Skinnyman

Or 14,251,024 depending on whether Skank's original total included the 12 in his post. Plus another one, just there....

Nail. Head. The wonks in question may know c*ck-all about making guitars but they know a lot about making money. Gibson is a heritage brand and the value is in its history. Cleaning up the trademarks and any IP questions may not add a huge amount to the value but it will make everything a lot cleaner and make the brand much more attractive to a new owner. The Epiphone thing is curious - some of their models are fine instruments in their own right. I have a lovely ES-175 and I've tried a few of their jazz boxes and really liked them. On the other hand, some of their output is truly dire.

Registered in 1987 apparently.

Er, sorry. I meant 'really good'. I didn't mean to be so parsimonious with my praise for your new pickup surround. I did mean to say that it looks really good. And £18. Bargain. And as easy to play as a Fender? Without having to be a Fender? Double bargain. So, not just nice but really good. Yes, really good. In fact, hang it, it's really, really good. Sorry. Look at me all gushing and over the top. But it really is really good and i really shouldn't hold back in telling you. Niiiicccceeeee 😀🤣🤣🤣

And kept alive for many years by the peerless Leonard Sachs. I have all his albums.... 😀

Wow. After all these years, surely Gibson would struggle to claim the LP shape as uniquely their own. About the only thing they can realistically claim as their own unique trademark is the word Gibson in that type face and the name Les Paul (although they could struggle with even that). I guess they must be hoping that their lawyers are bigger than Dean and Luna's and that they can get a cease-and-desist order until the full case is (eventually and after years of prevarication) heard. That effectively neutralises the competitor for the foreseeable....

Nice.....

Loud'n'proud boy, loud'n'proud! Never had to hang my head about them two - just the prog thing.....

And it takes a big man to come out and say that so thank you. Apart from the Teebs thing, of course. Score as many cheap laughs as you like where that young scamp is concerned.... 😀

A rare thing indeed......

Imminently.....

For too many years, prog has been the "love that dare not speak its name", my solitary vice and my shame. It's good to finally see that I'm not alone and that I can walk with my head held high at last...... Thank you, Rich. Thank you (breaks down, sobbing... .)

Pervert. 😁

From The Donald himself by the tone of it. (Maybe not - brilliant reply by someone though!)

It's the posh folk so who knows what ring ended up on whose finger....?

They'll need bigger posters for that mouthful....

Young Teebs, eh? He likes to be up and cheekin' nice and early. The wee tinker....

Never went out of fashion in our house....

That suggests that the 70's have ended. Not in my head they haven't....

Thank you, Young Teebs. I did not seek to put myself forward in this way but if my friends and peers have decided that they wish me to enter the fray then I would be doing them and all of Basschat a disservice by refusing. It will be a hard contest but, I hope, a fair one. I pray that I am equal to the struggle and worthy to accept this heavy responsibility which you choose to place on my shoulders. Thank you, friends, for your confidence in me. I shall try my best to live up to your expectations.

She'd be brilliant at Hide and Seek. No one would ever find her ... I'll get me coat

Hunstanton Thatch-d’Avergne has a very, very upmarket ring to it* Sort of chap who’d have a sister called Clytemnestra (known to all her friends as “Minty”). Pops was something in the City, yah? *(tell me if I’m close?)

I’m sure it does and rightly so - but it works both ways. I’ve come across a lot of very helpful, friendly and informative staff in music shops - but also above the national average of condescending ar$es.

Teamwork in action there. Just beautiful....

^^^this. I was put off at first but once you're inside they're really relaxed and friendly