Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  11:07:38

Please aquire all rights and patents to Gibson's banjo dept (or lack there of) The world needs more new quality Gibson Mastertones. I'll pitch in the first five bucks and three goats.

bornold - Posted - 03/26/2014:  11:14:38

I'll Pitch in 5cents and half a goat.....

All joking aside, I think the era of Gibson's SHOULD end. (not old ones!) They are great banjos but I think other companies need more of a chance to grow.

the-fish - Posted - 03/26/2014:  11:20:57

I'll pitch in a German Sheppard named banjo if that helps

Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  11:29:36

With all these goat offers ,Greg is sure to grab this deal by the horns!

I think a new run of GRich Gibsons is just what the banjo world needs. For once i have a good idea. Let's not rain on my goat train.

Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 03/26/2014:  11:35:26

Call them GRICHsons instead, and thereby avoid any possibility of a violation of intellectual property rights, copyright violations, etc.

Baltimonkey - Posted - 03/26/2014:  12:04:57

Besides the name... what would be the difference between Greg's American-made banjo line and the banjos he would presumably make with the Gibson patents?

Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  12:12:22

See there ya go rain'n on my goat train! LOL  It would simply be a legit Gibson. Call me a traditionalist I guess. It just don't seem right for Gibson not to be building quality banjos .

Edited by - Tomcat on 03/26/2014 12:18:42

Old Hickory - Posted - 03/26/2014:  12:17:21

Absolutely no difference other than the name, Jason.

Since Gibson at one point was getting tone rings from Kulesh, flanges from Prucha, necks from First Quality and rims and resonators and miscellaneous hardware from whoever else, it's obvious that anyone can build banjos (or have them built) with the same parts. With sufficient skill in finishing and attention to detail they can produce a banjo that is identical to a Gibson in all respects except for the name of the company behind it.

From a historical and nostalgic point of view, I'm sad that Gibson is no longer making banjos (even though I was never going to buy one).  But there are quite a few businesses and individuals capable of producing the exact same instrument with a different name on the peghead.

I think we need to get over it.

Edited by - Old Hickory on 03/26/2014 12:18:13

Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  12:22:13

Yeah a lot of great banjo's out there mostly all designed after the Gibson. So it pretty much goes without saying that Gibson is still the standard. It would be nice to see them back in game building banjos the way they used to in house.

Baltimonkey - Posted - 03/26/2014:  12:56:23

I am not trying to knock Gibsons.  I collect old Gibson banjos.  And, although I don't have interest in new Gibsons... I surely don't want to rain on anyone's parade.  There is a lot of history there.

I legitimately didn't know if these patents would change anything.  I didn't think there would be any difference (besides having the name "Gibson"), but many people are smarter than I.  So, I wasn't sure if you all knew something I didn't, as it pertains to patents and such.  Glad to see I am not as dumb as I look.

Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:07:36

I've had some good Gibby's and then I've had a couple that pretty much sucked.  Here in the mtn's back in the day Gibson seemed to be about the only good choice you had if you could afford one. Greg brought a stability back to them. Their loss.

Old Hickory - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:26:36

Patents are a non-issue.  Design patents last for 14 years. Utility patents last for 20 years.  Any patents Gibson held on the design of banjos or components ran out decades ago.  Why do you think everyone and any one can make tone rings, rims and flanges copying the exact design and appearance of the Gibson originals?  Or all those fretboard inlays copying Gibson patterns.

I believe the only thing related to Gibson banjos that Gibson actually owns is the name Gibson.

They never even trademarked "Mastertone."  But as Greg Rich himself wrote on the Hangout in 2010:

Gibson may not own the name Mastertone but you sure as hell don't want to defend a lawsuit against them even if you think you can win! Believe there's more to it than just a trademark .... there's first use ... trade dress ..... etc. 



I can't believe I'm defending Gibson here

Edited by - Old Hickory on 03/26/2014 13:26:52

ScratchJohnson - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:27:39

The only thing he'd need the rights to is the name - given the number of builders making world class instruments any patents really aren't an issue. If the banjo business keeps growing you might just see that glorious Gibson name again, slapped on whatever body turns the best profit.

Tomcat - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:32:01

That's true. That's why I'd like to see some one like Greg end up with it.

WildJimbo - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:41:11

Want a new Rich Era banjo?  Buy a new made in the USA Recording King M5 or M7.  

ScratchJohnson - Posted - 03/26/2014:  13:44:10

I prefer him to stay where he is - helping design some of the best sound affordable banjos people can buy and - if one is more inclined to spend a ton on a high end American made banjo I think he's got that covered too :)

recordingking.com/the-avalon-maple

MMcDougal - Posted - 03/26/2014:  14:14:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by ScratchJohnson

I prefer him to stay where he is - helping design some of the best sound affordable banjos people can buy and - if one is more inclined to spend a ton on a high end American made banjo I think he's got that covered too :)

recordingking.com/the-avalon-maple

---

J.Albert - Posted - 03/26/2014:  17:57:28

There are at least two manufacturers -- one midrange, the other high-end -- that are producing "near clones" of the Gibson designs, with products that match or exceed the quality of the same banjos with "Gibson" on the headstock. About all they -lack- is "Gibson" on the headstock and "Mastertone" on the neck block.

If I was looking for "a new Gibson", I'd look closely at one of these first.

About all there is left to own, design-wise, on the factory-original Gibson banjos is "Gibson" on the peghead and the shape of the truss rod cover. Just about everything else has fallen by the wayside -- although as mentioned above, not worth trying to put "Mastertone" on the neck block.

desert rose - Posted - 03/26/2014:  18:37:28

As  stated there are no patents or trademarks to acquire. Pot design, head shape, inlay patterns are all free domain.

Mastertone is not and never was owned by Gibson, in fact it IS owned and Gibson is at fault using it. You can check the US patent site.

The only trademark is the name.

Scott

mikehalloran - Posted - 03/26/2014:  20:09:58

Interesting thread. Greg and I were.discussing this and other issues over dinner last night. There is a very interesting story about this very topic...

Which you will have to read in our book.

Yes. Greg and I are writing a book and we want your input.

I will have a Major Announcement up in the Other Topics board by tomorrow.

Tomcat - Posted - 03/27/2014:  00:23:27

I think the RKs are awesome and Greg and the other guys that worked with him at Gibson are all doing great things and still supplying us with great instruments. It's just sad that the Gibson banjo dept is over. Kinda like losing a little part of American history.

Banjophobic - Posted - 03/27/2014:  07:53:57

One day someone will come along who actually  cares about the brand and it's history of acoustic  design and resurrect that division. It sure won't be J Henry and crew. In the meantime, enjoy what you play and play what you enjoy. There are other alternatives to Gibsons. 

Hotrodtruck - Posted - 03/27/2014:  08:02:50

There are still Gibson banjos being made today. They are just being made by different employees in different locations. They have different names on the headstock, but they sound and feel like a Gibson. As someone said, Gibson is the standard for design and sound. I am glad the other people are continuing Gibson's legacy.

Mike

The Pope - Posted - 03/27/2014:  09:36:31

How much is the Avalon? 

Tomcat - Posted - 03/27/2014:  09:54:43

And the RK 1000 ?

Mopick - Posted - 03/27/2014:  11:20:55

I'm glad I own a Rich era Gibson RB-3.  I'm even gladder I had Chris Cioffi work his magic on it a couple of years ago.

MWBailey - Posted - 03/27/2014:  18:26:54

I wish I could afford a Gibson. If anybody wants to give me one, please feel free. I'd prefer one with a brass tone ring, but not one of the ones that weigh the same as a diesel locomotive powerplant.

All joking aside, I'm glad to hear Mr. Rich is still out there making banjos. Maybe someday before I die...

banjodobro56 - Posted - 03/31/2014:  10:29:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by MWBailey

I wish I could afford a Gibson. If anybody wants to give me one, please feel free. I'd prefer one with a brass tone ring, but not one of the ones that weigh the same as a diesel locomotive powerplant.

It's the brass tone ring that makes them weigh the same as a diesel locomotive power plant!

youtube.com/watch?v=YFDhhLaeIWk

---

Rick Turner - Posted - 03/31/2014:  15:20:37

I want an Avalon with the 1989 Kulesh 20 hole ring that Rich K. gave me when I worked for Gibson. I had it cryo treated, but it never went into a banjo...the company I worked with on the treatment took it down to minus 360 F. over a 72 hour quench.

prewartb3 - Posted - 04/01/2014:  03:38:26

I have my eyes on the Avalon Maple by RK.

reller - Posted - 04/01/2014:  12:03:44

It took Greg to bring Gibson back in line of making pre war quality banjo's. Not sure what it would take again. I'm just thankful I have Greg Rich Granada every time it is played with a friends pre war I smile wide.

910banjo1 - Posted - 04/02/2014:  06:14:34

Gibson = banjo. Althouth they may never make another one, they will always remain as a special part of American history - that cannot be changed. Yes there are numerous other excellent banjo makers, and as has been mentioned, really the only difference between Gibson banjos and some others is the name on the peghead and the MASTERTONE label. I really like and enjoy playing the Gibson banjos that I own - they are fine instruments. The way I see it, Gibson "owned" and probably still could "own" the banjo market had they made necessary business decisions and adjustments - but they chose not to evidently. Maybe it is for the good. If Gibson makes no more banjos, then, in my mind, the ones that exist in excellent, original condition just become more special as the years pass. My .02 worth.