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Thursday September 9th, 1999

Custom Direct: VIP access to one-of-a-kind Gibson guitars

The Gibson Custom, Art & Historic division is known world-wide for offering collectors some of the finest, most exquisite guitars in history of the instrument. However, due to such factors as normal changes in production, creative experimentation and the constant passion to create new and exciting instruments, a small but steady flow of rare and one-of-a-kind guitars are produced that never make it into retail stores. Now, the Gibson Custom Shop has formed the Gibson Custom Direct, an exclusive "club" where members, through their local retailers, will have access to these extremely rare and highly collectible instruments. "This program will essentially give a number of guitar collectors a 'VIP access pass to our most sought-after limited edition guitars," says Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. Gibson Custom Direct offers opportunities never before available to Gibsons consumers. This will include direct access to the Custom Shop, a personal support contact within the Custom Shop, invitations to global Gibson events, factory tours and hand selection of instruments. Also included is access to the programs state of the art web site, which provides informative articles, membership information and the ever-changing gallery of instruments offered to members only. Once a member has joined, guitars can be purchased either from the members affiliated retailer or directly from the Custom Shop. In either case the retailer receives revenue from the sale.

"This program has been designed to benefit both the collector as well as the retailer," says Custom Shop General Manager Rick Gembar. "The consumer will have new access to extremely rare and collectible instruments, and the retailer will benefit by increasing revenue with no additional inventory costs."

Members can join the Custom Direct program at their local authorized Gibson retailer or they may choose to sign up on-line, though they must still become affiliated with an authorized retailer. There is a five hundred dollar, one-time fee that is applied to the purchase of their first instrument. For more information visit Gibson Custom Direct right here.