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Originally Posted by Joel Terry
I just don't know what those folks over at Gibson are thinking these days...it seems they're not thinking at all, doesn't it?
Joel
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As a former member of the Gibson sales staff, I can attempt to explain this.
Several times a year, they look at their production figures, versus their sales figures. When they have a specific color in a less expensive model that is out selling everything else, they will temporarily discontinue it, in an attempt to create artifical demand for the same color in the more expensive model.
In 1995 they even discontinued the LP Classic altogether, because it was far out selling the more expensive LP Standard in all colors. They brought it back in 1998, in limited colors.
I'm not certain of the current line up, but I do know that at one point a couple of years ago, they discontinued white and black in all LP models, except the Custom, in an attempt to drive customers to that model.
The reason that customers are drawn to the Classic is obvious - the price. It doesn't make sense to me that the Classic is cheaper than the Standard...as there is zero difference in manufacturing costs. If a customer can accept the slim taper neck of the Classic, it's a no brainer. And most people like to experiment with pickups anyway.
But you guys are right, it makes no sense from a player's stand point.