Advanced Jumbo Question

I've been told that Gibson only distributes the AJ to places like Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Musicians friends etc, and is not available to the remaining Ma and Pa shops. Can this be true?

It is my understanding that Gibson requires a pretty hefty buyin and commitment to become an authorized dealer so smaller stores may not be able to swing it.

That is true, you have to move 'em out to keep the franchise if you have a small shop. Some will get rid of inventory just above cost in order to meet their quota and keep the authorization. I heard one small store owner who is an authorized dealer say this about the AJ, They could not get one but could get anything else.