FEDS Raid Gibson Factories

[tdarian]

Just saw this:
http://www.wmctv.com/story/15323207/aut ... 0A++++++++

Could be interesting.

MEMPHIS, TN - (WMC-TV) – Authorities are conducting a raid today at the Gibson Guitar factory in downtown Memphis.

Few details have been released about the raid, which is being carried about by agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Officials said agents were serving a search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation.

Gibson has been under a cloud of suspicion because of wood that was used in some of its guitars. Gibson's factory in Nashville was raided last year because federal authorities believed some of the company's guitar parts were made from wood that was illegally cut and shipped from Madagascar.

In addition to activity in Memphis, a government spokesperson said, a similar raid is being carried out today at the Nashville factory.

The factory in Memphis is closed for the day, and employees have been sent home.

Action News 5 has a crew at the scene. Check back for updates on this story.

 

[Neeklaus]

whoa crazy. I didn't know the wood business was so serious!

 

[tdarian]

Apparently quite serious, and quite serious if any crimes were found.

 

[BSRIAudio]

Again? Wow. IIRC this happened last year or two years ago as well.

 

[tdarian]

It did.

 

[blackba]

I didn't realize they had a factory in Memphis too, thought there was only one in Nashville.

Watch if Gibson gets caught, this will be another excuse to raise their prices. If they are innocent, than they can raise their prices too, 'see we buy legitimate wood so it costs a bit more'

 

[boost]

Pics of Henry handcuffed would be priceless.

 

[roadifier]

Pics of Henry handcuffed would be priceless.

 

[kasperjensen]

Awesome...

I now have 4 Pre-Raid Gibsons.

In 50 years I will sell them for fortunes to some Chinese Commander In Chief.

 

[tdarian]

Pics of Henry handcuffed would be priceless.

Thats about what they are saying over at the two LP forums I visit sometimes. We will see!

 

[EXPcustom]

I wonder if this had anything to do with the rumors that the standard les pauls and certain other guitar blanks came from China then were finished in the USA and stamped with made in USA?

 

[MYLILSS]

Awesome...

I now have 4 Pre-Raid Gibsons.

In 50 years I will sell them for fortunes to some Chinese Commander In Chief.

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

This is kinda like what I think I remember hearing happened at Washburn. They said up and down our guitars are made in the USA...funny thing when raided they found thousands of made in china stickers on the walls above the set up benches??

 

[thiswaythatway]

I wonder if this had anything to do with the rumors that the standard les pauls and certain other guitar blanks came from China then were finished in the USA and stamped with made in USA?

I wouldn't doubt it at all. We did the same thing when I worked at Kramer 20 years ago. MY GOD, did I just say 20 years ago?

Anyway, we would get guitars in from Hondo and remove anything that said Made in Korea and replace the stickers and tags with something that said, "KRAMER, Proud To Be An American Company" Technically, that doesn't say Made In The USA, but come on! We worked there and thought it was Bullshit. And all the Nightswan guitars, sustainer guitars, and all the upper end stuff was all parts imported from ESP and put together in the Neptune NJ factory.

 

[thiswaythatway]

This is kinda like what I think I remember hearing happened at Washburn. They said up and down our guitars are made in the USA...funny thing when raided they found thousands of made in china stickers on the walls above the set up benches??

There you go, Same thing that went on at Kramer.

 

[chunktone]

I didn't realize they had a factory in Memphis too, thought there was only one in Nashville.

Watch if Gibson gets caught, this will be another excuse to raise their prices. If they are innocent, than they can raise their prices too, 'see we buy legitimate wood so it costs a bit more'

Unless it has recently changed, they make their hollow bodies in Memphis, solid bodies in Nashville and acoustics in Montana.

 

[The Hoff]

I guess I'm not too surprised....unfortunately.

 

[Digital Jams]

Standards MIK for $2000.


OH god that would make my day.................................

 

[thiswaythatway]

Standards MIK for $2000.


OH god that would make my day.................................

This would shake the guitar community to it's foundations.

 

[Digital Jams]

Standards MIK for $2000.


OH god that would make my day.................................

This would shake the guitar community to it's foundations.

Can you just see it????

Some guy looking at his $2000+ MIK american classic??????