Know Your Gear Podcast: Why Gibson And Fender Make It Hard To Get These Guitars

Episode 407 | Released April 10, 2025

Host: Phil McKnight

Introduction

In episode 407 of Know Your Gear Podcast, host Phil McKnight delves into the intricate strategies employed by guitar giants Gibson and Fender to control the availability of their iconic models. Alongside this main discussion, Phil addresses a variety of listener questions, ranging from guitar maintenance to amplifier preferences, providing a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the guitar industry's dynamics.

Main Topic: Gibson and Fender's Strategies in Guitar Availability

Dominance of Core Models

Phil begins by analyzing why certain Gibson and Fender guitars, such as the Explorer and Firebird, have become rarer in the market. He posits that these companies focus heavily on their flagship models—like the Les Paul and Stratocaster—drawing parallels to the pickup truck market where major brands like Dodge, Chevy, and Ford offer similar core products with minimal variation.

Phil McKnight [23:45]: "Think of it like a pickup truck market. There’s a built-in market. Everybody’s looking for the same thing—something functional with a familiar design. It’s easier to sell because there’s a known demand."

Marketing and Limited Releases

Phil explains that Gibson and Fender minimize the prevalence of their specialty models by releasing them in limited runs. This scarcity not only maintains high demand but also allows these models to command premium prices without extensive marketing efforts. The flagship models, being universally recognized and desired, require less promotional push, ensuring their continuous availability and dominance in the market.

Phil McKnight [27:10]: "When you try to push items that aren’t your big ticket sellers, like strange colors or unique models, it takes significant marketing effort. The return on investment for these niche models isn’t as straightforward as for the classics."

Impact on Retailers and Small Businesses

Phil discusses the ripple effects of these strategies on small retailers and "mom and pop" stores. As Gibson and Fender shift towards direct-to-consumer sales, the traditional distribution channels face increased competition and higher operational costs. The consolidation of sales through major platforms like Sweetwater and Guitar Center exacerbates the challenges for smaller shops, leading to their gradual decline.

Phil McKnight [38:50]: "The cost to work with mom and pops goes up as their sales decrease. Shipping smaller, inconsistent orders becomes more expensive, and maintaining accounts with these stores adds another layer of overhead."

Future Outlook

Phil speculates that Gibson and Fender's move towards direct sales is a strategic response to shrinking traditional retail markets. By controlling more of the sales process, these companies aim to safeguard their market share against the declining number of small retail outlets.

Phil McKnight [42:30]: "Direct-to-consumer models are extremely profitable when scaled appropriately. For giants like Fender and Gibson, it's about securing their foothold as smaller retailers continue to disappear."

Listener Questions and Discussions

Organizing Guitar Restringing Clinics

Listener: Antiquerocker
Question: Suggestions for hosting a guitar restring and setup clinic.

Phil's Response [05:20]: Emphasizes the importance of organization, tagging instruments to prevent mix-ups, prioritizing customers who traveled longer distances, and ensuring sufficient staffing to handle large volumes efficiently.

Phil McKnight: "You definitely want to be organized for a restring event. Tagging instruments helps prevent mix-ups, and prioritizing those who drove long distances ensures customer satisfaction even if delays occur."

The Rarity of Explorer Models

Listener: Ben Coombs
Question: Why are Explorers so rare these days?

Phil's Response [31:15]: Attributes the scarcity of Explorers to Gibson and Fender's focus on their best-selling models. Limited production runs and high marketing costs for niche models make them less prevalent in stores.

Phil McKnight: "Explorers are rare because they require more marketing effort and higher returns on investment. The core models don’t need as much push, allowing Gibson and Fender to prioritize their flagship guitars."

Warranty Experiences with Guitar Brands

Listener: Regularstar
Question: Are lifetime warranties on guitars and equipment honored or just gimmicks?

Phil's Response [51:50]: Shares mixed experiences, noting that while some warranties are honored, many brands, especially after acquisitions or company changes, tend to err on the side of not honoring them. Emphasizes the importance of the company's integrity and willingness to support customers.

Phil McKnight: "Warranties are as good as the paper they're printed on and the company's commitment to honoring them. I've seen more cases of warranties being ignored than fulfilled."

Purchasing Guitars on Reverb In-Person

Listener: DJB
Question: Thoughts on buying a guitar off Reverb in person from a seller with no history.

Phil's Response [58:10]: Advises ensuring a safe meeting place and leveraging Reverb’s built-in protections, such as verification steps and secure payment releases, to minimize risks.

Phil McKnight: "As long as you meet in a safe location and follow Reverb’s guidelines, buying in person can be straightforward. Just ensure everything is verified to protect both parties."

Favorite Bass Strings

Listener: Lock Sustenate
Question: Request for favorite bass strings recommendations.

Phil's Response [44:50]: Recommends specific Dr. String Stainless Steels 40 to 1/00 for general use and D’Addario tape-wound strings for slap techniques, highlighting their reliability and sound quality.

Phil McKnight: "I use Dr. String Stainless Steels 40 to 1/00 a lot and D’Addario tape-wounds for slap bass. They offer great durability and tone for different playing styles."

Multi-Tools for Guitar Roadie Work

Listener: Destro
Question: Recommendation for a multi-tool for guitar roadie work.

Phil's Response [59:30]: Suggests specialized guitar tools over general multi-tools, mentioning brands like Ibanez and Keisel, and emphasizing having the right tool for specific tasks rather than relying on a single multi-tool.

Phil McKnight: "For guitar-specific tasks, I prefer using dedicated tools from brands like Ibanez or Keisel. They’re designed for precision and reliability, which general multi-tools might lack."

Conclusion

Phil wraps up the episode by reiterating the significance of understanding the business strategies of major guitar manufacturers like Gibson and Fender. He encourages small retailers to focus on exceptional customer service and specialized offerings to survive in a market dominated by large corporations. Additionally, Phil continues to provide valuable insights and advice through his responses to listener questions, maintaining the podcast’s reputation as a go-to resource for guitar enthusiasts.

Phil McKnight [1:20:00]: "Focus on what you can do better than the big players—exceptional customer service, specialized knowledge, and creating a unique experience. That's how small businesses can thrive."

Notable Quotes:

• Phil McKnight [23:45]: "Think of it like a pickup truck market. There’s a built-in market. Everybody’s looking for the same thing—something functional with a familiar design."

• Phil McKnight [27:10]: "When you try to push items that aren’t your big ticket sellers, like strange colors or unique models, it takes significant marketing effort."

• Phil McKnight [38:50]: "The cost to work with mom and pops goes up as their sales decrease."

• Phil McKnight [42:30]: "Direct-to-consumer models are extremely profitable when scaled appropriately."

• Phil McKnight [51:50]: "Warranties are as good as the paper they're printed on and the company's commitment to honoring them."

• Phil McKnight [58:10]: "As long as you meet in a safe location and follow Reverb’s guidelines, buying in person can be straightforward."

• Phil McKnight [1:20:00]: "Focus on what you can do better than the big players—exceptional customer service, specialized knowledge, and creating a unique experience."

Final Thoughts

Episode 407 offers a deep dive into the business maneuvers of leading guitar manufacturers and provides actionable advice for both retailers and musicians. Phil McKnight's blend of industry analysis and practical solutions makes this episode a valuable listen for anyone passionate about guitars and the music industry.