ECG Steels Brent Hinds design? (Drugs are bad)

[BetterOffShred]

it's a fucking fly v, so like, who gives a shit?

it is just a flying v after all so maybe he's getting a little too riled up about it

This sums it up for me.

[codetocontra]

I guess I will throw in with the aluminum circle jerk...

There are a few models that are tagged with artists names: Denison/Chessie, Turner/TT2, Buzz/Standard. Plus he was making a run of Albini's modded 500 with a large backplate. I highly doubt any of them are getting kickbacks. It doesn't seem hard to understand that there was a guitar made and they can do it again. Not really a licensing thing. Nor are any of those bodies uniquely designed. I am pretty sure Gibson sent a cease-and-desist letter for the LP, SG, and V models because they haven't been available to order for a while. Somehow, the Standard is still available, but maybe Gibson doesn't own that design but makes models similar? I dunno.

EGCs pricing has only increased over the years. If anything, Brent Hinds got a good deal and probably a quick turnaround on those 3 guitars he paid for instead of the year (or 5) wait. Anyone else would have likely paid over $2k a few years ago, and now around $3k for that same guitar.

DMing on Instagram is probably the worst way to get a hold of Kevin besides morse code and shadow puppets. But if you are just asking him about Brent Hinds I wouldn't expect a response. He seems pretty busy enough trying to build guitars that he doesn't even respond to customers that have paid money promptly. Yeah, there is an issue there.

I have talked to Kevin on the phone several times, he IS a great guy making great guitars. But yeah, his business skills are lacking and the popularity of his brand means he can't "meat" quoted deadlines or find enough time in the day to reply to every email, phone call, or message on social media.

[manymanyhaha]

I have talked to Kevin on the phone several times, he IS a great guy making great guitars. But yeah, his business skills are lacking and the popularity of his brand means he can't "meat" quoted deadlines or find enough time in the day to reply to every email, phone call, or message on social media.

He tells me once a year (I email very rarely) that he is almost done, asks for my number, says he is going to call and then doesn't. He's been "almost done" for over three years now. That's not just lacking business skills. That's lacking basic social skills and honesty.

[Jwar]

Kevin got back to me. He was not happy. I bet Brent gets slapped with some form of slander/defamation suite. Would serve him right.

[waltdogg]

gibson and fender only have their headstock designs trademarked/copywritten.

[codetocontra]

I have talked to Kevin on the phone several times, he IS a great guy making great guitars. But yeah, his business skills are lacking and the popularity of his brand means he can't "meat" quoted deadlines or find enough time in the day to reply to every email, phone call, or message on social media.

He tells me once a year (I email very rarely) that he is almost done, asks for my number, says he is going to call and then doesn't. He's been "almost done" for over three years now. That's not just lacking business skills. That's lacking basic social skills and honesty.

That is a fair assessment. Some of his actions are indefensible. We are a bit frustrated here too with waiting for a few orders that were also "almost done" or "in the home stretch." Good communication would go a long way with delays. Like, did you know he broke his back and had surgery? I didn't until recently. But it could have been an update or whatever, email the list of customers waiting or put it out on social media or whatever. All of this is very frustrating.

[Hyphen Nation]

gibson and fender only have their headstock designs trademarked/copywritten.

They still go after builders. Doug Kauer got into trouble with the Banshee, and he had to change a lot more than just the headstock.

[waltdogg]

maaaaaaaan. goddamn.

[codetocontra]

That is what I thought. Those models disappeared on EGC's website in 2015 (?) after I heard Gibson's was struggling to sell guitars and were sending C&D letters to everyone. As if the small time boutique builders charging twice as much as Gibson were taking away their business. Then a LP-shaped EGC was posted on IG or FB with the comment about it being the last one of this shape being made so don't ask for it sort of thing. My memory is fuzzy but Kevin might have subtly confirmed this in a FB comment a long time ago. Not trying to be a fan boi but just explaining what I know.

[waltdogg]

i just always find more and more reasons to hate gibson every day lol.

[codetocontra]

I have a friend who is pretty pissed off about Sonar's demise, blames Gibson.

[manymanyhaha]

Kevin got back to me. He was not happy. I bet Brent gets slapped with some form of slander/defamation suite. Would serve him right.

I think he saw this thread because I heard from him this morning too.

Like, did you know he broke his back and had surgery? I didn't until recently. But it could have been an update or whatever, email the list of customers waiting or put it out on social media or whatever.

I did, that's one of the reasons I've tried to cut him some slack. The other being my initial build request was essentially unbuildable. But yes, communication is the key. I can put up with an immense amount when I know what is going on.

I have a friend who is pretty pissed off about Sonar's demise, blames Gibson.

I am too. Cakewalk user since 1995 and had just very recently upgraded to the current version. But makes it is a good time to finally check out Reaper

[codetocontra]

I think he saw this thread because I heard from him this morning too.

Like, out of nowhere? Or were you waiting for a response from a recent message? Any update on your order?

[GardenoftheDead]

gibson and fender only have their headstock designs trademarked/copywritten.

They still go after builders. Doug Kauer got into trouble with the Banshee, and he had to change a lot more than just the headstock.

Or you know, ask Paul Reed Smith about it.

[BLOOD EAGLE]

posting it on social media instead of dealing with it privately is super adult.
he does seem like a bit of a drama factory though.
i hope no one works with him from now on.