Gibson Custom Direct's first annual Fantasy Camp and Banquet

Thursday July 13th, 2000

Gibson Custom Direct's first annual Fantasy Camp and Banquet

Last year, the Gibson Custom Shop, maker of the finest guitars in the world, created an industry first -- a member's only Custom Direct club that offers the opportunity to view and purchase rare and one-of-a-kind instruments directly from the Custom Shop via an affiliation program with the dealer. The program continues to be a huge success, and over 100 guitar lovers have signed up.
Recently, Gibson Custom Shop scored another first by hosting a "Gibson Fantasy Camp" for its Custom Direct members. The camp, which took place on June 30th- July 1st, allowed members to work a full day in the Custom Shop, side-by-side with Gibson's luthiers.
Each member was given a guitar "pre-form" that they worked at each station in the factory, learning to route, carve, sand, finish, etc. The entire guitar manufacturing process was covered extensively, everything from wood selection to applying a sunburst finish by hand. In doing so, members were able to experience and learn first-hand how the world's finest guitars are manufactured.

Also at the camp, the Member's Banquet took place on Saturday July 1. The members were treated to celebrity appearances by rocker Webb Wilder and country artist Lee Roy Parnell as they performed with the Custom Shop in-house band. Over 100 Gibson Employees joined the members for dinner and dancing, and awards were given to commemorate their attendance as well as for the best sunburst finish from the previous day's Fantasy Camp. Fred Edelmaier, of Calumet City, IL., won a Custom Shop Les Paul for his sunburst, while other members went home with Custom Shop gold watches and jackets.
Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, said, "The Gibson Custom Direct Program is extremely successful because it benefits both the consumer and the retailer. The guitar buyer has unprecedented access into Gibson's vaults, and the retailer can increase revenue with no additional inventory costs."

Learning the difficulties of applying
binding to a Les Paul.

Webb Wilder plays for the banquet crowd.

Custom Shop General Manager, Rick Gembar said, "Anyone who has ever toured the factory has seen exactly what a painstaking process it is to hand build a guitar. The Fantasy Camp allowed our club members a complete hands-on experience into this process, plus the opportunity to socialize with the luthiers who build their instruments."

For more information on Gibson Custom Direct and the benefits of the program, please visit www.gibsoncustomdirect.com.

A Custom Direct member tries his hand
at sanding a Les Paul top...

... and then takes it into the paint booth
to apply his own "burst" with the help of
Gibson finish expert Mickey McGuire.

Lee Roy Parnell jams with a Custom Direct
member during his clinic on blues guitar.

Dave Berryman, president of Gibson Musical Instruments, congratulates Fred Edelmaier for painting the best "burst."

The Fantasy Camp attendees pose for a group photo.