefer instant gratification.  I hope this trend does not continue–we need more companies like Gibson in the music business!